Financial Support
Qualifying students with disabilities may have access to financial support.
If you are eligible for OSAP, bursaries may be available for certain disability-related expenses associated with accessing your education.
Available bursaries include the Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) and the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Disabilities (CSG-DSE).
Additional financial support may also be available through TMU Scholarships and Awards.
What is the Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities?
The Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities (external link) is available to students with disabilities for each year of study. You can apply at the same time as you apply for student aid with your province or territory. Contact Student Financial Assistance (SFA) or your Student Accommodation Facilitator to learn more.
Am I eligible?
- You have applied to OSAP and have financial need (as determined by OSAP)
- You have self-identified and are verified as having a permanent or persistent or prolonged disability (external link) by completing the OSAP Disability Verification Form
- You do not need to be registered with AAS to apply
How much funding might I receive?
- You could receive up to $2,800 per year. You can get this grant for each year of your studies as long as you still qualify. The school year runs from August 1 to July 31.
What is the BSWD?
The Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) and the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Disabilities (CSG-DSE) helps full and part-time post-secondary students pay for their disability-related educational services and equipment needed to participate in post-secondary studies.
The BSWD/CSG-DSE is a program funded through the Ontario and Canadian governments. If you receive financial aid from another province or territory please contact their office to learn more about the disability-related programs that may be available to you.
| Acronym | Meaning |
| OSAP | Ontario Student Assistance Program |
| BSWD | Bursary for Students with Disabilities |
| CSG-DSE | Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Disabilities |
| DVF | Disability Verification Form |
| TMU | Toronto Metropolitan University |
| AAS | Academic Accommodation Support |
| SFA | Student Financial Assistance |
Financial Aid FAQ
Students with permanent or persistent and prolonged disabilities can take a 40% course load (typically 2 courses per semester) and still be considered for full-time OSAP.
Note that while 2 or more courses may qualify you for full-time OSAP funding, the number of courses you take does impact your OSAP funding assessment. The more courses you take, the more OSAP funding you can be considered for.
No. If you are eligible for both grant and loan funding, you are not required to claim the loan portion of your OSAP funding to be eligible for this bursary.
You can opt out of loans directly on your OSAP portal under the “Funding Summary” page.
You can also inform Student Financial Assistance (SFA) if you wish to opt out of the loan portion. You can contact SFA by phone via the ServiceHub.
As OSAP is a per semester/academic year program, you must apply for OSAP every year.
For the BSWD, there must continue to be a need for disability-related educational services and equipment to reapply.
If you meet all eligibility requirements and all supporting documentation is received, the application will take approximately 5-10 business days to process.
BSWD funding from Toronto Metropolitan University is issued through electronic funds transfer (EFT) and is usually paid within 10-15 business days
For more instructions regarding your EFT and depositing funds check out Student Refunds
If you are returning unused BSWD funding, please make an online payment to your institution student account. For detailed instructions, visit How to Pay Your Fees. Your student number is your account number. After making the payment, email your SFA advisor handling your BSWD application to provide the payment date and amount.
NOTE: Failure to provide outstanding receipts or return unused BSWD funding
SFA must be able to reconcile your BSWD account by the end of the term. Failure to provide outstanding receipts or to return unused BSWD funding will impact your OSAP file. This includes restriction from future OSAP funding, or having your file sent to an external collection agency, affecting your credit score.
No. Funds can only be used for items and/or services approved on your BSWD application, as indicated by Student Financial Assistance in the approval email.
Funds cannot be used for any other purchases, tuition, or for living expenses. Unused BSWD funds must be returned after all purchases are made and services provided. BSWD funds are provided on a term-by-term basis and must be used within that period. Any unused funds must be returned in order to access BSWD funds in a future semester.
If you choose to spend over the allotted amount indicated for each item, it is your financial responsibility.
No: ministry guidelines state that family members cannot be hired for any approved services.
Students will need to reach out to the OSAP advisor that has processed their bursary to discuss further.
No, the BSWD does not affect (e.g., reduce) your OSAP funding.
If you receive a different amount than you expected, contact the Student Financial Assistance Advisor listed in the email you received from their office.
You cannot keep the funds if you do not provide receipts as proof of purchase for the equipment/services approved on your bursary application. For specific consequences related to your situation, contact Student Financial Assistance.