See all the important info below, regarding OSAP, eligibility, application website, aid calculator, etc.
What is OSAP?
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) offers two kinds of money:
grants: money you don’t have to pay back
a student loan you need to repay
Both the Ontario government and federal government provide this money.
All you need to do is fill out the online or paper application for a full-time or part-time student. OSAP will automatically consider you for the following loan and grant programs:
Full time students (60%+ of a full course load; 40%+ if you have a permanent disability)
Canada-Ontario Integrated Student Loan
30% Off Ontario Tuition
Ontario Access Grant
Ontario Access Grant for Crown Wards
Canada Student Grant for Persons with Dependants
Canada Student Grant for Persons from Middle-Income Families
Canada Student Grant for Persons from Low-Income Families
Canada Student Grant for Persons with Permanent Disabilities
Ontario Distance Grants – Travel or Commuting
Ontario Living and Learning Grant
Child Care Bursary
Ontario Student Opportunity Grant
Part-time students (between 20-59% of a full course load)
Part-Time Canada Student Loan
Canada Student Grant for Persons with Permanent Disabilities
Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Studies
Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students with Dependants
Ontario Part-Time Grant
There is no fee to apply for OSAP.
If you are a student in special circumstances, you might also be eligible for other forms of aid. You need to apply for some of these programs separately.
Learn more: Students in special circumstances
You can get OSAP to attend a public or private postsecondary school located anywhere in the world, as long as it’s approved for OSAP.
Find out if a school is approved for OSAP
OSAP is open to Ontario residents who are a:
Canadian citizen
permanent resident or
protected person
When determining if you're eligible, the government considers:
your status (e.g., married or a dependent student)
the school you attend/will attend (a school needs to be approved for OSAP)
program of study
course load (full or part-time)
study period
academic progress
education expenses
you and your family’s financial contribution
Search: schools approved for OSAP
You may not be eligible for OSAP if you:
have enough financial resources to cover your expenses allowed by OSAP
receive other government aid that covers your postsecondary education expenses
have defaulted on a student loan
failed a credit check
don’t meet the academic progress requirements
have multiple loan overpayments outstanding
tell us your income is one number and there’s a significant difference between that number and the one on file with the Canada Revenue Agency
declared bankruptcy or consumer proposal, or consolidation orders under the Orderly Payment of Debts
The amount of money you can get depends on:
Your education expenses: the amount of money you need to cover tuition, books, child care, personal living expenses, supplies and equipment.
Your personal financial situation: how much you and your family are expected to contribute, based on income, family size and other factors.
If you receive social assistance, you must speak to your caseworker about your educational plans and OSAP funding.
Your course load: full or part-time.
Full-time application: you’ll be considered for living costs and direct educational costs
Part-time application: only for your direct educational costs
The basic formula is: Allowed education expenses – money you’re expected to contribute = financial need
The maximum amount you can get depends on your circumstances.
For an academic year for a typical (two term) full-time student:
single, no dependents: $12,580
married or common-law or sole-support parent: $19,380
Online tool: OSAP Aid Estimator
Additional aid due to special circumstances
You could be eligible for additional money if you are:
an Indigenous student
a student with a permanent disability
a youth with Crown ward status
the first in your family to go to college or university
Read on: OSAP for students in special circumstances
If OSAP doesn’t cover all of the expenses that directly relate to your program (books, tuition, mandatory fees) – and you still need money - public colleges and universities in Ontario have to provide financial help.
This money could include:
bursaries
scholarships
work study programs
summer employment programs
In a program you can enter straight from high school? You’re automatically considered for this guarantee, based on the information in your OSAP application.
Graduate/professional students (e.g., law, medicine): you will need to apply to your school’s financial aid office.
The OSAP application is now open.
If you’re returning to school and received OSAP last year, you have to fill out an OSAPapplication for this academic year.
Apply early. You can apply even before you are accepted to your program. But remember: there are deadlines.
Apply online now.