Programs for Students with Permanent Disabilities

Canada study grant for the accommodation of students with permanent disabilities

If your permanent disability creates barriers to post-secondary education, you may be eligible for a non-repayable Canada study grant of up to $8,000 per program year.

What does the grant pay for?

This grant can be used to meet the cost of the following services, if they are not already provided by your school:

• Sign language interpretation.
• Specialized tutoring services for disability-related learning barriers.
• Note-takers.
• Readers.
• Attendant care while at school.
• Specialized transportation, such as handyDART to and from school.
• Alternative formats such as large print, braille print or talking textbooks.
• Technical or recording equipment, including braille, talking calculators and tape recorders.
• Computer hardware and software, and other adaptive technical aids.
• Reimbursing 75 per cent of the cost of a learning disability assessment (up to $1,200) if the assessment meets ministry criteria [203kb]

This funding cannot be used for:

• Living expenses.
• Tuition, books or educational supplies such as paper, pens, ink, disks, CDs, etc.
• Medical devices, treatments, prescriptions or medical fees.
• Attendant care for home or non-course-related hours.
• Administration fees.
• Vehicle modifications or purchases, maintenance, repairs or fuel.
• Alterations for educational institutions or residences.
• Services that are already available through your post-secondary school.

How do I apply?

You must have a clear need for services, equipment or exceptional education-related costs associated with your disability. In addition, you must:

• Meet the basic StudentAid BC eligibility requirements for full-time or part-time post-secondary student assistance.
• Complete a StudentAid BC application form if you are attending school full-time or if you have been approved to study at a 40 per cent course load through the appeal process (see Appendix 6 - Appeal request [2mb] contains forms for 15 different kinds of appeals; choose and print the one you need).
• Complete a part-time studies application form [212kb] if you are a part-time student.
• Complete a technology service support application form [87kb].

Your application will be assessed and you will be notified of the outcome by letter. If applicable, you may be referred to Assistive Technology British Columbia.

You must submit receipts and/or unused funds from any previous Canada study grant for accommodation of students with permanent disability award to the special programs unit of StudentAid BC, before you can receive more funding from this grant program.