NEADS 2024 Winter Financial Assistance Program

NEADS Accepting Applications to the Winter 2024 Financial Assistance Program

The National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS) is now accepting applications for the Winter 2024 semester of the NEADS Financial Assistance Program. The NEADS Financial Assistance Program is a new, exciting merger of the previous NEADS National Student Awards Program and Accessibility Resilience Program.

This program is intended to offset the high costs of education for students living with disabilities and encourage full access to post-secondary education for students living with disabilities enrolled in undergraduate, graduate or professional degree programs at recognized Canadian universities, or in certified diploma programs at Canadian colleges or CÉGEP. 

Emphasis will be placed on students living with disabilities who belong to one or more systemically disadvantaged groups , including but not limited to: Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis, Inuit), Black Canadians, racialized communities, members of the 2SLGBTQI+ communities, Women and gender diverse people (in relation to STEM fields), or a first/second generation Canadian.

With intakes semesterly, the new NEADS Financial Assistance Program will distribute 54 grants each semester, including: 

• 14 grants of $3,000 for Tuition Fees

• 5 grants of $2,000 for Assistive Technology (e.g. braille display, screen reader, voice recognition, prosthetics)

• 5 grants of $2,000 for Computers & Tablets

• 5 grants of $2,000 for Ergonomic Equipment (e.g. office chair, sit/stand desk, wheelchair seat cushion)

• 5 grants of $2,000 for Rent Support

• 5 grants of $2,000 for Food Security

• 5 grants of $2,000 for Mental Health & Wellness Services (e.g. counselling, massage therapy)

• 5 grants of $2,000 for Learning Supports e.g. Psychological Assessments, ADHD coaching, tutoring

• 5 grants of $2,000 for Medical Supplies (e.g. medications, wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs). 

These grants are made possible through generous support from funding sources such as Employment and Social Development Canada’s Supports for Student Learning program. There will also be partner-funded scholarships available in certain semesters of this program. 

You can apply for these grants and scholarships through one central application on the NEADS website until Friday, February 16,  2024 at 5pm PT, Pacific time at this link: https://fap.neads.ca/  

The NEADS National Student Awards Program offers several awards to Canadian post-secondary students with disabilities.

Number Availiable and Amount: Varies (see below)

• 14 grants of $3,000 for Tuition Fees• 5 grants of $2,000 for Assistive Technology (e.g. braille display, screen reader, voice recognition, prosthetics)• 5 grants of $2,000 for Computers & Tablets• 5 grants of $2,000 for Ergonomic Equipment (e.g. office chair, sit/stand desk, wheelchair seat cushion)• 5 grants of $2,000 for Rent Support• 5 grants of $2,000 for Food Security• 5 grants of $2,000 for Mental Health & Wellness Services (e.g. counselling, massage therapy)• 5 grants of $2,000 for Learning Supports e.g. Psychological Assessments, ADHD coaching, tutoring• 5 grants of $2,000 for Medical Supplies (e.g. medications, wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs). 

Deadline: Friday, February 16, 2024 at 5pm PT, pacific time

The NEADS National Student Awards Program is offered to encourage full access to post-secondary education for persons with disabilities, who often have greater barriers to participation in higher education, as well as extra costs because of their disabilities.

Students must currently be registered in and continuing at post-secondary institution and provide documented proof of registration as part of the application and on receipt of the award. These awards provide funding to students in all fields of study and are the only programs of their kind in the country that recognize the academic and community achievements of post-secondary students with disabilities.

Criteria

Applicants must:

  • The application process will require students to demonstrate:
  • The extent of their financial need.
  • Strong commitment to academia through study, research, and innovation (Canada Post Scholarship)
  • Community involvement (Canada Post scholarship).
  • Leadership and advocacy for self and others (Canada Post Scholarship)
  • Knowledge about media accessibility (Accessible Media Inc. Scholarship).

Previous recipients of NEADS Student Awards may not reapply. Recipients of the Accessibility Resilience Program grant can apply.

How to Apply

Apply online using the NEADS 2024 Financial Assistance Program .Applications cannot be modified after they are submitted. Once you finish your application a receipt of completion will be sent to your email.

Applications will include:

  • a Good Academic Standing verification form – these may be filled out by professionals such as guidance counsellors, principals, registrar department staff, program coordinators, academic advisors, learning strategists, disability advisors
  • proof of enrollment – either a proof of enrolment letter from your school’s registrars office OR an acceptance letter
  • a reference – an academic or a community reference who can speak to your academic performance, volunteerism, extra-curricular activities or employment history
    • your reference cannot be a family member, friend, spouse, or colleague
    • when you click submit at the end of your application, your reference will be sent an automated email containing a reference form
    • if it appears that the form was not received, have your reference check their spam or junk folder
    • if a copy of the form was not received, email us at etes@neads.ca to have another copy sent

Applicants are not required to provide proof of disability unless selected for an award.

Electronic files are accepted in the following formats: Microsoft Word (DOC), (DOCX) and Adobe Acrobat (PDF).

Applicants are invited to submit their application in the official language of their choice (English or French). Documents are reviewed by bilingual staff for completeness.

The awards are paid directly to the post-secondary institution (in the students accounts) that the recipients are attending to offset the cost of tuition fees.

Once your application has been submitted, it will be reviewed for completeness and adherence to the above guidelines. Assuming all guidelines are met, selection committees review applications based on the selection criteria described above.

Due to the volume of applications received, only those selected to receive an award will be contacted.

Review our Frequently Asked Questions or for any other inquiries pertaining to the application process please contact the financial assistance programs team at: etes@neads.ca.

Contact Information

For any other inquiries pertaining to the application process please contact the financial assistance programs team at: etes@neads.ca

See Also

Source(s):

See other national scholarships // See other scholarships open to all disabilities

Last Updated: 2024-01-22