Media

NEADS Accepting Applications to the Winter 2024 Financial Assistance Program

Deadline: Friday, February 16, 2024 at 5pm PT, pacific time

(Ottawa, January 4, 2024)

The National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS) is now accepting applications for the Winter 2024 semester of the NEADS Financial Assistance Program. The NEADS Financial Assistance Program is a new, exciting merger of the previous NEADS National Student Awards Program and Accessibility Resilience Program.

This program is intended to offset the high costs of education for students living with disabilities and encourage full access to post-secondary education for students living with disabilities enrolled in undergraduate, graduate or professional degree programs at recognized Canadian universities, or in certified diploma programs at Canadian colleges or CÉGEP. 

Emphasis will be placed on students living with disabilities who belong to one or more systemically disadvantaged groups , including but not limited to: Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis, Inuit), Black Canadians, racialized communities, members of the 2SLGBTQI+ communities, Women and gender diverse people (in relation to STEM fields), or a first/second generation Canadian.

With intakes semesterly, the new NEADS Financial Assistance Program will distribute 54 grants each semester, including: 

• 14 grants of $3,000 for Tuition Fees

• 5 grants of $2,000 for Assistive Technology (e.g. braille display, screen reader, voice recognition, prosthetics)

• 5 grants of $2,000 for Computers & Tablets

• 5 grants of $2,000 for Ergonomic Equipment (e.g. office chair, sit/stand desk, wheelchair seat cushion)

• 5 grants of $2,000 for Rent Support

• 5 grants of $2,000 for Food Security

• 5 grants of $2,000 for Mental Health & Wellness Services (e.g. counselling, massage therapy)

• 5 grants of $2,000 for Learning Supports e.g. Psychological Assessments, ADHD coaching, tutoring

• 5 grants of $2,000 for Medical Supplies (e.g. medications, wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs). 

These grants are made possible through generous support from funding sources such as Employment and Social Development Canada’s Supports for Student Learning program. There will also be partner-funded scholarships available in certain semesters of this program. 

One outstanding applicant will be awarded $10,000 to cover the tuition fees from Canada Post. The Canada Post Student Award recognizes contributions made to Canadian society through community development and knowledge sharing and will be given to a student who demonstrates leadership, innovation, respect and integrity in their research, studies and community involvement. Two other outstanding applicants (one Francophone, one Anglophone) will be eligible for a $5,000 AMI Sir Robert Pearson Memorial scholarship funded by Accessible Media Inc. In its 14th year, this scholarship is named in honour of Accessible Media Inc.’s Accessibility Officer, who passed away in December 2015. Robert Pearson was a long-time employee of AMI and fervent supporter of accessibility in Canada and around the world.  Another applicant who displays community leadership, and who is enrolled in a three+ year program in business, economics, computer science/technology or engineering will receive the Conor Clark & Lunn Financial Group Scholarship valued at $5,000.

Finally, one eligible applicant will receive the Holly Bartlett Memorial Award, and another will receive the Christine Nieder Memorial Award. Both of these awards are valued at $1,000 and were established in memory of Holly and Christine who were both past NEADS board members. The Christine Nieder Award will, be awarded to a student pursuing a graduate program. 

“We are excited to continue to support Canadian disabled post-secondary students for a 17th year and are incredibly proud of having between 2007 and 2022 provided $687,000 of financial assistance to 228 incredibly talented disabled students across Canada,” says Katja Newman, Director of the NEADS Financial Assistance Program. 

You can apply for these grants and scholarships through one central application on the NEADS website until Friday, February 16,  2024 at 5pm PT, Pacific time at this link: https://fap.neads.ca/  

For inquiries related to the application process, contact the NEADS’ Financial Assistance Programs Team at etes@neads.ca For any other inquiries, contact:

Frank Smith, National Coordinator, National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS), Rm. 514 Unicentre, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, tel. (613) 380-8065, ext. 201

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