Prince Edward Island Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities

Students in Prince Edward Island have access to a robust mix of provincial, federal, and private funding sources designed to support post-secondary education. This guide outlines the key grants, bursaries, and scholarships available to help you manage the costs of your studies.

Provincial & Federal Financial Aid in PEI

The primary source of funding for most PEI students is through PEI Student Financial Services, which administers both provincial aid and federal Canada Student Grants.

Automatic Bursary for First-Time Students:

If you are enrolling for the first time at an institution like UPEI, Holland College, Maritime Christian College, or College de l’Île, you could be eligible for an automatic bursary of $4,400 to $8,800, depending on your program. No separate application is required—you simply need to enroll.

Federal Grants for Students with Disabilities:

As a PEI resident, you are also eligible for federal programs, including the Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities and the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities. These are assessed through your provincial student aid application.

Severe Permanent Disability Benefit: 

This is a crucial program for borrowers with a severe, lifelong disability that prevents participation in both post-secondary studies and the workforce. If you are approved for the federal Severe Permanent Disability Benefit, you can also apply to have your PEI Student Loan cancelled.

How to Apply: 

  • You must first contact the National Student Loans Service Centre at 1-888-815-4514 to apply for the federal benefit.
  • Once approved, you then contact the PEI Student Loan office to apply for the provincial benefit. 
  • Important Note: If approved, your existing PEI loan will be cancelled, but you will not be eligible for new provincial student loans or grants.

To help cover educational related expenses for the academic year, the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program offers a grant of $2,800 to eligible students with permanent or persistent or prolonged disabilities. Once approved as a student with a permanent disability, you may qualify to receive the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must:

  • Have applied and qualified for a minimum of $1 of need in Student Loan funding;
  • Enrolled in a full-time or part-time program at a designated post-secondary institution;
  • Students with physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, communication or sensory impairment or a functional limitation: Are required to complete our Permanent or Persistent or Prolonged Disability Medical Form completed by a qualified medical practitioner;
  • Students with a Learning Disability:  Are required to provide a full copy of a psycho-educational assessment with a re-evaluation (under the age of 18) prepared by a registered psychologist that is no more than five years old (or completed when the student was 18 or older).

Services and Equipment Grant for Students with a Permanent or Persistent or Prolonged Disabilities

The Canada Student Loan Program offers a grant for eligible students with Permanent  or Persistent or Prolonged Disabilities to help cover eligible services and equipment.

Application Process and Supporting Documentation

Once your student loan application has been assessed and you have been approved by PEI Student Loans as a student with a permanent or persistent or prolonged disability, you can contact your post-secondary educational institution and request to make an appointment with their accessibility services / disability coordinator.

Once approved, a cheque will be issued to you for the requested services and equipment. Student’s who attain funds based on the equipment/service “must provide receipts no later 30 days after the period of studies end date“. Any unused funds are required to be paid back to our office. A cheque or money order can be made out to “PEI Student Financial Assistance Corp”.

Related Forms

Contact Information:

  • Student Financial Services
  • 176 Great George St., P.O. Box 2000
  • Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8
  • Telephone: (902) 368-4640
  • Fax: (902) 368-6144
  • Email: [email protected]

Additional Scholarship & Bursary Opportunities

Beyond government aid, several organizations offer targeted financial support for PEI and Atlantic Canadian students.

Kidney Foundation of Canada – Atlantic Canada Branch Bursary: 

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.

Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Canada (SBHAC) Bursary:

Summary & Next Steps

To maximize your funding, take these steps:

  1. Apply for Provincial/Federal Aid: Start with your application to PEI Student Financial Services to access both the automatic bursary (if eligible) and federal disability grants.
  2. Explore Private Awards: Review the eligibility criteria for the Kidney Foundation, RE/MAX, and SBHAC bursaries listed above.
  3. Contact Specialized Offices: If you have a severe permanent disability, contact the National Student Loans Service Centre to begin the loan cancellation process.
  4. Meet All Deadlines: Mark your calendar for the scholarship and bursary deadlines to ensure you don’t miss out on these valuable opportunities.

Back to Guide to Financial Aid for Canadian Students with Disabilities

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