Accessibility Awards and Financial Resources
University of Toronto (U of T) Campus Services
Awards Outside of the University
Government Sponsored Financial Aid
School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Accessibility Grant
University of Toronto (U of T) Campus Services
The role of Accessibility Services is to facilitate the inclusion of students with disabilities into all aspects of university life. Our focus is on skills development, especially in the areas of self-advocacy and academic skills.
Services are provided to students with a documented disability. It can be physical, sensory, a learning disability, or a mental health disorder. Students with temporary disabilities (e.g. broken arm) are also eligible for the service.
Students first go through an intake interview to discuss their eligibility and needs.
Accessibility Services (St. George Campus)
Accessibility Services (U of T Mississauga)
Accessibility Services (U of T Scarborough)
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Awards Outside the University
These resources are listed as guides and is not a comprehensive list. For more information please contact Accessibility Services.
DisabilityAwards.ca is a portal to awards and scholarships for students with disabilities studying at a Canadian college or university.
National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS) is a consumer organization, with a mandate to encourage self-empowerment of post-secondary students with disabilities.
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Government Sponsored Financial Aid
To qualify for permanent disability assistance, you must:
• Have a functional limitation caused by a physical or mental impairment that restricts the ability of a person to perform the daily activities necessary to participate in studies at a post-secondary level or in the labour force; and
• Be able to provide proof of the disability, describing its type and substantiating that it is expected to remain with the person for the person's expected natural life.
The Canada Student Loan Program provides for the availability of relaxed eligibility criteria and grant assistance for persons who demonstrate that they have a permanent disability which restricts their ability to participate in post-secondary studies. A person with permanent disability status is eligible for:
1. Reduced Course Loads
2. Longer Period of Studies
3. Permanent Disability Benefit
4. Canada Study Grants
For additional information, please contact:
1) Admissions and Awards at the University of Toronto
2) Provincial Student Loans programs
3) Government of Canada’s Financial Aid
4) National Educational Association of Disabled Students
SGS Accessibility Grant
The Grant supports significant educational expenses not normally covered by the student, the graduate unit, provincial or federal agencies. We recognize that each student’s situation is unique and funding will be assessed on a case by case basis. The grant was established to assist with accommodations necessary to meet unexpected needs arising from the particular demands of the graduate program.
Deadline
Students need to apply while they are a registered students.
Value
Amounts vary and are based on the financial need and cost of accommodations.
Eligibility
Eligible students must be currently registered as a part-time or full-time graduate student; students must be registered with U of T Accessibility Services. The grant is intended to assist with relatively short term needs that are required to complete the program, and that arise from the specific nature of the program; it is not intended for everyday assistance and need.
All other potential sources of support need to be explored before requesting an Accessibility Grant. Students with known disabilities are expected to plan for their own long term expenses; the grant is intended only to help provide for needs that could not reasonably be anticipated. Domestic students with known disabilities need to apply to OSAP, BSWD and U of T Alternate Grant; international students need to come prepared with resources to cover the additional expenses. Students are expected to have consulted with their supervisors/graduate units to discuss possible accommodations.
Application Procedure
Students must be registered with Accessibility Services and consult their Accessibility Counsellor before submitting their application to SGS.
Duration
Students can apply at any time during their academic year.
Activation
Student will receive the grant if the application is successful and be given until the end of the academic year to provide receipts if necessary or the grant will be cancelled and the funds will need to be repaid.
Notification of Results
Once the completed application (and all necessary documentation) has been received by the Graduate Awards Office, SGS will review the application and provide the Accessibility Counsellor with the results of the application, if possible, within two weeks.
Questions
Please email graduate.awards@sgs.utoronto.ca
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