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Bursary For Students with Disabilities (BSWD) Guide

The Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) is part of the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). The BSWD offers bursary funding to cover eligible disability-related costs. Some disability-related expenses have a maximum amount per academic year. The amount of BSWD used to purchase equipm

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Referenced from: Registration with Accessibility Services

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Bursary For Students with Disabilities (BSWD) Guide

BSWD General Information

The Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) is part of the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). The BSWD offers bursary funding to cover eligible disability-related costs. Some disability-related expenses have a maximum amount per academic year. The amount of BSWD used to purchase equipment or services does not need to be repaid and is taxable. The BSWD can only be used for disability-related needs approved by the student’s Accessibility Advisor.

Eligibility Requirements for the BSWD

To be eligible, a student must:

  • Have a permanent disability, as defined by OSAP, and at least 1 dollar in assessed need from OSAP, or be eligible for a Part-Time Canada Student Loan
  • Have additional education-related expenses resulting from a student’s disability not covered through other funding.

Obtaining Disability Documentation

Contact the Accessibility Services office on your campus to determine what you require, as it may be necessary for medical documentation to be filled out. Once you have obtained the proper documentation, book an appointment with a qualified practitioner (medical doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist, etc.) to have it filled out.

Purchases Made Prior to Funding Approval

Students may be reimbursed for costs including disability-related technology and equipment if purchased no more than 60 days prior to the student’s study period, and Psycho-educational assessments performed within 6 months prior to semester 1 of the student’s study period.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Any purchases made prior to funding BSWD approval are not guaranteed for reimbursement. Accessibility Services does not recommend students make disabilityrelated equipment or service purchases prior to meeting with their Accessibility Advisor to discuss bursary options.

Equipment and Software

  • Assistive Technology (e.g., Text to Speech and Speech to Text) with laptop or computer if not already owned by the student.
  • Notetaking Software
  • FM System

Services

  • Attendant Care for Studies
  • Psychoeducational and other Assessments
  • Counselling and other approved types of therapy

How to Apply for the BSWD

  • Students meet with their Accessibility Services department to discuss eligibility and complete the BSWD application.
  • Financial Assistance assesses the BSWD application for eligibility.
  • Students are notified of funding availability.

Important Notice:

BSWD funds are only to be used for the requested purpose designated on the BSWD application.

Student Responsibilities

  • Providing receipts for equipment, software, or time logs for services, and
  • Repaying any unused funds from the bursary to Northern College on behalf of the Student Financial Assistance Branch of the Ministry of Colleges and Universities

Canada Student Grant for Persons with Permanent Disabilities General Information

The Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities (CSG-PD) may be available to students with permanent disabilities. Qualifying for the CSG-PD is based on several factors (i.e., student income, family size/income, etc.). Students can consult their OSAP application to determine how Permanent Disability status will affect OSAP.

For questions about OSAP and/or CSG-PD, contact your Financial Aid Officer on your Northern College Campus.

Source: https://www.northerncollege.ca/uploads/2025/07/BSWD-Guide.pdf