OSAP/financial aid

Applying to OSAP

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

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

How to apply for OSAP

Visit the OSAP website

Changes that may affect funding

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less than 60 per cent of a full course load (40 per cent for students with a permanent disability), you are considered withdrawn and no longer eligible for the rest of the study period.

As a result:

• you will be required to repay your loans six months after the withdrawal
• you 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.

Keeping my funding interest-free

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)

OSAP for 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.

Ontario Access Number (OAN) password reset and/or OAN retrieval

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.

Documentation

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.

Ontario Student Grant

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.

Paying back OSAP

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.

Student Access Guarantee

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

Georgian’s Work Study Program

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.

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.

If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Contact Financial Aid