The Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training has made some funding available for students.
Domestic students are now able to receive $3.5 million in funding, while $1.5 million will be available for Indigenous students, with $203,000 going to Okanagan College students who may need it.
The funding comes as a relief for post-secondary students who often work in precarious, low-wage jobs with only a few shifts a week due to their busy study schedules.
鈥淪tudents and their families in the Okanagan are in a time of financial insecurity like we have never seen before,鈥� Alex Starker said, chairperson of the Okanagan College Students鈥� Union.
鈥淭his investment in emergency funds will help to ensure rent can be paid and food can be on the table during these troubling times.鈥�
With the emergency funding, there is now $140,000 available for Okanagan College鈥檚 domestic students and $48,000 for Indigenous students. The college鈥檚 student union has also committed $15,000 for emergency relief for international students.
鈥淭he Okanagan College Students鈥� Union was created to provide support to our members, and in this time of crisis, this financial commitment is something more we can do to provide that support,鈥� Starker added.
The provincial government has stated the money can be used for students鈥� expenses, including food, rent, and equipment necessary for online and remote learning. The funding will be administered through financial aid offices at B.C.鈥檚 25 public post-secondary institutions.
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