The Provincial Training Allowance (PTA) is grant funding to assist with the costs of living for low income adult clients enrolled in basic education and bridging programs. In addition, the PTA provides assistance for Quick Skills Training of 4 to 11 weeks for programs not funded by student loans.

The PTA has the following features:

The amount of funding received is based on their financial need.

The financial need is calculated as follows:
Costs - Resources = PTA

The "costs" in this equation are flat rate living allowances based on client category and whether or not the client lives with parents, plus actual daycare allowances, up to maximum levels. The flat rate living allowances are intended to pay for rent, utilities, food, clothing, personal/household items and transportation. The PTA does not provide allowances for tuition, books and supplies.

The "resources" in the equation include a portion of income earned by the clients and their spouses, where applicable and for single dependent clients, the parents may be expected to contribute based on their income and family size.

Clients with gross assets totalling $150,000 or more are not eligible for the PTA.

The PTA will be paid to clients who maintain enrolment in programs approved for PTA funding (i.e. programs at SIAST, Regional Colleges, Dumont Technical Institute or other approved training centres).

Supplementary health coverage will be provided for PTA recipients and their families.

Clients with children who have employment or maintenance Income can apply for the Saskatchewan Employment Supplement (SES). The SES is not considered a resource in the calculation of the PTA.

Clients are required to inform the appropriate staff at their school of any changes to their circumstances or incomes. Eligibility for funding will be adjusted when changes are reported and clients may receive additional funding or overpayments may be calculated. Overpayments will be recovered from future monthly payments. (i.e. future monthly payments will be reduced).

Clients will be required to verify that the information provided on their application forms is correct (i.e. by providing daycare receipts, paystubs, etc.) after their application are processed.

Applications for PTA will NOT be processed until the client holds a valid Social Insurance Number and Personal Health Number. Clients may require Social Assistance until these numbers are provided.

Living allowances are provided at a flat rate depending on the client's category (i.e., single, married, single parent) and where they are living.

Clients are responsible for paying ALL their own living expenses including their rent, their utility bills, their daycare expenses, etc.

Clients who have their children in daycare or at a babysitter will be required to pay the daycare provider or babysitter directly. This includes clients who have their children in subsidized daycare spaces, the client will be required to pay the parent portion directly to the daycare out of the monthly PTA.

Clients who do not have their children with full-time (defined as at least 50% of the time) will be provided with an allowance for the days the children are with them.

Married clients (including common-law) who are both in training programs will both be required to complete separate PTA applications if they both require income support.

Contact:

For more information about the PTA or assistance in applying contact the nearest regional college, SIAST Campus, Dumont Technical Institute or Canada-Saskatchewan Career and Employment Services Office.