Government of British Columbia Funding for Students with Disabilities

Full-Time Students with a Permanent Disability

If you have a documented permanent disability and will be studying at a designated post-secondary institution, the following programs may help you.

• Appendix 8 (Request for permanent disability programs)

All Provincial grants and bursaries

• Adult Upgrading Grant
  • This program helps adults demonstrating financial need who are enrolled in skills upgrading, education and training courses.
• B.C. Access Grant (Full-Time)
  • This program provides upfront, non-repayable financial assistance to low- and middle-income students enrolled in full-time studies at B.C. public post-secondary institutions.
• B.C. Access Grant (Part-Time)
  • This program provides upfront, non-repayable financial assistance to low- and middle-income students enrolled in part-time studies at B.C. public post-secondary institutions.
• B.C. access grant for deaf students
  • This grant helps deaf and hard of hearing students with the additional costs incurred while attending specialized post-secondary institutions where curriculum is delivered in American Sign Language.
• Learning disability assessment bursary
  • This bursary program helps part-time or full-time students with the up-front costs of the learning disabilities assessment
• B.C. Assistance Program for Students with Disabilities
  • This program helps students with disabilities pay for exceptional education-related services and adaptive equipment.
• B.C. Supplemental Bursary for Students with Disabilities
  • You will be assessed automatically for the B.C. Supplemental Bursary for Students with Disabilities if you have previously submitted verification of your disability to StudentAid BC.
• B.C. Loan Forgiveness Program
  • If you qualify for the B.C. Loan Forgiveness Program, the Province of British Columbia will forgive the outstanding B.C. portion of your Canada-B.C. integrated student loan debt at a rate of up to a maximum of 20% per year for up to five years.
• B.C. Scholarship Society – Indigenous Students Awards
  • The B.C. Scholarship Society provides scholarships for students attending public post-secondary institutions.
• Bursary for Full-Time Students – Post-Secondary Education in French
  • Many post-secondary institutions in B.C. offer courses in French or courses on French language and literature. Please see Education Planner BC for more information: www.educationplannerbc.ca
• Health Program Bursaries – Indigenous Student Recruitment Bursary
  • This bursary has been developed through the Ministry of Health’s Health Human Resource Strategy and is designed to support Indigenous student enrollment and retention in priority health education programs across B.C.
• Health Program Bursaries – Student Recruitment and Retention Bursary
  • This bursary has been developed through the Ministry of Health’s Health Human Resource Strategy and is designed to attract students to priority health education programs and help fill key health workforce gaps across the province.
• Learning for Future Grant
  • The Learning for Future Grant is available to full-time or part-time students who meet the eligibility criteria for the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program and are enrolled in a program or course below the graduate level that leads, or will lead, to a credential (citation, certificate, diploma or degree).
• Learning Fund for Young Adults
  • Helps young people with care experience access learning opportunities
• Lieutenant Governor’s Medal Program for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation
  • Demonstrated one or more of the following: Diversity and Inclusion, Democracy and/or Reconciliation
• Nursing Tuition Grant
  • This grant has been developed through the Ministry of Health’s Health Human Resource Strategy and is designed to attract and retain students in nursing education programs and help fill key health workforce gaps across the province.
• Nursing Tuition Grant – Indigenous
  • This grant has been developed through the Ministry of Health’s Health Human Resource Strategy and is designed to increase Indigenous student enrollment and retention in nursing programs across B.C
• The Nurses Education Bursary
  • This program provides bursary funding, awarded each year, to qualified nursing applicants who demonstrate the greatest financial need.

Source

List of All B.C. Grants and Scholarships 

Other resources and Programs

• Assistive Technology B.C.
  • provides assistive technology services to support post-secondary students or employees who have a disability.
• Centre for Accessible Post-secondary Education Resources
  • provides accessible learning and teaching materials to students and instructors who cannot use conventional print because of disabilities.
• Chinese Government Scholarship Program
  • This program provides the opportunity to student at a Chinese university on scholarships from the Chinese Government.
• Resource Directory of Programs and Services
  • provides information for potential students and their counselors, families, and referral agencies on programs and services for students with disabilities at public post-secondary institutions.
• Post Secondary Communication Access Services (PCAS)
  • a province-wide service to support students with hearing loss.
• Pacific Leaders Programs for Public Service Employees
  • Through scholarships, loan forgiveness and grants, we invest in our public service by supporting the education and growth of talented and dedicated staff
• Provincial Scholarships Program
  • The provincial scholarships program recognizes student achievement and encourages students to pursue post‑secondary education
• Provincial Tuition Waiver Program
  • The Provincial Tuition Waiver Program waives domestic tuition and eligible fees for B.C students who are current and former children or youth in care studying full-time or part-time, below the graduate level, at a B.C. public post-secondary institution, the Native Education College, or an approved union-based trades training provider.
• Youth Futures Education Fund
  • The Youth Futures Education Fund has been established to provide a grant to recipients of the Former Youth in Care Provincial Tuition Waiver, to assist with supplemental educational funding for expenses such as books, housing, utilities, or emergency situations.

Part-Time Students with a Permanent Disability

If you have a documented permanent disability and will be studying part-time at a designated post-secondary institution, the following programs may help you:

Provincial grants and bursaries

Repayment assistance plan for borrowers with a permanent disability

Canada RAP-PD and B.C. RAP-PD have the same eligibility requirements. You may be eligible for Canada and B.C. RAP-PD if you:

• have a Canada-B.C. integrated student loan;
• are a resident of Canada;
• have a permanent disability; and
• meet the income threshold set for the program

For more information on BC repayment information 

BC Repayment Assistance Plan for Borrowers with Permanent Disabilities (BC RAP-PD)

Visit the British Columbia Student Financial Aid Website for more information

Follow @studentaidBC for additional information and updates

 

Last Updated:2025-02-25