Nova Scotia Loans and Grants

Students with permanent disabilities may qualify for additional financial assistance, specialized services, and educational supports to help them participate fully in post-secondary studies.

Information about Nova Scotia student loans and grants can be found here:

Information for students with permanent disabilities includes the following key supports:

More flexible timelines for completing post-secondary studies
Extended eligibility periods for student assistance funding
Additional funding for disability-related educational expenses
Access to specialized accessibility services and supports
Non-repayable grants for services and equipment

Flexible Study Timelines

The Student Assistance program offers more flexible limits for students with permanent disabilities who may require additional time to complete their studies.

For most students, the maximum number of weeks of student assistance (including interest-free status) is 340 weeks. For students with permanent disabilities, the maximum is extended to 520 weeks.

Funding for Disability-Related Expenses

Students may qualify for additional funding to help cover exceptional disability-related educational expenses, including:

Transportation
Specialized equipment
Specialized textbooks
Learning support services
Assistive technology
Accessibility supports

Students are encouraged to apply for student assistance even if they do not expect to qualify for significant loan funding, as they may still be eligible for grants and disability-related supports. Additional information on support for students with permanent disabilities.

Post-Secondary Accessibility Services

The Nova Scotia government partners with Post-Secondary Accessibility Services (PSDS) to help students access disability-related resources and supports that contribute to academic success.

Information about accessibility services and disability supports can be found here:

A Nova Scotia grant is offered through the Post-Secondary Accessibility Services

Nova Scotia offers some grants specifically for students who have a permanent disability. You are automatically assessed for most of them at the same time as you apply for student assistance. The Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment requires a separate application.)
Even if you don’t think you’ll have enough calculated financial need to qualify for a large amount of student loan funding, consider applying anyway. This could give you access to grant money to help you pay for the equipment and services that can help you succeed.

Nova Scotia Grant for Services and Equipment

The Nova Scotia Grant for Services and Equipment is a Federal and/or Labour Market Agreement for Persons with Disabilities (LMAPD) grant that provides non-repayable financial assistance to eligible post-secondary students with permanent disabilities.

Students with permanent disabilities pursuing post-secondary education may be eligible for non-repayable assistance for educational disability related services and/or equipment required to participate in the student’s program of study. .

A separate application is required through the Application for Services and Equipment Grant for Post-Secondary Students with Permanent Disabilities.

Eligible Services and Equipment

Examples of eligible supports may include:

Tutor services
Note-taking services
Learning strategists
Text-to-speech or voice dictation software
Technical aids
Assistive technology
Disability Resource Facilitators

Disability Resource Facilitators (DRFs)

Students attending universities within Nova Scotia or the Nova Scotia Community College may access support through Disability Resource Facilitators (DRFs).

DRFs can assist students with:

Grant applications for services and equipment
Tutoring supports
Note-taking services
Learning strategy assistance
Assistive technology
School orientation and accessibility supports

For more information about grants, services, and accessibility supports, visit:

Last Updated:2026-05-21