OSAP Frequently Asked Questions

Full-time OSAP:

• The OSAP application for the 2022-23 academic year is open now!  Full-time OSAP applications typically open for the next academic year in May/June each year.  

Part-time OSAP:  

• The OSAP application for 2022-23 academic year is anticipated to open by early summer.  Part-time OSAP applications typically open for the next academic year in June/July each year.  

Once available, the applications will be available for completion online at ontario.ca/OSAP.

Recommended:  Official deadline dates are outlined below, however the later you apply, the later your application can process and the later your funding will be available for release.  To ensure adequate processing time we strongly recommend submitting your application with all required documentation at least two months before the start of term. Applications and documents submitted after the recommended date may not be processed before the start of term and could result in a delayed release of funding.   

Full-time OSAP:

• Full-time OSAP applications are required to be submitted at least 60 days prior to the end of the application study period.  All required documents and reviews related to the application must be submitted at least 40 days before the application study period end date.    

Part-time OSAP:

• Part-time OSAP applications are required to be submitted at least 40 days prior to the end of the application study period.  All required documents and reviews related to the application must be submitted at least 40 days before the application study period end date.    

The application for OSAP is updated every academic year and a new application must be submitted by the student every academic year.  Some information will be carried forward to the new application automatically.

Some required documentation will carry forward from previous years but new documents may be required with new applications. 

Part-time OSAP applications must be submitted on a term-by-term basis.  

As you search for your program information for your application a listing of potential program matches with study period dates will be populated for you to select from.  If you are not seeing your program name and/or the correct study period dates listed there is a link at the bottom of the listing that indicates "Can't find your program?"  Select this link and you will be prompted to manually enter your program names and dates.  Once manually entered, your application will proceed.  Program information will be automatically verified and matched upon review by Financial Aid Office Staff.

Please note, to be eligible for funding your must be in an OSAP-eligible program.  

If you have an outstanding balance on your Laurier student account when funding is released by OSAP, the OSAP funding will be automatically directed to pay the outstanding tuition and fees at Laurier. Any remaining amount of OSAP funding available after your Laurier fees have been paid will go directly to your bank account.

Late payment fees related to an OSAP payment that is applied directly to your student account will be reversed provided:

• The OSAP funding received covers the full amount owing, and
• Your OSAP funding is received to your Laurier student account within one month from the first day of classes each term (before February 9, 2023 for winter 2023).

Funding release for winter 2023 will begin after the following dates for full-time and part-time applications:

• Full-time OSAP applications:  Confirmation of Enrolment for full-time OSAP will begin around the first day of classes (January 9, 2023).   Funding is typically received within 4-7 business days from date of successful confirmation of enrolment completion
• Part-time OSAP Applications:  Confirmation of Enrolment for part-time OSAP will begin after the first day of classes (January 9, 2023) and can take 1-2 weeks for completion.   

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all required information has been submitted to complete their OSAP application and to ensure all fees are paid each term.    

Ensure you review your OSAP funding summary to see the amount of funding expected to release for winter term.  If this amount is less than the amount due on your Laurier student account at time of funding release then you are responsible for paying the difference by the invoice due date.

More information on paying your fees with OSAP can be found online.  See below for more information on common issues that can cause delays in the release of your funding.

Your OSAP status online at Ontario.ca/OSAP provides an estimated date of release and messaging is generalized as school processes for funding release may vary.  Below is the timeline for Laurier confirmation of enrolment:

• Full-time OSAP applications:  Confirmation of Enrolment for full-time OSAP will begin after Laurier the first day of classes each term.  Funding is typically received within 4-7 business days from date of successful confirmation of enrolment completion.
• Part-time OSAP Applications:  Confirmation of Enrolment for part-time OSAP will begin after the first day of classes each term and can take 1-2 weeks for completion.  

If your estimated funding release date continues to change after the first two weeks of classes it is important you review your OSAP status in LORIS and your OSAP status on your online OSAP account.  Typically delays are due to an error message on LORIS (such as a course load error) or other issues with your OSAP account or NSLSC account.  See below for more information on potential issues that could be causing a delay in release of funding after the first two weeks of classes.

