Student rates of pay – Effective May 1, 2024

Application of the rates of pay for post-secondary students:

1. Rates of pay are determined at the initial appointment or reappointment stage and are based on the student's current academic level.
2. Departments and organizations have the delegated authority to offer students a salary at any step above the minimum rate, under the following circumstances:
   • 2.1 When the students are re-employed (as defined by the Public Service Commission for the purpose of recruitment and referral of students);
   • 2.2 When the students have relevant previous work experience;
   • 2.3 When the students have completed more than one (1) year of study in their present academic program;
   • 2.4 When there is a shortage of students in the field of study required;
   • 2.5 When the students are undergoing a second college or university undergraduate degree; or
   • 2.6 When a university degree or year of study is required as a prerequisite for another program, such as a bachelor of law, education, medicine, pharmacy or veterinary sciences program.
3. It is recommended that departments and organizations ensure uniformity in student rates of pay within their organization.  Departments and organizations are encouraged to establish guidelines governing salary progression between assignments. Progression could be based on students developing knowledge and competence with experience. However, departments and organizations may identify positions where progression between assignments is not warranted, such as for procedural work where the work related to a position does not require significant development.
4. Managers must have a clear rationale for using the maximum rates of pay for university, college / CEGEP and pre-university students, such as labour shortages, specialized skills or another rationale established in departmental and organizational guidelines.
5. Movement of more than one incremental step should only occur in limited circumstances, where there is a clear rationale (see above item for examples).
6. Students enrolled at a university in a pre-university year are to be remunerated at the college / CEGEP level.
7. Students attending college who are participating in a recognized university degree program (such as a bachelor’s degree) may be remunerated at the appropriate university level.
8. Students who:
   • have completed a university degree, and
   • continue their studies at a college in a related field of study
   are to be remunerated at the step in the salary range for university undergraduate studies, which is not less than the salary earned in the previous year.