Funding Opportunities

Students may be eligible for the BSWD if they receive: 

• at least $1 of OSAP funding; or 
• an Ontario Part-time Grant; or  
• an institutional funded special bursary

To be considered for the BSWD, Laurier students must follow these steps:

1. Confirm that they submitted a completed Disability Verification Form to OSAP. 
2. Meet with their Accessible Learning Accommodation Consultant to discuss their need for disability-related services or equipment.* 
3. Complete the BSWD application with their Accommodation Consultant. 
4. Retain and submit all receipts following the processes outlined by Laurier Financial Aid. 

*All requests for disability-related services or equipment must be assessed by an Accommodation Consultant to ensure they meet requirements set out by the Ministry.   

Once Accessible Learning submits the completed BSWD application, Laurier Financial Aid determines the student’s eligibility. Financial Aid will communicate their decision about eligibility directly to the student. 

There are two expenses that if incurred within six months before the student begins their university studies may be eligible for BSWD funding once classes start: 

• Psychoeducational, neuropsychological, or other eligible assessments 
• Computer equipment and assistive software 

These exceptions enable students to obtain new or updated assessment documentation and/or familiarize themselves with new technology before starting their university studies.  

In all cases, students are strongly advised to consult with Accessible Learning in advance for any equipment or services for which they seek BSWD funding. Students are not guaranteed BSWD funding for any equipment or service they purchased before consulting with Accessible Learning and having their application assessed by Financial Aid.

Accessible Learning supports BSWD applications for students where there is a clear and direct link between the requested service/equipment and the student’s disability related, functional limitations.

All students typically need a computer for university studies. However, some students with disabilities may require a computer with assistive software to access course materials.  Students requiring technology to access the postsecondary curriculum may be eligible to have the expenses covered by the BSWD. 

The BSWD does not cover disability-related expenses a student would incur regardless of their participation in post-secondary education.   For example, a student with hearing loss typically requires the use of hearing aids in daily life outside of the educational environment; therefore, hearing aids are not an eligible expense. 

The BSWD does not cover costs that all students incur because of participation in university studies, such as textbooks or living expenses.  Students enrolled in online courses and some on campus programs (e.g., statistics) require a computer and/or specific software for participation; these costs would not be eligible for BSWD funding. 

Every year, the Ministry determines funding caps for BSWD-eligible services and equipment.  Accessible Learning must approve BSWD applications in accordance with these caps.  For example, the funding cap for a computer and all required peripherals in 2022-2023 was $2,500.   

Students may use their own funds to cover the difference between the equipment recommended by Accessible Learning and the actual price of the eligible equipment or service. 

Accessible Learning determines that a student’s access needs can be met with a computer and peripherals costing $1,700. The student wants a more expensive computer with better specifications for $2,100. The student would receive BSWD funding for $1,700 and would be required to pay the $400 difference.