Support for Students and Recent Graduates Impacted by COVID-19

Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) 

• The Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) would provide support to students and new graduates who are not be eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit or Employment Insurance or unable to work due to COVID-19. 
• This benefit would provide $1,250 per month for eligible students or $1,750 per month for eligible students with dependents or disabilities. 
• This benefit would be available from May to August 2020. 
• More details will be made available soon. 

Launching a new national service initiative 

• The Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG) will help students gain valuable work experience and skills while they help their communities during the COVID19 pandemic. 
• For students who choose to do national service and serve their communities, the new CSSG will provide up to $5,000 for their education in the fall. 
• More details will be made available on the “I Want to Help” platform soon. 

Helping students continue their studies in the fall 

• Changes to the Canada Student Loans Program (CSLP) will allow more students to qualify for support and be eligible for greater amounts. 
• The changes would include: 
  • doubling the Canada Student Grants for all eligible full-time students to up to $6,000 and up to $3,600 for part-time students in 2020-21. The Canada Student Grants for Students with Permanent Disabilities and Students with Dependents would also be doubled. 
  • broadening eligibility for student financial assistance by removing the expected student’s and spouse’s contributions in 2020-21. 
  • raising the maximum weekly amount that can be provided to a student in 2020-21 from $210 to $350. 

Support for student researchers and post-doctoral fellows 

• $291.6 million is being provided to support student researchers and post-doctoral fellows through the federal granting councils. 
• Funding would support a one-semester extension for eligible students whose research scholarships or fellowships end between March and August 2020 and who intend to continue their studies. It would also provide a 3-month extension in funding for holders of federal research grants to support eligible trainees and staff paid out of these awards. 

Supporting international students working in an essential service 

• Removal of the restriction that allows international students to work only a maximum of 20 hours per week while classes are in session, provided they are working in an essential service or function, such as health care, critical infrastructure, or the supply of food or other critical goods. 
• This temporary rule change will be in place until August 31, 2020. 

Suspending repayment and interest on student and apprentice loans 

• All student loan borrowers will automatically have their loan repayments and interest suspended until September 30, 2020. 
• Students do not need to apply for the repayment pause. 
• This moratorium applies to the federal portion of student loans. Borrowers should check with their provincial or territorial student loan provider to see if payment is required on the provincial or territorial portion. 

Providing youth with mental health support 

• $7.5 million in funding to Kids Help Phone to provide young people with the mental health support they need during this difficult time. 

Creating new jobs and opportunities 

Expanding existing federal employment, skills development, and youth programming to create up to 116,000 jobs, placements, and other training opportunities to help students find employment and develop valuable skills this summer and over the coming months.  

Canada Summer Jobs program

• In 2020, Job Bank will be the primary source for information for youth on the availability of positions funded through the program. All Canada Summer Jobs-funded positions will automatically be posted on Job Bank to help youth find, and employers to fill those jobs. Youth will be actively encouraged to search Canada Summer Jobs-funded positions on Job Bank while they are advertised. 

Find student work placement  

• $80 million for the Student Work Placement Program to support up to 20,000 post-secondary students across Canada to obtain paid work experience related to their field of study. 

Youth Employment and Skills Strategy 

• $153.7 million for the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy to help youth develop the skills and gain the experience they need to successfully transition into the labour market. 
• Funding will support a range of measures in high-demand sectors such as agriculture, technology, health and essential services, creating over 6,000 additional job placements. 

Mitacs and The Business / Higher Education Roundtable 

• Investment of $40 million to support Mitacs in order to create 5,000 new job placements. The Business/Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) will also create a further 5,000 to 10,000 new student placements, by reorienting existing federal support and building online tools. 

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