Saskatchewan Party Will Increase the Graduate Retention Program
October 02, 2024Successful Program Will Provide Up to $24,000 for Students to Stay in Saskatchewan
Premier Scott Moe today announced a re-elected Saskatchewan Party government will build on the success of Canada’s most aggressive youth retention program by increasing the Graduate Retention Program benefit by 20 per cent.
“The Graduate Retention Program was one of the first initiatives our new government took after watching so many young people leaving Saskatchewan under the NDP,” Moe said. “The program has been very successful, providing tuition rebates of up to $20,000 to post-secondary students who decided to stay and work in Saskatchewan after graduation.
“Today, young people are facing cost of living pressures just like everyone else, so we will increase the benefit by 20 per cent to reflect those pressures and make life more affordable for young people working in Saskatchewan.”
The maximum benefit for a four-year university graduate will increase from $20,000 to $24,000. Graduates of one to three-year programs will also receive a 20 per cent increase to their maximum amount:
- Graduates from one-year certificate, diploma or journeyperson programs will see their GRP benefit increase from $3,000 to $3,600.
- Graduates from two to three-year certificate/ diploma programs will see their GRP benefit increase from $6,400 to $7,680.
- Graduates from three-year undergraduate programs will see their benefit increase from $15,000 to $18,000.
The Graduate Retention Program provides post-secondary graduates who live and work in Saskatchewan after they graduate with tuition rebates in the form of personal income tax credits that can be claimed over seven to 10 years. About 85,000 Saskatchewan young people have benefited from the program to date.
A re-elected Saskatchewan Party government will also introduce a $5,000 rebate to partially cover the cost of Class 1 Truck Driver Training. The rebate will be paid out over five years, $1,000 annually, after training is completed and if the driver continues to work and file income taxes in Saskatchewan.
“Saskatchewan’s future is our young people and the Saskatchewan Party is committed to giving them every opportunity to stay in Saskatchewan to live, work and build their future.
“Creating more opportunities for young people in Saskatchewan - it’s part of our plan for a strong economy and a bright future.”