Funding and Grants for Accessibility Students
Students with permanent disabilities may be eligible for government funding designed to offset education-related costs associated with their disability.
Student Aid and Grants
A permanent disability is a functional limitation caused by a physical or mental impairment that restricts the ability of a person to perform the daily activities necessary to participate in studies at the post-secondary level or in the labour force. The disability is expected to remain for the person’s expected natural life.
You may be eligible for:
- Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities
- Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities
- Alberta Grant for Students with Disabilities
To qualify for these grants you must:
- Submit a Student Loan application through Alberta Student Aid
- To access these grants, a student with a permanent disability must first apply and be found eligible to receive at least $1 in Canada Student Loan Funding.
- Accepting of a loan is not a requirement to qualify for eligible funding.
- Do not forget to identify yourself as a student with a permanent disability on your loan application.
- Have the Accessibility & Student Support Coordinator sign the Federal/Provincial Grant for Post-Secondary Students with Permanent Disabilities (better known as a Schedule 4). You must submit this form with medical documentation of your disability.
What if I am not eligible for a Canada Student Loan?
- If the federal government determines that you are ineligible for at least $1 in Canada Student Loan funding, then you are not eligible to receive the Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities.
- However, if you also requested funding from the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities (for instance, you requested funding for services such as a strategist, or for assistive technology) then your application will be automatically forwarded by the federal government to the provincial government for consideration.
- The provincial government uses a different formula for determining eligibility and may be able to offer you funding from the Alberta Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities for Services and Equipment.
What else should I know?
- Apply to be eligible for Canada Student Loan as early as possible: we recommend you apply in July for September entry and October for January entry.
- You can submit a Schedule 4 at any time of the year, so long as Alberta Student Aid receives your Canada Student Loan application and Schedule 4 form at least 30 days before the end of your study term.
- If you are applying for funding of assistive technology or equipment - the deadline is 90 days before the end of your study term.
- Do not hesitate to contact the Accessibility & Student Support Coordinator with any questions or concerns you have regarding the funding and grant process - it is best to have all your questions answered before applying.