Bursaries for Special Needs Students



Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
Full time students with a permanent disability
OSAP Bursaries/Scholarships and Grants for Full- Time and/or Part-Time Students
External Awards Available for Students with Disabilities
Student Awards (http://studentawards.com)
Laurentian's Student Awards website
For students with learning disabilities

Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
(http://osap.gov.on.ca/)

This program is designed to provide funds to Ontario residents who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents which is based on individual needs.  This loan repayment starts six months after graduation or if drop out payment begins immediately.  

Note: Applying to OSAP can increase Special Needs students’ eligibility for grants which does not need to be repaid.

Full time students with a permanent disability

This loan, if at full time status (60 percent course load per year or more), students with a permanent disability can apply to OSAP with a course load of 40 percent or greater and may be considered as a full time student depending on the educational cost and program.   Loan interest for full time students accumulate after completion of the degree.

For full-time students these grants are the Canada Access Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities of $2 000 per year in order to meet educational costs (e.g., for tuition, books, and living costs).  Qualification is automatically included with their OSAP when filled out the appropriate questions concerning a permanent disability.  Must,  also provide valid documentation such as a medical certificate, report or assessment (e.g., a learning disability assessment) or documentation proving receipt of federal or provincial disability assistance.

Deadlines to submitting documentation

If you are taking a one-term program, the deadline for applying is within the first 30 days of your study period. If you are taking a two- or three-term program, the deadline for applying is 90 days before the end of your study period.

Receipt of Funding for the Canada Access Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities

The Student Support Branch of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities will issue the grant, on behalf of the Government of Canada, to qualifying full time student once the student’s Confirmation of Enrolment form has been processed. The grant will be included on the student's loan/grant certificate.

If you are a full-time student, after you have negotiated your loan/grant certificate with the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC), the NSLSC will deposit your Canada Access Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities into your bank account. Generally it will be deposited in your bank account within one week of the date the certificate is received at the NSLSC, or within one week of the disbursement date on your loan/grant certificate, whichever is later. The grant will be deposited separately from your loan funds.

If you do not arrange to have your assistance electronically deposited, a cheque will be mailed directly to you within two weeks of the date the loan/grant certificate is received at the National Student Loans Service Centre, or within two weeks of the disbursement date on your loan/grant certificate, whichever is later.

There are other grants that are included in the OSAP application such as:

  1. Canada Student Grant for Persons from Low-Income Families
  2. Canada Student Grant for Persons with Middle-Income Families
  3. Canada Study Grant for Students with Dependants
  4. Ontario Access Grant
  5. Ontario Access Grant for Crown Wards
  6. Textbook and Technology Grant
  7. Ontario Distance Grants
  8. Millennium Bursary
  9. Millennium-Ontario Access Grant (first year of program only)
  10. Queen Elizabeth II Aiming for the Top Scholarship (submit OSAP application before June 19)
  11. Ontario student Opportunity Grant (Loan Forgiveness)

All these bursaries, grants, and scholarships are for full-time students and possible acceptance is automatically included when applying to OSAP.

OSAP for Part-time students with a permanent disability

Part-time students’ course load is 20-59 percent they can receive assistance from the part-time Canada Student Loan and/or Canada Student Grants which is through the National Student Loans Service Centre and funded by the Government of Canada.  Loan interest for part-time studies accumulates immediately after loan is issued.  Beginning of their academic year, students may choose to defer payments on their Part-time Canada Student Loans until six months after the end of their studies.  Please refer to interest relief

When applied to OSAP there are bursaries, scholarships, and grants for part-time students which are automatically included in their application.  Such as, the Canada Access Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities.  This grant aids students to meet their educational and living costs (e.g., for tuition, books, and living costs).  Qualification is automatically included with their OSAP when filled out the appropriate questions concerning a permanent disability.  Must,  also provide valid documentation such as a medical certificate, report or assessment (e.g., a learning disability assessment) or documentation proving receipt of federal or provincial disability assistance.

Deadlines to submitting documentation

If you are taking a one-term program, the deadline for applying is within the first 30 days of your study period. If you are taking a two- or three-term program, the deadline for applying is 90 days before the end of your study period.

Receipt of Funding for the Canada Access Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities

The Student Support Branch of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities will issue the grant, on behalf of the Government of Canada, to qualifying full time student once the student’s Confirmation of Enrolment form has been processed. The grant will be included on the student's loan/grant certificate.

Part-time students grant will be issued in the form of a cheque. The cheque will be available from your financial aid office.

For more information in regards to both full-time and part-time studies as well as bursaries please visit the OSAP website (http://osap.gov.on.ca/).    [ Top ] 


OSAP Bursaries/Scholarships and Grants for Full- Time and/or Part-Time Students and an Application is Required


Aird Scholarship for Full-Time Students

To be eligible you must have a physical disability that is a major, long term impairment that severely restricts your activities, need to be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a protected person.  To be considered an Ontario resident, you have lived in Ontario for at least twelve consecutive months immediately preceding your registration in a postsecondary program.  You can only be the recipient once of the $2 500 Aird scholarship, supporting Documentation is also needed.

