NEADS and AMI National Student Awards Frequently Asked Questions

BEFORE APPLYING:

What types of disabilities are considered?
For the purpose of these awards, a permanent disability is a permanent functional limitation which affects the ability of the student to participate fully in post-secondary education. The types of disabilities considered include but are not limited to: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder, Chronic Medical Disabilities, Head Trauma / Acquired Brain Injury, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD),Hearing Impairments, Learning Disabilities, Mobility Disabilities, Psychiatric / Mental Health Disabilities, Visual Impairments, and Episodic Disabilities (e.g. multiple sclerosis, arthritis).

Do I have to provide disability documentation to apply?
We do not require proof of disability at the time of application. You will only be required to provide proof of disability documentation if selected for an award. Accepted forms of disability documentation include:

1. A letter from your student accommodations/accessibility centre saying you receive services and have fulfilled their documentation requirements.
2. Documentation from a medical professional e.g. hearing test results.
3. Proof of disability support benefits or federal or provincial financial assistance for students with disabilities (e.g. a copy of your Canada Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities) funding summary.

Can I submit my application and/or documents in French?
Applicants are invited to submit their application in the official language of their choice (English or French). Documents are reviewed by bilingual staff for completeness.

How do I apply for the AMI Scholarship?
For the AMI scholarship, please answer the AMI specific application question in your application to be considered for this award:

I am blind/visually impaired/deaf blind. What do I need to do to be considered for the Katelynn Mitchell Memorial Scholarship for the Visually Impaired?
You will identify that you are blind/visually impaired/deaf blind This will be identified through the disability type question on the self-declaration form.

Can I apply for a specific award type from the list of available awards?
Unless indicated otherwise you will be considered for all awards. You can not apply for a specific award type.

If I won a NEADS Student Award previously, can I reapply?
No.

Can I apply to the NEADS Student Awards Program if I’ve been a recipient of an Accessibility Resilience Program grant?
Yes, you may apply, as they are separate programs.

I am currently on medical leave from my studies; can I still apply?
Applicants must be currently registered in post-secondary education at a college, university or CEGEP at the time of application. Students on leave are not eligible to apply.

DURING THE APPLICATION PROCESS:

Who are accepted professionals to fill out the Good Academic Standing verification form?
Acceptable professionals include: guidance counsellors, principals, registrar department staff, program coordinators, academic advisors, learning strategists, disability advisors.

What are accepted forms of proof of enrolment?
Acceptable proof is either a proof of enrolment letter from your school’s registrars office, or an acceptance letter. Copies of timetables, tuition statements etc. are not acceptable proof of enrolment.

How do I get a proof of enrolment letter?
Contact your school's registrars office to get specific instructions on how to obtain a proof of enrolment letter.

Who should I use as my reference?
Your reference can be either an academic or a community reference. Your reference should be able to speak to your academic performance, volunteerism, extra-curricular activities or employment history. For example, a professor/instructor, a work supervisor, or a leader of an organization you volunteer with. This individual cannot be a family member, friend, spouse or colleague. If your reference's responses state that they are a friend/family member/spouse/colleague, your application will be disqualified.

When and how will my reference be contacted?
When you click submit at the end of your application, your reference will be sent an automated email containing a reference form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to follow up with their reference to ensure they received the automated form. If it appears that the form was not received, have your reference check their spam or junk folder. If a copy of the form was not received, email us at etes@neads.ca to have another copy sent.

What format do the supporting documentation files I upload during the application process have to be in?
Electronic files are accepted in the following formats: Microsoft Word (DOC), (DOCX) and Adobe Acrobat (PDF).

AFTER APPLYING:

Once I have submitted my application, can I make changes to it?
Once submitted, application forms are final and may not be modified.

How can I confirm that my application was successfully submitted?
Once you finish your application a receipt of completion will be sent to your email.

How will those selected to receive an award be contacted?
All recipients will be contacted by email. Due to the volume of applications received, only those selected as award recipients will be contacted. Students will be given 2 weeks to acknowledge their congratulatory email and submit required documentation. If no response is received from the student, NEADS staff will follow up once via phone. If a response is still not received for a period of 1 week following the phone call, the award will be offered to another student.

When approximately will recipients be contacted?
Recipients will be notified in the latter half of the Fall 2023 semester or early in the winter 2024 semester.

My phone number or email address has changed. How can I update my file?
Should your contact information change, please inform our Financial Assistance Program Team by email at etes@neads.ca.