The Ontario government announced Tuesday a major investment of $25 million in emergency funding to help post-secondary students succeed in their studies as the province continues to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is a great investment in our students and everything we’re doing to help them complete their studies,” Glenn Vollebregt, president and CEO of St. Lawrence College, said in a news release.
“Our staff and faculty have had great success delivering programs in an alternative format during this difficult time. This emergency funding will help ensure the resources are in place to support continued success.”
The announcement was made by Colleges and Universities Minister Ross Romano and the funding will go to colleges, universities and Indigenous institutes.
The funding addresses a range of fiscal pressures, including support for students stranded in a community, the purchase of cleaning and medical supplies, costs for physical and mental health resources, and the added expense of transitioning to remote learning.
With all in-person classes at Ontario colleges being cancelled on March 13 to protect the health and safety of students and staff, the colleges have implemented alternative measures to deliver programs, such as online learning and testing.
At St. Lawrence College, students have the opportunity to complete the winter semester through alternative delivery, which includes online learning, digital simulations and collaborating using conference and digital platforms.
The spring/summer semester will also be delivered through these alternative methods.
“We thank the government and Minister Romano for their commitment to our students. This emergency funding will make a difference,” Vollebregt said.
