Humboldt-Watrous MLA Donna Harpauer, who also looks after the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation is happy to hear 230 people are now home owners thanks to the Graduate Retention Program(GRP)-First Home Plan.

The SaskParty Government has approved 230 of 276 applications through the program, of that 49 interest free loans have been issued worth $450,000 for an average of $9,184.

Harpauer said this about the program on Tuesday, "the Graduate Retention program-First Home Plan is a solid investment in recent graduates who are trying to make their home ownership dreams come true."

The plan is to help recent post-secondary grads who can qualify for a mortgage but perhaps don't have that crucial down payment. The initiative allows those eligible to borrow up to $10,000 of their unused GRP tax credit as an interest free loan for the down payment. First time home owners and anyone that hasn't owned a home in five years may be eligible.

"Our government recognizes the importance of recruiting and retaining graduates from both in and out of the province," Harpauer continued. "Helping them enter into home ownership will help us do that, we are encouraging and supporting those who want to live and work here and through initiatives such as this we will keep Saskatchewan strong."

Under the GRP graduates are eligible for rebates up to $20,000 of tuition fees if they live in Saskatchewan for seven years following the completion of their schooling.

As the school year concludes many new graduates may be interested in this program, you can read more here.