Breaking News – The Canadian Government provides emergency fund for students in Canada

The Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced to issue a Candian Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) of 9 billion dollars to postsecondary students across Canada. This is a great movement from the government to help students who is financially struggle due to Covid-19. In addition, if a student is taking care of someone else or have a disability, that amount increases to $1,750 monthly. College and university students currently in school, planning to start in September 2020, or who graduated in December 2019 are eligible. As well, working students earning less than $1,000 per month can apply.

However, the benefit will require additional legislation and the Government will soon announce how to enroll in this program very soon.

Along with this announcement, the Canadian Government also proved to invest $291.6 million to extend scholarships, fellowships, and grants for three or four months to keep research projects and placements going, including postdoctoral fellowships. They will also launch a new Canada Student Service Grant of between $1,000 and $5,000 for students volunteering in the COVID-19 fight to go towards their fall tuition. Furthermore, Canada Student Grants will double all eligible full-time students 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 are also being doubled.

International Students are going to be allowed to work more that the current 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. They will also receive free healthcare if they are infected by Corona Virus.

However, the eligibility of International Students has not been announced yet. We will wait have to wait for more update from the Canadian Government. In case if international students cannot receive this fund, they are still eligible to enroll for CERB if they can meet all the conditions.