The Ministry of Health is making every effort to link the prospective student to the employer earlier in the process. By having the employers administer the awards, they can achieve better alignment with the known vacancies in their facilities. The successful application (student) has the ability to choose where and with whom they would like to engage in a return in service commitment for a specified period of time.

Yes, the funding from a health region is between you and the health region. The Saskatchewan Health Bursary is between you and the Ministry of Health.

Taken from the Canada Revenue Agency website: "The full amount of scholarships, fellowships, or bursaries that are received by you as a student with respect to your enrolment in a program that entitles you to claim the education amount are not taxable and are no longer reported as income on your tax return." However, you will still receive a T4A that will show total bursary received in applicable year.

The bursary funding will be disbursed within 4-6 weeks from the date awarded, although it is likely you will receive it earlier.

Yes, you can still apply for a bursary; however, you must be a Saskatchewan resident and hold a valid health card.

Yes, you can still apply for a bursary if the program you are taking is an eligible program in an accredited educational institution in another province, although your return in service must be served in Saskatchewan.

Yes, if you are doing your final nursing clinical placement in another country.

If you are unable to fulfill your return service commitment, the expectation is that the total bursary funding plus applicable interest must be repaid. If you have served some of your commitment, the amount owing will be prorated.

You can move to another position as long as you find employment in another publicly funded position in the province and are still employed in the same profession for which you received your bursary. For example, if you received a bursary to complete your RN program, the expectation is that you work in an RN position.

A formal written request to defer the start of a return in service commitment must be made to the program. (Each request will be assessed on a case by case basis). The expectation is that you apply for and accept a position within six months of graduation of your program.

No, we request that you inform us when you go on leave and when you expect to return to your employment. Your employer would be contacted to confirm the dates and we would continue tracking your return in service when you return to work.

No, you must be currently enrolled or accepted into in an eligible training program. Bursaries are not awarded on a retroactive basis.

Yes, however, preference is given to students who have not previously received a bursary If you are in your final clinical placement, you may apply for a clinical placement bursary although preference is given to applicants who have not already received a bursary.

The factors taken into consideration are: the length of your program, time remaining in your training and whether you are taking your program in the province or out-of-province.

Factors such as location and length of the clinical placement are considered when determining the amount of the bursary award.

A team of health care professionals review the applications and supporting documents (essays) and each application is rated based on a set of criteria.

The Ministry of Advanced Education and Employment and Immigration will continue to offer the Graduate Retention Program (GPR). The GRP is a refundable income tax credit to rebate up to $20,000 of tuition fees. The maximum tuition rebate per program is dependent on the program from which the student graduated and the year of graduation. The GRP is available to individuals who have graduated since 2006.

In the Advanced Education Employment and Immigration Plan 2012-13, our government announced three new initiatives to support students pursuing post-secondary education. These initiatives include:

• The Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship for new Grade 12 graduates;
• The Saskatchewan Advantage Grant for Education Savings; and
• The Saskatchewan Student Loans Forgiveness Program for doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners who locate in under-served rural and remote communities.

Please view the attached web link for more information. http://www.aeei.gov.sk.ca/new-initiatives-support-students

We would have to look at your application to determine why you did not receive a bursary. Some of the factors we take into consideration are: the program you are in; expected date of graduation; work experience related to your program; preferred location to work after graduation; and your commitment to return in service. Further, there are a limited number of bursaries awarded in each professional category.

If you have any further questions about the program, please call the bursary inquiry line at 798-0938.