Apply for a grant as a student with a permanent, persistent or prolonged disability

You may be eligible to receive up to $2,800 per academic year if you are a post-secondary student with a disability.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Canada Student Grant for students with disabilities, your disability must be defined in the Canada Student Financial Assistance Regulations (CSFAR) as either:

• a permanent disability; or
• a persistent or prolonged disability.

A permanent disability is: any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment – or a functional limitation – that restricts the ability of a person to perform the daily activities necessary to pursue studies at a post-secondary school level or to participate in the labour force and that is expected to remain with the person for the person’s expected life.

A persistent or prolonged disability is: any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment — or a functional limitation — that restricts the ability of a person to perform the daily activities necessary to pursue studies at a post-secondary school level or to participate in the labour force and has lasted, or is expected to last, for a period of at least 12 months but is not expected to remain with the person for the person’s expected life.

Providing proof of disability

You will need to provide proof of your disability with a copy of 1 of the following:

• a medical certificate;
• a psycho-educational assessment; or
• documentation proving receipt of federal or provincial assistance for your disability.

The document you provide must:

• describe your disability;
• confirm whether your impairments or functional limitations are expected to be permanent  or are expected to last for at least 12 months; and
• confirm that your impairments or functional limitations restrict your ability to perform the daily activities necessary to participate in post-secondary education.

 As a student with a disability, you may require education-related services and equipment to participate fully in your post-secondary studies. You may be eligible to receive up to $20,000 per academic year. 

The CSG-DSE grant is intended to reimburse you for the cost of these supports, such as:

• specialized tutors;
• note takers;
• Braille products; or
• voice-recognition software.

The above are examples of eligible supports and is not an exhaustive list. Many other types of equipment or services are also covered.

Eligibility

To be eligible to receive the grant, you must provide a copy of:

• a Confirmation of Need letter detailing how the recommended exceptional education-related equipment or services will help you to overcome your functional limitations in a post-secondary environment; and
• a detailed estimate of the cost of the equipment or services for the current academic year.

The Confirmation of Need may be completed by:

• a disability service officer;
• guidance counsellor; or
• a rehabilitation services case worker.

Depending on the type of disability, you may need to provide more information.

You must provide receipts for all approved costs at the end of your school year to avoid paying back the grant.

1. Fill out an application for the Canada Student Financial Assistance (CSFA) loan or grant for:
   • part-time; or
   • full-time studies.
2. Download the Schedule D Canada Student Loan Application for Grants for Students with Permanent Disabilities.
3. Complete the application.
4. Submit your application through the Student Portal.

After you apply

We’ll process your completed grant application within 8 weeks for domestic post-secondary institutions. Processing times may be longer if you’re attending an institution outside of Canada.

Once we’ve processed your application, you can access your decision letter through the Student Portal.

Appeal a Canada Student Financial Assistance loan or grant decision

You can submit an appeal to review a decision about the Canada Student Financial Assistance loan or grant to [email protected].

The Government of Canada provides benefits for students who have permanent disabilities. Learn more about Education funding for people with disabilities.