Government of Ontario Funding for Students with Disabilities

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Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)

The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a financial aid program that can help you pay for college or university.

OSAP offers funding through:

  • grants: money you don’t have to pay back
  • a student loan: money you need to repay once you’re done school

When you apply for OSAP, you are automatically considered for both grants and loans. If you don’t want to take a loan, you can decline it after your application is approved.

There are also programs to help you repay your student loan once you’re done with school.

For more general information about OSAP, click HERE. 

OSAP for students with disabilities

If you have a permanent disability, you could be eligible for full-time OSAP funding if you’re studying at 40% or more of a full course load. To be considered for this benefit, you must self-identify as having a permanent disability when applying for OSAP.

For OSAP, a permanent disability is legally defined as a functional limitation:

  • caused by a physical or mental impairment that restricts your ability to perform the daily activities necessary to participate in studies at a post-secondary level or in the labour force and
  • that is expected to remain with you for your expected life

Who is eligible

For the BSWD:

  • You’ve self-identified as having a permanent or temporary disability.
  • You’ve applied for and are eligible for funding from one of the following sources:
    • OSAP for Full-Time Students and have at least $1 in calculated provincial need; or
    • OSAP for Part-Time Students and are receiving an Ontario Part-Time Grant; or
    • The Institution-Funded Special Bursary (IFSB).

For the CSG-PDSE

  • You’ve self-identified as having a permanent disability.
  • You’ve applied for and are eligible for funding from one of the following sources:
    • OSAP for Full-Time Students and have at least $1 in calculated federal-need; or
    • OSAP for Part-Time Students.

How to apply

You can use OSAP to go to a private or public college or university anywhere in the world, as long as it’s been approved.

If you’re in a micro-credential program, you can only receive OSAP for OSAP-approved micro-credentials offered at a postsecondary institution in Ontario.

Or, log in to your OSAP account to see the OSAP-approved micro-credentials.

Deadlines

  • Application Deadline – Your application must be received by your financial aid office no later than 60 days before the end of your study period.
  • Documentation Deadline – All required documents must be received by your financial aid office no later than 40 days before the end of your study period.
  • Receipt Deadline – Receipts corresponding to the funding provided must be received no later than 30 days after the end of your study period.
For more information, click HERE.

Severe Permanent Disability Benefit

Previous postsecondary students with a severe permanent disability and outstanding student loans may be eligible for the Severe Permanent Disability Benefit.

If approved from this benefit, your outstanding student loan balances could be cancelled.

Who is eligible

This bursary is for those with a severe permanent disability only.

A severe permanent disability:

  • prevents you from performing the daily activities necessary to participate in studies at a postsecondary school level and the labor force;
  • is expected to remain with you for your expected life.

You may be eligible to apply if your severe permanent disability is preventing you from working and/or taking post-secondary studies on a full-or part-time basis.

You must also meet the following requirements:

  • You reside in Canada
  • You have one or more of the following loans in repayment status:
    • Canada-Ontario Integrated Student Loans (federal and/or provincial portions)
    • Canada Student Loans
    • Part-Time Canada Student Loans
    • Ontario Student Loans
How to apply

Applications are available from the National Student Loans Service Centre. See the Employment and Social Development Canada website for details on the application process.

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

If you have a disability and need help with your living expenses, you may be eligible for the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).

ODSP offers:

  • financial assistance to help you and your family with essential living expenses
  • benefits, for you and your family, including prescription drugs and vision care
  • help to find and keeping a job, and advancing your career

You can continue to get ODSP funding to help with living costs while receiving OSAP.

ODSP provides a 100% exemption on any income earned while you are enrolled in full-time post-secondary studies.

Last Updated: 2025-07-15