We are pleased to announce the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) application period will begin tomorrow, May 15. We are providing $1,250 per month to eligible students, or $2,000 per month to students with disabilities, or those with children or other dependants.

This is in continuation with our support to all Canadians affected by COVID-19 pandemic. So far over 7.3 million Canadians have applied for $2,000 per month CERB. 96,000 employers have applied for the 75% wage subsidy to cover 1.7 million workers. 518,000 businesses have applied for interest free $40,000 federal government-backed loans.

The CESB is for post-secondary students, new graduates as well as high school graduates who will be starting a post-secondary program in the coming months.

It will also be available to Canadian students studying abroad  and there are no age restrictions and is for those who are unable to work or seeking work but are unable to find it or working but unable to make more than $1,000.

CESB is part of our support to students totaling $9 billion which includes doubling of student grant amounts and a raised cap on student loans for the upcoming school year. A six-month, interest-free moratorium on student loan repayment is already in effect.

For more details and how to apply, please visit https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/emergency-student-benefit.html

When Canada emerges from this pandemic, we want to ensure students are in a financial position to continue their studies so they can pursue fruitful careers.

Please remember, we will face this crisis together, and we will get through this together.

Stay safe.

Chandra