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BSWD & CSG-DSE Funding

BSWD funding for note-taking & captioning

The Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) helps students in Canada access the tools and services they need to succeed in post-secondary education.
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How funding works
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How BSWD and the Canada Student Grant Help Students Access Essential Learning Tools
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At a glance
1
Who can apply
Post-secondary students with a documented permanent, persistent or temporary disability.
2
Who decides
Your accessibility office recommends your support. Your provincial student aid program approves it.
3
What you need from us
A quote for your application. Our quote tool creates it and emails it to you.
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How funding works

Four steps to apply for funding

You apply through your school, not through us. Step 3 happens here, with our quote tool.
1
Register with your accessibility office
Bring documentation of your disability.
2
Get your recommendation
Your advisor lists the support you need, such as note-taking or assistive technology.
3
Use our quote tool
Generate your quote
You, or your accessibility advisor, fill in the quote tool. Your quote is created automatically and emailed to you.
Get my quote
4
Apply through student aid
Attach the quote to your provincial student aid application.

After you’re approved

The funding is paid to you, so you buy your support from us and show student aid the receipt.
5
Email us that you’re approved
Let us know at notes@habitatlearn.com.
6
Get your invoice
We send you an invoice for your support.
7
Pay and get set up
Once you’ve paid, we sign you up and send you a receipt.
8
Don’t skip this
Send your receipt to student aid
Submit it as proof of purchase.
Why the receipt matters
BSWD and CSG-DSE funding is paid to you directly. If you don’t show it was spent on the support you were approved for, it may be turned into a loan you have to pay back.
Step 1: choose your support

Four ways we can support you

Each option may be eligible for funding. Pick the one that matches what your accessibility office recommended. BSWD prices are only available through our quote tool, not the App Store.
Option A

Software only

Messenger Pigeon Standard. Record lectures and make notes at your own pace.
$239.88 / year
Through our quote tool, not the App Store
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Who makes the notes
You, with the app
A person is involved
No
Where
Your phone or laptop
Quote based on
One year of the Standard plan
What's included
Audio recordings and uploads
AI transcription of lecture audio
Bookmarks and personal notes
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Support from our team
Best if your recommendation includes lecture audio to revisit, and you'll make your own notes.
Option B
Special BSWD pricing

Software + human notes

Messenger Pigeon Pro, plus summary notes written by our note-takers.
$599.99 / year
Special price, only through our quote tool
Get a quote
Who makes the notes
Our note-taker, from your lecture audio
A person is involved
After class, from your recording
Where
Your phone or laptop
Quote based on
One year of the Pro plan
What's included
Everything in Software only
Summary notes written for you
Made from your lecture audio
No one joins your class
Best if your recommendation includes someone writing notes for you.
Option C
Special BSWD pricing

Live note-taker

A trained note-taker joins your classes, remote or in person, and takes notes live.
$25 / hour
$35/hour for Interpreter Fund students
Get a quote
Who makes the notes
A note-taker, live in class
A person is involved
During every class
Where
Remote or in person
Quote based on
Your courses and hours
What's included
Remote: joins by audio or video link
In person: sits in class on campus
Same rate remote or in person
More detailed notes for Interpreter Fund students
Bets if your recommendation includes a note-taker in your classes.
Option D
Special BSWD pricing

Live captioner

A professional captioner provides live captions in class as your instructor speaks.
$70 / hour
Funded through the Interpreter Fund
Get a quote
Who makes the notes
A captioner, as live captions
A person is involved
During every class
Where
In person
Quote based on
Your courses and hours
What's included
Real-time captions in every class
In person on campus
Discounted for BSWD and CSG-DSE students
Best if you're eligible for the Interpreter Fund and your recommendation includes captioning.
frequently asked questions

Your questions about BSWD
and CSG-DSE Answered

Eligibility & Funding
Applying
After Applying
Who Is Eligible for CSG & BSWD?

You may be if you have a documented permanent, persistent or temporary disability and are enrolled in a post-secondary program. In most cases you'll also apply for student financial aid in your province or territory.

How much funding can I get?

It depends on your needs and what your accessibility office recommends. Your student aid program decides the final amount.

Can BSWD funding pay for a note-taker or human notes?

It may, if your accessibility advisor recommends note-taking. That can include our human summary notes or a live note-taker, remote or in person. Your student aid program makes the final decision.

Can BSWD or CSG-DSE funding pay for Messenger Pigeon?

Yes Messenger pigeon or other assistive technology that helps you access and review lectures may be eligible as an accommodation when your accessibility advisor recommends it.

My school already offers note-taking. Can I still apply?

Funding usually isn’t given for services your school already provides, or that another agency funds. Ask your accessibility office what they offer and whether a funded option is right for you.

Can students in Quebec, the Northwest Territories or Nunavut apply?

Canada Student Loans and Grants, including CSG-DSE, aren’t available in Quebec, the Northwest Territories or Nunavut, which run their own student aid programs. Check with your accessibility office about what’s available to you. Our services are still available everywhere in Canada.

Can part-time students apply for BSWD and CSG-DSE?

Yes, in many cases. BSWD and CSG-DSE can support both full- and part-time students. Check with your financial aid office.

What do I do with my BSWD quote?

Applications ask for a written estimate of each service, and that’s what our quote is. Attach it to your BSWD / CSG-DSE application, or hand it to your accessibility or financial aid office. They'll tell you exactly where it goes at your school.

When should I apply for BSWD and CSG-DSE funding?

Apply as soon as you know your courses for the semester. Deadlines and processing times vary by province, so check with your financial aid office.

Can I sign up for Messenger Pigeon in the App Store?

No. Please sign up through us using this quote process. Once you’re approved, we send you an invoice and set up your account, so your receipt matches your quote.

Do I need permission to record my lectures?

Often, yes. Many schools ask students to sign a recording agreement and let their instructors know before recording. Your accessibility office will tell you what’s needed at your school.

Do I need to reapply for BSWD funding every year?

Yes. Funding is approved for one academic year at a time, so you’ll need a new recommendation and a new quote each year. Your Messenger Pigeon plan also renews yearly.

What if I’m not approved, or approved for less than my quote?

Talk to your accessibility advisor about your options. They know what support is available to you.

student guide

Prefer to read it all in one place?

Our student guide walks you through every step, from your recommendation to getting started with Messenger Pigeon.
Student Guide
Accessibility advisor? Download the advisor guide (PDF)
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Ready to get your quote?

Choose your support, add your courses, and we'll email it to you.
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