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Serious physical or mental health disorder
A student who is temporarily unable to pursue full-time studies due to a serious episodic disorder resulting from a major and permanent physical or mental health problem will be eligible under the Loans and Bursaries Program, even if he or she pursues part-time studies.
In addition, this person will be eligible to receive financial assistance during the summer period, even if he or she is not studying during that period.
This measure is intended to meet the needs of students with a serious mental health disorder or whose serious physical health disorder is not recognized as a major functional disability within the meaning of the Regulation respecting financial assistance for education expenses.
Eligibility requirements
To qualify for this measure, a person must
- be affected by a serious episodic disorder resulting from a major and permanent physical or mental health problem attested to in a medical certificate produced by Aide financière aux études;
- be unable to pursue full-time studies for more than one month in a given award year due to that disorder;
- attend a minimum of 20 course hours a month.
Special measure
Eligible persons are deemed full-time students, even if they study part-time (minimum 20 course hours a month). They are also deemed enrolled during the following summer period, even if they do not study during that period, provided they are registered for the fall session of the following year. Consequently, they are eligible for financial assistance during that period.
Payment of financial assistance
Financial assistance is paid in the form of loans and bursaries.
Eligibility period
Half the number of months of part-time studies are taken into account to establish the period of eligibility.
Medical Certificate Confirming a Serious Health Disorder
To benefit from this measure, a person must have the Medical Certificate Confirming a Serious Health Disorder form filled out by a physician, who must confirm that the person’s current state of health prevents him or her from pursuing full-time studies for more than one month.
The medical certificate is valid for one award year, that which is concerned by the circumstances. If the person is not pursuing studies at the time the health disorder is confirmed, the medical certificate will be valid for the following award year.
A medical certificate can be submitted for each academic year if the person’s state of health justifies it.
Attention: If the person suffers from a permanent physical disability, such as a severe visual impairment, hearing impairment, motor impairment or organic impairment, the person must use a different form, that is, the Medical Certificate—Major Functional Disabilities and Other Recognized Disabilities. Under the Loans and Bursaries Program, a major functional disability is a permanent physical handicap that limits a person’s ability to carry out daily activities and limits that person's prospects for study and employment.
Procedure
- Obtain the Medical Certificate Confirming a Serious Health Disorder form from the financial assistance office of your educational institution.
- Have a physician fill out the form.
- Submit the form to the financial assistance office of your educational institution, which will ensure the proper follow-up. (This procedure will make it easier to process your file and will enable you to receive in the usual manner the financial assistance instalments to which you are entitled).
Additional information
For more information, contact the financial assistance office of your educational institution or our client services.
