Easter Seals Ontario Post-Secondary Scholarship Applications for 2025 are now closed!
Easter Seals Ontario has proudly supported over 300 students with physical disabilities achieve their academic goals since 1996 through our Scholarship Program, totaling over $600,000!
Families of children with physical disabilities often incur significant additional expenses, making it challenging to send their child to post-secondary school. This is why we are so grateful to the donors, volunteers, and staff who generously provide financial support to allow these students to pursue their academic dreams through the Easter Seals Ontario Scholarship Program.
To be eligible for a scholarship, all candidates must:
- have a permanent physical disability that impacts their mobility;
- be a current or past client of Easter Seals Ontario or are able to provide a letter confirming diagnosis from a health care professional;
- have applied or been accepted to an accredited university or college and will be attending full-time or part-time (classes taken in person, virtually or a combination are acceptable);
- and be a resident of Ontario
To learn more about available scholarships and requirements, please check out these FAQ links below. We look forward to receiving your application and learning more about your academic, personal and leadership experiences and advocacy skills!
Other Scholarships For Students with Physical Disabilities
Scholarship applications are usually due in the early spring of the year which the student is commencing their studies in September. Contact the individual scholarship organizations to obtain the application criteria and deadline submission dates.
In addition to the scholarships listed below, contact the university or community college directly to obtain information about other scholarships that might be available.
Other Scholarships For Students with Physical Disabilities
Scholarships Canada
Scholarships Canada – The website lists scholarships from across Canada with provides information on eligibility. Listings are updated annually and searchable by multiple categories, including scholarships for students living with a disability. Students are matched to scholarships and bursaries when they create an account. In addition to matching, ScholarshipsCanada.com provides additional resources such as Scholarship Deadline Alerts.
Bloorview School Bursary
The Bloorview School Authority Bursary is awarded to a student with a disability who attended Bloorview School Authority (formerly Bloorview MacMillan Centre) and is/was a client of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, is starting studies in a recognized post-secondary institution (college or university), and has demonstrated achievement with a high academic record, participated in extra-curricular activities and made community contributions through volunteerism.
Hydrocephalus Canada Post-Secondary Scholarships
The program was established to encourage and support students with spina bifida and or hydrocephalus to develop independence and responsibility for their own future educational directions and to assist students to pursue higher education with the ultimate goal of obtaining a degree or graduate certificate or diploma. Value: will be determined on an annual basis.
Empowered Kids Ontario Scholarship
The Empowered Kids Ontario Scholarship Program was established to recognize youth who demonstrate exceptional leadership skills and volunteerism in the community, and have benefited from services and supports offered by a Children’s Treatment Centre. Applicants must have been a client of an Ontario Children’s Treatment Centre. Selection criteria include demonstrated leadership in school and/or in their community, a personal statement, and recommendations by school and community mentors.
Kevin Collins Abilities Scholarship
Friends of We Care Kevin Collins Abilities Scholarship is awarded to a student with a disability, who has at minimum one full semester left in their post-secondary education. $3,000 will be awarded to the selected candidate. Any interested applicants are asked to submit an application form, along with a 1-2 page letter and/or a 1-2 minute video link describing why they should be considered.
The National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS)
A consumer organization with a mandate to encourage self-empowerment of post-secondary students with physical disabilities. The website has a list of various Student Awards/Financial Aid.
Rick and Amanda Hansen Post-Secondary Scholarship
Rick and Amanda Hansen believe that people of all abilities should have the right to a barrier-free education. The Rick & Amanda Hansen Scholarship for Youth with Disabilities provides financial support to Canadian youth with disabilities to pursue post-secondary education.
Funding of up to $10,000 per year (up to a maximum of $40,000) is available for youth with disabilities looking to complete a 1-to-4-year post-secondary program at a publicly funded institution in Canada.
Rick & Amanda Hansen Scholarship for Youth with Disabilities.
The Tamara Gordon Foundation Scholarship
The Tamara Gordon Foundation provides financial assistance to students with physical disabilities in the achievement of their educational goals and also supports them in making the transition to employment. Scholarship awards range from $750 to $3,000.
Other Scholarships For Students with Physical Disabilities
Scholarships Canada
Scholarships Canada – The website lists scholarships from across Canada with provides information on eligibility. Listings are updated annually and searchable by multiple categories, including scholarships for students living with a disability. Students are matched to scholarships and bursaries when they create an account. In addition to matching, ScholarshipsCanada.com provides additional resources such as Scholarship Deadline Alerts.
Bloorview School Bursary
The Bloorview School Authority Bursary is awarded to a student with a disability who attended Bloorview School Authority (formerly Bloorview MacMillan Centre) and is/was a client of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, is starting studies in a recognized post-secondary institution (college or university), and has demonstrated achievement with a high academic record, participated in extra-curricular activities and made community contributions through volunteerism.
Hydrocephalus Canada Post-Secondary Scholarships
The program was established to encourage and support students with spina bifida and or hydrocephalus to develop independence and responsibility for their own future educational directions and to assist students to pursue higher education with the ultimate goal of obtaining a degree or graduate certificate or diploma. Value: will be determined on an annual basis.
Empowered Kids Ontario Scholarship
The Empowered Kids Ontario Scholarship Program was established to recognize youth who demonstrate exceptional leadership skills and volunteerism in the community, and have benefited from services and supports offered by a Children’s Treatment Centre. Applicants must have been a client of an Ontario Children’s Treatment Centre. Selection criteria include demonstrated leadership in school and/or in their community, a personal statement, and recommendations by school and community mentors.
Kevin Collins Abilities Scholarship
Friends of We Care Kevin Collins Abilities Scholarship is awarded to a student with a disability, who has at minimum one full semester left in their post-secondary education. $3,000 will be awarded to the selected candidate. Any interested applicants are asked to submit an application form, along with a 1-2 page letter and/or a 1-2 minute video link describing why they should be considered.
The National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS)
A consumer organization with a mandate to encourage self-empowerment of post-secondary students with physical disabilities. The website has a list of various Student Awards/Financial Aid.
Rick and Amanda Hansen Post-Secondary Scholarship
Rick and Amanda Hansen believe that people of all abilities should have the right to a barrier-free education. The Rick & Amanda Hansen Scholarship for Youth with Disabilities provides financial support to Canadian youth with disabilities to pursue post-secondary education.
Funding of up to $10,000 per year (up to a maximum of $40,000) is available for youth with disabilities looking to complete a 1-to-4-year post-secondary program at a publicly funded institution in Canada.
Rick & Amanda Hansen Scholarship for Youth with Disabilities.
The Tamara Gordon Foundation Scholarship
The Tamara Gordon Foundation provides financial assistance to students with physical disabilities in the achievement of their educational goals and also supports them in making the transition to employment. Scholarship awards range from $750 to $3,000.
Preparing for Post Secondary Education
RBC Student Budget Calculator – Use the RBC Student Budget Calculator to help you figure out how much money you’ll need to get through the school year. When you don’t have an exact amount to work with, estimate on the high side. You can always go back and rework the figures later.
