A student aid package to support students and recent graduates during the COVID-19 pandemic passed in parliament Wednesday.
The Canada Emergency Student Benefit is for post-secondary students and recent graduates who do not qualify for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. It will provide $1,250 per month for eligible students from May through August and $1,750 for students with dependents and those with permanent disabilities.
The government is also launching a new service to assist students in finding volunteer opportunities to help during the pandemic.
"If you can't find a job this summer but want to contribute in the fight against COVID-19, we're going to make sure you have support too. Students helping in the fight against COVID-19 this summer will soon be eligible for $1000-$5000 through the new Canada Student Service Grant for volunteer hours," said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during his daily news conference.
The student aid bill also removes restrictions that allow international students to work only a maximum of 20 hours per week.
The aid package also includes additional Canada Student Grants for low to middle-income students in the upcoming academic school year. The measures are expected to benefit more than 760,000 students at an estimated cost of approximately $1.9 billion over two years starting in 2020-21.
