Student Accessibility Bursary
Bursaries of up to $1000 are available each year, which are open to all Dalhousie students with disabilities. We recognize that there are additional financial burdens associated with having a disability, and these bursaries are provided to help defray these costs.
Due to covid-19, we've updated our criteria to better accommodate the diverse needs of students and provide support to as wide a range of access needs and disabilities as possible.
PLEASE NOTE: We will not reward funding for reimbursements. Due to the volume of requests we are receiving, we will not be contacting those who are not approved. Your application will not be considered if it is incomplete.
We're currently accepting applications for the 2024/25 academic year until we have exhausted our funds.
If you have any questions about the bursary or your application, please contact dsuvpi@dal.ca.
Purpose
The main purpose of the Student Accessibility Fund Committee (SAFC) is to create an open and accessible DSU (Dalhousie Student Union) for all members by supporting those who face institutional access barriers. We strive to represent the interests of all DSU members who experience access needs, both internally on the DSU Council and in the greater university community, by promoting an accessible campus.
Enacted public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have led to the suspension of most operations and services of Dalhousie University, the Dalhousie Student Union, other organizations in the Halifax Regional Municipality, and beyond. The sudden and unexpected nature of these adjustments has led to financial hardship for many DSU members, which disproportionally impacts marginalized communities and those already facing access barriers, especially those who are immunocompromised and/or with mental health needs exacerbated by social distancing measures. We understand that many students rely on our services and the services our societies provide to meet their needs, and that the disruption of academics, services, and employment is causing significant emotional and financial stress for a significant amount of the student population.
Eligibility
We recognize that access needs aren't always apparent and can differ greatly between individuals. Due to this, we aim to provide support to as wide of a range of access needs and disabilities as possible to meet the diverse needs of our student body.
To ensure we are operating from a holistic perspective on disability and accessibility, we have chosen to use the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). The ICF proposes a biopsychosocial model - which considers disability as an interaction between the features of the individual and the features of the overall context in which the person lives. This document states that diagnosis alone does not predict needs. For this reason, and based on feedback and recommendations from students and equity organizations, we have removed the requirement that applicants provide proof of registration as a student with a disability.
Download the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Scoring Sheet to find out if you are eligible. This does not need to be submitted with your application. If you are still unsure please contact dsuvpi@dal.ca to get in touch with the committee.
Application Process
Please complete the electronic application form (below), and include any attachments within the specified section of this form.
Attach any related receipts, quotes, bills, or invoices;
Attach any documents for consideration such as student loan summary, medical costs, tenancy-related documents, employment information, etc. that relate to this application.
Attach a personal statement or recording, which may include any clarification you feel necessary around any documentation provided.
Applications will be prioritized within an equitable framework and based on financial need, meaning that 2SLGBTQ+ students, international students, and BIPOC students, and women/womxn/femme-identified students, students with dependents, and students in particularly financially insecure positions will be given priority consideration.
Please note that during typical processing, applications are able to submitted in-person for any applicant who may not be able to submit online. However, due to COVID-19 measures, applications will only be accepted online until further notice.