ONTARIO STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (OSAP)
Everything you need to know about OSAP
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What is OSAP?
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a financial assistance program funded by the provincial and federal governments. Eligible students can receive grants and loans to help them pay for postsecondary education.
When you apply for OSAP, you’re automatically considered for both grants (money that you don’t have to pay back) and loans (money that you do have to pay back).
Funding is available for both full-time and part-time postsecondary students, and is based on several factors. See the “OSAP assessment” section below for details.
OSAP deadlines
Submit your full-time OSAP application no later than 60 days before the end of your study period.
The Financial Aid and Awards Office must receive the following no later than 40 days before the end of your study period:
- Supporting documentation (e.g., signature and declaration pages)
- Request for review (if applicable)
Submit your part-time OSAP application no later than 40 days before the end of your study period.
The Financial Aid and Awards Office must receive the following no later than 40 days before the end of your study period:
- Supporting documentation (e.g., signature and declaration pages, etc.)
- Request for review (if applicable)
OSAP assessment
- Educational expenses (e.g., tuition, books, supplies and equipment)
- Personal expenses (e.g., living costs)
- Resources (e.g., family income and scholarships)
- Course load*
- Full-time studies: students taking 60% or more of a full course load, or 40% or more for students with a permanent, persistent or prolonged disability
- Part-time studies: students taking 20–59% of a full course load
What to do after you apply
- the status of your application/whether it has been processed
- whether you need to provide any additional information or documents
- how much OSAP assistance you’re eligible to receive
- when your OSAP assistance will be available
For optimal quality, please follow the scanning instructions below:
- Scan your document as a black and white
- Select “TEXT” format option from your scanner
- OPTIONAL: for “dpi” option, set it to 150 or 200
- Scan document and create PDF file
- Click “Upload” for the corresponding document
- Using the “Browse” button, locate your PDF file
- Select the file and click “Open”
Notes:
- The uploading function will only work with PDF file format
- The file can’t be more than 2MB in size
- All four (4) pages must be scanned and uploaded.
- For signing, please use dark blue or black ink.
- Student, spousal and parent’s declaration and signature forms must be scanned separately and uploaded into their corresponding links.
Confirmation of enrolment is an automated process that is done before the start of the term. If your application status indicates that a confirmation of enrolment is required after the start of term, please make sure you’ve submitted the following:
- signature and declaration pages
- online Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA)
- any other documentation requested through your OSAP account
If all documents have been submitted and a confirmation of enrolment is still required, please contact the Financial Aid and Awards Office at any Academy of Learning Career College campus:
- Mississauga West Campus: 500 – 3660 Hurontario Street, Mississauga, Ontario L5B 3C4
- Kingston Campus: 1469 Princess Street, Kingston, Ontario K7M 3E9
OSAP appeals
If your OSAP assessment is $0, or is insufficient to meet your needs (and you are not receiving the OSAP maximum amounts), please visit the Financial Aid and Awards Office to review your application for possible appeals. Please note that there are limited appeal options available. Appeals may be made only after your application has been processed and completed by the Financial Aid and Awards Office and after the 10th day of classes.
Continuation of Interest-Free Status
If you’re in school full-time, have previous OSAP loans, and are not currently receiving OSAP, then you must make sure your OSAP loans are placed into interest-free status. When your loans are in interest-free status, you’re not required to make loan payments.
Complete a Continuation of Interest-Free Status (CIFS) form if you’re currently studying full-time but NOT applying for OSAP and/or have not yet received your funding. This will ensure any previous OSAP loans remains interest-free.
Complete a Schedule 2 form if you’re currently studying part-time but NOT applying for OSAP and/or have not yet received your funding. This will ensure any previous OSAP loans remains interest-free.
- The earliest you can apply is 15 days before the start of your study period.
- Applications must be submitted no later than 21 days before the end of your study period.