Applying for Students with Permanent Disabilities Grant Funding

Summary

This video script outlines the process for students with permanent disabilities to apply for government grants in Canada. It covers eligibility criteria, including proving disability status and financial need, and maintaining enrollment. The grants, administered by Student Aid BC, cover tuition, books, learning support services, and assistive technologies. The script also explains the application process, the importance of timely submission, and managing grant funds, including accounting for expenditures and reapplying for subsequent terms.

Takeaways

• 📚 Grants for Students with Disabilities: The video discusses government grants available to students with permanent disabilities to help with the additional costs of education.
• 🔍 Establishing Eligibility: To qualify for these grants, students must be recognized by Student Aid BC as having a 'Permanent Disability'.
• 📈 Ongoing Eligibility: Students must maintain eligibility by demonstrating financial need and maintaining full or part-time course enrollment each term.
• 💼 Applying for Services: Students can apply for services and technology to address exceptional education-related costs through the grants.
• 💼 Accountability: It is necessary to account for expenditures of public funds back to the funding agency.
• 🔄 Reapplication Process: Students need to know the steps for reapplying for grants for subsequent terms or study periods.
• 🇨🇦 Federal Grants: The Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities and the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment are the two main grants discussed.
• 🏛 Provincial Administration: Although federal, these grants are administered through the student aid ministry in each province, such as Student Aid BC for BC residents.
• 📑 Medical Documentation: Students must submit proof of permanent disability by providing medical documentation to Student Aid BC.
• 💼 Financial Need: Financial need is assessed through a Student Aid BC application, which is required for eligibility.
• 📚 Post-Secondary Programs: The grants are intended for students in post-secondary programs, typically courses at the 100 level and above.
• 🔄 Part-Time Consideration: Students with disabilities can take part-time programming and still apply for full-time student loans to cover living costs, with certain conditions.

Q & A

What types of grants are available for students with permanent disabilities?

The video discusses two main federal grants: the Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities and the Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities for Services and Equipment.

Why are these grants designed?

The grants are designed to recognize the additional expenses associated with living and studying with a disability and to lower specific functional barriers encountered in coursework.

What are the typical costs covered by these grants?

Typical costs covered include tuition and books, services related to access and learning success, and assistive or adaptive technologies.

How are the Canada Student Grants administered?

The grants are administered provincially through the student aid ministry in each province. For BC residents, Student Aid BC is the funder.

What are the eligibility requirements for the Canada Student Grants?

There are three eligibility requirements: submitting proof of permanent disability, establishing financial need through an approved Student Aid BC application, and maintaining the full or part-time course enrolment required by that application.

How can a student establish financial need for the grants?

A student can establish financial need by completing an approved full-time or part-time Student Aid BC application, which uses the student loan assessment mechanism as a means test.

What is the process for applying for a part-time student aid application?

Part-time aid applications are completed by downloading a PDF from the Student Aid BC website, completing it, and submitting it directly to Camosun’s Financial Aid and Awards by scanning and emailing it.

How can a student demonstrate they have a permanent disability to Student Aid BC?

A student can demonstrate a permanent disability by submitting medical documentation and sections of 1 and 2 of an Appendix 8 application to Student Aid BC.

What is the significance of Appendix 8 in the application process?

Appendix 8 is a form-fillable PDF that, when completed and submitted with medical documentation, helps establish a student's permanent disability status with Student Aid BC.

How can a student apply for specific services and equipment after establishing permanent disability status?

A student can email [email protected] to make requests for applying for specific services and equipment each subsequent term, requiring an Appendix 8 signed by the student and their CAL Instructor for equipment requests.

What is required for maintaining ongoing eligibility for the grants?

To maintain ongoing eligibility, a student must continue to meet the financial need criteria, maintain the required course enrolment, and, if applicable, provide accurate accounting for expenditures of approved services funds at the end of each term.