Student Success

Coaching

How to access the
Canada Student Grant
for students with disabilities

and how it can help cover
Executive Function Coaching

Navigating college or university can be challenging for many students - especially those managing ADHD, learning differences, or mental health concerns that impact executive function.

The good news is that Canada offers financial supports that can help.

One of these is the Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities (CSG-D) — a resource many families don’t know they can use to help cover the cost of Executive Function Coaching.

This page is a simple guide to help you understand how it works, who is eligible, and how to access this funding to support your learning and success.

What is the Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities?

The CSG-D is a non-repayable grant (you don’t need to pay it back) provided by the federal government to help post-secondary students with permanent disabilities pay for:

✅ Tuition
✅ Books and equipment
✅ Specialized services — like note-taking, tutoring, and yes — Executive Function Coaching.

The grant is currently up to $2,800 per year (depending on eligibility). In many provinces, there is additional provincial funding available as well.

Who is eligible?

You may be eligible if you:

Are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person
Are enrolled in a full-time or part-time post-secondary program
Have a documented permanent disability (this can include ADHD, learning disabilities, mental health disabilities, physical disabilities, and more)
Qualify for student financial assistance through your province/territory (OSAP in Ontario, for example)

If this applies to you or your child, you can apply through your province’s student aid office as part of your regular student financial aid application.

How can Executive Function Coaching help?

Many students with ADHD, learning disabilities, or mental health challenges struggle with executive function skills — things like:

🗂️ Organizing tasks and materials
⏳ Managing time and deadlines
🧭 Planning and prioritizing
⚙️ Starting and completing assignments
🔄 Managing distractions and self-regulation
💬 Communicating with professors and advocating for accommodations

Executive Function Coaching provides personalized support to build these skills — empowering students to manage their academic demands and reduce overwhelm.

If you’re eligible for the CSG-D, this coaching can often be covered through your Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Persons with Permanent Disabilities (CSG-SEPD) — an additional grant that works alongside the CSG-D to fund services like Executive Function Coaching.

How do you apply to use the grant for coaching?

Here’s a general process (which may vary slightly by province or school):

Get documentation of your disability
You’ll need to provide medical or psycho-educational documentation to your school’s Accessibility/Disability Services Office.
Register with Accessibility Services
Meet with your school’s Accessibility Office. They will help determine which services are appropriate and can be funded by the grant.
Work with your Accessibility Advisor to request Executive Function Coaching
If coaching is recommended as a support, your advisor will help you apply for CSG-SEPD funding and connect with approved service providers (you can request to work with me — see below).
Get approval and start coaching
Once approved, funding will typically cover a set number of coaching hours per semester or year. We will coordinate scheduling and progress tracking.

Can I work with Student Success Coaching by Sarah Zeilstra?

Yes — my Executive Function Coaching services are eligible to be covered under the CSG-SEPD process at many colleges and universities in Ontario and across Canada.

✅ ADHD Coaching
✅ Executive Function Coaching for learning disabilities
✅ Executive Function support for mental health challenges
✅ Coaching to improve organization, time management, planning, and academic success

If you’d like me to be part of your support team:

👉 Contact your school’s Accessibility Services Office and tell them you would like to request Executive Function Coaching with me.
👉 Contact me directly so I can help answer questions and coordinate with your school.

Ready to get started?

If you think you or your student may qualify - or you want help navigating the process - I'm here to help.

Reach out for a free consultation.

Together, we can build the skills, confidence, and strategies to support success in school - and beyond.

Book Now

1️⃣ Is Executive Function Coaching the same as tutoring?

No — Executive Function Coaching is different from subject-specific tutoring. Rather than teaching specific academic content (like math or writing), coaching focuses on building the skills behind learning — things like time management, organization, task initiation, planning, and self-monitoring. These skills help students manage all of their courses and responsibilities more effectively.
2️⃣ Can I choose my own coach?

In many cases — yes! Once you are approved for funding through your school’s Accessibility Office, you can often request a specific coach or provider. I am an eligible provider for Executive Function Coaching under this grant at many colleges and universities in Ontario and across Canada. I am happy to work directly with your school to coordinate the process.
3️⃣ How many coaching sessions will the grant cover?

It varies depending on your province, your grant approval, and your school’s policies. In general, the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment (CSG-SEPD) can fund a set number of hours per semester or year for coaching, based on your needs and your school’s recommendations. I can help you and your family understand this and plan your coaching schedule accordingly.
4️⃣ Is this only for full-time students?

No — both full-time and part-time students can apply for the CSG-D and CSG-SEPD. Students in diploma, degree, certificate, and graduate programs at recognized post-secondary institutions are eligible if they meet the disability and financial assistance criteria.
5️⃣ My child has ADHD but no IEP. Are we eligible?

Possibly. An IEP is helpful, but it is not required. If your student has a formal diagnosis (ADHD, learning disability, mental health disability, etc.), and appropriate documentation from a qualified professional, they may still qualify for the grant even without a high school IEP. Your school’s Accessibility Office will guide you on what is needed.
6️⃣ Where can I get more information?

Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities Canada Student Grant for Services & Equipment

Free Resource

Email Template

Ready to explore coaching through the Canada Student Grant?

If you think this might be a good fit for you or your student, here's what to do next:

✅ Contact your school's Accessibility Services Office to start the process

✅ Reach out to me for a free consultation - I'm happy to answer questions and guide you through it.

I'm here to help.

Together we can make sure the right supports are in place to help your student learn, grow and thrive.