Funding opportunities

It's never been more affordable to hire a co-op student.

There are a number of grants, tax credits and funding programs that subsidize, and sometimes completely cover, the cost of your hire. Browse the funding opportunities below to learn more.

 

Funding during the COVID-19 pandemic:

The Government of Canada's Student Work Placement Program 
has announced that as of April 1, 2022: 

1. Funding will cover up to 50% of student wages. Students hired from under-represented groups, including first-year students, women in STEM, indigenous students, persons with disabilities and newcomers, may be eligible to have up to 70% of their wages subsidized. This is determined on a case-by-case basis at the end of each work term. Learn more about these changes.

2. "Net new" hiring restrictions will be reintroduced. "Net new" refers to the growing number of students you hire each year and represents the number of work placement subsidies you are eligible for.

Please note: some exceptions may apply if you will be engaging a student as an independent contractor.

Information last updated April 5, 2022

Did you know?

The Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit allows employers to claim 25% of eligible expenditures on salaries and wages (30% for small businesses). The maximum credit for each work placement is $3,000. Similar tax incentives are available in other provinces. 

Student Work Placement Program. Learn more. Tax credit and incentivesSummer funding for small businesses funding for small businessesGreen funding opportunities Research grants and funding


Consultation is completely free. We can help you by:

  1. matching you up with the right funding options
  2. providing you with up-to-date info
  3. getting you ready to hire from Waterloo
  4. answer any questions you have related to various funding opportunities
If you already hire co-op students from Waterloo, please connect with your Account Services Team if you have any questions about funding. Simply click the “send a message” button after logging into WaterlooWorks.

Stay up-to-date about funding opportunities!

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