The University of Regina is investing almost $150,000 in new undergraduate scholarships to address a broad spectrum of student needs. The scholarships will be awarded to 136 students over the next year and will ensure a comprehensive offering of support for the University’s diverse student body. Recipients will include international students, single parents, home-based learners and students with developmental disabilities.

“These new scholarships provide students with greater access to the quality education the University of Regina has to offer,” says University of Regina President Robert Hawkins. “The investment we make in students today will have an impact on our world for generations, as these students become citizens who apply their knowledge and skills to benefit our increasingly global community and economy.”

The University is emphasizing international learning opportunities for students, investing more than $70,000 to create scholarships for U of R students to participate in international student exchange programs as well as for students coming from other countries.

“Increasing the level of student support will help us attain our goal of attracting and retaining the best and brightest students from Saskatchewan, Canada and all over the world,” says Ron Byrne, associate vice-president (student affairs). “Scholarships and bursaries for students going abroad and for those coming to the University of Regina will increase our presence in the global marketplace while enriching the educational experience for all our students.”

Other scholarships address the changing realities of Saskatchewan’s education system, providing support for International Baccalaureate (IB) and accelerated students, home-based learners, and part-time and distance education students. Single parents, aboriginal students, rural students and students with developmental disabilities will also see increased support through the establishment of scholarships designed to meet their unique needs. Students from other provinces and transfer students from other post-secondary institutions will see their overall support increased as a result of this expansion of the University’s scholarship program. In 2005-06, the University of Regina awarded 2,179 undergraduate scholarships, totaling almost $2.9 million.