Learning and Skills Development

Financial support for post-secondary education

The Canada Student Loans Program provides financial support to students with permanent disabilities and demonstrated financial need. If you have a disability and qualify for a Canada Student Loan, you may also receive grants (which you don't have to repay).

You can apply for a Canada Student Loan through your provincial or territorial student financial assistance office. This is not the case if you live in Quebec , the Northwest Territories or Nunavut which have their own student financial assistance programs. Wherever you live in Canada, visit the National Student Loans Service Centre at www.canlearn.ca to find out where to apply for student financial assistance.

If you are a full-time or part-time student who qualifies for a Canada Student Loan, you can apply for the Canada Study Grant for the Accommodation of Students with Permanent Disabilities. This grant provides up to $8,000 a year to help cover exceptional education-related costs associated with your disability, such as note-takers, tutors, readers, interpreters, special transportation, technical aids and learning disability assessment.

If you are eligible for this grant, you will automatically be assessed for the Canada Access Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities. This grant provides up to $2,000 a year to help students with disabilities cover educational and living expenses.

Did you know?

If you experience exceptional financial hardship caused by a permanent disability, and you are unable to repay your Canada Student Loan, you may qualify for the Canada Student Loans Program Permanent Disability Benefit. Under this benefit, you no longer have to repay the loan.

National Student Loans Service Centre

Public Institutions Division: 1 888 815-4514
TTY: 1 888 815-4556

Private Institutions Division: 1 866 587-7452
TTY: 1 888 815-4556
Ask for the Permanent Disability Unit.

www.canlearn.ca Go to the "National Student Loans Service Centre" section of the site.

To find "Learning Resources" in alternative formats, see page 35.