If your enrolment has not been confirmed after the second week of classes, please check the following items on your OSAP application and take the appropriate action:

• Course load error: Ensure you have the correct course load on your application and that your course registration for the term is complete.  View your application status on LORIS (Select Student Awards & Financial Aid - View my Aid/Funding) to verify if a course load error is preventing the completion of your funding release after the first day of classes.
• Outstanding documents: Review the required documents section of your OSAP application to confirm if there are any outstanding documents to be submitted/processed.  Required documents for your OSAP application must be submitted through upload directly to your OSAP application.
• Restrictions:  If you have been restricted by OSAP information regarding the restriction will display on your OSAP application status.
• National Student Loan Service Centre (NSLSC) required information:  Check for messages and status updates on your NSLSC online account to ensure no information is required by the NSLSC.

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all required information has been submitted to complete their OSAP application by the required deadlines and to ensure all fees are paid each term.

Documents must be submitted through upload directly to your OSAP application.  Review the requirements for the document (often a link will be available for you to click to review additional information on document requirement).   

Documents can be scanned using a scanning app on your Apple or Android phone, or free scanning is available on campus at any PrintMe Self-Serve locations.

To upload documents to the OSAP Portal:

1. Scan the required document corresponding to the upload link and create a PDF file.
2. Within your online OSAP application in the 'Required Documents' section, Click on the Upload button corresponding to that document.
3. Locate your pdf file using the “browse” button.
4. Select the file and click on “open”

You will get a message confirming if your document was accepted for upload purposes.

If you have reached the maximum upload for a specific document type, you can upload the document under 'Optional documents' by selecting the link that indicates 'Go to Optional uploads'.  Once submitted, they will be reviewed and updated to the correct document type. 

If you are experiencing difficulties with upload, please carefully review the troubleshooting tips below.

• You can only upload a file that is a PDF format - Ensure your scanned document is clear and easy to read before saving it as a PDF (.pdf ) file format
• You cannot upload a file that is password protected
• PDF file should not be larger than 2MB. The exception is declaration and signature pages, which can be up to 5MB
• If your file size is too large, you may need to upload partial documentation as two separate files. If doing this, we recommend putting a note on the top of your upload indicating multiple file submissions
• Optional documents can be uploaded by selecting the link that indicates 'Click here if you have other (optional) documents to upload' and selecting 'Go to optional uploads'.

If unable to upload documents directly to your application, they can be mailed through Canada Post or sent by courier (Laurier Financial Aid Office, 75 University Ave W., Waterloo, ON  N2L 3C5) however receipt and processing of mailed documents will take longer than those submitted through direct upload. 

To protect your personal information, we do not accept document submission over email or through in-person drop off.  Online submission through your OSAP application is required for security and fastest processing.  All documents must be uploaded prior to the deadlines indicated on your OSAP application and are processed in the date order received. 

Please Note:   Important Application and Document Deadlines and affidavit document requirements.

All documents submitted are reviewed in date order received.  Volume of documents for review vary at different times of the year and are highest near the start of each term.  During peak periods it can take 2-4 weeks for review of most documentation.  Some specialized documents are reviewed directly by the Ministry (i.e. bankruptcy or income verification documents) and these can take much longer for review.   We recommend submitting all required documents at least two months prior to the start of term.   Ensure you review your OSAP Message Centre regularly in case more information is requested or provided about why your original document submission could not be accepted. 

To maintain eligibility for Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) you must meet OSAP’s minimum academic requirements for each term that you are funded for.  Please note, OSAP's academic progress requirements are assessed separately from Laurier's academic progress policies, and OSAP academic progress status will not reflect on your Laurier academic record.    It is possible for a student to be in good academic standing on their Laurier record but not meet OSAP’s academic progress requirements. 

More information on OSAP’s Academic Progress Assessment for full-time applications is available online.  

