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NEADS Accepting Applications to the Winter 2025 Financial Assistance Program
Deadline: Friday February 28, 2025 at 5pm PT, pacific time.
(Ottawa, Wednesday January 15, 2025)
The National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS) is now accepting applications for the Winter 2025 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 61 grants each semester, including:
• 21 grants of $2,000 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 the Government of Canada's Supports for Student Learning program and some partner funders.
There are partner-funded scholarships available in certain semesters of this program.
In the Winter 2025 semester three partner funded scholarships will be available, including:
- Connor Clark & Lunn Financial Group Scholarship for Student in Business, Economics, or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (1 at $5,000).
- Holly Bartlett Memorial Award (1 at $1,000).
- Christine Nieder Memorial Award (1 at $1,000).
Conor Clark & Lunn Financial Group Scholarship:
One student will be eligible for the $5,000 Conor Clark & Lunn Financial Group Scholarship. Established in 2022, this scholarship will be awarded to a student who displays community leadership, and is pursuing a business-oriented career. Recipients of this scholarship will be enrolled in a three or more year program in business, economics, computer science/technology, engineering or a related program at an accredited college or university in Canada, and will be selected on the basis of financial need.
Holly Bartlett Memorial Award:
Another applicant will receive the $1,000 Holly Bartlett Memorial Award. This scholarship was established by the NEADS board of directors after the passing of Holly in 2010. Holly Bartlett served on the NEADS Board of Directors as the association’s Nova Scotia Director for a number of years. The Holly Bartlett Memorial Award is a tribute to Holly and is intended to assist students with disabilities to realize success in post-secondary education.
Christine Nieder Memorial Award:
An applicant who identifies themselves as being in a graduate program of study will be awarded the $1,000 Christine Nieder Memorial Award. This award was established in 2015 to commemorate the life and contributions of Christine Nieder, NEADS Board member, who passed away in July 2014. The award is offered to a graduate student with a disability in recognition of Christine’s passionate work to address barriers faced to participation in graduate programs of study.
Other awards offered through this program, that are not offered specifically in the Winter 2025 semester include:
Canada Post Award (1 at $10,000).
AMI Robert Pearson Memorial Scholarship (2 at $5,000, one for an anglophone and one for francophone studying in Canada).
"We are thrilled to celebrate the remarkable growth of the NEADS Student Awards program. What began in 2007 with six $3,000 grants has now evolved into the NEADS Financial Assistance Program, which, in its first year, distributed $122,000 each semester in Winter, Summer, and Fall 2024, alongside $28,000 annually in partner-funded scholarships. We’re especially proud to expand our support beyond tuition assistance," 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 28, 2025 at 5pm PT, Pacific time at 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, frank.smith@neads.ca
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