Ontario Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities

For students with disabilities in Ontario, a comprehensive system of financial aid is available, primarily through the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). This guide details the key grants, bursaries, and scholarships designed to support your post-secondary education, with direct links to official application pages and information.

Core Ontario Disability Funding Programs

Ontario’s funding is integrated, meaning a single OSAP application assesses you for both federal and provincial aid.

Ontario Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD)

  • This bursary provides up to $2,000 per year for disability-related educational services and equipment. It works alongside the federal Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment (CSG-DSE), allowing eligible students to access a combined total of up to $22,000 annually.

Severe Permanent Disability Benefit

  • Apply through the National Student Loans Service Centre: https://www.csnpe-nslsc.canada.ca/en/home
  • This benefit can cancel outstanding federal and Ontario student loans for previous students with a severe permanent disability that prevents participation in studies or the labour force.

Institution-Funded Special Bursary (IFSB)

  • For students with financial need who are not eligible for standard OSAP assistance, such as those with low income or significant family responsibilities. Contact the Financial Aid Office at your specific college or university to apply, as there is no online application portal.

Key OSAP Information for Students with Disabilities

Permanent Disability Definition for OSAP

  • A functional limitation caused by a physical or mental impairment that restricts daily activities necessary for post-secondary studies or work, and is expected to remain for your life.
  • Course Load Flexibility: If you have a permanent disability, you could be eligible for full-time OSAP funding while studying at 40% or more of a full course load. You must self-identify when applying.
  • Application Deadlines:
    • Application Deadline: Received by your financial aid office 60 days before the end of your study period.
    • Documentation Deadline: All required documents 40 days before the end of your study period.
  • General OSAP Information: https://www.ontario.ca/page/osap-ontario-student-assistance-program

Ontario-Based Scholarships and Bursaries

The following awards are available to students in Ontario, often with specific regional or condition-based criteria.

Autism Ontario Education Scholarships:

Bloorview School Authority Bursary: 

Carol Shantz Bursary Award:

Dr. John and Olive Pyper Scholarship:

Easter Seals Ontario Scholarships:

EKO Scholarship:

Epilepsy Ontario Scholarship: 

Epilepsy Toronto Scholarships: 

Eric Waldron Scholarship:

Judge Brian Stevenson Scholarship:

Luciana Spring Mascarin Bursary:

Michael Kamin Hart Scholarship: 

Roy Cooper Scholarship:

Rixon Rafter Scholarship:

Tamara Gordon Foundation Scholarship: 

APUS Bursary Program:

  • At the Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students (APUS), we know that being a student is expensive.
  • Part-time undergraduate students face systemic barriers while accessing post-secondary education due to ever-increasing tuition fees and housing costs, systemic underfunding of the post-secondary sector by the government, and the general cost-of-living crisis.
  • The APUS Bursary Program supports part-time students to help fill in the gaps intentionally left and overlooked by the University and the government. APUS bursaries are available to part-time undergraduate students on all three campuses of the University of Toronto (UofT).
  • Amount: $250 for part-time students at the University of Toronto.
  • Website: https://apus.ca/services/bursaries/

Dr. John Davis Burton Award: 

Ed Ireland Bursary:

IODE Lord Dundonald Giselle Lazure Memorial Award:

John Teuscher Memorial Scholarship: 

McMaster Achievement Awards of Excellence:

Nicholas Leroux Memorial Bursary:

  • Awarded annually, to deserving undergraduate students entering or proceeding from one year to another of any program, to support students with disabilities in the attendant services program at Carleton University. Recipients will have demonstrated financial need, must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada (landed immigrants or protected persons), and must meet OSAP’s Ontario residency requirements. A committee determined by the Awards Office and the Paul Menton Centre will select the recipients.
  • Website: https://carleton.ca/awards/description/nicholas-leroux-memorial-bursary/

Susan Parker Scott Scholarship:

Thomas Sorensen Memorial Scholarship:

  • $3,000 for a student with a permanent disability at Carleton University.
  • This scholarship was established by the Sorensen family to honour the legacy of their son, Thomas Sorensen, who was a student at Carleton from 2013-2014. Thomas had big dreams, was a true advocate for persons with disabilities and devoted countless hours volunteering and fundraising for various charitable organizations. He would never turn down an opportunity to educate anyone who was willing to listen.
  • Valued at $3,000, the Thomas Sorensen Memorial Scholarship provides financial support to an undergraduate student with a permanent disability who is starting their first year of study or proceeding from one year to another in any program of study at Carleton University. The award will be granted annually, on the recommendation of the Paul Menton Centre and an application by the student will be required.
  • Website: https://carleton.ca/pmc/current-students/financial-aid/thomas-sorensen-memorial-scholarship/

National Scholarships Accessible to Ontario Students

David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility: 

RE/MAX Quest for Excellence Scholarship

  • The RE/MAX Quest for Excellence scholarship program offers another avenue for support. This program recognizes students across Canada (except Québec) for their community contributions and leadership pursuits. It awards 40 scholarships of $1,000 each.
  • For more information and to apply for the RE/MAX scholarship, you can visit the official RE/MAX Quest for Excellence page.

Back to Guide to Financial Aid for Canadian Students with Disabilities

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