The federal government has announced additional supports for students who are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Students will be able to claim the Canada Emergency Student Benefit, part of a $9 billion package of new measures announced on April 22.

While the legislation to create these benefits still has to be passed before the program can be accessed, the government has announced:

• Eligible postsecondary students can receive $1,250 monthly from May to August 2020.
• College and university students currently in school, planning to start in September or who graduated in December 2019 are eligible.
• Students earning less than $1,000 per month can also apply.

As well, the government has announced it will:

• Create an additional 76,000 jobs for young people in high-demand sectors;
• Invest $291 million to extend scholarships, fellowships and grants for up to four months;
• Launch a Canada Student Service Grant of up to $5,000 for students volunteering in the COVID-19 fight;
• Provide more than $75 million to increase support for First Nations, Inuit and Metis students;
• Double the student grants that the government gives out in the 2020-21 school year.