The Graduate Retention Program Amendment Regulations, 2025, filed under Saskatchewan Regulations 52/2025, introduce changes to the province’s Graduate Retention Program (GRP) to improve the financial incentives offered to recent graduates. These amendments adjust eligibility criteria and update maximum benefit amounts for graduates based on the type and duration of their post-secondary education.

One of the core amendments appears in Section 5 of the regulations, which clarifies that the prior benefit structure will continue to apply to students who graduated before October 1, 2024. This transitional clause ensures that previous graduates will not be disadvantaged by the new structure. For those graduating on or after October 1, 2024, however, a new tiered system is introduced that aligns the financial benefit more precisely with the length and level of the educational program completed. The introduction of these new categories marks a shift toward greater differentiation in the GRP’s reward framework, potentially reflecting both fiscal responsibility and an effort to better incentivize longer academic commitments within Saskatchewan.

The updated benefit structure under subsection 5(3.1) now provides four distinct levels of maximum retention amounts, which vary according to the credentials earned and the duration of full-time study. For programs requiring between six months and under two years of full-time study, such as technical certificates or shorter college diplomas, the maximum benefit is set at $3,600. This amount also applies to graduates of certain programs described in clauses 3(1)(b) and (c), likely referring to apprenticeship or trade qualifications.

For more substantial diploma programs requiring at least two full academic years of study, graduates are now eligible for a higher retention benefit of $7,680. This tier acknowledges the additional time and financial investment required for such credentials, often seen in community colleges or technical institutes.

The third tier, valued at $18,000, is targeted at those who complete a university degree—excluding graduate-level degrees such as master’s or doctorates—that require between three and four academic years of full-time study. This reflects the traditional structure of many undergraduate degrees, such as those in arts or sciences. The top tier, offering a maximum benefit of $24,000, is reserved for individuals who earn a university degree of four or more years in length, typically associated with honours bachelor programs or professional degrees such as engineering, nursing, or education.

The intent of this stratification is to make the program more equitable by aligning benefit levels with program rigor and length, and to strengthen Saskatchewan’s ability to retain skilled graduates in a competitive national and global talent landscape.

Saskatchewan (52/2025) July 9, 2025
Disclaimer: Insights are for informational purposes only and do not reflect RRI’s official position or constitute legal opinion.