The University of Saskatchewan is offering a new bursary for students who were once in the province’s child welfare system.

The Saskatchewan Youth From Care Bursary will be awarded each year to five students, the university announced in a media release this week.

The bursary will pay for up to five years of tuition as well as student fees, textbooks, housing, meal plans, a stipend for personal costs and a laptop.

“We work hard to attract the best and brightest around the world, but the best and brightest in government care here at home are not finding their way to post-secondary institutions,” said Patti McDougall, the university’s vice-provost of teaching and learning.

“The community and security offered by living in residence, having a meal plan and being part of a peer mentorship program will set these students up for success.”

The university will allocate $100,000 each year from its operating budget to fund the program.

McDougall said the bursaries will kick in once students stop receiving assistance from the provincial government. The province provides education support for youth in care up to the age of 21, depending on circumstance.

The first bursaries will be offered this September.