The Government of Saskatchewan announced they are set to provide funding to ensure that Ukrainian students who came to Saskatchewan under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program pay domestic tuition rates rather than international rates.

The CUAET program does not categorize Ukrainian arrivals as refugees. As a result, those who want to pursue post-secondary education would be required to pay higher international student tuition rates.

International students pay between $25,000 to $35,000 a year, compared to $7,000 to $9,000 yearly for domestic students.

Viktoriia Knyhnystska came to Saskatchewan with her family in December and is about to graduate from high school in Wawota.

“It’s really good news for us because we came from war, not as tourists or something like that. We are very happy to hear that.”

Advanced Education Minister Gordon Wyant said this marks another commitment from the government to supporting Ukrainians who have come to Saskatchewan seeking refuge from war.

“These students are in a unique situation. We want them to be able to continue living here to study at one of our excellent post-secondary institutions without causing severe financial hardship for their families.”

“Ukrainian arrivals are contributing in many ways to our communities, our labour force, and the rich cultural fabric of Saskatchewan,” Wyant said. “They deserve an opportunity to study in Saskatchewan and hopefully become permanent residents and contribute to the growth and future of our province.”

Among those who may be eligible to pay domestic tuition are approximately two dozen Ukrainian students who will graduate from high school in Saskatchewan this spring. If they pursue post-secondary education in the province, they will now pay the same tuition rates as domestic students.

Wyant added that the province expects to spend $400,000 to accommodate the Ukrainian students as domestic students.

The money will go to pay the differential between domestic and international tuition rates.