University and college bring new possibilities—and new questions about costs. Explore funding for neurodivergent students, tax relief for families, and the steps that can make the transition easier.
Start with what matters to your family. Each program has its own rules: a diagnosis alone does not guarantee eligibility, and approval for one support does not automatically qualify you for another.
Explore grants, disability-related learning supports and campus awards. In Ontario, OSAP and your school's financial aid and accessibility offices are useful starting points.
For eligible students with financial need, a recognized disability and supporting documentation, studying in a qualified program at a designated school.
Start here: Apply through provincial student aid—OSAP in Ontario—and complete the disability documentation.
Review eligibility on Canada.ca ↗May help cover disability-related educational services or equipment. Financial need, disability evidence, confirmation of need and cost documentation are required.
Start here: Ask accessibility services and financial aid about approved supports before making purchases.
Explore services and equipment funding ↗Supports approved disability-related educational services and equipment. Verified disability status and an eligible OSAP or institutional bursary pathway are required.
Start here: Use the joint BSWD/CSG-DSE application with your school's guidance. Item limits apply; these maximums are not a guaranteed combined award.
Read Ontario's bursary rules ↗Explore general student aid alongside disability-specific funding. Ask your university or college about entrance awards, financial-need bursaries and awards for students with disabilities.
Check your assessment: OSAP can include grants and repayable loans. Provincial funding rules changed for programs starting on or after August 1, 2026.
Understand OSAP and current rules ↗These programs provide specific forms of assistance with their own eligibility rules. Do not assume tuition is waived or that all costs will be covered. Your school's financial aid office can help you review the available options.
Some supports reduce tax owed; others are benefits or long-term savings incentives. Review the rules for the relevant tax year and your child's age.
An eligible person approved by the CRA may reduce their income tax. An unused disability amount may be transferred to an eligible supporting parent or other family member under CRA rules.
What to check: CRA approval, the approved years, the student's own tax needs and transfer eligibility. The credit amount is not a cash grant.
Review DTC claims and transfers ↗A student may designate eligible unused current-year federal tuition amounts to a parent or grandparent. The maximum transfer is $5,000 minus the amount the student needs for their own tax.
This is a tuition amount used to calculate a credit—not a $5,000 refund. Prior-year carryforwards cannot be transferred. This option is not disability-specific.
Check tuition transfer conditions ↗May provide tax relief when a family member depends on you for basic necessities because of a physical or mental impairment.
What to check: The dependant's age and net income, your relationship, supporting documents and other credits claimed. Being a parent or paying tuition alone does not establish eligibility.
Review the caregiver credit ↗Some qualifying unreimbursed expenses paid for a dependent child may be claimed under the medical expense rules.
What to check: Eligible expense categories, receipts, required prescriptions or certifications and reimbursements. Different calculations apply for dependants aged 18 or older.
Check eligible medical expenses ↗An income-tested, tax-free payment for eligible families receiving the Canada child benefit for a DTC-approved child under 18.
Plan ahead: This child benefit does not continue through university after age 18. Adult benefits have separate requirements.
Review the Child Disability Benefit ↗A Registered Disability Savings Plan can receive government grants and bonds when eligibility conditions are met, including DTC approval.
Think long term: An RDSP is designed for future financial security. Withdrawals can trigger repayment of government contributions; review the rules before using it for education costs.
Explore the RDSP ↗Use this checklist with your young person to prepare for university or college. Tick items as you review them; selections apply to this visit only.
No. CRA tax-credit eligibility and student-aid disability verification are separate processes. Follow the documentation requirements for each program.
Use your province or territory's student-aid program. Ontario bursaries are province-specific. Quebec, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories operate their own student-aid programs instead of the federal disability student grants described here.
Find the federal student-grant guidance ↗