Register with Student Accessibility and Achievement

Student Accessibility and Achievement helps students overcome academic barriers, providing learner support for students of all backgrounds, as well as accommodations for students with documented disabilities.

Eligibility

Students with documented disabilities of a permanent, temporary, or episodic nature may register at any time during the year, though registering as early as possible is recommended. New students are encouraged to book an appointment before the start of their first semester to help ensure supports are in place when classes begin.

To register, students are required to provide complete and up‑to‑date medical documentation from their treating professional, or from the health care provider who is most familiar with their condition and any resulting functional limitations. While documentation in other formats or from other qualified professionals may be considered, we strongly encourage students to ask their provider to complete the University's referral form. This form helps ensure that all necessary information is included upfront and can help reduce processing delays.

• Referral Form (EN):  SAA referral form EN 2025
• Formulaire d'aguillage (FR):  SAA referral form FR 2025

If documentation is missing information or does not clearly describe functional limitations, we may request additional or more detailed documentation in order to fully review the request and determine appropriate supports.

How To Register

1. Book an appointment with one of our advisors. 

2. Upload your medical documentation no later than noon the business day before your appointment, using the Upload and View My Documents module.   

   • If you have previously received academic accommodations, please submit official proof of your prior accommodations along with your medical documentation.

During your appointment you’ll be able to discuss your barriers and determine what resources or accommodations will help make your time at McGill a success.

Documentation Requirements

Confidentiality

Students’ documents, personal information, and registration with Student Accessibility and Achievement is confidential and does not appear on your transcript. This information can only be released to third parties with your written permission, via our  Release of Student Record  Form.  Once you leave McGill, we will keep your file for 2 years, after which it will be destroyed as per university  record and retention policy.

If you wish to disclose your registration with us to your instructors, faculty, or other administrative offices on campus, it is entirely your decision.

Students’ documents, personal information, and registration with Student Accessibility and Achievement (SAA) are confidential and do not appear on your transcript. Information is released to third parties only with your written permission, via the Release of Student Record Form. Files are retained for two years after you leave McGill and then destroyed in accordance with university policy.

In line with McGill University’s Policy on Students with Disabilities, accommodations are determined to ensure equitable access while maintaining academic standards. Accommodation details are shared with instructors strictly on a need-to-know basis. For example, an instructor may be informed that a student receives extra time on exams, but not the student’s diagnosis.

Deciding whether to disclose your registration with SAA to instructors, faculty, or other administrative offices on campus is entirely up to you.

Student Funding

Students can apply for McGill scholarships and student aid, government aid, or external funding opportunities.   You can also check out scholarship databases such as DisabilityAwards.ca, Scholarships Canada, Universities Canada Scholarships, and StudentAwards.