If you are placed on OSAP Academic Probation you can still receive funding, however the required documentation outlined on your OSAP application’s required documents must be provided first.

Graduate Students

• Full-time registration status = 100% course load (regardless of number of classes).
• Part-time registration status = 50% course load (regardless of number of classes).

Undergraduate Students

• Each 0.50 credit registered for = 20% of an OSAP course load.
• Each 0.25 credit registered for = 10% of an OSAP course load (i.e. 2.50 credits = 100% course load; 2.00 credits = 80% course load).

See the Spring OSAP FAQs for further information on calculating course loads for spring term.

The current process for retrieving/resetting a student's Ontario Access Number (OAN) information is directly through their OSAP login page.  If security questions were previously set up on the OSAP account, this will be a quick process. 

• Log in online
• Click 'Forgot OAN or Password' link
• Select the 'Email' or 'Online using my challenge questions' option to go through the reset process.  

If the online reset process does not work you can book an in person appointment to reset at Service Laurier.  We cannot complete resets virtually or via telephone.  When you come Service Laurier will require:

• Valid government-issued photo id (i.e. Driver’s license, Passport)​
  • Must be original copy (no picture of ID or photocopy accepted)​
  • Current (not expired)​
  • Signature included (if required as part of ID)​
  • Must be government issued – student ID card not acceptable​
• Proof of Social Insurance Number (either SIN Card or Service Canada Issued Proof of SIN paper document).  ​
  • Proof of SIN paper document available through Service Canada office and will be printed for student on the spot with proper ID.  Student should check with Service Canada to verify what is required for ID before going​

If a student does not have required information at an in-person appointment we cannot provide them with their OAN information.  ​ If you are unable to reset your OAN number and/or password through the online reset process or through in person appointment please email Service Laurier (servicelaurier@wlu.ca) and further guidance can be provided.

Many items can be updated through submission of one of our online forms.  Note:  you are required to log in with your MyLaurier username and password to access this form.

Course Load Update Form:  Funding cannot be released until the course load percentage on your OSAP application matches your course registration. It is your responsibility to ensure the course load stated on your OSAP application is correct each term. Review Course Load and Registration Updates for information on updating and calculating your course load, and the impact of changing your course load. 

Income Update Form:  Updates to the amount of income declared on your application can be made by completing the OSAP Income Update form (including updates to external scholarship amounts).  

Other update requests: can be submitted by uploading a signed and dated letter with request information and supporting documentation directly to your OSAP account (under "Optional Review Documents") or by submitting an email request from your @MyLaurier.ca email to initiate the review and change. 

It is important that you regularly check your OSAP status online throughout the year.  Status information or requirements for release of your funding can change through the year, and this information is displayed in multiple places.  Ensure you make it a habit to check all of these websites regularly!

1. LORIS:  Check here for your current application status with LORIS (Student Awards & Financial Aid menu - View my Aid/Funding), including important information regarding errors that may be preventing your application from completing and/or your funding releasing.   Also review your Laurier account balance to verify payment receipts.

2. Online OSAP Application:  Check here for a summary of the application information you submitted, information about any documents required to complete your application, and your detailed funding summary.

3. National Student Loan Service Centre:  Check here for issued loan balances, bank account information for OSAP funding deposits, and messages sent regarding repayment and interest status.

OSAP releases 60% of your available full-time loan funding to you in the fall term, leaving only the remaining 40% of loan funding for release in winter term.  If you are eligible for grant funding this typically is released 50% for fall and 50% for winter. 

Additionally, if you have dropped courses, received new scholarships or updated any other information on your applicationt during the fall term your funding may have been reassessed resulting in an overpayment of funding released in fall and a reduction to what is left for release in winter.  It is important that you review your OSAP funding summary carefully.

OSAP offers a full-time estimator tool on their website to give a preliminary idea of what funding you may qualify for.  This can be used as a tool for budgeting, but please note, your final assessment will consider additional verified information on your application and may vary from the estimate. 

