Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
Key Facts for 2025–2026:
The Allowance for Special Needs Program — Adults provides financial assistance on top of other programs for Québec students with a recognized permanent disability resulting in significant and persistent impairment. It covers disability-related costs — such as specialized services, paratransit, housing allowance, and material resources — that are not reimbursed by other programs. Available at the secondary vocational, adult education, college, and university levels.
The Allowance for Special Needs Program — Adults helps Québec students with a recognized permanent disability meet the additional costs of pursuing their studies. It is administered by Aide financière aux études and operates alongside — not instead of — other student financial assistance programs such as the Loans and Bursaries Program. It only covers costs that are not already reimbursed by another program or organization.
There is a parallel Youth version of this program for younger students. This page covers the Adults program.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Allowance for Special Needs Program — Adults, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or protected person.
- Be a person considered a Québec resident under the program’s definition.
- Be admitted to and studying at a recognized educational institution at the secondary vocational, adult education, college, or university level.
- Have a permanent disability resulting in significant and persistent impairment — specifically, a major functional disability that causes major obstacles in pursuing your studies or (eventually) entering the labour market.
- Have a recommendation from the person responsible for integrating students with disabilities at your institution.
Full-time and part-time students may both be eligible, with the types of assistance covered varying by study status.
First Step — Meet with Your Institution:
Before submitting an application, you must first meet with the person responsible for integrating persons with disabilities at your educational institution. They will complete a Recommendation on Types of Assistance Required form that is required with your application. Do not wait — this process takes time and must be done before you can apply.
What the Allowance Covers
The Allowance for Special Needs covers disability-related expenses that are necessary for pursuing your studies but are not covered by any other program or organization. Eligible types of assistance include:
- Specialized services (tutors, note-takers, interpreters, scribes)
- Paratransit services for travel to and from your educational institution
- Housing allowance, where your disability affects your housing needs while studying
- Material resources (assistive technology, specialized equipment)
The specific types of assistance for which you are eligible depend on your level of studies and the recommendation from your institution’s disability integration coordinator. Specialized services reimbursement is available exclusively for students in vocational training, adult education, non-subsidized private colleges, or universities outside Québec.
How the Allowance Is Paid
The allowance is paid by direct deposit in instalments tied to your study periods. For each term, you receive the first instalment at the start and the second at mid-term. At the end of each study period, you must submit receipts and invoices for each type of assistance for which the allowance was paid. A reminder is sent 60 days before the end of the period. Documents must be received within 30 days of the end of the period; if not, amounts already paid will be recovered from future disbursements.
Special Accommodation Measures
Students with major functional disabilities may, under certain conditions, qualify for additional measures under the Loans and Bursaries Program, including receiving all financial assistance as a bursary (non-repayable) if the disability results in major obstacles to eventual labour market entry, or receiving assistance during non-study periods (typically summer) if the student cannot work to support themselves due to their disability. These measures require a Medical Certificate form completed by a physician or health care professional.
How to Apply
Apply through your Student Financial Assistance File at quebec.ca/student-financial-assistance. Your application is not automatically renewed — you must submit a new application for each year of study. The person responsible for integrating students with disabilities at your institution must also complete a recommendation for each study period or term.
You have up to 60 days following your last month of study in the current award year to submit your application, and to provide the recommendation from your institution.
Other Québec Financial Aid Options
The Allowance for Special Needs complements the Loans and Bursaries Program for Full-Time Studies and the Loans for Part-Time Studies program. Under the Loans and Bursaries Program, students deemed full-time due to a recognized permanent disability can study at a reduced course load of 40% and still qualify for full-time assistance.
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