TRANSITION TO COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY

Transitioning is important because there are a lot of new things to consider, such as:

• Accessing funding for LD students

• Identifying services & supports at college/university

• Independently managing time, workload, due dates, freedom, etc.

• Self-advocating to professors/instructors about your learning needs

• Planning your course of studies & timelines for completion

Supports vary by school, however most have:

• On-site Student Services Support Centres (some have advisors and strategists)

• Tutoring (paid)

• Note-taking options

• Proctored exams (alternate location) with extra time (1.5 - 2x extra)

• Some professors allow technology in their class, but this may need to be negotiated with individual profs

• School Supports Compared - coming soon...

• Canadian directory of college and university disability service providers and links to service centre websites

Early Process:

• Ensure documentation is up-to-date (adaptations & assessments)

• Apply for college/university early!

• NSCC applications begin in Grade 11 (waitlists are long for many programs)

• Check that you have applied to an approved school

• Canada Studies Grants for up to $4000 are available through Canada Student Loan Application process

• Equipment and Services grants for up to $20,000 are available through Canada Student Loan Application process

• Check out the Grad Year Planning link

Websites:

Guide to Planning Post-Secondary Study

Youth2Youth - Created for LD students by LD students

Government of Canada - Services for Youth

NEADS.ca - National Educational Association of Disabled Students

      NS Career Exploration

      Transitions: Making the Most of your Campus Experience

Career Aptitude Tests & Quizzes:

Myers Briggs 

Holland Code 

Princeton Review Career Quiz 

NS Student Assistance - Loans

http://novascotia.ca/studentassistance/apply/New/FundingAvailable.asp- Opens May 2022

Getting Ready:

- To apply as a student with a permanent disability, start early to be sure you have the documentation you'll need.

- If you don't have a SIN Number already, get one.

- Make sure you have a bank account in your own name.

- Start gathering the documents you'll need or prepare to submit them when/if you are requested to do so:

• Bank account info (transit #, account #, a void cheque)

• Information about any investments/RESPs in your name

• Documents that show you have a permanent disability (most recent PsychoEducational Assessment & current Documented Adaptations

• Your and your parent's/step-parent's/spouse's income tax return information, from last year's Revenue Canada tax returns

• Information about your school program, including how many class hours/credits you'll be taking

• Scholarship information/amounts, if you know them

• An estimate of your expected pre-study period and study-period earnings

Get started with your application

GRANTS are available through the student loan application

Approved Schools for Grant Funding

Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities (CSG-PD)

Non-repayable federal grants are available for students with permanent disabilities. Federal government grants of up to $4,000/year to help pay for post-secondary education (tuition, books, rent).  If you include verification of permanent disability when applying for a student loan, you are automatically assessed for this grant.  Your assessed needs must exceed the maximum student loan available to you.

Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities (CSG-PD)

Non-repayable federal grants are available for education related services or equipment for students with permanent disabilities for each year of post-secondary study. Students with permanent disabilities pursuing a post-secondary education may be eligible for non-repayable assistance of up to $20,000/year for educational related services and/or equipment. This grant requires a separate application on My Path.This funding requires your most up-to-date copy of your PsychoEducational Assessment and a copy of your most recent Documented Adaptations.

Examples of services and equipment may include:

• Tutor

• Note-taker

• Learning Strategist

• Text to speech or voice dictation software

• Technical aids 

• Assistive Technology (computer, software…)

• Alternate formats

• Reimbursement for LD assessments