Part-time OSAP is open to Ontario residents who are:

• a Canadian Citizen
• a Permanent Resident
• a Protected Person (Protected Person Status Document is required)

Course load requirements: 

• Part-Time OSAP is designed for students who will be attending post-secondary on a part-time basis (between 20% -59% course load)
• Part-time graduate students are considered to be registered in a 50% course load.  Only graduate students who self-identify as having a permanent disability are eligible for full-time OSAP at this course load

Costs allowed: 

• OSAP for Part-Time Students Application does not provide a cost of living amount
• The OSAP for Part-Time Students application asks you to provide your 2023 total income. If you are unemployed and did not have an income in 2023, a letter that details how your cost of living (rent, food, etc.) was being met must be provided
• The educational costs that are allowed with Part-Time OSAP are tuition and books

Additional part-time grants:

• There are three grants that are funded by the federal government:
  • The Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students
  • The Canada Student Grant for Persons with Permanent Disabilities
  • The Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Student with Dependents
  • Eligibility criteria differ for each grant but they are primarily targeted at low income students; students with a documented disability; students who have at least one child under 12 and/or a child with a permanent disability
• The provincial government funds the following grant: 
  • The Ontario Part-Time Grant provides grant aid, which is availalable to eligible part-time low-income students to help them with their costs of education

Summer OSAP is open to Ontario residents who are:

• a Canadian Citizen
• a Permanent Resident
• a Protected Person (Protected Person Status Document is required)

Course load requirements: 

• To be eligible for full-time OSAP for the summer term, students must be enrolled in a minimum 60% course load, or in a minimum 40% course load for students who self-identify as having a permanent disability
• To be eligible for part-time OSAP for the summer term, students must be enrolled in less than a 60% of a full course load (or less than a 40% course load for students who self-identify as having a permanent disability) apply directly through 
  
  

Your OSAP application is based on the length of your exchange program dates.

If there is a gap in your study period that is greater than 28 days, each term will be assessed separately (i.e. two study periods). The second term will not be assessed until your enrolment for the first term has been confirmed and we have confirmation of your income during the study period and the break.

If a supporting document listed in the "Required Documents" section of your online OSAP account, you must upload directly through your OSAP Portal.

Upload all OSAP documents, including signature pages, through your online OSAP account. Uploading Documents through your OSAP Account ensures faster processing times and that your application is processed in the order it is received.

Part-time OSAP documents: 

• You are required to print, sign and submit a declaration and signature page indicating that you have read and understood your rights and obligations
• Your spouse (if applicable) will also have to sign their own declaration and signature page
• All of these documents are available to you once you submit your online part-time application

You will also be required to provide documents to support the information that you provide on your application. When you complete an online application, the documentation that you must provide will be listed. All documentation must be received before OSAP can calculate your aid.

Exhange student OSAP documents: 

• In addition to any required documents specified on the OSAP Application, Western Students participating in an Outgoing Exchange are required to submit a supplemental information form
• The bottom section of the supplemental information form must be completed by the exchange coordinator at Western University before submitting it to the Financial Aid Office
• The exchange form for students applying for OSAP must reach the Financial Aid Office at least 6 weeks prior to the start of your studies abroad

It generally takes 6-8 weeks for the Financial Aid office to process your application.

Confirming your enrollment:

• The Financial Aid Office must confirm your full-time enrollment before your funding can be released; enrolment is verified prior to each disbursement
• For most students, this happens at the start of the study period (e.g., September) and again halfway through the study period (e.g., January)
• A Verification of Enrollment (VOE) is not required for this process to be completed

Income update:

• If you need to update your income, submit a Virtual Helpline
• Your OSAP entitlement may be re-assessed based on changes in your income.  Check your status for upcoming additional bank deposits, fee payments or possible overpayments through your online OSAP Account

What if you are in overpayment?

• Overpayment occurs when a student receives more OSAP than they are eligible for due to a change in course load, income change or other changes
• Income verification is when a student and parent(s)’ income is verified to their income tax return — a variance between the values can lead to an overpayment

Submit a Virtual Helpline if you need to report a change in: 

• Course load
• Program of study
• Income
• Martial status
• Citizenship status 
• Change in living situation

To appeal your OSAP entitlement:

• Appeals are based on specific provincially-mandated guidelines
• The deadline to submit an appeal is 40 days before the end of your study period

What is Continuation of Interest-Free Status?

Continuation of interest-free status is a form that you can use to let the NSLC know you're still in school, so they won’t start charging interest or expecting payments just yet. It’s a simple way to stay focused on your studies without worrying about loan repayment kicking in early.

How to apply for Continuation of Interest-Free Status:

• You apply for interest-free status online, by logging into your online OSAP account and submitting the CIFS web-based application
  • If you're enrolled full-time at Western, taking at least 60% of a full course load (or 40% if you have a permanent disability), you may be eligible to keep your student loans interest-free, even if you're not receiving full-time OSAP funding this term. To do this, you need to complete a Continuation of Interest-Free Status application
• This form can be completed on or after your study period start date and no later than two weeks prior to the end of your study period end date
• Graduate students will need to complete and submit a Continuation of Interest-Free Status Application every term you are attending studies if you are not in receipt of Full-Time OSAP funding or your funding application has been delayed

For further information, visit the OSAP website.