Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD)
Students registered with Academic Accommodation Support (AAS) may be eligible for funding to help pay for disability-related educational services and equipment.
The Ontario Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) and the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment – Students with Disabilities (CSG-DSE) help eligible full-time and part-time students pay for eligible disability-related services and equipment needed to participate in post-secondary studies.
Looking for the Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities (CSG-SD)?
Students with a permanent disability or a persistent or prolonged disability may also be eligible for the Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities through their OSAP application. Registration with AAS is not required.
Visit the Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities webpage to learn more (external link) .
Am I eligible?
To be considered for BSWD/CSG-DSE funding, you must:
- be registered with Academic Accommodation Support (AAS);
- have a verified permanent or persistent or prolonged disability (external link) ;
- be eligible for OSAP* and have at least $1 in calculated financial need; and
- require disability-related educational services or equipment to participate in your studies.
If you do not yet have a verified disability, you may still be eligible for funding for a psychoeducational assessment to determine whether you have a disability.
All requests for disability-related services or equipment must be assessed by AAS to ensure they meet Ministry eligibility requirements.
*If you receive financial aid from another province or territory, contact their office to learn about similar funding opportunities.
Before you apply
In order to access the BSWD student must first register with AAS.
Once registered, you can meet with your assigned Accommodation Facilitator or Learning Strategist/Assistive Technologist (LS/AT) for support.
Before submitting a BSWD application, meet with your Accommodation Facilitator or LS/AT to discuss your eligibility and requests.
They will help determine whether your request(s) may be eligible for funding, outline associated funding caps, and identify any supporting documentation required.
What expenses may be covered?
Eligible expenses must:
- address a disability-related functional limitation affecting your academics; and
- be an expense beyond what students without disabilities would typically require.
Funding may be available for approved disability-related educational services, assistive technology, equipment, transportation, or assessments, depending on your disability-related functional limitations.
All requests for disability-related services or equipment must be assessed by AAS to ensure they meet requirements set out by the Ministry.
Expenses that are not eligible
Not all disability-related services and equipment are eligible for funding. Funding is not available for:
- textbooks;
- tuition or living expenses;
- standard computers or software required for all students in a course;
- disability-related expenses that would be required regardless of attending post-secondary studies (for example, hearing aids for daily living).
Computer Equipment
All TMU students, including those with disabilities, are expected to have access to computer equipment that meets the basic requirements of their program. This is considered a regular educational expense similar to textbooks or supplies.
AAS will only consider BSWD funding for a computer when documented disability-related impacts demonstrate that a computer is necessary to support the student’s academic participation
Expenses incurred before classes start
Two expenses incurred before your study period may be eligible for BSWD reimbursement after classes start:
- Disability documentation such as psychoeducational, neuropsychological, and psychological assessments completed within 6 months before the first day of classes;
- Computer equipment or assistive software purchased within 60 days before the first day of class.
Consult with AAS before arranging an assessment or making a purchase if you intend to seek reimbursement.
Funding Caps
Each BSWD-eligible service or item has a maximum funding amount set by the Ministry. This means BSWD may not cover the full cost of an approved expense.
If the cost exceeds the funding limit, you are responsible for paying the difference.
Deadlines
BSWD/CSG-DSE applications have specific deadlines depending on your study period and type of service/equipment requested.
| Semester | Deadline | This deadline is for you if: |
|---|---|---|
🍂Fall 2026 | Coming September 2026 | You are enrolled only in the Fall 2026 Semester; or You are applying for a Fall 2026 course-specific service (e.g., tutoring) |
❄️Winter 2027 | Coming September 2026 | You are enrolled only in the Winter 2027 Semester; or You are enrolled both the Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 Semesters You are applying for services, equipment, technology, and/or counselling |
Psychoeducational Assessment | Coming September 2026 | You are being referred by AAS for a psychoeducational assessment. Meeting this deadline allows time for your assessment to be completed and, if a disability is confirmed, for a Disability Verification Form (DVF) to be submitted to OSAP so your funding can be finalized within the same academic year. You may still obtain an assessment after this deadline; however, you may need to pay the cost upfront, and reimbursement is not guaranteed. It is strongly recommended that you speak with your Accommodation Facilitator before obtaining an assessment to discuss potential funding eligibility. |
Step 1: Confirm your OSAP Eligibility
To apply for the BSWD/CSG-DSE, you must:
- be eligible for OSAP;
- submit an OSAP application and Disability Verification Form* (DVF); and
- indicate on your OSAP application that you have a permanent disability or persistent or prolonged disability.
If you do not yet have a confirmed disability and are seeking funding for a psychological or psychoeducational assessment to determine whether a disability is present, you may apply for assessment funding before completing a DVF.
If you already have proof of OSAP eligibility, proceed to Step 2.
*To download the DVF, log into your online OSAP Account (external link) and select 'Print or Upload Documents', or visit OSAP Forms (external link) and search "Disability Verification Form: Students at Ontario Public Postsecondary Institutions"
Step 2: Meet with AAS
Meet with your Accommodation Facilitator or LS/AT to discuss the disability-related services or equipment you are requesting.
They will determine whether you are eligible to apply for approved services and/or equipment, and advise if any supplemental documentation is required.
This form requires a TMU (@torontomu.ca) account. Do not select "Request access." Instead, switch to your TMU account.
Step 3: Submit your Application
Complete the TMU BSWD Application Form by the published deadline.
Depending on the services or equipment you are requesting, you may be asked to submit supplemental documentation.
Step 4: Application Review
- AAS reviews your application for completeness and confirms that the requested services or equipment meet Ministry eligibility requirements.
- If additional information is required, we will contact you.
Every approved item has a fixed purchase amount. If you choose to spend over the allotted amount, it is your financial responsibility to cover the difference.
Step 5: Funding Decision
- Once your application is complete, AAS submits it to Student Financial Assistance (SFA).
- SFA reviews your application and determines your funding eligibility. They will notify you of the funding decision, approved amount, and next steps.
You may be provided funding for all or a portion of the costs of the eligible services or equipment requested. Approved funding for eligible items is subject to maximum limits, so it is possible that not all your costs will be covered.
- If you meet all eligibility requirements and all supporting documentation is received, your application will be processed in approximately 5-10 business days.
- Final funding decisions are made by the provincial and/or federal funding providers.
AAS will help you navigate the application process, but once funding has been approved, you are responsible for using the funds appropriately, submitting required receipts, and returning any unused funding.
Changes to your course load or enrolment may affect your funding. Contact SFA before using your funding if your enrolment changes.
Receive your funding
- Funding is approved on a term-by-term basis and is issued through electronic funds transfer (EFT).
- Follow the instructions sent to your TMU email to set up direct deposit. Funding may take up to 10 business days to be deposited.
- For more information about electronic funds transfer, visit Student Refunds.
Funds must be used during the approved study period and only for the approved services or equipment.
Purchase approved equipment or services
- Only purchase the equipment or services approved in your funding decision.
- Funding may only be used for approved items and services during your approved study period.
- If you purchase an item that costs more than the approved amount, you are responsible for paying the difference.
Important: We strongly recommend waiting until your funding has been approved before purchasing equipment or services. Purchasing equipment before approval does not guarantee reimbursement.
Failure to submit required receipts may affect your future OSAP eligibility, including restrictions on future funding or other collection measures.
Submit your Receipts
Receipts must be submitted by the deadlines provided in your approval email from SFA
- Equipment/software receipts must be submitted within 30 days of receiving your funding.
- Service receipts must be submitted within 30 days after your study period ends.
- All receipts must be submitted before the end of your approved study period.
Receipts must:
- show payment in full;
- include the payment date;
- indicate the payment method; and
- itemize all purchases or services.
Invoices or order forms are not accepted. Receipts for services (e.g., tutors, note takers, counsellors, coaches) must be original copies.
Failure to return unused funding may affect your future OSAP eligibility, including restrictions on future funding or other collection measures.
Return unused funding (if applicable)
- Any unused funding must be returned at the end of your study period.
- After making your payment, email your SFA advisor of the payment date and amount.
- Refer to How to Pay Your Fees for payment instructions.