Under a plan proposed by the Saskatchewan Party, graduating high school students would receive $2,000 to apply toward their post-secondary tuition. CBC

The Saskatchewan Party is pledging $15 million a year in new post-secondary aid, its first major promise of the election campaign.

Two programs are proposed, Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall explained in Saskatoon.

One would give students graduating from high school up to $2,000 to use on tuition fees at any post-secondary institution or recognized training course in the province.

It would cost $4.6 million in the first year, the Sask. Party says.

The second program piggybacks on the federal Registered Education Savings Plan and would add 10 per cent to what parents are contributing, to a maximum of $250 a year.

"Our family takes advantage of it, thousands of Saskatchewan families do," Wall said. "We're seeking to improve it, we want to add to the benefit."

The Sask. Party says that program will cost around $11 million a year.

The NDP's take on the proposal was to ask why tuition couldn't be cut for everyone by giving more money to universities and colleges.

The Sask. Party's response was to say its government already does that and will continue to do so.