Financial Awards and Resources
Student Loans
Manitoba Student Loans
By applying for a Manitoba Student Loan, students with disabilities may be eligible for other forms of awards and bursaries through the provincial and federal government student loan programs.
Learn more about Manitoba Student Loans
Canada Student Grant for Persons with Permanent Disabilities
If you have a permanent disability and qualify for a Manitoba Student Loan, you may receive a $2,000 grant as part of your award, which need not be repaid. These funds are to help cover the costs of accommodation, tuition, and books.
Learn more about the Canada Student Grant for Persons with Permanent Disabilities
Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Persons with Permanent Disabilities
If you have a permanent disability which requires you to incur exceptional educational-related costs for things such as tutors, note-takers, interpreters, or assistive technology, you may receive up to $20,000 per academic year to help pay for these expenses.
Red River College Polytechnic Awards
Student Accessibility Services Awards
One $1500 award is available annually to assist a student with a disability or disabilities, (documented physical, mental health, learning disabilities, chronic medical conditions, as well a vision and hearing loss). Students who are experiencing significant financial need, and are maintaining satisfactory academic progress, may be eligible to receive this award. Students may apply by speaking with an Accessibility Specialist in Student Accessibility Services or the Manager, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services. The application must include a letter of support from the Manager/Accessibility Specialist the student is working with, and an essay or summary from the student describing their situation/need. Submit the application to the Manager, Student Accessibility Services. Deadline for applications is December 5th.
Student Accessibility Services Crisis Bursary
Bursaries are available annually to assist students, connected with Student Accessibility Services, who are experiencing financial hardship.
CRITERIA:
- The student is eligible to continue in their program.
- The student has significant financial need that without assistance may place them at risk for withdrawing from their program.
- The student demonstrates efforts at academic progress.
Maximum bursary is $500. Students may apply one time per year for a crisis bursary. There is no deadline date. Bursaries are available until limited funds expire. Inquiries should be directed to the student’s Accessibility Specialist or Manager, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (when applicable).
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) Award
Two $500 awards are available annually to assist students registered with DHHS who are experiencing a financial hardship or a complex situation that may place them at academic risk. Students must be eligible to continue in their program and demonstrate efforts in academic progress. To apply, students must contact the DHHS manager and include an essay or summary describing their situation and/or need for financial support. Deadline for applications is October 15th for fall term and February 15th for winter term.
Assistive Technology Award
One award of $1000 is available annually for a student who is registered with Student Accessibility Services or Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services who would benefit from assistive technology. Students must be eligible to continue in their program and demonstrate efforts in academic progress. They must also be ineligible for government assistive technology grants (e.g., Canada Student Grant), and are not sponsored by a government or community agency. To apply, students should write a brief letter, jointly with their Accessibility Specialist or Deaf and Hard of Hearing Manager, requesting the specific equipment/technology they would like to obtain, and stating how that equipment will be beneficial. The letter should be submitted to the Student Accessibility Services Assistive Technologist. Deadline for applications is December 5th.
Other Awards
Sarah Gaulin Memorial Scholarship
A $1,000 scholarship is provided to a student annually who has struggled with their mental health. Students must be registered at a post-secondary institution and may need to provide medical documentation as part of their application. The scholarship will be awarded to outstanding applicants who meet the criteria of the program. The awards will be paid directly to the post-secondary institution (in the students’ accounts) that the recipients are attending to defray the cost of tuition fees for post-secondary study.
Learn more about the Sarah Gaulin Memorial Scholarship
Resources
- National Educational Association of Disabled Students National Student Awards Program
- DisabilityAwards.ca – your portal to awards and scholarships for students with disabilities studying at Canada’s colleges and universities
- Red River College Polytechnic’s Awards, Bursaries and Scholarships
Community Agencies
Employability assistance for people with disabilities
The Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities (EAPD) Program offers a wide range of employment focused services and potential funding to assist adults with disabilities (specific learning disorders, mental health disabilities) in preparing for, obtaining and maintaining employment.
Included under the EAPD umbrella are other agencies that provide services and potential funding for individuals with various specific disabilities.
- Vision Loss Rehabilitation Manitoba: for individuals who are blind or partially sighted
- Spinal Cord Injury Manitoba (SCI Manitoba): for individuals with a spinal cord injury
- Manitoba Possible (formerly Society for Manitobans with Disabilities): for individuals who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or have physical disabilities.
RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dené, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.
We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.