Government of Alberta Funding for Students with Disabilities

The Alberta Student Aid portal has information for students with permanent disabilities. The following information has been taken from that page:

  • You may be eligible for the Alberta Grant for Students with Disabilities
    • The Alberta Grant for Students with Disabilities may be issued to a full‐time student with a documented permanent disability who is not eligible to receive the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities or has costs that are not covered by that grant.
  • When you apply for the first time as a student with a permanent disability, you must submit a completed Schedule 4 [more information below] form along with your supporting medical documentation. You can find the form in the Resources section: https://studentaid.alberta.ca/resources/applications-and-forms/
  • Once you are approved for funding as a student with a permanent disability, you are automatically considered for the Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities in your future applications. You are not required to submit another Schedule 4 unless in one of the situations listed below.
  • You must submit a new Schedule 4 in each of the following situations:
    • study period/session you request a grant for assistive services and equipment, and/or
    • studying at a reduced course load (40-59%).
  • Maximum funding for services and equipment:
    • Up to 9 months of study = $8,000
    • 10 – 12 months of study = $11,000

Alberta Grant for Students with Disabilities

Up to $3,000 per loan year to help you with exceptional education-related costs such as assistive services, equipment, or specialized transportation related to your disability. You must submit your receipts by the end of your study period to show that the funds were used as intended. Access the Reconciliation Worksheet

Schedule 4: Post-Secondary Students with Permanent Disabilities Form

  • If you apply for student aid online, you must still submit a Schedule 4. Submit all required documentation with your Schedule 4.
  • Schedule 4 is not part of the full-time application for student aid.
  • The Disability Advisor/Reviewer at your school may be authorized to sign your Schedule 4. Check with the Advisor/Reviewer first for assistance and further instructions.
  • If you are applying for a reduced course load, your Schedule 4 must be signed by an official at your school.
  • For student aid purposes, you must attach medical documentation or a learning disability assessment to your Schedule 4.
  • To see information and how to complete the Schedule 4. You must submit a new Schedule 4 in each of the following situations:
    • study period/session you request a grant for assistive services and equipment, and/or
    • studying at a reduced course load (40-59%).

Who must submit a Schedule 4: Post Secondary Students with Permanent Disabilities form?

  • If this is your first application as a student with a documented permanent disability, you must submit a completed Schedule 4, and include all required documentation.
  • You must submit medical documents that specifically identify your permanent disability and describe how it restricts your ability to participate in post-secondary studies.
  • If you are requesting assistive services and equipment, you must submit a Schedule 4 for each study period that you apply for student aid.
  • If you are applying for a reduced course load, you must submit a Schedule 4 for each study period that you apply for student aid.
  • Access Schedule 4

Learning Assessment Fee

The Canada Student Grants program will cover a portion of the cost of a Learning Assessment (up to a maximum of $1,700 per loan year) if the assessment confirms you have a learning disability. You must pay for the assessment up-front and if it is confirmed that you have a learning disability, you will be reimbursed through the Canada Student Grants program. These assessments may be dated no earlier than six months before you start your current study period.

Information on Loan Limits in Alberta

Student Aid puts a limit on how much money you can get. There are two kinds of loan limits:

  • your annual loan limit is the maximum amount of loan money you can get per year
  • your lifetime loan limit is the maximum amount of student debt you can have, including all the loans you receive over your whole life

There are limits on both Alberta and Canada loans.

Loan limits are especially important to students with high expenses or those who depend on student loans for many years.

Last Updated: 2023-01-03