About Post-Secondary Accessibility Services
Post-Secondary Accessibility Services (PSAS) administers the Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities (CSG-D) and Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment – Students with Disabilities (CSG-DSE) on behalf of the federal government. These grants provide financial assistance to eligible post-secondary students to help reduce or remove barriers to post-secondary education.
PSAS must follow funding rules provided by the federal government including, but not limited to, eligibility criteria, eligible expenses for services and equipment, accountability measures and recovery policies.
PSAS reports services and equipment statistics and costs annually to the federal government.
Grant applications are assessed against functional limitations related to a student’s verified disability and the limitations must be unique to the post secondary environment. Services and equipment grants will not be approved for daily living needs.
For example, a student with a hearing impairment will not be approved for services and equipment grants intended to remove functional limitations related to a physical impairment. They would however be considered for services and equipment grants intended to remove barriers created by hearing loss.
Functional limitations in the postsecondary educational setting include:
- standing
- sitting
- walking
- lifting, carrying, holding, reaching
- handwriting
- typing
- taking notes in class
- self-regulation
- speaking, communicating
- hearing
- completing tasks on time
- attending classes
- staying on task
- remembering information
- vision
- reading
Who can access CSG-D and CSG-DSE grant funding?
Funding is available to all students who are Nova Scotia residents enrolled in post-secondary education who have current and in good standing application with Nova Scotia Student Assistance, a verified disability and assessed financial need of $1 or more.
The Canada Student Financial Assistance Program (CSFAP) policy outlines eligibility for the Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities (CSG-D) and the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment-Students with Disabilities (CSG-DSE).
For any Canada Student Grant, students must meet the following criteria:
- citizenship
- residency
- enrolled at a designated post-secondary institution
- satisfactory scholastic standard
- no student assistance restrictions
To be eligible for CSG-D and CSG-DSE, students must have at least $1 of federal assessed need.
If the initial need assessment did not have at least $1 of demonstrated financial need, then the estimated costs for the recommended equipment and/or services can be included in the need assessment. If the financial need is then calculated at $1 or more, the student is eligible for CSG-DSE funding.
Students who are still assessed as having negative financial need after including the costs above should appeal their assessment to Nova Scotia Student Assistance to have exceptional circumstances considered.
Visit the student assistance page for more information.