The Bursary for Students with Disabilities program, which is funded through the provincial and federal governments, provides aid to eligible students self-identifying as having either permanent or temporary disabilities. The bursary assists with the costs of disability-related services or equipment, such as tutors, note-takers, interpreters, brailler or technical aids that are required to participate in post-secondary studies.
Eligibility requirements
To be considered:
- Students must have applied and be eligible for at least $1 of calculated provincial need through one of the following financial aid programs: full-time OSAP or Part-time Canada Student Loans and Grants.
- Self-identify as having either a permanent or temporary disability.
- Have disability-related educational costs for services or equipment that are not covered by another agency or service, and require these services/equipment to participate in post-secondary studies.
Funding amounts
- Up to $10,000 per academic year:
- maximum $2,000 per year for the Ontario Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD)
- maximum $8,000 per year from the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Persons with Permanent Disabilities (CSG-PDSE)
Application process
Note that for OSAP purposes, a “permanent disability” is defined by the Ministry as a function limitation caused by a physical or mental impairment that restricts your ability to perform the daily activities necessary to participate in studies at a post-secondary level or the labour force and that is expected to remain with you for your whole life.
- Apply to OSAP and self-identify that you have a permanent (or temporary) disability.
- Meet with your AccessAbility Services advisor and/or the Adaptive Educational Technologist to identify the specific disability-related services or equipment you require.
- Provide any required supporting documentation to Accessibility Services to verify your disability.
- Once your OSAP results are available, you can download the BSWD application from the Government of Ontario’s OSAP Website or pick it up at the Accessibility Services office.
- Complete the application with your AccessAbility advisor who will identify the specific disability-related services or equipment to assist you.
- Student Awards & Financial Aid Office will review the application and ensure that you are eligible with the information and required documentation that was provided.
- Once completed, you will be notified by email advising you of the decision. Approved bursaries will be issued by cheque and sent to your mailing address.
Note that it can take three to four weeks to process the application and request the cheque.
To avoid delays please keep your contact information and your current mailing address up to date on Quest.
Submission of receipts
Receipts are submitted to Student Awards and Financial Aid for paid disability-related educational expenses. Receipts submitted for services and equipment that were not listed on the BSWD application cannot be accepted. Any changes to the items on the application must be discussed with your Accessibility Officer.
You must submit your receipts as follows:
- Equipment and/or software receipts are due no later than 30 days after the bursary is issued
- Services receipts are due no later than 30 days after the end of your study period
- Always keep a copy of the receipts that you submitted
Receipts must specify the item and/or service, method of payment in full and date of payment. Invoices, quotes, or credit card statements will not be accepted.
If receipts are not provided and/or you don’t use all of the funds provided to you in your study period, you must return the unused funding. Failure to do so may result in you being restricted from receiving any further OSAP funding, including the BSWD/CSG-PDSE.
