Since 1984, Yellowquill College has operated with the same small base grant from Indian & Northern Affairs Canada, which provides approximately 27% of the total college operating budget.

The Province of Manitoba provides approximately 16% of the total college budget to deliver a Mature 12 program. This means that the remaining 57% of the budget must be recovered through tuition.

For any program offered and delivered in First Nation communities or in other Aboriginal organizations or other towns or cities, the tuition must cover 100% of the operating costs. The College does not receive any other grants for resources, curriculum development, administrative or management costs, or technology upgrades.