Financial Assistance
Updates on federal financial aid for Canadians
Updates from the Government of Canada on student financial aid.
Canada Emergency Response Benefit
Temporary income support for those who have lost part-time or full-time employment due to COVID-19.
Extra 8 weeks available – CERB extended from 16 weeks to 24 weeks for workers who:
- stopped working due to COVID-19 or
- are eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits or
- have exhausted their Employment Insurance regular benefits or Employment Insurance fishing benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020.
Canada Emergency Student Benefit
Temporary income support for students and recent graduates who are ineligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit or for Employment Insurance, but who are unable to find full-time employment or are unable to work due to COVID-19.
Canada Student Service Grant
$5,000 grant to cover post-secondary education costs for students who mobilize and take part in community service activities related to COVID-19.
Support for Families
Direct funding is available from the Federal Government of Canada to offset the costs of materials for children's at-home learning. Eligible parents will receive a one-time per child payment of: $200 for children aged 0 to 12, and $250 for children or youth aged 0 to 21 with special needs.
Canada Child Benefit
You can receive an additional $300 per child through the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) for 2019-20, which will be delivered with the CCB payment in May.
Goods and Services Tax credit
A GST/HST credit for Canadians who are at least 19 years old, are or were in a marriage/common law relationship, and have are/were parents who live/lived with their child.
Autism and Race - Autistic People of Color Fund
Micro-grants of $100 - $500 for autistic people of colour in Canada and the US, that can be used for a variety of needs. A shorter emergency application, is also available.
Scholarships and Grants
Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students with Dependants
Grant available to low-income students with dependants while enrolled in a full-time program at a designated post-secondary institution. You could receive up to $200 each month for every dependent child you have per year of full-time studies.
Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students with Dependants
Grant available to low- and middle- income part-time students with dependants enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies.
Single Parent Scholarships
A list of scholarships available to US single parents entering undergraduate and graduate programs.
Student with Dependent Children Scholarships
A list of scholarships available to US students with dependants entering undergraduate and graduate programs.
7 Grants and Scholarships for Adults Returning to College
A list of major scholarships for US adult citizens wishing to complete post-secondary education.
Grants for Women Going Back to School
A plethora of grants and scholarships for women who are Canadian and/or US citizens wishing to return to school.
Other financial aid tools and information
Affordable Colleges Online's Website
Scholarships, financial aid and resources for student parents, including a section designed specifically for single mothers.
Diverse Issues in Higher Education's Article on Student Parent Finances
Article on the financial barriers faced by student parents in California.
Swift Student
A tool for students in the United States to write appeal letters to their financial aid office.This is especially useful for students requiring financial aid adjustments due to COVID-19.
Making the most of your first financial aid meeting
Teresa Ruiz Decker offers tips on how to make the most of your first financial aid meeting, including the documents you should prepare and the questions you should ask.
Financial Management
Wally
An easy budgeting app that allows you to keep track of your expenses, set saving goals, and monitor your progress.
Mint
A secure app that allows you to keep track of all of your finances, create budgets, see saving suggestions, and receive tips for improving your credit score.
7 Easy Budgeting Tips Every Parent Needs
Tips for parents on how to make a spending plan and manage expenses accordingly.
RBC's Simple Budget Calculator
A simple calculator that allows students to enter their income and expenses, and calculate their projected savings or debt for the year.
CreditDonkey Student Budget Calculator
An additional calculator tool to help students navigated their expenses and income for the school year.
Food Security
Food Banks and Emergency Support
Services, centres, and councils providing support to families during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Food Banks Canada's Food Bank Locator
A list and map of all major food banks operating in locations across Canada.
Local Resources
List of Food Resources in Quebec
An up to date list of food banks, food aid, vouchers, family support and other resources for families facing food insecurity in Quebec.
Food Banks in Toronto
A list of food banks operating in Toronto during COVID-19.
UBC Food Bank
Food bank available to UBC students.
Other Resources
10 Easy Ways to Cut Food Waste
The average American family disposes of about $1,400 worth of food a year. Follow these easy tips to reduce expenditure and waste on food.
Money-Saving Tips for Parents
Five practical tips to help parents save money.