Co-op Funding Programs
A number of programs are available to employers to assist in hiring a student at the Undergraduate, Master or higher level. Contact the organizations involved with the following programs for additional details on eligibility and the application process:
Co-op Funding
Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)
Spring/Summer 2021 applications open now! Apply HERE.
Description: The Student Work Placement Program (SWPP), administered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), is a wage subsidy program available to employers hiring post-secondary students for work placements. This includes co-op positions, mentorship programs, practicums, applied research projects, and internships.
Terms/Assistance/Benefits: Up to 50% of the wage cost for the placement (up to a maximum of $5,000 per placement) per student OR Up to 70% (up to a maximum of $7,000 per placement) for under-represented students including first-year students, women in STEM, Indigenous students, persons with disabilities and newcomers.
Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit (CETC)
Description: A refundable tax credit for businesses hiring students enrolled in a recognized post-secondary co-operative education program.
Terms/Assistance/Benefits: Provides a maximum tax credit of $3,000 for each post-secondary co-operative education placement of an Ontario student.
Description: NSERC’s Experience Awards (previously Industrial Undergraduate Student Research Awards [IUSRA]) offer organizations access to talented natural sciences and engineering undergraduate students for a work term. This cost-shared program allows students to address organization-specific R&D challenges while gaining valuable industrial experience.
Terms/Assistance/Benefits: $4500 per student for a 16 week term.
Industrial Undergraduate Research Assistance (NSERC)
Description: Federal award designed to encourage research and promote graduate studies in the natural sciences and engineering.
Terms/Assistance/Benefits: Awards $4,500 for a 12-16 week worm term.
Summer Co-op Term Funding
Description: Contributions for employers to hire students during the summer.
Terms/Assistance/Benefits: Up to 50% of provincial minimum wage per hour.
Description: Wage support for employers hiring students for seasonal jobs during the summer.
Terms/Assistance/Benefits: Wage support of $2/hr for up to 16 weeks.