What is OSAP

OSAP or the Ontario Student Assistance Program is a program that offer financial assistance for Canadian citizens and others in two forms, grants which you do not need to pay back and loans which you need to pay back. When you apply for OSAP you will apply for both of these forms of financial aid. However, if you don’t wish to take the loan, you can decline it if your OSAP application has been approved. Eligibility for OSAP is based on your immigration status, your ties to Ontario and your income.

Immigration Status

To be eligible to apply for financial assistance from the OSAP, you must be a:

• Canadian citizen;
• Permanent resident; or
• Convention Refugee or protected person.

If you are studying in Canada using a study permit, in other words if you are an international student, you are not eligible for OSAP. However, you might be eligible for financial assistance from your college or university.

You may also not be able to apply if you:

• don’t meet the academic progress requirements
• have enough financial resources, including other forms of government aid, to cover your expenses allowed by OSAP
• report income on your OSAP application that’s significantly different from what you reported to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
• have defaulted on a student loan
• have grant or bursary overpayments or multiple outstanding loan overpayments
• failed a credit check
• filed for bankruptcy, made a consumer proposal, obtained a consolidation order or filed a document seeking relief for the orderly payment of debts
• have reached your lifetime limit of student loan funding (340 weeks of funding, 400 weeks of funding for doctoral studies, up to 520 weeks of funding for students with disabilities)

Residency in Ontario

You must meet certain requirements to be considered a resident of Ontario for OSAP purposes. You may also be eligible if your spouse or parent(s) meet certain residency requirements.

If you have lived in another province, you must contact that province’s student assistance program.

Income Requirements

You can only be eligible for OSAP if you don’t have enough money from other sources to cover your college or university expenses. The income that you report to OSAP generally needs to match what you reported to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) when you filed your taxes. If there is a significant difference between what you reported to the CRA and what you submit on your OSAP application, you can be rejected.

There are also other requirements related to your income.

How much will I receive?

You can use this online calculator to help you see how much financial assistance you could be eligible to receive from the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

Some students, such as those with disabilities or who receive social assistance, may be eligible for additional student aid.

For More Information

• Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) – OSAP is the main source of financial aid for post-secondary education in Ontario. This website provides information about the program and how to apply. From the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development.
• Canada Student Loans and Grants – The federal government provides student financial assistance in the form of loans and grants. From the Government of Canada.
• Financial Aid Offices in Ontario – A list of financial aid offices at Ontario colleges, universities and private post-secondary institutions. From the Ontario Student Assistant Program (OSAP).
• Studying in Canada – Information for people planning to come to Canada as international students. From Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
• Benefits Wayfinder – This bilingual one-stop portal lets you search for federal, provincial, and territorial benefits, as well as COVID-19 related resources. From Prosper Canada.