Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities

This grant provides up to $22,000 per program year.

The services and/or equipment covered by these grants may include:

• Tutors
• Note takers
• Interpreters
• Readers
• Alternate format
• Assistive technology (computer, software, etc.)
• Specialized transportation (to and from school)
• Attendant care for studies
• Reimbursements for learning disability assessments

Contact your educational institution disability adviser for more information.

Student Financial Assistance for Students with Permanent Disabilities

To be eligible, you must:

• Have a permanent disability defined as: 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 school level or in the labour force and is expected to remain with the person for the person's expected life;
• Be enrolled in a full-time or part-time program at a designated post-secondary institution;
• If you are enrolled in a post-secondary program you must submit a separate application for student loans and grants, with the exception of Adult Basic Education, GED and Apprenticeship students;
• Provide written confirmation of the exceptional education-related services or equipment needed;
• Provide proof of your permanent disability by having your doctor fill out the Verification of Permanent Disability Form. As an alternative, the doctor can provide a medical certificate describing the functional limitations of your disability and whether it is expected to be permanent;
• Students with a learning disability are to obtain a Learning Disability Assessment (i.e., psycho-educational assessment) which was completed when you were 18 years or older or when you were in high school, and is no older than seven years;
• If you have provided proof of your permanent disability previously, you do not have to provide it again; and
• Have no outstanding receipts from previous services and equipment grant funding.

COVID-19 Measures

For the 2020-21 loan year, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Verification of Permanent Disability form may be accepted from other medical practitioners that are suitably trained or authorized. In addition, alternative forms of the signatures will be accepted from medical practitioners, students, disability officers or administrative officials as required. This includes, but is not limited to, electronic signatures or official watermarks and stamps.

Students with a learning disability have expanded options for providing acceptable proof of permanent disability. While a current psycho-educational assessment (or summary report) is preferred, if a student is unable to submit a new or updated assessment, the following may be accepted:

a) a psycho-educational assessment no older than seven years for students who had these assessments completed before the age of 18;

OR

b) a medical certificate (or letter) in lieu of a psycho-educational assessment (or summary report) for students without an existing assessment and who cannot receive an assessment in time for verification of their application.

This certificate must be completed by a registered psychologist or qualified medical practitioner.

Students approved in 2020-21 using these temporary measures will not be reassessed in later years, and will retain permanent disability status.

Before applying for the Canada-Saskatchewan Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities, talk to the disability adviser at your educational institution and/or recognized disability organization (e.g., the CNIB, Neil Squire Society, the Saskatchewan Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services or the Learning Disabilities Association). The adviser will help with the application process.

The Student Service Centre must receive your application and all supporting documentation at least 30 days before the end of your study period. It is recommended you start the application process at least two months before your classes start.

Grant applications will not be approved if there are outstanding receipts from previous services and equipment grant. Any unused portion of the grant must be refunded to the Student Service Centre, Ministry of Advanced Education. Payment methods include e-transfer, cheque or money order, made payable to the Student Aid Fund or by debit card at the Student Service Centre.

The following information is needed to process your application:

1. Confirmation of Enrolment form for the period of study identified for this school year. This form needs to be filled out by someone at your school who has student loan signing authority.


2. Confirmation of Need form for all disability related services and/or equipment, including an estimate of what it will cost for these services and/or equipment. This is completed by your school's disability adviser and/or a recognized disability organization. They can also direct you to an appropriate equipment supplier to get the estimate/quote for the specialized equipment requested.
   
   The grant must only be used for the services and/or equipment specified in your approval letter. Any changes you would like to make to services and equipment that have been approved as well as any requests for additional funds must be submitted through your disability adviser. To ensure academic integrity and to avoid conflicts of interest, service providers funded through the grant cannot be related to the student. Examples of persons that cannot be service providers for the grant include the student's parent(s), step-parent(s), sibling(s), aunt(s), uncle(s), etc. Other service providers who have a close personal relationship with the student may also be considered to be a conflict of interest (e.g., neighbour, close family friend, etc.). Disability Officers/Advisers for Students with Disabilities are asked to use their professional judgment when approving service providers who have a close personal relationship with the student.
   
   Submission of Receipts
   
   Please send copies of the receipts for the approved items you purchased directly to the Student Service Centre, Ministry of Advanced Education either through the "uploader feature" in the Student Portal or by mail to the address below.
   
   Submit the receipts for the services and/or equipment as soon as you receive them or by the end of your study period. Detailed receipts may include a copy of an invoice marked "paid," a copy of a cash register or other receipt that clearly names the product purchased.
   
   The Receipt of Support Services Form must be used to keep track of the service hours and costs such as Tutor, Note-taker, Exam Supervisor/Proctor and other services. Submit this form along with the other receipts.
   
   Important: Future grant applications will not be approved if there are any receipts that have not yet been submitted from previous grants. Any unused portion of the grant must be refunded to the Student Service Centre, Ministry of Advanced Education. Payment methods include e-transfer, cheque or money order, made payable to the Student Aid Fund or by debit card at the Regina office only.
   

   If you would like other individuals (e.g., parent, spouse, or guardian) to call or inquire on your behalf about your student loan/grant account, then you will need to complete the Consent to Release Information Form.

3. Proof of Permanent Disability. You will also need to obtain one of the following:
   

   Proof of Permanent Disability from your doctor. Have them fill out the Verification of Permanent Disability Form. As an alternative, the doctor can provide a medical certificate describing the functional limitations of your disability and whether it is expected to be permanent.

   or

   Learning Disability Assessment (i.e., psycho-educational assessment) that was completed when you were 18 years or older or when you were in high school.

   or

   Documentation proving you received federal or provincial disability assistance.

Some doctors may charge a fee to fill out the disability forms. The cost of these fees is not reimbursed.

A Learning Disability Assessment (i.e., psycho-educational assessment) is required for students with learning disabilities. Please contact your institution's disability adviser for information about this requirement and associated cost.

Grant payments are now issued through direct deposit. Please complete the Direct Deposit form and submit to the Student Service Centre.

Proof or verification of your permanent disability is only required once.

Learn How to Apply for the Disability Grant

This video will give you some helpful tips on how to apply for the Canada-Saskatchewan Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities.

Download 2020-21 Disability Grant Application

Verification of Permanent Disability Form

Receipt of Support Services

Consent to Release Information Form. You will need to fill out a new form each student loan year.

Please submit all documents and receipts for services and equipment through the uploader feature inside the Student Portal or mail them to:

Student Services Centre, Disability Unit
Ministry of Advanced Education
1120 - 2010 12th Avenue
Regina, SK  S4P 0M3

You may also fax them to (306) 787-1608.

Grant applications will not be approved if there are outstanding receipts from previous services and equipment grant. Any unused portion of the grant must be refunded to the Student Service Centre, Ministry of Advanced Education. Payment methods include cheque or money order, made payable to the Student Aid Fund, or by debit card at the Regina office only.

Need to submit a document? If you have an Advanced Education Portal account, you can now upload documents to the Student Service Centre. Simply log in to your portal account and access the "Upload Document" feature.

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