Check your application status

You can check the status of your application as soon as you submit it.

You’ll find out:

  • if your application has been processed
  • if you have any documents you need to provide
  • if you or your school have to provide information
  • how much money you’ll get
  • when your money will be available

Required documents

If you need to provide documents for your application, such as the declaration and signature pages, we’ll let you know through your OSAP account.

Once you’ve gathered and completed your required documents, you can upload, mail or deliver them directly to your financial aid office, except for your Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA).

We’ll let you know if you need a Full-Time or Part-Time MSFAA. 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.

Read the terms and conditions of the:

OSAP works with the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC). They are responsible for administering full-time and part-time OSAP loans, which includes processing your MSFAA.

Micro-credentials

If you’re enrolled in a micro-credential program, you don’t have to complete a Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement, because the micro-credential student loan is provided by Ontario only. You will, however, need to complete a Micro-credential Student Loan Agreement for each application you submit.

Get reminders and messages

Through your OSAP account, you can opt-in to get email notifications. These email notifications alert you to check your account when there is an update.

Share information with others

If you want to give someone else – like your parent or spouse – access to your OSAP information, you have to provide consent.

If you didn’t do this when you applied, log in to your account and update the Consents and agreements section.

Cancel your OSAP application

If you change your mind, you can cancel your OSAP application at any time. Cancel it online through your OSAP account or contact your financial aid office.

How we verify your information

After you submit your application, we verify:

  • your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and other personal identification (through Employment and Social Development Canada)
  • your credit history/rating (through a credit reporting agency, like Equifax)
  • all the income provided on your application (through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and any Ontario government programs)

If you, your parent(s) or spouse don’t file a tax return (for example, have foreign income) or we can’t verify the information with the CRA, we’ll ask you to provide documentation that verifies the information.

We verify your program dates and school costs (for example, tuition, books) with your school – either electronically or on paper. If we need more information, we’ll let you know.

Get your money

The amount of time it takes to review your application depends on a number of factors, including the verification process and any documents that may be required.

This can take anywhere from four to six weeks.

Normally, you get your money in two installments:

  • the first, when you start your study period (usually in September)
  • the rest, halfway through your studies (usually in January)

If you’re enrolled in a micro-credential, you will receive your money in one installment.

You’ll only get your money after:

  • you’ve completed your application and all required documents have been received and approved
  • all your information has been verified
  • your school has confirmed your enrolment (as early as two weeks before your study period starts and again before your second installment can be released)

You’ll receive your money from the National Student Loans Service Centre, which deposits funds into your bank account and to your school (if applicable).

For full-time and part-time students, money can be issued up to five business days before your study period end date.

If you’re enrolled in a micro-credential, money can be issued up to 15 business days after your study period end date.

Change your bank information

Log-in to your NSLSC account if you need to update your banking information.

If you’re enrolled in a micro-credential, you can update your banking information through your OSAP web account before you receive your funding.

If you need to change your banking information after you’ve started repaying your micro-credentials OSAP loan, you must contact the National Student Loans Service Centre for OSAP Micro-credentials Program to update this information.

Request a funding review

You can ask us to reconsider the amount of your funding in some situations. This includes when you:

  • face unexpected financial difficulties
  • are unable to make your expected contributions
  • have experienced a family breakdown
  • have declared bankruptcy
  • are struggling academically (for example, failing to meet course requirements) due to circumstances beyond your control

Get in touch with your financial aid office to discuss your situation. They’ll let you know if a funding review is possible. They’ll explain the required documents and if you have to complete a review form.

Deadline to request a review

Your review request must be received by your financial aid office no later than 40 days before the end of your study period. If you’re enrolled in a micro-credential, you must request a review no later than five days after the end of your study period.

Keep your OSAP loans interest-free

If you decide to take a loan, your OSAP loans will not accrue interest in some situations.

If you’re a full-time student receiving OSAP, your loan will automatically be interest-free for your study period once your school confirms enrolment.

If you’re continuing in studies but no longer receiving OSAP, you can apply for your previous loans to be interest-free while you’re in school.

If you’re a:

When we reassess an application

If you change your course load (for example, drop a course) or any information on your application changes, your application will be reassessed.

You may not be eligible for as much OSAP as you were expecting.

Contact your financial aid office – ahead of time if possible – if your study period, or the information on your application, has changed.

Why your grant could become repayable

Normally, OSAP grants are money you don’t need to pay back.

However, all or part of your OSAP grants may be converted into a loan if:

  • you withdraw from studies or stop taking the minimum course load within the first 30 days of starting school and don’t return as a full-time student within 5 months in the same academic year
  • as a result of an OSAP reassessment, you’re not entitled to all or part of the grant that you received (for example, dropped courses, unreported income)
  • the income provided by you and/or your family cannot be verified within one year from the start of your studies. (This applies only to your Ontario Student Grant.)

Ensure that all the income information you provide is accurate and complete. Respond promptly to information requests or warnings from your financial aid office or the ministry about your grants being converted into a loan.

If your grant is converted into a loan, it’s:

  • added to your loan balance and
  • included in the calculation of your monthly loan payment you’ll make once you’ve left school

If you received grants through OSAP for your micro-credential program, your grant will not be converted to a loan. However, you will be responsible for repaying any grant overpayment.

If your OSAP grants were converted to a loan, you may request a review of the conversion if:

  • you withdrew from your studies or had a reassessment due to an exceptional circumstance outside of your control (for example, catastrophic medical or family emergency)
  • you and/or your family did not file taxes for an acceptable reason (for example, not a resident of Canada, exempt from filing taxes)

    In both situations, contact your financial aid office to discuss your eligibility for a review and the documentation that may be required, which may include the completion of a Canadian Non-Taxable and/or Foreign Income Verification form.

For more information about the terms and conditions of your OSAP grants, check your OSAP application, consents, declarations and signatures pages, as well as your Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement and/or your Micro-credential Student Loan Agreement.