Support for Students and New Grads affected by COVID-19

COVID-19 Updates & Resources

The federal government has announced a series of proposed measures to support students and recent grads negatively impacted by COVID-19. Among the measures (read the full release here) is a new monthly benefit for students, a new volunteerism-based benefit, and an increase to Canada Student Grants.

Canada Emergency Student Benefit

  • Eligibility – Post-secondary (college and university) students who are currently in school, are planning to start school in September 2020, or who graduated from school in December 2019 are eligible for this new benefit if they have lost work or cannot find work due to the pandemic
  • Eligibility – For students and recent grads not eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (mainly students who have not lost work, or who had not accumulated $5000 in income in the past 12 months)
  • Amount – $1,250 per month from May to August.  For those with dependents or those with a disability that amount could go up to $2000 per month
  • Apply – The application process and further details are now live.  Click here 

Canada Student Service Grant

  • Eligibility – For students who volunteer in their communities
  • When  – The program is expected to run this coming summer
  • Amount – A new benefit in the amount of between $1000 and $5000
  • Apply – The application process has been halted amongst a government review.

Doubling Canada Student Grants

  • The Canada Student Grant program will be doubled to provide eligible full-time students up to $6,000 and part-time students up to $3600 in 2020-21
  • The grants for students with permanent disabilities and students with dependents would also be doubled.
  • The Canada Student Grant provides funding for low to middle income students.  Read more here