Manitoba Student Aid

A permanent disability means any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment – or a functional limitation – that restricts the ability of a person to perform the daily activities necessary to pursue studies at a post-secondary school level or to participate in the labour force and that is expected to remain with the person for the person’s expected life.

A persistent or prolonged disability means any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment – or a functional limitation – that restricts the ability of a person to perform the daily activities necessary to pursue studies at a post-secondary school level or to participate in the labour force and has lasted, or is expected to last, for a period of at least 12 months but is not expected to remain with the person for the person’s expected life.

Students with a verified permanent disability (PD) or a persistent or prolonged disability (PPD) are eligible for the same loans, grants and bursaries as other full-time and part-time students. They may also be eligible for the following grants:

• Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities (CSG-D)
• Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment - Students with Disabilities (CSG-DSE)

To qualify for the Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities (CSG-D) and the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment - Students with Disabilities (CSG-DSE), you must have a verified permanent disability or a verified persistent or prolonged disability. Examples of such disabilities are visual impairment, hearing impairment, physical disability, learning disability, and mental health disability.

Students enrolled in, or who will be enrolled in, full-time or part-time post-secondary studies can apply for the Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities (CSG-D) through Manitoba Student Aid (MSA).

To be assessed for the CSG-D, you must self-identify as having a permanent disability, or a persistent or prolonged disability by selecting the appropriate box on the MSA application.

The form will be available in your online portal and must be completed by an assessment provider.

Students enrolled in, or who will be enrolled in, full-time or part-time post-secondary studies can apply for the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment – Students with Disabilities (CSG-DSE) through Manitoba Student Aid (MSA).

To be assessed for the CSG-DSE, you must self-identify as having a permanent disability or a persistent or prolonged disability by selecting the appropriate box on the MSA application.

The form will be available in your online portal and must be completed by an assessment provider.

If you wish to update your application to declare a permanent disability or a persistent or prolonged disability, you must submit your request through the Email Form.

The deadline to declare a permanent disability or a persistent or prolonged disability is the midpoint of the study period.

Processing may take up to 6 weeks or longer during peak times.

For status updates specific to your application, log into the Manitoba Student Aid (MSA) online portal.

All information provided to MSA is subject to verification and audit.

The following forms will be available in your online portal.

REMINDER: The deadline to submit the disability forms is the midpoint of the study period. Check the exact deadlines on your forms to avoid late submission.

1. Verification of Disability

   The Verification of Disability form must be submitted to apply for the Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities (CSG-D).

   The form must be completed by a qualified medical assessor registered to practice in the province or territory where the assessment is undertaken (for ex. physician, nurse practitioner, audiologist, optometrist, ophthalmologist, psychologist, or psychiatrist).

   Access a blank Verification of Disability form here.

   Note: Copies are accepted.

2. Application for Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment (CSG-DSE)

   The Application for Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment (CSG-DSE) form must be submitted to apply for Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment (CSG-DSE). For returning students, this form will not be generated if there is an unpaid CSG-DSE overaward on the account.

   The form must be completed by one of the following assessment providers:

   • qualified medical assessor/physician
   • qualified educational assessor
   • disability service officer who works at the educational institution (for example rehabilitation services case worker, accessibility counsellor, coordinator, specialist, etc.), or at a community agency (e.g., Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities (EAPD), Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), Manitoba Possible, etc.)

   Important notes for students requesting tutoring services:

   • A tutoring form will be sent to the student. One tutoring form is required per class.
   • Friends, family members, partners or spouses are not considered as eligible tutors due to conflict of interest.
   • Tutoring should be done by private professional tutors, or tutors affiliated and/or recommended by schools.
   • Reimbursement of hourly tutor rates vary depending on the type of tutor (ex. peer or specialized).

   Important note for students requesting computer/laptop/tablet:

   • Computer system purchase price should include a warranty for a minimum of three years.

Access a blank Application for Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment (CSG DSE) form here.

Note: Copies are accepted.

3. Canada Student Grant Reconciliation Form

   The Canada Student Grant Reconciliation form is required to reconcile the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment – Students with Disabilities (CSG-DSE) funding received versus the CSG-DSE funding used for every application. It will be sent to the student one month prior to program study period end date.

   Receipts showing payment for the CSG-DSE must be provided to Manitoba Student Aid (MSA) by the deadline indicated on the form. Failure to provide receipts will affect the ability to get CSG-DSE funding in the future.

   Note: Do not submit any payments until your account has been reconciled by MSA and you have been notified of the amount owing.

   Processing may take up to 6 weeks or longer during peak times.

   For status updates specific to your application, log into the MSA online portal.

   All information provided to MSA is subject to verification and audit.

If you do not provide receipts for all the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment (CSG-DSE) funding that you received, you will be in an overaward situation. An overaward is the amount of funding that has been issued more than what you were eligible to receive. You will not be entitled to any further CSG-DSE funding until receipts and/or payments have been provided for the total amount of the overaward.

Cheque or money order in the amount of the overaward should be made payable to the Minister of Finance and submitted to Manitoba Student Aid via mail or in person at:

Manitoba Student Aid
401-1181 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3G 0T3

Please add your full name and file number in the memo section of the cheque or money order.

The deadline to submit all required disability forms is the midpoint of the study period. The date will be automatically generated by the system. Please refer to your forms for the specific deadline for each form.

Processing may take up to 6 weeks or longer during peak times.

For status updates specific to your application, log into the Manitoba Student Aid (MSA) online portal.

All information provided to MSA is subject to verification and audit.

Students with a verified permanent disability do not have to re-apply every year for the Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities (CSG-D).

Students with a verified persistent or prolonged disability must confirm their disability status on each subsequent Manitoba Student Aid application by selecting the persistent or prolonged disability box to remain eligible for the CSG-D.

Students with a verified permanent disability or a verified persistent or prolonged disability who require Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment – Student with Disabilities (CSG-DSE) funding must submit a completed form for every subsequent application. The CSG-DSE form will not be generated if there is an unpaid CSG-DSE overaward on the account.

Students are generally assessed with a fixed student contribution based on family income and family size. If you have a verified permanent disability or a verified persistent or prolonged disability, you are exempt from this contribution which may increase the amount of financial assistance you receive.

Full-time students are eligible to receive up to a maximum of 340 weeks of financial assistance over the entire course of their post-secondary education. Students with a verified permanent disability or a verified persistent or prolonged disability have a lifetime financial assistance limit of 520 weeks.

Students with a verified permanent disability or a verified persistent or prolonged disability are also exempt from the limit on the number of funded study periods per program.

Students who have a spouse or common-law partner that receives federal or provincial disability benefits may be eligible for increased financial assistance through an exemption of assessed spousal contribution in their financial need assessment.