Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD)
Support to help cover disability-related educational costs
The Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) is a funding program through OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program) designed to help you pay for disability-related equipment and services that support your academic success.
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 an Accessibility Counsellor.
Who Can Apply? (Eligibility)
To be eligible for the BSWD, you must:
- Have a permanent disability as defined by OSAP.
- Have at least $1 in assessed need from OSAP, or be eligible for a Part-Time Canada Student Loan.
- Have extra education-related costs because of your disability that aren’t covered by other funding.
Obtaining Disability Documentation
For more information on documentation requirements, refer to the Guide to Disability Documentation.
What the Bursary Can Assist With
The bursary can help with the cost of equipment, software, and services that directly support your learning, such as:
Equipment and Software
- Assistive Technology (e.g., Text to Speech and Speech to Text) with a laptop or computer if not already owned by the student. Assistive Technology is provided on a trial basis before 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 for support through BSWD.
- Notetaking Software (e.g., Sonocent)
- FM System
- Repairs and Upgrades to Technology and Software
Services
- Tutoring (where additional tutoring is required beyond free peer tutoring)
- Attendant care for studies
- Psychoeducational or other assessments
- Counselling and approved therapies
Purchases Made Before Funding Approval
Students may be reimbursed for costs, including disability-related technology and equipment, if purchased no more than 60 days before the student’s study period, and Psycho-educational assessments performed within 6 months before semester 1 of the student’s study period.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Any purchases made before BSWD approval are not guaranteed for reimbursement. Accessible Learning Services does not recommend that students make disability-related equipment or service purchases before meeting with their Accessibility Counsellor and discussing bursary options.
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 BSWD: Step-by-Step
1. Register with Accessible Learning Services (ALS)
Connect with Accessible Learning Services as early as possible — they’ll help you decide if BSWD applies to you. Use this link to register with ALS: https://mohawkcollege-accommodate.symplicity.com/public_accommodation/
2. Discuss Your Needs with ALS
Meet with your Accessibility Counsellor to talk about disability-related needs, goals, and what costs the bursary can cover. They’ll help you complete the bursary application.
3. ALS Submits the Bursary Application
ALS will send your completed BSWD application to the Financial Assistance Office for review.
4. Financial Assistance Reviews It
The Financial Assistance team checks that your bursary application is complete and meets Ministry requirements.
5. You’ll Get a Decision by Email
Once reviewed, you’ll be notified through your MyMohawk email with your application outcome and the next steps.
After You Are Approved
If your BSWD funding is approved, here’s what to expect next:
- Use your funding as approved
Your funding must be used only for the items or services listed in your confrimation email. Be sure to make your purchases within your current, approved study period. - Submit your receipts on time
After you make your purchase, please submit your itemized receipts as soon as possible. All receipts must be submitted no later than 30 days after the end of your semester. - Return any unused funds
If you don’t use all of your funding, any remaining amount must be returned to the college. This should be done within 30 days of your semester ending, or sooner if requested.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Each item and/or service has its own financial approval, and any unused funds must be returned and cannot be allocated toward another item or service.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Obtaining quotes/estimates for requested equipment, software, or services
- Agreeing to the BSWD terms, conditions, and guidelines
- 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
Have Questions? Need Assistance? Want to Book an Appointment?
We are here to help. Contact Accessible Learning Services by email at als [at] mohawkcollege.ca (als[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca) or by phone at (905) 575-2122.
