We use cookies on this site to enhance your experience.
By selecting “Accept” and continuing to use this website, you consent to the use of cookies.
Funding Opportunities
Students with disabilities at Laurier may be eligible for funding opportunities to help with disability-related costs they incur because they are attending university.
Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
OSAP is a government funded program that helps eligible students pay for their post-secondary education through grants and loans. Students apply through the OSAP Online Portal to determine their eligibility for both Ontario and/or Canada funding. Students with disabilities who do not need a loan should apply anyway because they may be eligible for the Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities.
Students should review Laurier Financial Aid for more information, including a list of academic programs not eligible for OSAP funding.
Students can identify as having a disability with OSAP by having their health care provider complete the OSAP Disability Verification form. Once completed, the form should be uploaded to their account through the OSAP Online Portal.
Accessible Learning does not have access to students’ financial records or their OSAP Online Portal. General OSAP questions should be directed to Laurier Financial Aid.
Reduced Course-Load Benefit
Students with a permanent or persistent/prolonged disability who are taking at least a 40% course load, may be eligible to receive the same amount of OSAP funding for living expenses as students who take a full course load (5 courses per term). A 40% course load at Laurier means at least 2 courses each worth 0.5 credits.
Visit OSAP for Under-Represented Learners for more information.
Bursary for Students with Disabilities
The Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) helps eligible students pay for disability-related services and equipment they require to participate in university studies.
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:
- Confirm that they submitted a completed Disability Verification Form to OSAP.
- Meet with their Accessible Learning Accommodation Consultant to discuss their need for disability-related services or equipment.*
- Complete the BSWD application with their Accommodation Consultant.
- 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.
University Bursaries for Students with Disabilities
Students not eligible for OSAP or the BSWD may qualify for the Accessible Learning Accommodation Bursary (ALAB) or the Accessible Learning Accommodation Bursary – Graduate Students (ALAG).
Laurier, supported through donors, endowments, and student contributions, established these bursaries to help students with disabilities cover some of their disability-related costs incurred while pursuing university studies.
Students seeking funds through these bursaries must:
- Provide documented verification they are a student with a disability
- Be a Canadian citizen (ALAB only)
- Be enrolled in a degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate program
- Confirm through Financial Aid that their OSAP application was denied
The eligibility criteria for these for these bursaries aligns with the Bursary for Students with Disabilities including:
- Clearly linking the requested service and/or equipment to a disability-related need
- Service and equipment annual caps
- Eligible and ineligible expenses
Students who are not OSAP eligible and have disability-related needs should speak with their Accommodation Consultant about their eligibility for one of these bursaries
Other Scholarships and Awards
Students should visit these websites for information about other financial opportunities: