Funding for Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability, there may be additional funding available to support your success in post-secondary education. Students approved for provincial or territorial funding* may be eligible to receive the Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities and/or the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment- Students with Disabilities. Additional grants for students with disabilities may be available, depending on the province/territory.

* Except Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Quebec. If you are applying for funding through a province other than BC, please check with your province for information on how to apply for disability funding.

StudentAid BC Applicants: Funding for Students with Disabilities

If you are approved for funding through StudentAid BC and have a documented permanent disability (PD) or persistent/prolonged disability (PPD), you may:

• • Receive additional grants and bursaries for students with disabilities – available for full-time studies and part-time studies
  • Be considered full-time with a reduced courseload of 40%
  • Apply for funding for the purchase of specialized services or adaptive equipment to support your learning

To receive funding for students with disabilities

Complete a Disability Status Application and provide verification

To apply for Permanent or Prolonged/Persistent Disability Status with StudentAid BC, follow these steps:

• Set-up and log in to your StudentAid BC student account.
• Click on “Forms” in the menu on the top right of the screen
• Complete the “Disability Status Application”, which you can find under Student forms -> Standard forms. The form will let you know what verification is required. Make sure you have all required documents ready for upload before you submit your application.
• If a Disability Verification Form is required, have your qualified medical assessor complete this form before you submit your Disability Status Application, and upload it with your request.

You can complete your Disability Status Application at any time. You don’t need to wait until you have submitted your funding application. It is recommended to submit your Disability Status Application as soon as possible to reduce potential delays to the release of your funding.

After you submit your Disability Status Application and verification documents, StudentAid BC will review your request and post a decision to your StudentAid BC account. You can view estimated processing times on StudentAid BC’s homepage– scroll down and look on the left side of the page.

If you paid for a medical assessment to verify your disability, you can upload a receipt or invoice (marked paid) to your StudentAid BC account “File Uploader”. StudentAid BC will review your request and issue a reimbursement if you are eligible.

Apply for full-time or part-time funding through StudentAid BC

• To receive disability funding, students must demonstrate financial need through StudentAid BC
• You can apply for funding online through StudentAid BC before or after you submit your Disability Status Application.
  • When you fill in your funding application, select “YES” to the question that asks: “Are you a student with a permanent disability, or a persistent or prolonged disability, and applying for disability grants?”
• Read more for general information and instructions on applying for funding as a full-time student or Flexible Learning student.

Connect with Accessibility Services (optional)

Accessibility Services at BCIT is here to support you with navigating accommodations, service needs, and disability-related information and resources. If you would like to explore these supports, contact Accessibility Services as soon as possible to set up an appointment.

If you require funding for specialized services or adaptive equipment for your studies, Accessibility Services can work with you send these requests to StudentAid BC (SABC) or Assistive Technology BC (ATBC).