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Disability - The National Benefit Authority

NEADS Equity Through Education Awards

On May 17th 2006 the National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS) became one of four Canadian recipients of donations from the second Equity Through Education program supported through BMO Capital Markets (formerly BMO Nesbitt Burns).

Our new project, which was launched in the spring of 2006, creates equitable opportunities for post-secondary students with disabilities by offering funding to eligible students.

A major barrier to access to post-secondary education for students with disabilities is financial in nature, as disability-related academic accommodations are often expensive, and students who are not eligible for government loans programs are concomitantly not eligible for disability bursaries provided by these agencies. While disability scholarships and awards are one way of alleviating this barrier, currently, only a limited number of scholarships are available for post-secondary students with disabilities to defray their education costs (tuition and disability-related accommodations). Most of these scholarships are limited in financial scope; apply to a single part of the population of persons with disabilities; or are entrance scholarships. Often the funding focuses on the undergraduate college and/or university experience, and does not extend to graduate or professional programs.

Thanks to a donation from BMO Capital Markets, we are proud to offer NEADS Equity Through Education Student Awards.

Student Awards

Purpose

The NEADS Equity Through Education Award is being offered to encourage full access to post-secondary education for persons with disabilities who often have greater barriers to participation in higher education and extra costs because of their disabilities. Students must be registered in a post-secondary institution and provide documented proof of registration. The award will be offered 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.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada
• Applicants must have a permanent disability*
• Applicants must be registered in a full-time program of study at an accredited Canadian post-secondary college or university. Full-time status is at least 40% of a full course load.

*For the purpose of these awards, a permanent disability is a permanent functional limitation which affects the ability of the student to participate fully in post-secondary education.

Criteria

• Show commitment to your academic discipline
• Record of volunteerism and/or employment
• Demonstrate potential to be an outstanding participant in the community

Value and number available

• $3,000, and up to 20 scholarships per academic year which may be awarded in the following categories: University undergraduate; Graduate/Professional; and College/CÉGEP.

Application Guidelines

• All applications must be typed and submitted in Arial font, at least 12pt.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit the awards application form online. Supporting documentation may be sent separately.**
• Faxed applications will not be accepted.
• This is not an entry level award. Graduating high school students are not eligible to apply.
• Answers to application questions should focus on specific achievements in a post-secondary environment and within the community. Applicants should avoid going into detail about the nature and/or history of their disability except if it relates directly to questions asked on the application form.
• Please ensure that all questions are answered completely. No additional documentation above and beyond required supporting documents will be considered.
• All applications must be postmarked or emailed by the deadline. Late applications will not be accepted. It is encouraged to get required documentation from your institution as early as possible, as this must be submitted with the application.

**Please contact the office if questions or concerns arise surrounding submission of supporting documentation.

Selection Process

Once your application has been submitted, it will be reviewed for completeness and adherence to the above guidelines. Assuming all guidelines are met, applications are sent to one of three committees (College/CEGEP, Undergraduate, or Graduate) based on post-secondary status.

Committees review applications based on the selection criteria mentioned above. Only those selected to receive an award will be contacted.

Application Materials

• The completed application form
• Proof of post-secondary enrolment
• Proof of permanent disability, supporting documentation includes:
  • documentation showing receipt of provincial and/or federal disability assistance and/or
  • letter confirming the disability from an official at the university or college service centre for students with disabilities and/or
  • medical certificate
• A curriculum vitae / résumé
• An academic history / transcript
• 2 completed reference forms (1 academic and 1 community reference)

Apply to: NEADS Equity Through Education Scholarships
C/0 Scholarship Committee
National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS)
Rm. 426 Unicentre, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6
By e-mail: etes@neads.ca

Deadline: March 1

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