OSAP/financial aid

The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) provides help through loans and grants based on your calculated financial need. For the most up-to-date information regarding changes to the OSAP program, please visit the OSAP website.

Check out our step-by-step how to apply for OSAP page.

If you withdraw or drop a course(s) and are taking less than 60 per cent of a full course load (40 per cent for students with a permanent disability), you are considered withdrawn and no longer eligible for the rest of the study period. You:

• will be required to repay your loans six months after the withdrawal
• may have to repay money you’ve already received (called an overpayment) before you can receive future OSAP funding

In addition, please see the information on academic progress restriction and probation.

Your OSAP loans will not accrue interest in some situations. If you’re getting OSAP for full-time students, you will automatically be interest-free once your school confirms enrolment.

You can apply to be interest-free on a previous loan if you’re continuing in part- or full-time study and NOT receiving full- or part-time OSAP:

• full-time students should use the Continuation of Interest-Free Status Application
  • there are two ways to apply – online or on paper
• part-time students should submit a Canada Student Loans Program Confirmation of Enrolment Schedule 2 form from Employment and Social Development Canada (part-time students)

You’re in part-time studies if you’re taking between 20 and 59 per cent of a full course load. Your full course load percentage is defined by your school.

Part-time OSAP provides assistance to students studying on a part-time basis. To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

• be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person
• take between 20 and 59 per cent of a full course load
• study at the postsecondary level – degree, diploma or certificate program
• have a total family gross income that falls below the applicable maximum based on your family size

Applications are completed on a per-term basis, and students must be registered in courses before applications can be processed by the Financial Aid office.

Applications are available online at ontario.ca/osap. Information regarding income thresholds, funding maximums, and application deadlines can also be found online.

Students who forget their Ontario Access Number (OAN) and/or password have two self-service options to quickly retrieve the information needed:

• online using their challenge questions
• by email (providing the student completed the email validation process)

However, if this is not possible, as an interim measure due to the college closure, students can request a temporary password and retrieve their OAN from the Financial Aid Office.

Please call 705.722.1530 for assistance. Please note that this process applies to the student only and does not include anyone you have authorized to have access to your information. Also, this process can only be completed over the phone. Please be advised that you will be required to provide information in order to verify your identity.

To view what documents you need to provide, click on View Application Details on your OSAP online account. PLEASE NOTE: Incomplete applications cannot be processed.

Visit ontario.ca/osap to use the OSAP calculator and find out how much financial aid you could be eligible for. Find information on funding maximums.

Students have the option of accepting all of their OSAP funding (grants and loan), or only the grant. You can do this through your online OSAP account after your application is assessed. If you change your mind, you can request the loan online, up to 40 days before the end of your study period.

You will need to repay your loan through the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC). Here, you can:

• see the status of your loan
• update your contact information
• change your monthly payment amount
• apply for the Repayment Assistance Plan

You will receive a notice in the mail that your loan repayments are about to begin.

If you don’t receive notice by mail, make sure you contact NSLSC before your six-month non-repayment period is over. You’ll want to review all aspects of your loan(s) and finalize details concerning repayment.

View video on how to repay OSAP.

Ontario requires colleges and universities that receive public funding to provide enough financial aid to cover a student’s assessed needs for expenses directly related to his or her program, including books, tuition, and mandatory fees that are not fully met by OSAP.

Schools provide this funding through a combination of non-repayable sources, including bursaries, scholarships, work study programs or summer employment programs.

• if you are applying to a first-entry program at a college or university directly from high school:
  • you will automatically be considered for the Student Access Guarantee aid based on your OSAP application
  • if you qualify, the Ministry will notify your school of how much aid they gave you
• if you are in a second-entry program (e.g., graduate certificate program) and you need additional financial support:
  • you must apply to your school’s financial aid office

Please contact the Financial Aid office for additional information

The Work Study Program helps students at provincially-assisted universities and colleges of applied arts and technology in Ontario to meet their educational costs by working part-time during the year. On-campus job opportunities, also known as “Work Study,” potentially provide students with an excellent opportunity to work part-time while participating in college life. Working on campus is a great way to make additional money to put towards your expenses while gaining meaningful employment to help build your skills and boost your resume. Wages and the type work opportunities vary.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Be working part-time on campus in a position that encourages self-help and self-development and gives students a way of enhancing their resumes in preparation for the transition to full-time employment and loan repayment.
• Be registered in an approved post-secondary program as a full-time student or on a co-op placement.
• Be a Canadian Citizen, permanent resident or protected person.
• Complete the Georgian Work Study application in full, demonstrating a financial need (original application required).

Benefits of the Work Study Program:

As a Work Study student, you are an important part of the college community. Not only are you a student, but a valuable employee! Check out the benefits of working on-campus through Work Study:

• Valuable professional development opportunities at convenient on-campus locations.
• Job variety that may be related to your field of study.
• Provides you with important life and work experience.
• Flexible hours that work around your school schedule.
• Additional funding to ensure you can fully fund your educational expenses.

Applying for a Work Study Position:

Upon acceptance of employment, your manager/supervisor will provide the Georgian Work Study application. Complete it in full, demonstrating a financial need (original application required) and hand it in to your department manager/supervisor.

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact the Financial Aid Office at FinancialAid@GeorgianCollege.ca.

For the most up-to-date information regarding changes to the program, please visit the OSAP website.

• Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
• National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC)
• NSLSC FAQ
• NSLSC Contact Information
• Government of Ontario

Financial Aid provides a centralized service located at the Barrie Campus within the Office of the Registrar.

Please note, we are currently working remotely while only limited on-campus activity takes place. Our staff are available by telephone and email to assist you.

Phone: 705.722.1530

Fax: 705.722.5136

Email: financialaid@georgiancollege.ca

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.