Higher Education in Saskatchewan - Funding

Funding

According to the 2008-09 Budget, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment, and Labour has a total budget of $761 million. Spending plans include the following:

• $12 million for the new Graduate Retention Program, which will provide tuition rebates of up to $20,000 for post-secondary graduates from Saskatchewan who stay in the province for seven years after graduation.
• $10.5 million to fund a 120 seat expansion for nursing education.
• $3.2 million to train more doctors, by expanding medical student training to 100 and residency training to 120 by 2010-11.
• $0.9 million to SIAST for 12 medical diagnostic technician seats and 42 new trades training seats.
• $4.1 million for Regional Colleges, including support for a 200 seat expansion of on-reserve Adult Basic Education.
• $33 million to enhance affordability for post-secondary learners, including supporting the tuition freeze for university students for a final year, and additional funding for SIAST.
• $5 million for community-based organizations, including immigrant training programs.
• $1 million to the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) for on-reserve adult basic education and skills training.
• $45.8 million for post-secondary institution capital, including $6.8 million for health professional training capital.
• $2.2 million increase for the International Vaccine Centre.
• $2.4 million for settlement and training supports for new immigrants, and to quicken processing time for potential immigrants to Saskatchewan.

According to CAUT, over the period 1993-1994 to 2004-2005, only British Columbia (2%) and Saskatchewan (24%) increased provincial funding to post-secondary education. In 2005, tuition represented 29% of University Operating Revenue in Saskatchewan, with 60.6% of operating revenue coming from (presumably both provincial and federal) government. Budget breakdown According to the 2008-09 Budget estimates for the Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour, the following amounts are estimated in the 2008-09 fiscal year. (Note: a partial breakdown is provided for student support services and post-secondary education:

Student Funding

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour oversees a number of programs to assist current and potential students. A selection is listed below.

Adult Basic Education (ABE)

Adult Basic Education (ABE) is an umbrella term that refers to a wide range of services, credit, and non-credit programs designed to help adult learners achieve their goals.

Credit Transfer (CT)

Credit Transfer (CT) is defined as the process by which credit is granted towards a credential by one institution for programs or courses previously completed at a recognized institution.

Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities (EAPD)

The EAPD Program provides funding to assist adults with disabilities to prepare for, secure and maintain employment.

Employment Programs (including SaskJobs and SaskNetWork)

These programs can help individuals transition into and within the workforce.

General Educational Development (GED)

The GED Tests measure the academic skills and knowledge expected of high school graduates. Recognized throughout North America, the GED Testing Program has served as a bridge to education and employment. The GED Tests provide a reliable vehicle through which adults can certify that they possess the major and lasting outcomes of a traditional high school education.

Graduate Retention Program

The Graduate Retention Program (GRP) is a refundable income tax credit to rebate up to $20,000 of tuition fees paid by eligible graduates. This initiative replaces the previous Graduate Tax Exemption beginning January 1, 2008.

Graduate Tax Benefit Programs

From 2000-2007, the Government of Saskatchewan had two previous graduate tax benefit programs for graduates from post-secondary programs.

Innovation and Science Fund

The Innovation and Science Fund (ISF) will provide funding to Saskatchewan universities, colleges and research institutes to support projects.

Institutional Quick Response Training (Quick Skills) JobStart/Future Skills links training to employment. The program provides a range of skills training solutions for Saskatchewan people.

JobStart/Future Skills

JobStart/Future Skills Program - Quick Skills option provides funds to public training institutions to train the unemployed to meet industry requirements for skilled workers. Training should lead to ongoing permanent employment. The program also provides access to credit training in rural and northern Saskatchewan.

Joint Task Force - Aboriginal Education and Employment

An agreement with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) was signed on May 17, 2011, to establish a joint task force on aboriginal education and employment, to consult on and identify practical, grass-roots solutions for eliminating current gaps in education and employment outcomes for First Nations and Métis people in Saskatchewan.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is a systematic process that assesses and recognizes an individual’s knowledge and skills regardless of where or how the learning was acquired.

Provincial Training Allowance (PTA)

The Provincial Training Allowance (PTA) is grant funding to assist with the costs of living for low income adult students enrolled in basic education and bridging programs. In addition, the PTA provides assistance for Quick Skills Training of four to eleven weeks for programs not funded by student loans.

Qualification Recognition (QR)

Qualification Recognition (QR) practices involve the fair, credible, and standardized assessment of credentials to assist employers, educational institutions and professional regulatory bodies in making informed decisions.

Recognizing Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognizing Prior Learning (RPL) is a broad umbrella concept which values all learning that people have gained in their lives.

Skills Training Benefit (STB)

The objective of the Skills Training Benefit program is to assist clients who are EI eligible to return to the labour market as quickly as possible and to improve their employability.

Student Employment Experience

The Student Employment Experience (SEE) program is a year-round funding program for Saskatchewan employers to hire students.

Student Loans

The Canada-Saskatchewan Integrated Student Loans Program offers a needs based supplement to your existing resources to help you fund your education.

Student/Participant Placement Injury

Procedures in the event of a Student/Participant Injury on a Work-based Learning Placement or Work Placement.

Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW)

The Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour is working in partnership with the Federal government to deliver a two year initiative to help older workers be reintegrated into the workforce.

Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL)

Saskatchewan post-secondary institutions and the ministry work together through the provincial TEL Action Plan to extend access to education and skills training and enrich learning by adapting technology-based tools, teaching methods and resources to meet the diverse needs of learners, both on- and off-campus.