COVID-19 Resources

RCSA's Got You!

This is a tough time for a lot of us and we want to make sure all students have access to all the support and resources they need.

Whether you are moving out of residence, need financing, looking for mental health support or wondering about Rotman’s new course policies at this time, please refer to the resources we’ve put together to help you out with the links down below! There are lots of tips as well while we all take space and time to self quarantine.

Take care of yourself, we got you!

Fall 2021: International Student Travel Guide

For information on international travel support, click here.

University Support

For information to help you navigate the rest of the semester, including consultation about courses, UHIP, or financial aid, click here.

Quarantine Life

For tips and helpful information on how to adapt to our new quarantine lifestyle, click here.

Mental Health

For mental health support, click here.

Canadian Government Student Benefits

CERB (Canadian Emergency Response Benefit)

Eligibility
  • Residing in Canada, who are at least 15 years old;
  • Who have stopped working because of reasons related 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;
  • Who had employment and/or self-employment income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application; and,
  • Who have not quit their job voluntarily.
  • Note: 
    • When submitting your first claim, you cannot have earned more than $1,000 in employment and/or self-employment income for 14 or more consecutive days within the four-week benefit period of your claim.
    • When submitting subsequent claims, you cannot have earned more than $1,000 in employment and/or self-employment income for the entire four-week benefit period of your new claim.

Application Process 

Apply online: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html 

CESB (Canadian Emergency Student Benefit)

Eligibility

  • Canadian citizen or permanent resident
  • Students who are enrolled in a post-secondary education program leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate
  • Students who are planning to start post-secondary education in September 2020
  • Recent graduates who graduated from a school (eg. college or university) in December 2019 and are unable to find work due to COVID-19
  • Ineligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or for Employment Insurance (EI)
  • Canadian students studying abroad meeting one of the above criteria
  • Students unable to find employment or self-employment due to COVID-19 during the four week period for which they apply
  • Note:
    • Students with disabilities or dependents will receive an additional $750
 
Application Process

  • Opens Friday, May 15th
  • The CESB will be delivered by the CRA and more details will be communicated
  • Via CRA account

Student Loan Repayment Suspension

  • The National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) is suspending student loan repayments until September 30th, 2020
  • Pre-authorized debits will be automatically stopped
  • Automatic loan payments through banks need to be cancelled
  • Interest will not be charged on loans for this period
  • To continue making payments on your loan, log into your NSLSC account and use the Make a Payment option, or use online banking
  • This applies to both the federal and provincial portions of your student loan if your loan was issued at Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan, or British Columbia
  • It only applies to the federal portion of the loan if it was issued at Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Alberta, or Manitoba

Eligibility

  • Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or designated protected person, and permanent resident of a province or territory that issued the loan in the first place
  • All students who met the requirements to receive the loan (minimum course load, post-secondary program meeting the requirements, etc.)

Application Process

  • There is no application process since this will apply for all eligible students who met all the conditions to receive the loans 

More information: https://www.csnpe-nslsc.canada.ca/en/what-is-new

Canada Student Service Grant

Eligibility

  • Any post-secondary student who chose to do national service and serve their communities, will be provided upto $5000 for their education in the fall
  • You must be an active volunteer in the community
  • Students must gain valuable work experience and skills by helping their communities combat the COVID-19 crisis. 

Application Process

  • Apply online at canada.ca
  • Must show documentation of volunteer position 
  • More details will be available on the I Want To Help Platform in the coming weeks including detailed information on eligibility, the levels of funding available under the grant and how applicants will be assessed. 

More information: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/04/support-for-students-and-recent-graduates-impacted-by-covid-19.html

Ontario Emergency Assistance Program

Eligibility

  • You may qualify if you live in Ontario (not a visitor or tourist), are in a crisis or emergency situation, and do not have enough money for things like food and housing
  • A crisis or emergency includes situations where you:
    • Have been affected by COVID-19
    • Are being evicted from your home
    • Are in or are leaving an abusive relationship
    • Are worried about your safety
  • You are not eligible if you are getting assistance from Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program

Application Process

  1. Gather the necessary information (e.g. personal details, bank account info, etc.) and submit your application
  2. Ontario Works reviews your application
  3. Your local Ontario Works office will contact you
  4. If you are eligible, you will get a payment by direct deposit or cheque

More information: https://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-emergency-assistance

International Student Financial Aid

Information for International Students:

  1. The restriction allowing international students to work only a maximum of 20 hours per week while classes are in session will be removed, provided they are working in an essential service or function (health care, critical infrastructure, supply of food or other critical goods). With your employer, consult the ‘Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada’s Guidance on Essential Services and Functions in Canada’ during the COVID-19 Outbreak to determine if you are allowed to work more than 20 hours per week during the academic session. This temporary rule change will be in place until August 31, 2020.
  2. CERB: if you meet the qualifications criteria (at least 15 yrs old, live in Canada, unemployed for at least 14 days in a row, have no source of income for the first 2 weeks of CERB), you are entitled to C$500 of taxable income per week for up to 16 weeks.
  3. CESB: N/A
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