If you’re a student struggling with financial debt, there are resources designed to support you. There are many financial aid programs specifically for students with disabilities, including grants and bursaries that can help cover educational expenses like tuition, assistive devices, and other related fees. Both federal and provincial programs offer this support, ensuring you have what you need to thrive in your studies.
Understanding Who Qualifies as a Student with Disabilities
When people think of disabilities, they often picture visible physical impairments, such as wheelchair use. However, students with disabilities can have physical, cognitive, or learning disabilities, as well as mental health conditions. If you have ADHD, insulin-dependent diabetes, or other recognized conditions, you may be eligible for disability-related financial aid.
Federal Financial Aid Programs
Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities
This grant provides annual financial assistance to students with disabilities enrolled in an approved program at a designated school. You can apply for this grant through your province or territory when submitting your student aid application.
To qualify, you must demonstrate financial need, have a recognized disability, and provide supporting documentation from a healthcare professional. Until the end of the 2024–2025 academic year, eligible students can receive up to $2,800 per year, regardless of their assessed financial need.
In Ontario, applying for this grant is straightforward—you simply check a box during your OSAP application to confirm your disability status. Once documented, permanent disabilities typically only require proof once, while temporary disabilities may require re-submission each academic year.
Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment – Students with Disabilities
This grant helps students cover the cost of essential educational services and equipment, such as note-taking services or assistive devices. To apply, you need to submit documentation from a healthcare professional confirming your diagnosis, as well as proof of the associated costs.
Eligible students can receive up to $20,000 per academic year (August 1 to July 31) to help with education-related expenses.
Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD)
This bursary helps cover the cost of disability-related services and equipment. It also includes funding for psycho-educational assessments or other necessary disability assessments, with a maximum reimbursement of $2,000 for the 2024–2025 academic year.
The application for the BSWD is combined with the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment. Depending on your needs, you may qualify for both funding sources, which can be used to cover different expenses.
Ontario Out-of-Country Bursary for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
This bursary supports post-secondary students who are Deaf, deafened, or hard of hearing and studying in eligible programs outside of Canada. These programs must use American Sign Language (ASL) or Langues des Signes Québécoises (LSQ) as the primary language of instruction.
The bursary helps cover costs such as tuition, health insurance, books, and return travel to Ontario. To qualify, you must be enrolled in at least 40% of a full-time course load and have OSAP approval. Supporting documents, such as medical proof of your hearing disability, must be provided.
Financial Aid and ODSP
If you’re receiving income support through the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), you can still apply for OSAP. Any financial aid you receive for tuition and educational expenses does not affect your ODSP income support. Additionally, any income you earn while enrolled in full-time post-secondary studies is exempt from ODSP deductions. However, you must report your OSAP funding to your ODSP caseworker.
Key Points to Remember
- Financial aid programs require documentation from a licensed healthcare professional to confirm your eligibility.
- Grants and bursaries can be re-applied for annually to cover ongoing education-related needs, such as notetaking services or adaptive technology.
- Federal grants are administered through provincial student aid programs, so you will need to apply through your province’s student aid portal, such as OSAP in Ontario.
Accessing these resources can make a significant difference in covering the cost of your education and reducing financial stress. These programs exist to ensure students with disabilities can pursue their education without unnecessary financial barriers.
Sources
1. Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities
2. Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment – Students with Disabilities
3. Ontario Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD)
4. Ontario Out-of-Country Bursary for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing