Scholarships, Bursaries, & Grants

Canada Student Grant

The Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities is available to students for each year of your studies. The qualifications required and listed on the Government of Canada website include:

• You must be a full-time or part-time student that has applied and qualified for financial assistance (have at least $1 of assessed financial need)

• You are enrolled in a full-time or part-time program at any of the following institutions: UPEI, Holland College, College de l’Ile, Marguerite Connolly Training and Consulting Nursing School, Maritime Christian College, Private Institute of Hair Design & Aesthetics, JVI Transportation & Safety Academy, Hair Concepts Training Academy, Academy of Learning, Homburg Institute

• You must meet the definition for a student with a permanent disability. “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 the labor force; and is expected to remain with the person for the person’s expected life”.

• Must be able to provide one of the following for proof of your disability: A medical certificate, a psycho-educational assessment, documents that prove you have received federal or provincial permanent disability assistance.

If you qualify for this grant, you will receive $2,000 for each year of post secondary school. This includes undergraduate and graduate levels.

To apply for the grant you will need to contact the province’s student financial assistance office.

The other grant that goes hand-in-hand with the Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities is the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities. This grant allows for students to receive funding providing them with necessary education-related services or equipment. This grant has two additional requirements:.

• Provide a written confirmation that you are in need of an exceptional education-related service or equipment from a person qualified to determine such a need.

• Provide a written confirmation of the exact cost of the equipment or service required

Upon receiving the grant it will be your responsibility to provide your school with receipts for the equipment or services that you have purchased with the grant money. If you do not provide those receipts you are liable and any outstanding balance is deducted from your funding for the next year.  

As long as you qualify for this grant you could be receiving up to $20,000 each school year. To apply, contact the province’s student financial assistance office at (902)-368-4640. For further information please refer to the Government of Canada’s website specified in disability grants https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/education/grants/disabilities.html.

The Island Advantage Bursary

The Island Advantage bursary for low-middle income students is a new grant that is needs-based. This grant will match the Canada Student Grant that a student with disabilities can receive. To be eligible for this grant:

• You must be a Canadian citizen, or permanent resident.

• You must have applied for a student loan.

• You must be enrolled in a full time program at UPEI, Holland College, Maritime Christian College, or College de l’Ile.

• Your total family income for the previous calendar year of application must be less than the income cut-off amount listed in the table below:

After applying for a student loan, your income will be assessed as part of the application process and you will be advised if you are eligible for the award. The award may be credited directly to your school account.

The Debt Reduction Grant

The Debt Reduction Grant can be applied yearly for students that attend a college or university on, or off Island.  Every year you attend post secondary education you can receive $3,500 to pay off your student debt. To be eligible for this grant you must complete your program, reside on PEI, or decide to come back to the Island after completing your studies. There is no deadline to apply for this grant, however the earlier the better. To apply for this grant you can access an application form online at Student Financial Services.

 For more information you can contact your administrative services at your financial institution or contact Student Financial Services at (902)-368-4640 or access their website: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/topic/student-financial-services