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 declared bankruptcy or consumer proposal, or consolidation orders have reached your lifetime limit of student loan funding (340 weeks of funding, 400 weeks of funding for doctoral studies, 520 weeks of funding for students with disabilities) are an international student

Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)

Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a financial aid program that can help you pay for college or university for the following programs.

About Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)

Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a financial aid program that can help you pay for college or university for the following programs.

Master of Business Administration Program (MBA),
Master of Science in Finance (MS Finance),
Master of Science in Information Security and Digital Forensics (MS ISDF),
Bachelor of Professional Studies in Education (BPS)
Master of Science in Educational Leadership

OSAP offers funding through:

grants: money you don’t have to pay back
student loan: money you need to repay once you’re done school

When you apply for OSAP, you are automatically considered for both grants and loans. If you don’t want to take a loan, you can decline it after your application is approved. There are also programs to help you repay your student loan once you’re done school.

Frequently Asked Questions

With what can OSAP help?

OSAP can help you pay for:

tuition
books
equipment and supplies
compulsory student fees charged by a school
living expenses (full-time students only)
child care (for students with children)

Who can receive OSAP?

OSAP is open to Ontario residents of any age who are:

Canadian citizens
permanent residents, or
protected persons

Who is not eligible?

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
declared bankruptcy or consumer proposal, or consolidation orders
have reached your lifetime limit of student loan funding (340 weeks of funding, 400 weeks of funding for doctoral studies, 520 weeks of funding for students with disabilities)
are an international student

How much funding can you receive?

The amount of money you can get depends on your:

education expenses – the amount of money you need for tuition, books, child care, personal living
expenses (full-time students), supplies and equipment
course load – whether you’re a full-time or part-time student
personal financial situation – based on you and your family’s income, family size, dependents and other factors

If you use money from your Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP), it won’t affect how much OSAP you can get.

Additional funding may be available if you are:

Indigenous
a current or former Crown ward
a person with a disability

Learn more about OSAP for students in Special Circumstances. If you receive social assistance, speak with your caseworker.

Applying to OSAP

When to Apply

The 2023-2024 OSAP application process is now open. This year, applicants will be required to complete an interactive module with information about OSAP before applying. If you’re returning to school and received OSAP last year, you still have to fill out an OSAP application for this academic year.

How to Apply

Step One: Register Online

You will need your Social Insurance Number (SIN) to create your OSAP account.
Write down your OSAP Access Number and password. You will need these to login in the future.

Step Two: Apply for OSAP

It typically takes less than 15 minutes.
You can start your application and come back to it if you need extra time to complete.

You will need:

info about your school and program
your parents’ or spouse’s SIN (if applicable)
your tax information
your parents’ or spouse’s tax information
Tax information includes income and other information found in an income tax return.

Step Three: Submit your OSAP application by the deadline

Submit your OSAP application no later than 60 days before the end of your study period.

Step Four: Receive an estimate

an Indigenous student
a student with a permanent disability
a current or former Crown ward

Step Five: Complete Status

Complete your Full-Time Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA) if required. The Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA) is a lifetime student loan agreement, so only needs to be completed once for full-time studies.
The National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) will send you an email when it’s time for you to register for your online account and complete your MSFAA online.

Step Six: Signature and Declaration forms

Complete your signature and declaration forms and upload them to your OSAP application. You may also need to submit additional documents.
Our financial aid office must receive these documents no later than 40 days from the end of your study period.

Step Seven: Check Application

Updates about your application will be posted online on your OSAP account. Check your OSAP account regularly and opt-in for email occur. notifications so you know as soon as updates.
From the time you submit your application and the time we receive all your required documents, it usually takes about 3 to 6 weeks to hear back.
Choose the “Check online” option on your OSAP profile to receive the email notification anytime the status of your application changes.