Sask. NDP to convert provincial student loans to grants

The Saskatchewan New Democrats have announced plans to support post-secondary students by converting all provincial student loans to non-repayable grants by 2017.

At St. Andrew's College in Saskatoon on Wednesday, NDP Leader Cam Broten pledged thatif elected, the party willinitiate a comprehensive plan to support university and college students by lowering tuition fees and cutting student debt.

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"Under the Sask. Party, it's gotten harder and harder for students and new graduates to get ahead," Brotensaid in a news release.

"We must do better. Not only for our children but for Saskatchewan's economy."

In a statementissued via email,the Sask. Party says it's invested $6.5 billion in post-secondary education since forming government in 2007 - a 61 per cent increase - since the 2007-2008 fiscal year.

In addition, the ruling government points to the Saskatchewan Advantage Grant, which has doled out $10.4 million to nearly 35,000 people.

The Sask. Party points to the NDP's past track record, stating that between 1993-94 and 97-98, the NDP cut operating funding to the two universities by nearly $10 million.

Broten's plan for post-secondary students includes:

• Converting all provincial student loans into grants,for a term cost of $71.9 million.
• Immediately eliminating interest charges on all student loans, at a cost of $8.2 million over four years.
• Increasing the Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship to $1,000 for Saskatchewan post-secondary students, at a cost of $31.5 million over four years.
• A commitment to regulate tuition fees.

"Instead of making the Sask. Party's friends and consultants richer, I want to help Saskatchewan's young people have a better start," Broten said.