Check this page later for updates on application availability.
Before applying for OSAP, full-time applicants and students applying to micro-credential programs will be required to complete an interactive module with information about OSAP. Learn more about the information module.
If you are applying for OSAP for the 2023–2024 academic year, the
2023–2024 OSAP applications for full-time, part-time, and micro-credential students are also available.
If you’re returning to school and received OSAP last year, you still have to fill out an OSAP application for this academic year.
Here are the steps you need to take to apply for OSAP .
Register online for an OSAP account.
You’ll need your Social Insurance Number ( SIN ) to create your OSAP account.
Write down your OSAP Access Number and password. You’ll need these to log in to your OSAP account in the future.
It typically takes less than 15 minutes.
You can start your application and come back to it if you need extra time to complete it.
Tax information includes income and other information found in an income tax return.
If you’re not sure about which school you’ll be attending, submit an OSAP application for each school you’ve applied to.
Submit your OSAP application by the deadline.
For part-time students with study periods of 21 weeks or more and for all full-time students, submit your OSAP application no later than 60 days before the end of your study period.
For part-time students with study periods of 20 weeks or less, submit your OSAP application no later than 40 days before the end of your study period.
For students in micro-credential programs, submit your OSAP application no later than the end of your study period.
Receive an estimate of how much OSAP funding you may be eligible for after submitting your application.
You could qualify for more money if you’re:
Complete either your Full-Time or Part-Time Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement ( MSFAA ) if required. The MSFAA is a lifetime student loan agreement, which only needs to be completed once for full-time studies or part-time studies.
If you’re enrolled in a micro-credential program, you don’t have to complete the MSFAA . Instead, you’ll complete a Micro-credential Student Loan Agreement.
If you’re a full-time or part-time student, 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.
If you’re in a micro-credential program, you’ll complete a Micro-credential Student Loan Agreement for each application through your OSAP web account.
You may need to complete your signature and declaration forms and upload them to your OSAP application.
You may also need to submit additional documents.
For full-time and part-time students, your financial aid office must receive these documents no later than 40 days before the end of your study period.
If you’re in a micro-credential program, you must provide these documents to your financial aid office no later than five days after your study period has ended.
Updates about your application will be posted online on your OSAP account. Check your OSAP account regularly and opt-in for email notifications so you know as soon as updates occur.
From the time you submit your application and the time we receive all your required documents, it usually takes about 4 to 6 weeks to hear back.
Choose the “Check online” option on your OSAP profile to receive an email notification anytime the status of your application changes.
If you attend a public postsecondary institution in Ontario and you’re a full-time student, you may also be eligible for financial help through the Student Access Guarantee ( SAG ). SAG is a partnership program between the ministry and Ontario’s public colleges and universities. Through SAG , Ontario’s publicly assisted colleges and universities provide qualified students with additional financial aid so that financial need is not a barrier to accessing education. If OSAP doesn’t cover your program costs and you still need money, your school may provide additional financial aid in the form of a:
You can contact your school's Financial Aid Office for more information.
If you have questions about qualifying or applying for OSAP, your financial aid office can help. They also know about other sources for financial aid that you could apply for.
Find your financial aid office, if you’re going to:
