The CESB application open date for students has just been announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. 

Post-secondary students and recent graduates whose employment has affected by the pandemic will be able to apply for the Canadian Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) beginning this week.

Trudeau said today that students will be able to apply for the benefit through the CRA website when it opens on Friday.

Roll-out of aid for students:

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces that students & recent grads can apply for the Canada Emergency Student Benefit as of this Friday. PM notes that applicants can speed up the process by signing up now for CRA My Account. #cdnpoli #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/ZFbvaTd0Ki

— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) May 13, 2020

The benefit is part of a $9 billion financial aid package launched by the federal government that allows students to receive up to $1,250 a month in funding from May until August.

Students who are taking care of people with a disability are eligible to receive up to $1,750 a month.

In order to apply, students and recent graduates must meet one of the following criteria:

• Canadian citizen or permanent resident. International students are not currently eligible but restrictions on how many hours a week they can work have been lifted.
• Post-secondary students who are currently enrolled in a program leading to a degree, diploma or certificate.
• Students planning to begin a post-secondary program in September.
• Recent graduates that completed studies in December 2019 and are unable to find work as a result of the pandemic.
• Canadian students studying abroad and meet one of the above criteria.

Students making $1,000 a month or less are also eligible.

Trudeau said that those looking to apply can expedite the process by signing up for a CRA MyAccount on the website if they haven't already where funds will be distributed via direct deposit beginning this month.