Disabilities Among Students: ADHD Challenges Among College Students
Even two decades ago, scholarships for people with ADHD in Canada were hard to find and were usually encountered under the umbrella of various foundations that dealt with students who required special education and additional assistance. According to MacLean's research, Canadian college students who do not receive proper ADHD treatment find it challenging to study well in university and cope with campus life. Since getting your diagnosis determined can be quite expensive in Canada, it is more than just looking for medication, as the research shows.
The same report shows that nearly one in five college students with ADHD are turning to stimulant medication without a prescription, which also poses certain issues for the field of education. Be it neuropsychology of frequent mental breakdowns when trying to cope with a classic grading rubric, it often comes down to financial spending as a student is trying to determine whether anxiety, depression, and symptoms like sleep deprivation are taking place because of college workload or some other issues. Therefore, the Canadian government and private foundations work hard at providing students with ADHD with financial help and moral support by offering scholarships.
Why Do ADHD Scholarships Exist?
The reason why ADHD scholarships exist is to promote awareness in Canadian society about how ADHD affects learning and daily life in a serious way just like any learning disability. The purpose of these grants, awards, and financial help is not only to cover tuition but to help students see that they are not alone and that help and support do exist.
The List of ADHD Scholarships In Canada You Can Apply in 2022
- The Shire Canada ADHD Scholarship Program. It is aimed at legal residents in Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec. You must be enrolled in a two-year or four-year college program or be a member of the Canadian vocational school. In terms of medical requirements, you must be diagnosed with ADHD and remain under the care of a licensed healthcare specialist. The amount always varies and the deadline is March 1, 2022.
- Justin Eves Foundation Scholarship. It offers a generous 4,000 CAD award to college students in Ontario who have been diagnosed with ADHD. As you apply for this award, you must be a graduate of one of Ontario’s secondary schools. Generally, this scholarship requires the presence of good grades, which makes it an academic merit scholarship, yet the conditions may be discussed. The deadline is April 30, 2022.
- Bank of Canada Scholarship for Students with Disabilities. It is a scholarship offered by the Bank of Canada and it is aimed at students with physical and learning disabilities. It is usually a payment of up to 5,000 CAD, which is meant for students who are enrolled in a four-year college or university course. The deadline is August 1st (it is an annual award). Your chances of getting this award can be increased if you share an essay regarding your influence and impact on Canadian society or across the world as a Canadian citizen with learning disabilities.
- Bell BTS Telecommunication Award. If you are a student with disabilities, and ADHD in particular, who is pursuing a degree in the field of telecommunications and technology, you should consider this 2,000 CAD award. Even though it is aimed at full-time students who are related to Canada's famous Red River College of Applied Arts, Sciences and Technology, it accepts students from other institutions as long as their learning is related to technology. The deadline varies, yet the final acceptance date is October 1st, 2022.
- David Ryson Accessibility and Inclusion Award. It is a special non-renewable award for students with disabilities, including ADHD. The current amount provided is 2,000 CAD with a deadline in October 2022. The requirements state that you must continue your education and be under the supervision of a licensed ADHD specialist with a report regarding how exactly it affects your studies. If you belong to students who represent minorities or relate to First Nations People, you should focus on the inclusion aspect of the award's guidelines.
- DCCI Scholarship for Canadian Students with Disabilities. This particular scholarship is meant for Canadian students with ADHD, Autism, and other disabilities. It is an award of 2,000 CAD. The deadline is July 31, 2022, yet the date may change depending on the pandemic situation. If you have been diagnosed with ADHD, the organisation behind this scholarship will provide you with due assistance and support that is also offered by the Canadian government. It includes not only guidance with your Disability Tax Credit and healthcare insurance but also access to various learning technologies that may be helpful in your particular case.
- Dr. John Davis Burton Award. This award is given to college students who have not only been diagnosed with a learning disability like ADHD but those who have also made a valid and important contribution to Canadian society and people with disabilities. If you work toward awareness and can make a positive impact or if you are enrolled at the University of Ottawa in one of the humanitarian disciplines, this award (amount always varies, depending on the case and prior financial aid reports) must be explored. The deadline: May 31st, 2022. Remember that deadlines and conditions may change if there are pandemic-related changes.
- Ed Ireland Award for Disabled International Students. This award was first established in 2015 as a way to help exchange students in Canada receive due assistance with learning disabilities like ADHD or Autism. If you are in the first year and have financial needs in Canada, this award is the best. If you are already a graduate student, you should contact the Dean of the Faculty that relates to your course. This 1,000 CAD award is from June 1 until October 31, 2022. Make sure to contact Paul Menton Centre for more information and conditions as a foreign student.
How to Apply For A Scholarship & Things To Prepare
Applying for a scholarship is always different, yet there are certain rules that must be followed. Remember to start with these points:
- Prepare all your medical documents.
- Have your academic transitions ready.
- Recommendation letters and testimonials always help.
- Study eligibility twice and ask questions before applying.
- Explore what kind of help is provided and what financial and academic needs are covered.
In certain cases, you may have to write a special essay where you talk about your ADHD experience or share your social research projects, which are quite popular and in-demand among Canadian students and educators. Do not ignore scholarship essay writing help if you are confused regarding the guidelines or lack the confidence to finish things on time. Sometimes you just need some proofreading by an expert and the tips that help you get things done. It is only natural as we all have been there before!
Remember to Discuss Accessibility Matters With Your University
The students these days do not really consider talking to their college advisors about getting help, which is partially due to the lack of knowledge of available resources.
Regardless of whether you may need scholarships for indigenous learners or would like to explore other possibilities based on your academic excellence, always look for ADHD university grants. This option is often ignored, yet the majority of universities in Canada offer help that has been set by the Canadian government.
Even as you plan to apply for some grants or get in touch with foundations that are focused on disability awards, having a talk with your academic advisor and healthcare specialist should be the first step. It helps to sort out various eligibility issues and boost your moral confidence as you are looking through various ADHD scholarships.
