Walking through the University of Saskatchewan campus at the start of the fall semester, Ivan Teteria felt a sense of accomplishment after years of hard work. Three years earlier, he had left Ukraine amidst the escalating war and arrived in Regina at the age of 15, uncertain of what the future held. In a new city, he strived to establish a sense of normalcy through school, friends, and aspirations for the future.
His dreams started to materialize with the aid of a Saskatchewan initiative that allowed Ukrainian students who had fled the conflict to pay the same tuition as Canadian students. Now a freshman studying political science, Teteria is concerned about the potential closure of this opportunity.
Expressing his worries, Teteria emphasized the need for certainty rather than uncertainties in securing their future. The Saskatchewan program that facilitated Ukrainian student tuition at domestic rates, a joint effort of the provincial and federal governments, is set to expire on March 31, 2026.
Established following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the program enabled Ukrainian students to pursue higher education in Saskatchewan without incurring international tuition fees that could amount to $60,000 annually or even higher for specialized programs. While the province clarified that the agreement has not been terminated but awaits renewal, students received notifications from their universities indicating that the winter term of 2026 would be the final period covered under the existing arrangement.
The looming uncertainty has cast a shadow over many students’ aspirations. Teteria reported that Ukrainian high school students are reconsidering attending university due to the exorbitant international tuition fees. Solomiia Kulyk, a first-year business student, highlighted the significance of the program in allowing her to afford her studies, currently paying approximately $10,000 annually under the domestic rate.
Kulyk echoed concerns that without the program, her tuition expenses would quadruple, making it unfeasible to continue her education. For both students, the issue transcends monetary concerns; it is about the sustainability of the lives they have built in Saskatchewan.
In a plea for the renewal of the program, Teteria and Kulyk, alongside other students, attended a session at the Saskatchewan Legislature where Opposition MLAs advocated for action. The government clarified that around 26 students benefit from the program, with Saskatchewan contributing approximately $300,000 annually. Advanced Education Minister Ken Cheveldayoff assured that discussions with Ottawa will precede the program’s expiration, emphasizing the province’s commitment to exploring similar initiatives in the future.
As Teteria awaits a decision, he expressed that his future currently feels uncertain, relying on the government to extend the program promptly to alleviate the apprehensions among Ukrainian students in Saskatchewan.
