CNSA Disability/Diversability Award

Canadian Nurses Foundation

Get up to $3,000 for nursing students in Canada who identify as having a disability or diversability — applications open each December.

Published by G Paul · last checked September 23, 2026

Up to

$3,000

Next deadline

Dec 1, 2026

Level

Undergraduate

Open to

Across Canada

Apply on the official site ↗

What you will need

Online application submitted via cnf-fiic.ca/scholarships/
Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
Current enrollment in a Canadian RPN, LPN, or RN program
Active CNSA (Canadian Nurses Student Association) membership
Self-identification of disability and/or diversability

About this award

You can receive up to $3,000 for your studies. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are a nursing student who identifies as having a disability or diversability and wants to support your path toward becoming a healthcare professional. Applications open each December for the following academic year and typically close in late January. No specific date is posted publicly for the current cycle — before you start your application, check the Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF — the national organization providing financial support to nurses) program page or call their office to confirm when applications open and close this year. You will hear back through the application portal or email. Winners are chosen based on merit by the CNF awards committee. They award over 135 scholarships per year across all tiers, though they do not publish the exact number of winners for this specific award — ask the CNF how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask the Canadian Nurses Foundation during your application how the money will reach you — some awards pay students directly, others apply funds to tuition. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with the Canadian Nurses Foundation whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

To qualify, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. You must be a member of the CNSA (the Canadian Nurses Student Association — the national student body for nursing) and currently enrolled in a baccalaureate level RPN (Registered Practical Nurse), LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse), or RN (Registered Nurse) program in Canada. You must also self-identify as having a disability and/or diversability.

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.

Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Open to undergraduate students
Studying nursing

How to apply

Read the award's official page
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
Submit your application
Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

IdentityAvoid giving a vague description of your needs. Instead, clearly explain how your disability or diversability has shaped your perspective on patient care and why this funding is necessary for your success.

Questions students ask

How do I apply?

Use the Apply on the official site button on this page: it opens the official application page in a new tab.

When is the deadline?

Applications close on December 1, 2026. Submit a day or two early: application sites get busy at the end.

Can international students apply?

No. You need to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

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FundMyCourse.ca · checked Sep 23, 2026