IMPROVED APPLICATION PROCESS FOR STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

It's time for Saskatchewan students to get their applications in for student loans. The on-line application system introduced a year ago has greatly enhanced the speed and convenience of the process. The turn-around time is within one week even in the busiest season, the summer months. One improvement this year is broader operating system compatibility. Now the student loan application system is also compatible with the Mac operating system and Apple's Safari browser.

"On-line is the normal way of doing business for many students now," Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said. "The speed and convenience are expected, and the environmental benefits of avoiding the paper forms are a bonus. The online process has also reduced administrative costs."

Last year the Government of Saskatchewan approved more than 12,400 student loan applications for a total of almost $108 million in support. In addition, student loan recipients were provided with more than $31 million in grants and bursaries to reduce student loan debt; $1.3 million in grants to support students with permanent disabilities, high need part-time learners and female doctoral students; more than $2 million in Canada Access Grants; and nearly $2.3 million in other awards and scholarships.

The Student Financial Assistance call centre offers extended service hours from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday until mid-October, when the rush of applications is over. Last year, the Student Financial Assistance Branch handled more than 66,000 calls and served more than 14,000 students at its office.

Program details are available at http://www.student-loans.sk.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Terry White
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
Regina
Phone: 306-787-7791
Email: Terry.White@gov.sk.ca