It is important you regularly review your funding summary to ensure you are aware of the assessed amount of funding available each term.  This assessment may change as information is updated on your application through the year (i.e. as courses are added or dropped, or income amounts are updated).
 

If you have made changes to your course load and remain in a full-time course load (60% course load/1.50 credits or higher or for students with permanent disability on their OSAP profile 40% course load/1.00 credits or higher) please complete an OSAP Course Load update form to update your OSAP application.    You are required to log in with your MyLaurier username and password to access the form.  

If you have dropped below a full-time course load before funding has been released for the term, then you will need to close your full-time OSAP application and submit a new part-time OSAP application online.

More information on Course Load Updates are available online.

Students are only required to submit one new OSAP application each academic year.  Students returning to study after the study period end date on their original confirmed full-time application (i.e. due to withdrawal, drop to part-time studies, or change of program) can extend the application through the completion of an OSAP Winter Extension form.    This form will be available by mid-October each year.

Extension forms can only be completed if a confirmation of enrolment was previously completed on the current academic year's full-time OSAP application.  Extension forms must be submitted no later than 40 days before the end of the extended study period.  

The Laurier Financial Aid office will declare all scholarships and awards from Laurier on your behalf. This means if you are receiving an Entrance Scholarship, In-Course Scholarship, President’s Gold, or any other scholarship, award or bursary from Laurier, we will add it to your OSAP application.  When you complete your OSAP application, you should NOT declare scholarship, award or bursary funding from Laurier. 

Laurier scholarship and award reporting may occur after your initial assessment has been run by OSAP.  A notice of your updated assessment will be sent through your OSAP Message Centre after the reassessment.

If you have already completed your OSAP application and have included your Laurier scholarship, award or bursary information, complete the Scholarship/Award Income Update Form and we will make the update on your behalf so the award is not declared twice. 
Please note:  you are required to log in with your MyLaurier username and password to access the form.

If you are receiving external scholarships (i.e. scholarship from your high school, parents’ workplace, etc.), you are required to declare those awards on your OSAP application.  If you need to update the external scholarship information on your OSAP application, complete the Scholarship/Award Income Update Form. Please note: you are required to log in with your MyLaurier username and password to access the form.

The part-time OSAP application cannot be submitted for more than one term at a time.  If you have submitted the application indicating study period dates for more than one term this will be automatically updated to reflect your current term registration and a new part-time application will be required for each future term separately. 

Along with submission of future term applications you will be required to submit an unofficial transcript document each term to show your completion and pass of all courses that you have received part-time OSAP for in the previous term.  

Yes this must be submitted.  Your OSAP application cannot be processed until you have submitted a copy of your unofficial grades for your previous OSAP funded part-time term.  Official transcripts are not required to complete this transcript document requirement but an unofficial copy of your grades must be submitted for your application to continue processing.  Please upload a copy of your ‘Unofficial Record of Course Work’ from LORIS (found under the Student Services Tab – Student Records – Unofficial Record of Course Work) to your part-time OSAP application and ensure grades are showing for all part-time OSAP funded courses.  

For example, if you received part-time OSAP in the Fall term, a copy of your unofficial record of course work showing ALL fall grades is required for this document requirement on your subsequent winter term application.  Unofficial transcript copies that do not show all grades or only show a registered status for the previous part-time funded term courses will be denied.  We recommend monitoring your unofficial record of course work on LORIS and once you see all grades posted upload this document.   

More information on part-time OSAP funding, including academic progress requirements can be found online.

You are automatically assessed for both grant and loan funding on each part-time OSAP application.  When eligible for grant funding through the part-time OSAP program, as much grant funding as possible is released for your first application term every academic year (to the maximum amount of grant available or the maximum funding need assessed).  As a result subsequent applications for the same academic year will typically include more loan funding because you will have previously received the maximum (or most) of the grant funding available for the academic year in the first term you received funding.     For example, if you received the maximum amount available for the current academic year of a part-time OSAP grant in the fall term, there will be no further grant funding left for the winter and/or spring terms and your winter and/or spring term release will include more loan funding.

