Autism Accommodations and OSAP Bursaries for Post-Secondary Students in Ontario

Ontario education providers must respond to individual requests for accommodation. Accommodation is based on the student’s disability-related needs, and a formal diagnosis is not usually relevant or necessary for planning accommodation, although it may be required in some circumstances.

College and university disability or accessibility services offices can help with the accommodation process. These offices must keep disability-related information strictly confidential, so students should begin with that office and ask what current documentation is needed for accommodation and for any separate student-aid application.

For the 2026-27 academic year, the Bursary for Students with Disabilities offers up to $2,000 and the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment – Students with Disabilities offers up to $20,000. Both programs fund eligible postsecondary participation costs tied to disability-related functional limitations, and each eligible service or equipment item may have its own cap.

Eligible costs can include note-takers, tutors and assistive technology used to access course materials. A student at an Ontario public postsecondary school must work with the school’s disability or accessibility services office to complete the application, and the financial aid office must receive it no later than 60 days before the study period ends.

Assessment costs are considered only when the psycho-educational or other disability assessment occurred no more than 6 months before the study start date. Students must keep and submit required receipts; unused funds must be repaid when receipts are not submitted.

The separate Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities offers $2,800 per year until the end of the 2026-27 school year to students who qualify. The grant amount remains the same regardless of assessed need, and students apply when they apply for student aid through their province or territory.

The Disability Tax Credit does not create a general RESP benefit. A narrower rule may extend contributions to 35 years when a beneficiary can claim the Disability Tax Credit for the 31st year after a non-family RESP was opened and the existing plan permits the extension.