B.C. Access Grant for Students with Disabilities (BCAG-D)

What you will need

• ✓ Apply through StudentAid BC's disability funding process (see "How to apply for disability funding" on the award's official page)
• ✓ Confirmation that you qualify for federal and provincial student financial aid
• ✓ Proof of a permanent disability, or a persistent or prolonged disability, as defined by the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program

About this award

You can receive up to $1,560 per program year, which works out to $30 per week of study. This is a grant, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back; it works by replacing an equal amount of your B.C. student loan funding with non-repayable grant funding. This is for you if you are a full-time student living with a permanent, persistent, or prolonged disability. No deadline is posted publicly — before you start the application, check Government of British Columbia — StudentAid BC's program page or call their office to confirm when applications open and close this year. You should also ask how and when you will hear back about your application. Selection criteria aren't published — ask StudentAid BC how applications are assessed. Since this grant replaces a portion of your loans, the money is managed through your student financial aid package. Ask Government of British Columbia — StudentAid BC during your application how the funds are applied to your account so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with Government of British Columbia — StudentAid BC whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain. If you were at a school other than a B.C. public school in the 2025/26 program year and got this grant for the same program at the same school, you can ask to keep receiving it until your program ends or until July 31, 2029, whichever comes first.

Who qualifies

To qualify, you must be enrolled in a full-time program at a designated public post-secondary school in B.C. You must also qualify for federal and provincial student financial aid and have a permanent disability, or a persistent or prolonged disability as defined by the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program (the federal office that manages student loans and grants).

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

• ✓ Open to college, undergraduate, graduate, trades or certificate students
• ✓ Resident of British Columbia

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Check this year's deadline

   We don't have a confirmed date for this round. The award's official page will have it.

Tips for applying

• Disability DocumentationAvoid providing vague descriptions of your health needs. Instead, ensure your medical documentation uses the specific definitions of "permanent," "persistent," or "prolonged" used by the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program. Get a letter from your healthcare provider that mirrors this language.
• SupportAvoid submitting your application without checking your loan balance. Instead, coordinate with your school's financial aid office to see how this grant replacement affects your overall funding package. Ask them to help you calculate your net loan reduction.
• StrategyAvoid waiting until the term starts to apply. Instead, submit your request for disability funding as soon as you apply for your general student loans. This ensures the grant is processed before your tuition deadlines.
• RealismAvoid assuming this grant covers all your accessibility costs. Instead, remember that this is a specific amount designed to reduce your debt, not a flexible spending account for all equipment. Check if there are other separate bursaries for assistive technology.

Questions students ask

Similar awards

• Government of British Columbia — StudentAid BCB.C. Supplemental Bursary for Students with Disabilities (SBSD)$800
• Government of British Columbia — StudentAid BCB.C. Assistance Program for Students with Disabilities$12,000
• Gouvernement du Québec — Aide financière aux étudesAFE Loans and Bursaries Program (Programme de prêts et bourses)$14,000
• Toronto Metropolitan University - The Creative School / Shure Inc.Shure Award for Excellence in Sound Design (Image Arts)$5,000
• Calgary FoundationShannon Burwash Award for Leadership and Excellence in Equine, Agri-Business and/or Agricultural Studies$5,000
• York University - Faculty of Graduate StudiesYork University Graduate Bursaries
• Algonquin College / Canerector FoundationAlgonquin College Canerector Foundation Scholarship (Skilled Trades)$8,000
• University of TorontoU of T President’s Scholars of Excellence Program (PSEP)