Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
Important Update for 2025–2026:
For the 2025–2026 school year, the Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities has been extended at $2,800 per year. This amount is fixed — it does not change based on your assessed financial need — and reflects the 40% temporary increase over pre-pandemic levels, which applies until July 31, 2026.
Canada believes that higher education is for everyone, regardless of physical or mental capabilities. The Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities is a federal, non-repayable grant that helps students with disabilities cover the costs of post-secondary education — for both full-time and part-time studies.
In addition to this grant, students with disabilities may also be eligible for the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities, which can provide up to $20,000 per year for specialized education-related services and equipment.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- Have a permanent disability — defined as a functional limitation caused by a physical or mental impairment that is expected to remain for life, affects your daily activities, and restricts your ability to pursue studies or participate in the workforce. Students with a persistent or prolonged disability may also qualify under the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program’s expanded definition.
- Provide documentation of your disability with your application. Accepted forms include a medical certificate, a psycho-educational assessment, or proof that you receive federal or provincial permanent disability assistance.
- Have a demonstrated financial need for student assistance.
- Be enrolled in a qualified program at a designated institution where students are eligible to receive Canada Student Loans and Grants.
- Not be a resident of the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, or Quebec — these provinces and territories run their own student financial aid programs and do not participate in the federal grant.
Pro Tip:
A separate application form is required for this grant — it is not automatically assessed through the standard student aid application. Contact your province or territory’s student financial assistance office to get started, and gather your disability documentation early to avoid delays.
How to Apply
Unlike most Canada Student Grants, this grant requires a separate application. Contact your province or territory’s student financial assistance office to obtain the correct form and submit your documentation. Your provincial student aid office will guide you through the next steps once your application has been received.
If you have previously submitted verification of your disability to your provincial student aid office, you may be automatically assessed for this grant when you apply for student loans or other grants — check with your province to confirm.
How Much Can You Get?
For the 2025–2026 school year, eligible students receive $2,800 per year. This amount is fixed — it does not vary based on your assessed financial need, meaning you receive the full $2,800 even if your calculated need is lower. This can help reduce or replace the need to take out student loans.
You can receive this grant for each year of your studies — full-time or part-time, undergraduate or graduate — as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. The school year runs from August 1 to July 31.
The $2,800 amount reflects a 40% temporary increase over the pre-pandemic (2019–2020) base of $2,000, extended through July 31, 2026.
Other Federal Financial Aid Options
If you don’t qualify for this grant, or need additional support, there are other options to explore. Students with disabilities may also be eligible for the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment (up to $20,000/year for disability-related education costs), as well as Canada Student Loans, Federal Student Scholarships, and Federal Student Bursaries.
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