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Financial Support for Students During COVID-19
Friday, May 15, 2020
The government released several emergency financial support options for students during the pandemic. The benefits are geared towards recent high-school and post-secondary graduates, and post-secondary students who are unable to find work due to COVID-19.
The Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG)
As a way to encourage students to get more active in their communities in response to national service activities, this grant is offering up to $5000. The CSSG will go towards post-secondary education costs in the fall.
More details will be released on the Canada.ca website. For how to apply for a national service activity as a student, eligibility, and different levels of funding within the grant, keep an eye out for the “I Want Help” platform in the weeks to come.
Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB)
The CESB is available to students and new graduates not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) or the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).
The benefit payment includes:
- $1,250 for each 4-week period
- $2,000 for each 4-week period if you have dependants or have a disability
Visit the CESB page to see if you qualify.
International Students
On April 23, the government removed restrictions for international students that prevents them from working up to 20hrs per month while classes are in session. With the temporary measures, students are able to work longer hours in essential services like:
- health care
- critical infrastructure
- the supply food and goods industry
Student Financial Assistance for Fall 2020
Canada Student Loans Programs were made more flexible in recognition of the economic impacts to students during the pandemic. Eligibility requirements were loosened for 2020-21 to allow more students to qualify for supports and be eligible for greater amounts, including doubling the non-repayable Canada Student Grants for full and part time students, as well as for students with disabilities and students with dependents, in the coming academic year.
For more information on student grants visit the Canada Student Grants page on Campus Access.