Government of Manitoba Funding for Students with Disabilities

One Application – Two Loans

When you apply through Manitoba Student Aid, one application is used to assess eligibility for both provincial and federal student financial assistance, including loans, grants, and bursaries. Manitoba Student Aid administers Canada-Manitoba Integrated Student Loans, allowing students to access support from both governments through one application process.

Funding may include:

Student loans – money you must repay
Grants and bursaries – money you do not need to repay

Manitoba Student Aid is intended to supplement, not fully replace, student and family contributions toward education costs. Eligible funding may help cover tuition, books and supplies, living expenses, and other education-related costs. For more information on the Canada-Manitoba Integrated Student Loans

Eligibility Requirements

To remain eligible for Manitoba Student Aid, students must meet minimum academic requirements:

College or University Students

Successfully complete at least 60% of a full course load each term.
Students with a verified disability may qualify as full-time students while taking a reduced course load (as low as 40%).

Private Vocational or Training Schools

Successfully complete 100% of courses and maintain attendance above 90%.

Students should consult their school if they are unsure what constitutes a full course load.

Students with a Permanent or Prolonged Disability

Students with a Manitoba Student Aid–verified disability may qualify for the same loans, grants, and bursaries available to all students, as well as additional disability-related financial supports. Manitoba recognizes both:

Permanent Disabilities (PD) – disabilities expected to remain for life; and
Persistent or Prolonged Disabilities (PPD) – disabilities expected to last at least 12 months but not necessarily for life.

Eligible students may receive additional support through:

Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities (CSG-D)
Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment – Students with Disabilities (CSG-DSE) for disability-related educational supports and equipment.

Students with verified disabilities may also receive:

Extended lifetime financial assistance limits (up to 520 weeks)
Exemptions from some study-period funding limits
Eligibility for reduced full-time course loads while maintaining support.

Students are encouraged to review disability-related FAQs and available funding supports to better understand what assistance may be available.

Funding Options at a Glance

Students may be eligible for:

Provincial and federal student loans
Non-repayable grants and bursaries
Disability-related grants and supports
Full-time and part-time funding options

Students can explore available assistance through Manitoba Student Aid’s “What’s Available to Me?” resources and funding information.

Repayment

The Governments of Canada and Manitoba have integrated portions of student loan administration. Loan disbursement and repayment for Manitoba student loans are managed through the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC). Students continue to apply for assistance, reassessments, and funding appeals through Manitoba Student Aid.

Students should note:

Manitoba Student Aid no longer accepts loan repayments directly
Loan repayment is managed through the NSLSC
Applications, reassessments, and appeals remain with Manitoba Student Aid.

If you have questions or require assistance, students can contact Manitoba Student Aid through its phone line or online contact form.

Last Updated: 2026-05-27