Canada Study Grant for Services and Equipment (CSG-DSE)

What is the CSG PROGRAM?

The Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment – Students with Disabilities (CSG-DSE) is designed to help students overcome educational barriers that are caused by their disability. Students who have a permanent disability, or a persistent or prolonged disability, that creates barriers to their post-secondary education may be eligible to receive the CSG-DSE. The CSG-DSE can provide funding of up to $20,000 for services and/or equipment for each year an eligible student is enrolled in an approved academic program. The purpose of this grant is to enable students with a permanent, or a persistent or prolonged disability, to purchase assistive technology (equipment) and to pay for support services (such as tutoring or note-taking) that help them to access their studies in a way that reduces the impact of their disability.

Who is Eligible?

You may be eligible for the CSG-DSE if you meet the following criteria:

• You are a resident of British Columbia.
• You are currently enrolled in a public or private post-secondary institution.
• You have a permanent disability, or a persistent or prolonged disability.
• You have demonstrated financial need for full-time or part-time studies.

Permanent Disability is defined as:

“any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication, or sensory impairment – or a functional limitation – that restricts the ability of a person to perform the daily activities necessary to pursue studies at a post-secondary school level or to participate in the labour force and that is expected to remain with the person for the person’s expected life.”

Persistent or Prolonged Disability is defined as:

“any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication, or sensory impairment – or a functional impairment – that restricts the ability of a person to perform the daily activities necessary to pursue studies at a post-secondary school level or to participate in the labour force and has lasted, or is expected to last, for a period of at least 12 months but is not expected to remain with the person for the person’s expected life.”

How to Apply

What you need to know

1. You must create a Student Account before you can apply for funding
2. Create your Student Account and log in using your BC Services Card as your digital ID
3. Applications are available for both full-time and part-time students
4. You may need supporting documents depending on your circumstances
5. Applying early can help ensure your funding is available when your studies begin

Before you apply

Have the following information ready:

1. Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
2. Your personal and contact information
3. Information about your school and program
4. Any supporting documents that may be required for your application

The application process

• Go to the Student Aid BC website SABC home page | StudentAid BC
• Apply for a New Student Account StudentAid BC. There is a helpful video here.
• Submit your application to have PD or PPD established.
• After you have PD or PPD established and wish to access the CSG-DSE portion of your grant (Equipment and/or Services), go visit the Accessibility Coordinator at your post-secondary institution and submit an Equipment Request Form (or Service Request Form) together. Only your Accessibility Coordinator can submit the form.
• Assistive Technology BC will process your application and then contact you to arrange a meeting with a Case Manager who will work with you to develop your Individualized Technology Action Plan (TAP).

Visit the StudentAid BC website for more information.