Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
The Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) and the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment – Students with Disabilities (CSG-DSE) help eligible full-time and part-time students pay for disability-related services and equipment needed to participate in post-secondary studies. By submitting one combined application, you may receive funding for costs such as note-takers, tutors, interpreters, or assistive technology.
How Much Can You Get?
The amount you receive depends on the costs of the eligible disability-related services and equipment you need. Each request is assessed individually based on your specific disability-related functional limitations. The maximum per academic year is:
- BSWD: up to $2,000
- CSG-DSE: up to $20,000
You may receive funding for all or a portion of eligible costs — not all costs are guaranteed to be covered in full.
Eligibility
For the BSWD
- You have self-identified as having a permanent disability or a persistent or prolonged disability, and your disability status has been verified through required supporting documentation for OSAP purposes.
- You have applied for and are eligible for funding from one of:
- OSAP for Full-Time Students with at least $1 in calculated provincial need
- OSAP for Part-Time Students and are receiving an Ontario Part-Time Grant
- An Institution-Funded Special Bursary (students at public universities and colleges in Ontario only)
For the CSG-DSE
- You have self-identified as having a permanent disability or a persistent or prolonged disability, and your disability status has been verified through required supporting documentation for OSAP purposes.
- You have applied for and are eligible for funding from one of:
- OSAP for Full-Time Students with at least $1 in calculated federal need
- OSAP for Part-Time Students
Important:
Students enrolled in micro-credential programs are not eligible for the BSWD or CSG-DSE.
About Service and Equipment Purchases
Not all disability-related services and equipment are eligible. Key restrictions include:
- Purchases made before your application is approved are not eligible — your school may already offer the service at no charge, or it may not be part of your recommended accommodations.
- Equipment purchased more than 60 days before your study period start is not eligible for either BSWD or CSG-DSE.
- A computer, laptop, or tablet will only be considered for funding once every four years.
- Tutoring costs from someone who has a close personal relationship with you may not be eligible.
- For students with a learning disability, a psycho-educational assessment may be eligible if it took place no more than 6 months before your study start date.
How to Apply
Download the current-year BSWD/CSG-DSE application form from the OSAP forms page. The application outlines all required supporting documents and next steps. Submit it to your school’s financial aid office. Your financial aid office will confirm your application is complete and verify your OSAP disability status before processing.
Your application is assessed by the Office for Students with Disabilities at your school and/or the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security’s Student Financial Assistance Branch to determine the most efficient and cost-effective means of providing what you need.
Deadlines
- Application deadline: received by your financial aid office no later than 60 days before the end of your study period.
- Supporting documents deadline: received by your financial aid office no later than 40 days before the end of your study period.
- Receipts deadline: all receipts (electronic or original) for approved items are due by the end of your study period.
Pro Tip — Apply Early:
All three deadlines fall before or at the end of your study period — not after. Apply as early as possible in the academic year to ensure services and equipment are approved and in place before you need them. Purchases made before your application is approved are at your own risk.
Getting Your Funding
Your enrolment must be confirmed by your school before any funding is released. No funds are released before your study period start date. Funding is normally issued by cheque and may come in one or more instalments — check with your financial aid office for details.
After You Get Your Funding
All approved services and equipment must be purchased before the end of your study period. Keep all receipts as proof of purchase. For approved services such as tutoring or note-taking, you must also maintain a time log that matches your receipts.
You may be required to repay all or part of your funding — and your eligibility for future OSAP and BSWD/CSG-DSE funding could be affected — if you do not purchase approved items before your study period ends, or if your receipts do not match the approved amounts.
Other Ontario Student Aid Options
For other disability-related support, explore the Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities ($2,800/year) and the Ontario Funding overview for additional provincial programs.
Ready to find a program? Explore eligible schools today.
