National Government Funding for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities are eligible to access all National Student Aid programs. The Government of Canada works with most provincial or territorial governments to deliver federal and provincial student loans and grants.

Eligibility

When you apply and qualify for student financial assistance, you are automatically assessed for Canada Student Loans and Canada Student Grants. Government student loans are based on your assessed financial need.

In addition, students with disabilities are also not required to make a fixed contribution to their educational costs, meaning they may be eligible to receive more student aid funding. This approach recognizes that many students with disabilities face reduced earning capacity or higher disability‑related expenses, and is designed to ensure their financial need is assessed more fairly.

First-Time Requirements

Students are automatically assessed for federal disability grants when they apply for student financial assistance through their province or territory of residence. To be considered, applicants must be:

• Demonstrative of financial need, as determined by the provincial / territorial need assessment;
• Enrolled in a full‑time or part‑time program at a designated post‑secondary institution;
• In possession of proof of disability, usually through a Verification of Disability Form completed by a doctor / medical professional, or a medical certificate / assessment describing your functional limitations and whether the disability is permanent or persistent / prolonged;

For many students, disability verification is a one‑time process. Once proof of a permanent disability is on file, it usually does not need to be resubmitted. Students with persistent or prolonged disabilities, however, may be required to confirm or self‑attest their disability status each year to maintain ongoing access to disability‑related student aid benefits.

Major Programs

There are many supports available to assist students with permanent, persistent or prolonged disabilities in accessing and succeeding in their post-secondary studies.

Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities

The Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities is available for each year of your studies as long as you still qualify.

Note: This Grant is not available to students from the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Quebec as these provinces and territories operate their own student financial assistance programs.

To apply for the Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities and/or the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities, please contact your province or territory’s student financial assistance office.

Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities

If you require exceptional education-related services or equipment, you may be eligible to receive the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities.

The assistance provided under this grant is determined apart from your assessed need.

To apply for the Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities and/or the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities, please contact your province or territory’s student financial assistance office.

Repayment Assistance Plan

The Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) and the Repayment Assistance Plan for Borrowers with a Permanent Disability (RAP-PD) makes it easier for you to manage your student loan debt by reducing your monthly payment.

• Your monthly student loan payments would either be reduced or you would not have to make any payments, depending on your financial situation. If you have a permanent disability, it could also depend on your permanent disability-related expenses, which include allowable uninsured medical expenses, special care and other expenses directly related to your permanent disability.
• Enrollment is not automatic, and you must re-apply for this plan every six months.

Note: If your loans were issued to you by Prince Edward Island or Manitoba, you must apply directly to your province for repayment assistance for your provincial loan. Contact your provincial student financial assistance office to find out more.

Having trouble paying your student loan? Enter your loan information in the Repayment Assistance Estimator to see if you are eligible to receive repayment assistance. The Registered Disability Saving

Note: You are responsible for repaying all the loans you borrowed to help fund your education as per the terms and conditions detailed on your Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA). The full-time loans that you have taken out each year are gathered into one amount for you to pay back which means that if you have Canada Student Loans  for full-time studies, you will be making only one payment for both loans. If you have full-time and part-time student loans or loans from different provinces, separate payments will be required when it’s time to start making payments. Watch the repayment video for more information.

The Registered Disability Savings Plan and the Canada Disability Savings Grant and Bond

The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is a long-term savings plan to help Canadians with disabilities and their families save for the future. If you have an RDSP, you may also be eligible for grants and bonds to help with your long-term savings.

You should consider opening an RDSP if you have a long-term disability and are:

• eligible for the Disability Tax Credit;
• under the age of 60 (if you are 59, you must apply before the end of the calendar year in which you turned 59);
• a Canadian resident with a Social Insurance Number (SIN); and
• looking for a long-term savings plan.

You may contribute any amount to your RDSP each year, up to the lifetime contribution limit of $200,000. With written permission from the RDSP holder, anyone may contribute to the RDSP

Necessary Forms

Any and all necessary forms required for the subsequent application process(es) can be accessed in the following link.

Note: A separate application form is required to apply for the Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities.

Is a Canada Student Loan not applicable to you? Use the Benefits Finder to find other Government of Canada, provincial, or territorial benefits.

Last Updated: 2026-09-23