Students with permanent disabilities may be eligible for government funding designed to offset education-related costs associated with their disability.

Student Aid and Grants 

A permanent disability is a functional limitation caused by a physical or mental impairment that restricts the ability of a person to perform the daily activities necessary to participate in studies at the post-secondary level or in the labour force. The disability is expected to remain for the person’s expected natural life.

Alberta Student Aid recommends you apply before the start of your school year.  Contact the Accessibility Coordinator to discuss timing of your application.  

You may be eligible for:

• Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities 
• Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities
• Alberta Grant for Students with Disabilities 

To qualify for these grants you must:

1. Submit a Student Loan application through Alberta Student Aid 
   • To access these grants, a student with a permanent disability must first apply and be found eligible to receive at least $1 in Canada Student Loan Funding.
   • Accepting of a loan is not a requirement to qualify for eligible funding.
   • Do not forget to identify yourself as a student with a permanent disability on your loan application.
2. Have the Accessibility & Student Support Coordinator sign the Federal/Provincial Grant for Post-Secondary Students with Permanent Disabilities (better known as a Schedule 4).  You must submit this form with medical documentation of your disability.
   • Refer to the Summary of Disability Documentation Required .
   • Contact the Accessibility & Student Support Coordinator for more details on these requirements.

What if I am not eligible for a Canada Student Loan? 

• If the federal government determines that you are ineligible for at least $1 in Canada Student Loan funding, then you are not eligible to receive the Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities.
• However, if you also requested funding from the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities (for instance, you requested funding for services such as a strategist, or for assistive technology) then your application will be automatically forwarded by the federal government to the provincial government for consideration.
• The provincial government uses a different formula for determining eligibility and may be able to offer you funding from the Alberta Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities for Services and Equipment. 

What else should I know? 

• Apply to be eligible for Canada Student Loan as early as possible: we recommend you apply in July for September entry and October for January entry.
• You can submit a Schedule 4 at any time of the year, so long as Alberta Student Aid receives your Canada Student Loan application and Schedule 4 form at least 30 days before the end of your study term.
  • If you are applying for funding of assistive technology or equipment - the deadline is 90 days before the end of your study term.
• Do not hesitate to contact the Accessibility & Student Support Coordinator with any questions or concerns you have regarding the funding and grant process - it is best to have all your questions answered before applying.

Other Sources:

• Tom Pinder Education Scholarship
• Disability Awards
• For information on other loans, grants, scholarships and financial tools see Ambrose Financial Aid.