Deadline is normally around the month of April, please visit website for application, requirements and to confirm deadline date since it varies upon year.  Please click here

Bursary for Students with Disabilities and Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Persons with Permanent Disabilities

This is a non-repayable financial assistance offered to full and part-time students for disability-related services and equipment that they need to participate in postsecondary education.  These funds are non-repayable and not taxable, although you will be issued a T4A. 

Application:  is to be given to the Special Needs Department at your university and a receipt needs to be included.  Please visit your Special Needs Department for application or click here

For more information for qualification and due dates click here

Part-Time Student Loan and/or Canada Study Grant

Value of this grant is up to $1, 200 per academic year.   To be eligible must be studying part time for one or more of these reasons:  you are a single parent with children ages 11 or younger, are responsible for physical and financial care of an elderly dependant, mature student with restriction, or a student with a permanent disability which limits you on taking a full course load of 60 percent or more.

Application:  Please visit your Special Needs Office.  Acceptance to this application is determined by the financial aid department in your university.

CanadaStudy Grant for High-Need Part-time Students
This grant is awarded to part-time students who demonstrate financial need beyond established loan amounts.  To be eligible student needs to explain why they are studying on a part-time basis on their loan application (for example, have other responsibilities that don't allow full-time study), and have a gross family income below established amounts.

Application:  Please visit your Special Needs Office.  Acceptance to this application is determined by the financial aid department in your university.    [ Top ]

External Awards Available for Students with Disabilities

For students with a permanent disability

Note: These awards are generally open to any disability group, unless otherwise specified.

The Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada Scholarship for Students with Disabilities

This is a scholarship awarded to a student with a permanent disability who is pursuing his/her first undergraduate degree or diploma.  It is awarded annually and is valued at $500.00.  For more detailed information about this award, click here.

Centennial Flame Research Award for Students with Disabilities

The Subcommittee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills Development, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, invites consumers with disabilities across Canada to apply for the Centennial Flame Research Award. An amount is awarded annually to a Canadian citizen with a disability for a research project aimed at publicizing the achievements of Canadians with disabilities. The value of the award is $3,000. Anyone wishing to apply for the award should submit an outline of his or her proposed research project to the Clerk of the Sub Committee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities.   For more detailed information, click here.

June Opie Fellowship (Graduate Studies)

This is a unique award intended for students with disabilities who are pursing graduate studies in Australia, New Zealand or Canada.  The program of study should prepare the student for university level teaching and research on disability issues.  Recipients must be prepared to participate in on-going discussions and conferences on disability issues.  For more detailed information about this award click here.

Mattison Endowment Fund Scholarships for Disabled Students

This is awarded through the Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada (AUCC) to students pursuing their first diploma or undergraduate degree at any Canadian post-secondary institution.  It is awarded annually and is valued at $2 500.00.  For more information, click here

National Bank of Canada Bursary and Summer Employment Program

The National Bank of Canada annually offers a bursary and summer employment program for university students with physical and/or sensory disabilities to help them pursue their studies and gain work experience in a field related to their studies. Under the program, the Bank awards two $2,000 bursaries together with a paid 12-week summer job for university students. Both full-time and part-time students are eligible to apply.  For more information, click here    [ Top ]

For students with a learning disability

Gloria Landis Memorial Bursary

This bursary is awarded to a mature student with a learning disability. It is awarded annually in the amount of $1000.00  The student must have been absent from full-time education for three years prior to their application in order to be considered.

Roy Cooper Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded annually to a high school student with a learning disability who intends to pursue studies in engineering or the physical sciences.  It is valued at $1000.00.   For more information on either of these awards, click here.

The Doreen Kronick Scholarship

This is an award intended to encourage students with a learning disability to pursue graduate studies in a field that will allow them to work in a position assisting others with learning disabilities.  It is awarded annually and is valued at $500.00.  For more information on this award, click here.

The Carol Thomson Scholarship Fund for Students with Learning Disabilities

This scholarship is intended for any student with a learning disability who is pursuing his/her education at any Canadian college or university at the undergraduate level.  It is valued at $1000.00 and is awarded annually.  For more information on this award, click here.

Justin Eves Foundation: Minds in Motion Scholarships

The Justin Eves Foundation is an organization with the primary focus of providing financial assistance to students with learning disabilities pursuing post-secondary education.  For more detailed information about the funds available and to download an application, click here. 


Webmaster    
Updated: August 2009
 
 
©2012 Laurentian University | Sudbury ON P3E 2C6 | Canada | 705.675.1151 | 1.800.461.4030 | Contact Us| 46° 27′ 52″, -80° 58′ 05″ | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
Back to top