Bursary For Students with Disabilities 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 Counsellor.

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 that result from a student’s disability that are not covered through any other funding

Obtaining Disability Documentation

For more information on documentation requirements refer to the Guide to Disability Documentation.

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. Accessible Learning Services does not recommend students make disability-related equipment or service purchases prior to meeting with their Accessibility Counsellor and discussing bursary options.

Examples of Disability-Related Needs Purchased Through BSWD

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. Assistive Technology is provided on a trial basis prior to using BSWD to purchase. When a program requires all students to purchase a laptop and program-specific software, the laptop or software is not eligible under the BSWD.
• Notetaking Software (e.g., Sonocent)
• FM System
• Repairs and Upgrades to Technology and Software

Services

• Tutoring for up to 1 hour per week, per course, where additional tutoring beyond peer tutoring has been determined to be a need. Students must complete a Services Time Log when using the BSWD to cover tutoring costs, and follow guidelines from Financial Assistance regarding submission of Services Time Log.
• Attendant Care for Studies
• Psychoeducational and other Assessments
• Counselling and other approved types of therapy

Assessment for Assistive Technology

Ministry guidelines require that all students complete an assessment for technology to access BSWD funds for Assistive Technology. The Learning Skills Advisor can provide Assistive Technology assessments and recommendations.

How to Apply for the BSWD

• Students meet with their Accessible Learning Service’s Staff to discuss eligibility and complete the BSWD application
• Financial Assistance assesses the BSWD application for eligibility
• Students are notified of funding availability and pick up through MyMohawk email

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

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

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Obtaining quotes/estimates for requested equipment, software or services
• Providing receipts for equipment, software, or time logs for services, and
• Repaying any unused funds from the bursary to Mohawk College on behalf of the Student Financial Assistance Branch of the Ministry of Training, 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 a number of 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 Assistance Advisor in C102 the Registrar's Office, Fennell Campus, by phone at (905) 575-2133, or by email at financialassistance [at] mohawkcollege.ca (financialassistance[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca).