Government of Ontario Funding for Students with Disabilities

Government of Ontario Funding for Students with Disabilities

Ontario offers a range of financial assistance programs to support students with disabilities pursuing post-secondary education. These programs can help cover tuition, living expenses, disability-related educational supports, and student loan repayment assistance.

This page provides information about:

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 assessed for both grants and loans. If you choose not to receive a loan, you may decline the loan portion after your application is approved.

OSAP also offers repayment assistance programs for graduates who need support repaying their student loans.

Learn more about OSAP through the official Government of Ontario website:
Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)

OSAP for students with disabilities

.Students with permanent disabilities may qualify for additional funding, grants, and educational supports through OSAP.

If you have a permanent disability, you may be eligible for full-time OSAP funding while studying at 40% or more of a full course load, instead of the standard 60% requirement.

To access disability-related funding and supports, you must self-identify as having a permanent disability when completing your OSAP application.

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 daily activities required for post-secondary studies or employment; and
  • Is expected to remain with you for your expected lifetime.

Disability-Related Grants and Bursaries

Eligible students may receive additional financial assistance through disability-specific grants and bursaries.

Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD)

The BSWD helps students with disability-related educational expenses, including:

  • Assistive technology
  • Tutoring
  • Note-taking services
  • Specialized equipment
  • Accessibility supports

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify got 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).

Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment – Students with Disabilities (CSG-PDSE)

The CSG-PDSE provides funding for disability-related services and equipment required for post-secondary education

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.

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 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 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: 2026-05-21