Transition to College/University
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...
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
Transitions: Making the Most of your Campus Experience
Career Aptitude Tests & Quizzes:
Grants, Bursaries & Scholarships
There are many funding sources available, specifically for students with a learning disability. The following is a short list of ones we have located, be sure to check in with your school's guidance counsellor or counselling website for others.
Websites:
Locate scholarships & bursaries for schools all over Canada, search based on your disability.
Information on where to locate possible funding sources.
Scholarships:
Partnership for Access Awareness Nova Scotia (PAANS)- due April 28, 2023
Twelve scholarships in the amount of $1,500.00, four in the amount of $2,000.00.
ATEC Special Achievement Bursary- due March 30, 2023
$500 yearly
Wales Scholarship Application- due April 15, 2023
Nova Scotia Nunavut Command- The Royal Canadian Legion:
Elsie Jean Lambert Memorial Scholarship- due April 15, 2023
Trust 1 Fund Bursary- due April 15, 2023
Each year, Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command awards $40,000.00 in bursaries and scholarships.
Scholarships For Students Entering the Second Year of Post-Secondary
NEADS National Student Awards Program
$1000-$5000, community volunteer work experience is required. Apply online.
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
GRANTS are available through the student loan application
Approved Schools for Grant Funding
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
"Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is your's to lead." - Nora Ephron
Nova Scotia Student Assistance
How to get Nova Scotia Student Assistance Working for You Video