OSAP’s definition of part-time status is different than Laurier’s definition of part-time status.    Laurier considers you to be part-time undergraduate student status when registered in 1.75 credits or less per term (70% course load).    For OSAP, undergraduate students can apply for full-time OSAP funding when enrolled in a 60% course load/1.50 credits or higher (or with permanent disability status on your OSAP profile in a 40% course load/1.00 credits or higher).  

A graduate student is considered part-time in a 50% course load when registered in a part-time graduate program and showing a part-time registration status in LORIS.  Graduate students with permanent disability status on their OSAP profile can be eligible for full-time OSAP funding while in a 50% course load. 

How you apply for OSAP in the spring term is dependent on what course load you plan to register in for spring/summer/intersession.  Calculation of course load in spring term for undergraduate students is dependent on whether the courses you are registered in are 12 week spring term (May - August), 6 week intersession (May - June), 6 week summer session (July - August) or a combination.  Review the information below carefully to determine your course load and application requirements after you have registered in your spring term courses.

See the FAQ below for more information on calculating your course load for spring. 

Part-time OSAP Spring Applications: 

• Students must be registered in a 50% course load or less (students with permanent disability status on their OSAP application enrolled in a 30% course load or less) to apply for part-time OSAP
• Submission of a part-time OSAP application online.  All applications and required documents must be submitted within 40 days of the study period end date. 

More information on the application process and Part-time OSAP Spring applications is available online.

Full-time OSAP Spring Applications:

• Students must be registered in a 60% course load or higher (students with permanent disability status on their OSAP application enrolled in a 40% course load or higher) to apply for full-time OSAP funding
• For students who previously received full-time OSAP in the Fall 2022 and/or Winter 2023 term, your existing 2022-23 application must be updated to include spring through the submission of an OSAP Spring Extension Form.  This form will be available by early March 2023.  Watch for an email to your MyLaurier email with more information once it has opened.  All forms and required documents must be submitted within 40 days of the study period end date
• If you have not previously completed a full-time OSAP application for the fall 2022, or winter 2023 term a new full-time OSAP application must be submitted for full-time enrolment in a minimum 12 week study period.   All applications and required documents must be submitted within 60 days of the study period end date

More information on the application process and full-time OSAP Spring application requirements is available online.

Graduate Students:

• Full-time registration status = 100% course load (regardless of number of classes).
• Part-time registration status = 50% course load (regardless of number of classes).
  
  
  

Undergraduate Students:

• Calculation of your course load in the spring term for undergraduate students is dependent on whether the courses you are registered in are 12 week spring term, 6 week intersession, 6 week summer session or a combination. 

The OSAP Spring Extension form will be available online in early March each year.  Monitor the Spring Full-time OSAP webpage for updates and watch your MyLaurier email for notice of the form's availability.

After submitting your form there will be a status update that shows on LORIS within 2-3 business days of submission (Select menu items Student Awards & Financial Aid - View My Aid/Funding - Select current application year to view information about your current application).  A copy of your submitted form will also be sent to the email address you indicate on your spring extension form after submission (check your junk folder if you do not see it in your inbox).

OSAP Spring Extension forms can take up to 4-6 weeks after submission to be processed in peak times (i.e. before and near the start of the Spring Term).  The Laurier Financial Aid office will manually process all forms in the date order received.  Your patience as our office works through the high volume of submissions is appreciated. 

Once processed a reinstated application for spring term dates will show on LORIS and updated information will show on your online OSAP account.  

It is recommended that you submit your OSAP Spring Extension form before March 31 to allow time for your form to be processed and a funding assessment completed before the first day of classes.  The final deadline date for submission of forms is later than this date as outlined online, however forms submitted after March 31 cannot be guaranteed to be completed before the first day of classes.

If you are remaining in a full-time course load with the change in registration, you must submit a Spring Term OSAP Course Load Update form to update the course load on your original form submission.  This spring course load update form will be available online after the OSAP Spring Extension form has opened.