USask Email Shutdown Guide for Former Students
February 15, 2026, was the last and final deadline for University of Saskatchewan alumni. Now the USask email shutdown is a reality.
So if you didn’t get the special extension package its over for you. All data that was in your @usask.ca account is gone forever. Moreover, even contacting the university is of no use, as they have explicitly stated that there are no recovery options.
Even if you are a recent graduate or an old alumnus who regularly used their USask and purchased the 50$ extension, then you have until December 31, 2026. So don’t waste until the last date; get your data elsewhere ASAP.
No need to worry, I have seen other email closures in the past and will help you shift your data. Before we begin, let’s look at the official reasoning as to why the University ended the email service.
Why did the USask Email Shutdown Happen at All?
The university gave the following reasons for removing old emails:
- Every year, the storage expenses have increased.
- There is a higher security risk than ever before any leak invites legal liability.
- A large majority of the alumni accounts were not used.
Moreover, these are not unique to USask; we see similar cost reduction in cases like the recent EONI mail shutdown. And in other institutions, too. The university did not make the EOL statement out of the blue; there were many hints, notices, and announcements as we got closer and closer to the official end date.
Get a Glimpse at the Official USask Email Closure Announcement
In the official statement USask IT department has explicitly mentioned that the data deletion date of 15 Feb 2026 is final for all non-extended users.
There was plenty of time to back up content on your own beforehand through desktop clients or manual forwards.
However, for certain retirees, accounts in the university’s group get to maintain ongoing access via a premium 50$ membership fee. Reported by CBC News.
For more info, I suggest you check out the official USask alumni email update.
USask Email Shutdown Options for People With an Extension
If you were lucky enough to get an extension, don’t waste this time and get your data out to someplace safe before the time runs out. Here is a mini tabular distribution outlining what all you can do.
| Option | Cost | What You Get |
| Do nothing | Free | Available Dec 31, 2026 |
| Manual export | Free | Works for small inboxes, risky for big ones |
| Bulk professional move | $5 per address (min 5 = $25 free for up to 100 mails) | Full transfer fast with zero data loss |
One tool that any USask alumnus can trust is the SysTools IMAP Migration tool. It moves data with speed and accuracy.
Use it to preserve all elements while supporting multiple destinations, like Gmail or Yahoo.
USask Server Settings for Moving Mail
USask uses Microsoft 365 plans, so IMAP is straightforward for those with extensions:
- Incoming: outlook.office365.com
- Port: 993
- Security: SSL/TLS
- Username: Full address ([email protected])
- Password: Same as the login
- SMTP is smtp.office365.com on 587 with STARTTLS.
These remain usable during your extension and can be applied for moving account data.
Steps to Transfer Data with the Professional Tool
- Step 1. Download the tool on your Windows or Mac. On the setup screen, you don’t have to do much as all the settings are already set for you. Apply the date filter if you wish to move a tiny slice instead of the entire email database and press Next.
- Step 2. On the Source Screen, select Others and fill in the server details I gave you earlier. Then hit Validate and press Next to continue.
- Step 3. On the Destination screen, choose Gmail or any other email from the list. Depending on what you choose, you get to skip over the data-filling step and validate straightaway. After you see the green signal, press Next.
- Step 4. For account mapping, you get a dedicated CSV list use and add your USask account
- Step 5. On the final screen, check the accounts, validate once more, and start transferring.
Conclusion
The USask email shutdown date has already passed. However, if you have the necessary extensions, you can still get your data out with the help of the professional solution described here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Has the USask email shutdown deadline already passed?
Yes last date to get your data out was on 15 February 2026. Data is erased forever. No reactivation requests would be entertained by the university.
Q: I got the extension till when can I use my account now?
The extension provides continuous use until December 31, 2026. After which, no further extensions will be made available, and all facilities, including sending and web access, will be restored for everyone.
Q: Can I still get an extension?
Only selected alumni on request got it, which was before the 15 Feb deadline. Unless you are one of the retirees with an association membership, you can no longer access your mail.
Q: Which alternatives should I choose to replace my USask mail?
There are many options: Gmail, Outlook.com, iCloud, Yahoo. With the right tool, you can take your emails anywhere.
Q: How do I update contacts?
If you have an email sender list, prioritize essentials like finances and employment. Then, move to other less critical contacts.
Q: If I shift emails before 31 December, can I get a refund on the $50 fee?
No refunds are available, as per university guidelines.