Financial Assistance

There are opportunities for students to be able to access funding for disability-related equipment and services specific to their post-secondary studies.

The Ontario Ministry offers a comprehensive definition: “As a result of the functional limitations of their disability, a student may require additional equipment and/or services to be able to fully participate in their university education. The Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) and Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Persons with Permanent Disabilities (CSG-PDSE) are designed to cover the cost of purchasing adaptive equipment and personal support services that have been recommended by a medical practitioner within the student’s disability documentation.They are only available for students who apply for (and are eligible for) OSAP funding. They are separate from the Canada Student Grant for Persons with Permanent Disabilities, which is automatically provided to all students with documented permanent conditions who receive OSAP.”

Due dates for BSWD paperwork for Spring and/ or Summer:

The following are the deadline dates for having your Spring and Summer BSWD applications in at the Access Centre:

Spring Only                Friday, May 10, 2013
Summer Only             Friday, June 28, 2013
Spring and Summer    Friday, June 28, 2013

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Step 1: Apply for OSAP Funding

• Because BSWD funds are only available for students who apply and are eligible for OSAP funding, the first step is to determine your OSAP eligibility.  Complete the online Ontario Student Assistance Plan (OSAP) application at osap.gov.on.ca. 
  
• Students who register with OSAP as having a permanent disability will be requested to provide documentation to confirm the permanent status of their disability.  Do not provide your confidential disability-related documents to the Financial Aid Office (FAO). Instead, please give your documentation to the Access Centre. If your documentation confirms a permanent disability, which it must state explicitly, a Facilitator will provide a letter to the FAO on your behalf.
• For OSAP purposes, students with permanent disabilities are considered OSAP eligible if they are taking 40% of a full course load or more. Students with a course load less than 40% will be required to complete a part-time application.
• Please note: Students may choose to decline the loan portion of the funding, however, the application process and documentation must still be completed and submitted to be deemed eligible.

Step 2: Meet with your Accommodation Facilitator

• When you have received the Notice of Assessment for your OSAP eligibility, you can discuss your specific funding needs with your Facilitator.
• Please note: All funding requests must be made specific to a disability-related educational need recommended and supported by the qualified professional who provided your disability documentation. 
• Additionally, please do not assume that you are eligible for the BSWD/GSG-PDSE funding until you receive a confirmation. 
  
  

Step 3: Complete BSWD/CSG-PDSE Application with your Facilitator

• After you have discussed your documentation with your Facilitator your third step will be to complete the BSWD/CSG-PDSE application with your Facilitator who will discuss the details of your funding eligibility and explain the steps you must take to receive your funding request.
• You will be asked to obtain quotes for technical aids, services, or equipment prior to receiving approval. For example, before a request can be put through for counseling therapy, you must find a licensed practitioner who will provide you with a letter outlining how much they charge per hour and how many sessions they will be completing with you in that semester.
• Once all information is compiled, your application will be sent to FAO for processing, which usually takes 10 business days. 
• If your request for funding is approved, a cheque will be mailed to you to purchase the equipment/service(s). 

Step 4: Purchase Services/Equipment and Provide Receipts to FAO.

• You will be asked to provide receipts for the services or purchases made to the FAO.

*IMPORTANT*:  Winter 2013 bursaries (BSWD/CSG-PDSE) are due on Monday, January 21st at 4:30pm.