Newfoundland and Labrador

Student Aid for Students with Disabilities

Complex application

Tax filing not required

On top of regular Student Aid, there are additional benefits to help students with permanent disabilities access and successfully complete their post-secondary education.

As a student whose disabilities are persistent or prolonged, not only permanent:

  • You may be eligible for a non-repayable grant of $2,800 per academic year.
  • You have access to extra time (520 weeks of funding) to complete your program with the help of student financial assistance.
  • You may qualify as a full-time student with a smaller, more manageable course load (40% of a full course load).
  • You may qualify for extra funding specifically designed to help you pay for exceptional educational-related expenses related to your disability, such as specialized transportation, specialized equipment, specialized textbooks, learning support services, and more.

There are three additional grants available for students with permanent disabilities:

1. Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities (CSG-PD)

The Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities (CSG-PD) is a grant that provides $2,800 each academic year (August 1 to July 31).

You can receive this grant once each year of your full-time or part-time studies (including undergraduate and graduate levels). As long as you continue to meet all other eligibility requirements through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance Program.

2. Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Disabilities (CSG-PDSE)

In addition to being eligible for the Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities, if you have education-related costs associated with your permanent disability, you may also be eligible to receive the CSG-PDSE.

This grant offers up to $20,000 per academic year (August 1 to July 31) for each year of full-time or part-time study (including undergraduate and graduate levels), if you continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

The help provided under this grant is separate from other eligible student financial assistance. It is designed to offset the education-related service and equipment expenses related to your disability.

Talk to an appropriate official at your school to discuss your educational goals and what types of supports they may already have in place.

3. Provincial Grant for High Need Students with Disabilities

This grant provides assistance to cover education-related costs associated with a disability diagnosis that exceed the amount available from the CSG-DSE outlined above ($20,000 per academic year).

Students whose disabilities are persistent or prolonged, not only permanent. Please continue below for more details.

Permanent Disability is any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment – or a functional limitation.

Persistent or Prolonged Disability is any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment – or a functional limitation.

Functional Limitation or Impairment is any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment (functional limitation) that restricts your ability to perform the daily activities necessary to pursue studies at a post-secondary school level or to participate in the labour force.

Proof of legal status

A document showing citizenship or immigration status in Canada. For example:

  • citizenship certificate
  • confirmation document
  • record of landing, confirmation of permanent residence;
    • permanent resident card
    • visitor record
    • temporary resident permit
    • study permit
  • positive notice of decision
  • verification of status document
  • registration date with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
  • passport
  • foreign passport

Social Insurance Number

For example:

  • confirmation of SIN letter
  • plastic SIN card (non-expired)

To get the additional benefits for students with permanent disabilities, you must apply for StudentAidNL as a Student with a Permanent Disability (there is no separate application).

To apply for the three additional grants available for students with permanent disabilities:

1. Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities (CSG-PD)

  • Complete the online application for StudentAidNL and indicate you are applying as a student with a permanent disability. (There is no separate application)
  • Complete the Verification of Eligibility Form for Students with Disabilities. StudentAidNL only needs to approve this form once per type of disability.
  • If applicable, submit proof of your learning disability in the form of a copy of your Psycho-Educational Assessment (or a comprehensive educational assessment) completed within the last 5 years or at the age of 18 or older.

2. Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Disabilities (CSG-PDSE)

Estimates for the cost of any requested service(s) (e.g., tutors, note takers) must include the following:

  • Hourly cost of each service;
  • Total hours per week of each service (cannot exceed weekly in-class time);
  • Total number of weeks you will be using each service;
  • Which of the courses you are taking require the service; and,
  • The name and contact information for the qualified person or agency providing each service.

3. Provincial Grant for High Need Students with Disabilities

You will be automatically assessed for this grant when you submit the Application for Grants for Services and Equipment for Students with Disabilities. Funds will be disbursed through the same method as the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities (CSG-PDSE).

Last updated: November 1, 2024