CSFA Program and Psychoeducational Assessments

The Canada Student Financial Assistance Program (CSFA Program) is reviewing its policy on using psychoeducational assessments to verify learning disabilities. They are particularly interested in the age and recency of psychoeducational assessments (i.e., under the current policy, the “best standard” is to use a psychoeducational assessment conducted when the student was 18 or older or within the previous 5 years). Information about supports available to students with disabilities and the disability verification process for students with learning disabilities as provided by the CSFA program is at the end of this blog post. 

LDS has been invited to consult on the policy and its impact on students. We will respond in depth, advocating for the needs of neurodivergent learners. 

We are seeking your support in two ways: 

1. Participate in this consultation by responding to this survey from the CSFA by Friday, February 21, 2025.

The questions for feedback are as follows: 

• In your view, what is the best way to verify that a student has a learning disability? 
• Are students having difficulty accessing psychoeducational assessments? Why? What are the barriers? 
• The CSFA Program’s Disability Assessment Guidelines identify as the “best standard” for verifying learning disabilities, the use of a psychoeducational assessment that was conducted when the student was 18 or older or within the previous 5 years. In your view, should this policy be updated? If so, please describe the update that you would recommend. 
• Are you aware of any research or best practices that the CSFA Program should consider when reviewing this policy? 
• Please share any details regarding your experience with this policy that you consider relevant to this review. 

2. Support LDS’ response by sharing your experiences accessing CSFA support with Becky, our Senior Manager of Youth and Adult Programs by Friday, February 14.

All responses from LDS will be summarized and anonymized. We are particularly interested in the following questions: 

• If you had a psychoeducational assessment as a child and again as an adult, were there any significant changes in the diagnosis or recommended accommodations? 
•   If you were unable to get a psychoeducational assessment for any reason, which prevented you from accessing CSFA support, what impact did that have on you and your studies? 
•   What has been your experience in accessing disability support from the CSFA program? 

We want to ensure you can share your experiences in a way that feels comfortable and accessible. We welcome responses in all forms, including email, voice message, or an arranged phone/video call.

CSFA Program Supports for Students with Disabilities

Information about supports available to students with disabilities and the disability verification process for students with learning disabilities 

In addition to the grants and loans available to all students, the CSFA Program offers targeted supports to help students with disabilities access and afford post-secondary education: 

• $2,800 per year in Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities, for the 2024-2025 academic year;  
• Up to $20,000 per year in Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Disabilities for exceptional education-related costs; 
• The Repayment Assistance Plan for Borrowers with Disabilities, which reduces or eliminates payments for borrowers in financial difficulty; 
• The Severe and Permanent Disability Benefit, which forgives the entire amount of Canada Student Loans for borrowers whose disability prevents them from participating in substantially gainful employment for their expected life;  
• Payment-free leave of up to 18 months for students taking a temporary leave from their studies for medical reasons (including mental health); and, 
• An exemption from the requirement to contribute up to $3,000 towards their education, which results in a higher amount of funding.   

Additional in-study flexibilities are also offered to students with disabilities: 

• While students without disabilities are only eligible for aid for a standard program length plus one additional period of studies, this limitation does not apply to students with disabilities, who can therefore continue to receive student financial assistance for longer periods of studies; 
• Students with disabilities are allowed to study at only 40% of a standard course load and still be considered full-time students (whereas students without disabilities must take at least 60% of a standard course load to be considered full-time students ); and, 
• Students with disabilities can receive aid for up to a lifetime maximum of 520 weeks (whereas it is 340 weeks for students without disabilities). 

Disability Verification for Students with Learning Disabilities 

In order to be eligible for the above supports, students with disabilities must provide proof of their permanent disability, or persistent or prolonged disability.  

The CSFA Program’s Disability Assessment Guidelines for the 2024-2025 academic year state that a psychoeducational assessment (or summary report) completed by a registered psychologist that is no more than five years old (or completed when the student was 18 or older) is the acceptable best standard for assessing students with learning disabilities. However, provinces and territories have discretion to consider other forms of documentation that may sufficiently demonstrate a permanent disability, or a persistent or prolonged disability.  

If a disability is considered permanent, students should only need to apply and verify their disability status once to access available supports. Students with verified permanent disabilities should not be asked to re-verify their disability except in exceptional circumstances that would warrant a re-verification, such as when a student requests changes to their disability status. 

Reimbursement for the Cost of Psychoeducational Assessments  

The Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment covers 100% of disability verification costs up to $3,500 per year, which may include the cost of a psychoeducational assessment. Students are required to pay for their assessment or documentation upfront and are eligible for reimbursement only once a disability is confirmed.  

– Becky Bishop, Senior Manager, Youth and Adult Programs

LDS is a community of dedicated professionals who write collaboratively. We recognize the contribution of unnamed team members for their wisdom and input.