OSAP online application tips and recommendations

Find tips and recommendations related to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) application process. 

On this page: 

• How to find your program on the application
• Uploading documentation

Find Your Program 

If you are unable to find a match for your program name and/or the correct study period to match your registration: 

1. Select Can't find my program under the list of potential program matches and press Submit. 
2. Manually enter your program name and study period dates. 

The information entered will be verified/updated by the Financial Aid office after your application has been submitted. 

Uploading Required Documents

Required documents for your OSAP application must be submitted through upload directly to your OSAP application.  

Documents can be scanned with:

• A scanning app obtained through the appstore of your mobile device.
• PrintMe Self-Serve locations on campus.

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, select the Upload button corresponding to that document.
3. Locate your pdf file using the Browse button.
4. Select the file and select Open.

You will get a message confirming your document was accepted.

Troubleshooting Tips

• 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.
• If you have reached the maximum number of document submissions for a specific type of document, additional documents can still be submitted by selecting the link that indicates ‘Go to Optional Updates’ and documents can be uploaded as optional review documents.  Once submitted, they will be reviewed and updated to the correct document type. 
• 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 received prior to the deadlines indicated on your OSAP application and are processed in the date order received.