Canadian scholarships for students with disabilities

Students with a disability recognized by the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program who have financial need and are enrolled in a qualified program at a designated school may qualify. Applicants must provide documentation of their disability. The grant is not available to students from the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, or Quebec, which have their own student aid programs. Until the end of the 2026 to 2027 school year, eligible students can receive $2,800 per year of study, for each year they still qualify. The amount does not change based on assessed need. Apply for student aid through your province or territory; you can request this grant at the same time.

University of Waterloo students with disabilities studying full- or part-time in a degree or non-degree program, who are experiencing financial difficulties and maintain a minimum 60% overall average, may apply. Applicants must have resided in Ontario for the required period before post-secondary study. One or more bursaries of up to $2,000 are awarded annually. Include a letter explaining eligibility and attach documentation outlining your disability, or indicate that documentation is on file at AccessAbility Services.

Students with disabilities enrolled in any year and program at the University of Toronto may apply on the basis of financial need and contribution to their community through volunteer work or leadership. Recipients must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents and maintain satisfactory academic standing. The bursary is approximately $1,100. Apply through the fall in-course Student Award Application.

Undergraduate students at the University of Waterloo studying full-time or part-time who have a disability may apply for the Special Achievement Bursary for Students with Disabilities. One bursary of up to $1,000 may be awarded. Applicants submit the term bursary application in Quest and include a letter explaining eligibility, plus documentation of their disability or a note that documentation is on file with AccessAbility Services. The bursary recognizes students with disabilities who are pursuing undergraduate studies at Waterloo.

Full-time undergraduate students in any year of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Windsor who have special needs or a documented disability, are registered with the Student Accessibility Office, and maintain a minimum cumulative average of 80% may apply. Selection is based on academic standing; financial need may be a consideration. One scholarship of $1,000 is available. Apply online. Intended to recognize determination, perseverance, and commitment to advancing an engineering education.

Part-time undergraduate students with a disability, as defined by the University of Windsor, may be nominated for this award. Applicants must have completed at least five course credits at the University of Windsor and demonstrated leadership in raising awareness and promoting accessibility within the university community. The award is worth $775. Nominations may come from faculty, staff, or students. Previous recipients are not eligible, and this award may not be combined with any other OPUS awards. Apply online.

French-speaking undergraduate or graduate students at the University of Ottawa who have a mental or physical disability, demonstrate academic achievement and financial need, and are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected/refugee-status holders, or international students may apply. At least $500. Apply through Online Scholarships and Bursaries in uoZone with the Financial Questionnaire, high school transcript, and disability documentation by November 3. The IODE Lord Dundonald Giselle Lazure Memorial Award supports Francophone students with disabilities who show both academic excellence and financial need.

Part-time or full-time University of Toronto graduate students registered with U of T Accessibility Services may apply for support toward significant educational expenses not normally covered by the student, the graduate unit, or provincial or federal agencies. The grant targets relatively short-term accommodation needs that arise from the specific demands of the graduate program, not everyday assistance. Domestic and international students are eligible. Amounts vary based on need and accommodation costs. Students must explore other support sources first and consult their Accessibility Counsellor about eligibility and how to apply.

Loyalist College students from the Trenton, Wooler, or 8-Wing Trenton area who have special needs as assessed by Accessibility Services may apply. One bursary is available; the amount varies. Apply through Loyalist College's consolidated donor-supported awards application.

University of Guelph students in any program with a minimum 70% cumulative average, registered with Student Accessibility Services, and demonstrated financial need are eligible. Preference is given to students with a visual impairment. One or more awards are offered each year in varying amounts, not less than $1,000. Apply by October 7 to Student Financial Services with a completed Financial Need Assessment Form and the Tara Lynn Giuliani Memorial Scholarship application. Selection is based on financial need. The award is funded by the Tara Lynn Giuliani Foundation at the Hamilton Community Foundation in memory of Tara Lynn Giuliani, a University of Guelph student who was blind.