HALIFAX — Nova Scotia's government on Wednesday said it would offer one-time grants of $875 to thousands of post-secondary students to help them pay their bills during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The government said about 11,000 students qualify for the $9.8-million grant program. Eligible students must be Nova Scotia residents, be already receiving financial assistance from the province for school, and be enrolled in a university, at Nova Scotia Community College or in a private career college.
Advanced Education Minister Brian Wong said in a news release many students haven't been able to find part-time work during the pandemic to help pay for school. Students do not have to apply for the grant and won't have to repay it.
The grant money will be automatically deposited into eligible students' bank accounts in March.
Meanwhile, health officials reported three more deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus on Wednesday. They said a woman in her 50s, a woman in her 60s and a man in his 70s died between Feb. 6 and Feb. 12.
Officials also reported four new COVID-19 hospitalizations and nine discharges. They said 66 people were in hospital due to COVID-19 receiving care in a specialized unit.
Officials said two other groups of people were also in hospital with the disease: 131 people who were admitted for other reasons and tested positive upon arrival, and 164 people who contracted the virus while in hospital.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 16, 2022.
The Canadian Press
