How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 3000% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Student Entrepreneurship?

Student Entrepreneurship is funded by Government of New Brunswick, Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour (NB)

What are Student Entrepreneurship's eligibility criterias?

The business must be independently operated and not primarily act as a distributorship or commissioned sales operation. The business plan must demonstrate the ability to repay the loan by October 15. The business must provide at least one full-time summer job and operate for a minimum of six weeks.

Student Entrepreneurship

Last Update: January 24, 2025

NB, Canada

Interest-free loans to New Brunswick student operated businesses

Student Entrepreneurship at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $3,000

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Loans and Capital investments

Eligible Industries

Retail trade
Professional, scientific and technical services
Other services (except public administration)
Public administration

Grant Providers

Government of New Brunswick
Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour (NB)

Status

Open

Overview of the Student Entrepreneurship program

Loans of up to $3,000 to help students start a business, with the option to be reimbursed a portion of the loan under certain conditions.

Financing terms and conditions

The Student Entrepreneurship grant offers an interest-free loan to support student-led summer businesses. It promotes financial prudence and experience through its structured repayment terms and reimbursement incentives.

Interest-free loan of up to $3,000 for the establishment of a summer business.
Repayment of the loan is required by October 15.
Potential reimbursement of up to one-third of the loan upon successful repayment and adherence to program requirements.

Eligible projects & activities

The Student Entrepreneurship program encourages the creation of diverse businesses by post-secondary students over the summer, facilitating valuable entrepreneurial experiences while also generating employment. The eligible projects under this grant entail starting a summer business that demonstrates independence and operates within a specific timeframe to ensure meaningful business engagement.

Operation of retail shops or similar independent retail ventures designed by students.
Crafts production and sales initiatives managed by student entrepreneurs.
Running painting operations, offering painting services through student-led businesses.
Establishment of technology-focused businesses, such as computer services or sales.
Launch of lawn care and maintenance businesses operated independently by students.
Any innovative business model that complies with the program’s requirements and fosters job creation.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 3,000

Developing an online learning platform

$ 3,000

Establishing a tech hardware resale business

$ 3,000

Starting a mobile food truck business

$ 3,000

Launching an eco-friendly clothing line

$ 3,000

Creating a local artisan cooperative

$ 3,000

Opening a community-run café

Eligibility criteria of the Student Entrepreneurship program

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the company's operation and management.

The business must fall under generally accepted definitions of an independent business, where the student maintains significant independent control over operations.
The application must include a business plan demonstrating the ability to repay the loan by October 15.
The business must create at least one full-time summer job and offer the student daily business experience, with a minimum of 30 hours per week.
The business must operate for a minimum of 6 weeks.
If the business operates on family-owned premises, it must demonstrate independence from the family-owned operations.

Who is eligible?

Students who are 16 years or older and are returning to full-time studies in the fall at a post-secondary institution in New Brunswick. Applicants must have New Brunswick residency or have lived in the province during the last six months. Long-term residents studying outside the province remain eligible if they plan to return to New Brunswick for full-time studies. Eligible students should operate a business in New Brunswick and can only have one Student Entrepreneurship loan outstanding at any time. The business must be an independent operation, must operate for a minimum of six weeks, and should involve a significant measure of independence if affiliated with a family-owned operation.

Who is not eligible

This grant program does not specify exclusions for company types or industries, but certain conditions may imply restrictions. The objective is to ensure the business provides independent control to students and is financially viable within the program's framework.

Product distributorships where the applicant is a commissioned salesperson for a manufacturer or distributor may not be eligible.
Businesses that cannot demonstrate independence from a family-owned operation, especially in agriculture, might face restrictions.

Eligible expenses

Eligible expenses for the Student Entrepreneurship grant are likely to cover costs associated with business operations and essential set-up to ensure the summer business's viability.

Expenses necessary to start and operate the summer business.
Costs associated with creating full-time summer jobs for students.
Interest payments are not applicable due to the nature of the loan being interest-free.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is specifically available to students operating businesses within New Brunswick. Eligible companies should ensure their business activities are conducted entirely within the province to align with the program's criteria.

Businesses operated in New Brunswick, Canada.

How to apply to the Student Entrepreneurship program

Obtain Application Booklet

Visit your local Department's Regional Office, Service New Brunswick Centre, or Enterprise Agency to pick up an application booklet.

Prepare Business Plan

Use the guidance in the application booklet to draft a detailed business plan.
Ensure the business plan demonstrates how the business will repay the loan by October 15.

Complete Application

Fill out the application form provided in the booklet with accurate personal and business information.
Include all required supporting documents as specified in the booklet.

Submission of Application

Submit the completed application along with your business plan to the location specified in the application booklet before the deadline.