Bursary for Students with Disabilities

To be considered for funding, students must meet all the following criteria:

1. Financial aid eligibility
   • You must have applied for and be eligible to receive at least $1 of assessed federal and/or provincial financial need through one of the following programs:
     • full-time OSAP, or
     • part-time OSAP
2. Disability verification
   • Your OSAP profile must include an approved OSAP Disability Verification Form, confirming you have either:
     • a permanent disability, or
     • a persistent or prolonged disability
3. Disability-related educational costs
   • You must have disability-related educational expenses (for services or equipment) that:
     • are required for your participation in post-secondary studies, or
     • are not already covered by another agency or funding source

1. Review the deadline to meet with AccessAbility Services for the term in which you intend to apply.
2. Complete and submit your OSAP application.
   • Ensure you have completed and uploaded the OSAP Disability Verification Form, confirming a permanent, persistent, or prolonged disability.
3. Consult with AccessAbility Services.
   • Schedule a meeting by:
     • Using the AAS online system
     • Calling 519-888-4567 ext. 35082, or
     • Visit us in person during business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) in Needles Hall, 1st Floor, Room 1401.
   • During the meeting, you can:
     • Discuss the disability-related services or equipment you require.
     • Complete your application with any supporting documentation (e.g., quotes, medical documents).
4. Provide supporting documentation to AccessAbility Services to complete your application
   • This may include:
     • Medical or equipment-related rationale (e.g., quotes).
     • Receipts (for reimbursement requests only). 
     • Completed Student and Tutor Confirmation Form
   • Your submitted documents will be reviewed and verified by AccessAbility Services, then shared with the Student Awards and Financial Aid Office (SAFA).
5. Application review
   • SAFA will assess your application and confirm your eligibility based on your OSAP information.
6. Notification and payment
   • You will receive an email notification regarding the decision.
   • If approved, the funds will be directly deposited into your bank account, as listed in Quest.
     • View or update your banking information in Quest.

Requirements

To be accepted, each receipt you submit must clearly show all the following details:

• Type of service or equipment purchased (e.g., assistive software, tutoring service).
• Name of the business or individual providing the service or equipment.
• Contact information of provider or vendor (e.g., address, phone number, email).
• Date of purchase. 
• Total cost, including any taxes or fees.
• Payment method (e.g., Visa, Mastercard, debit, etc.).
• Confirmation of full payment (e.g., shows "$0.00 balance").

Additional requirements for tutor services

If you request a large amount for tutor services, your funding may be paid out in multiple disbursements. Each subsequent disbursement requires that you submit completed time logs and receipts for all eligible tutoring sessions.

To receive reimbursement, you must: 

• Submit completed time logs and receipts for all tutoring services.

• Clearly indicate the course title(s) and course code(s) for each tutoring session.

• Ensure both you and your tutor sign all time logs and receipts.

• Ensure tutoring sessions take place and are paid for within the academic term.

Important:

• Sessions scheduled or paid outside the academic term are not eligible for reimbursement.

• All receipts must be submitted by the official term submission deadline.

• Late submissions will not be accepted.

Payment Process:

• After your first set of receipts and time logs are received and approved, the next disbursement can be issued.

Funds must be used only for the approved items listed in your application and cannot be transferred between items.

You must submit all required receipts by the deadline and return any unused funds. If you are unable to submit receipts or do not use the full amount of your approved funding, please contact SAFA as soon as possible for guidance.

Failure to submit receipts or return unused funds may result in loss of future eligibility for this program and OSAP restrictions.