Tuition fees increased at University of Saskatchewan

Tuition fees are being increased at the University of Saskatchewan by an average of 2.4 per cent, according to the Saskatoon-based institution.

The increases are set to take effect for the upcoming academic year. A typical student in the college of arts and science will pay tuition of $5,790.

Saskatchewan's minister of advanced education, Kevin Doherty, said Wednesday he has asked all post-secondary institutions to make financial plans that take into account the possibility that provincial funding may not be increased in the next budget. Doherty said the budget has not been finalized and the province is watching oil prices.

"We as a government believe that students should contribute to their post-secondary education," Doherty added. "Taxpayers already contribute a great deal. At the University of Saskatchewan it's upwards of 62 per cent of their total operating revenues [which] come from the taxpayers of this province, which is the second-highest in Canada."

The tuition hikes at the U of S were announced now, the university said, in order to give students time to plan ahead.

• EXTERNAL LINK: More from the U of S on tuition fees