Canada Access Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities

The Government of Canada offers Canada Access Grants for Students with Permanent Disabilities to help qualifying students with permanent disabilities to meet educational costs (e.g., for tuition, books, and supplies) and living costs.

Value

Qualifying students with permanent disabilities can receive up to $2,000 per loan year or the student’s assessed financial need, whichever is less.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, you must:

• have a permanent disability;
• apply and qualify for a Canada-Ontario Integrated Student loan (if you are a full-time student), or
• apply and qualify for a Part-time Canada Student Loan full- or part-time assistance (if you are a part-time student).

How to Apply

Full-time students with permanent disabilities are not required to complete a separate application form for the grant. You will be automatically considered for this grant when your OSAP application is processed.

Part-time students with permanent disabilities are not required to complete a separate application for this grant, because their eligibility is based upon information supplied on their Part-Time Canada Student Loan and/or Canada Access Grant Application.

Proof of a permanent disability must be in the form of one of the following:

• a medical certificate,
• a report or assessment (e.g., a learning disability assessment) completed by a qualified practitioner, or
• documentation proving receipt of federal or provincial disability assistance.

Deadlines

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

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.

If you are a part-time student grant cheque will be issued in the form of a cheque. The cheque will be available from your financial aid office.

Further Information

Contact your financial aid office for assistance.