Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
Key Facts for 2025–2026:
The B.C. Supplemental Bursary for Students with Disabilities provides $800 per program year for students with a course load of 40% or more, and $400 per program year for course loads of 20–39%. It is available to both full-time and part-time students at designated public and private post-secondary institutions. There is no separate application — you are automatically assessed if your disability has been verified with StudentAid BC.
The B.C. Supplemental Bursary for Students with Disabilities (SBSD) is a non-repayable provincial bursary that provides additional financial support to students with a permanent disability or a persistent or prolonged disability. It is designed to complement other disability-related funding by helping offset the broader costs of post-secondary study for students who may face additional financial pressures due to their disability.
Unlike the B.C. Access Grant for Students with Disabilities — which is available to full-time students only and works by converting loan funding into a grant — the Supplemental Bursary is available to both full-time and part-time students and is paid as a straightforward non-repayable amount on top of any other funding you receive.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the B.C. Supplemental Bursary for Students with Disabilities, you must:
- Have a permanent disability, or a persistent or prolonged disability, as defined by the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program, and have your disability verified with StudentAid BC.
- Be enrolled as a part-time or full-time student at a designated public or private post-secondary institution in B.C.
- Have a course load of at least 20% — students below 20% course load are not eligible.
How Much Can You Get?
The bursary amount depends on your course load:
| Course Load | Bursary Amount |
|---|---|
| 40% or more (full-time for students with disabilities) | $800 per program year |
| 20% to 39% (part-time) | $400 per program year |
The bursary is paid once per program year. Students with disabilities qualify as full-time at a course load of 40% or more — a lower threshold than the standard 60% that applies to students without disabilities.
How to Apply
There is no separate application for the B.C. Supplemental Bursary for Students with Disabilities. How you access it depends on whether your disability has already been verified with StudentAid BC:
If your disability is already on file with StudentAid BC — you will be assessed automatically for the SBSD when you apply for student financial assistance. No additional steps are required.
If your disability has not yet been verified with StudentAid BC — you must complete the Appendix 8 – Disability Programs Application form (available on the StudentAid BC website in both full-time and part-time versions). This form requires completion by a qualified medical or healthcare professional. Once your disability is verified, you will be automatically assessed for the SBSD — and for other disability-related programs — in future application cycles.
Pro Tip:
If you have a learning disorder, you do not need the Appendix 8 Verification of Disability form — submit a psycho-educational assessment completed within the last five years or after you turned 18 instead. Gather your documentation early, as delays in verification will delay your access to the bursary and all other disability-related programs.
Other Financial Aid Options for Students with Disabilities
The SBSD is one of several disability-related funding programs available to B.C. students. Depending on your circumstances and course load, you may also be eligible for:
- B.C. Access Grant for Students with Disabilities — up to $1,560/year in B.C. student loan replacement funding for full-time students (40%+ course load)
- B.C. Assistance Program for Students with Disabilities (APSD) — up to $10,000/year ($12,000 with attendant care) for exceptional education-related services and equipment; available after federal CSG-DSE funds are exhausted
- Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities — $2,800/year fixed, non-income-tested federal grant
- Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment (CSG-DSE) — up to $20,000/year for education-related disability services and equipment
- Learning Disability Assessment Bursary (LDAB) — up to $3,500 to cover the cost of a psycho-educational assessment, available through your institution’s accessibility office
Ready to find a program? Explore eligible schools today.
