Cooperative Education Incentive

• Organization registration or legal documents.
• Organization description and job description.
• Student information form and proof of enrollment.
• Payroll declaration form and record of employment.

Who is eligible?

• Private-sector organizations
• Government-funded organizations
• Non-profit and charitable organizations
• Social enterprises
• Municipalities

Who is not eligible

Some types of companies are not eligible for this grant. Eligibility criteria exclude the following types of organizations:

• Public-sector organizations
• Businesses not willing to hire a co-operative education student for a work term of 12 to 16 weeks
• Entities that do not pay the student at least $18 per hour (plus vacation pay) for full-time work

Eligible expenses

• Wages paid to hired co-op students.
• Vacation pay and other mandatory employment costs.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Positions not endorsed by a Nova Scotia co-operative education program.
• Placements outside the required work-term length.
• Wages below the minimum amount stated in the program requirements.

Eligible geographic areas

• Nova Scotia

• Preference is given to employers offering challenging, knowledge-intensive work.
• Preference is given to employers paying above-average wages.
• Preference is given to employers showing innovation and a culture of learning.
• Preference is given to employers in Nova Scotia’s growth sectors.
• Preference is given to employers hiring graduates for permanent jobs.

• Step 1: Access LaMPSS
  • Create a LaMPSS account or sign in to begin the application.
• Step 2: Prepare application details
  • Provide your organization details and job description.
  • Obtain endorsement from a co-op coordinator before applying.
• Step 3: Submit the online application
  • Apply through LaMPSS during the program intake period.
  • Submit a separate application for positions in more than one county, if needed.
• Step 4: Complete post-approval requirements
  • Sign the contract and submit the student information form with proof of enrollment.
  • Upload the pay declaration and any required employment record at the end of the placement.

• Applications are reviewed after the application period closes.
• Decisions are usually communicated at least one month before the co-op term begins.
• If approved, an email confirmation and contract are issued.
• The agreement becomes active only after the contract is signed and student eligibility is confirmed.

• The program provides a higher wage subsidy of $9.50 per hour for students in designated diversity groups.
• Separate applications are required for positions in more than one county.
• The student must complete an end-of-term survey for the employer to receive payment.