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OSAP for Micro-credential Funding
Micro-credentials are rapid training programs offered by colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes across the province that can help you get the skills that employers need. They help people retrain and upgrade their skills to find new employment.
Students enrolled in an Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) approved micro-credential program can apply for financial assistance through OSAP for Micro-credentials. Eligible students must apply for funding for each course separately by following the step-by-step application process. Applications for OSAP for Micro-credential assistance cannot overlap with another micro-credential study period (funding for multiple courses cannot be applied for concurrently).
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for funding through the OSAP for Micro-credentials program, you must meet the criteria below as well as certain residency and income requirements specified on the OSAP website:
- Registered in an OSAP-approved micro-credential.
- Must be a resident of Ontario as defined by OSAP program.
- Previous OSAP loans must be in good standing (i.e. you have not defaulted on a student loan and/or you are not restricted from participating in financial aid programs).
Application Process
The OSAP for Micro-credentials application is submitted online and must be submitted for one course at a time. New applications for each course must be submitted online no later than the last day of the student’s study period.
Program Information: Enter your program name and study period dates. Ensure you review the ‘What programs are eligible’ link to ensure your program is on the list of OSAP-approved programs.
An estimate will be calculated at the end of your application. Estimates may change once your application information is verified and updated.
Students who receive a positive estimate or assessment will be required to review and agree to the terms and conditions of the Micro-credential Student Loan Agreement and provide their banking information (or preference for cheque).
Note: Banking information provided for an OSAP for Micro-credentials application is separate from what may have been provided to the National Student Loan Service Centre (NSLSC) for previous full- or part-time OSAP applications.
Your application cannot be processed until all required documentation has been submitted. All required documentation must be uploaded to your OSAP for Micro-credential application no later than five days after the micro-credential program’s study period end date.
Required documents for your OSAP for Micro-credentials application must be submitted through upload directly to your OSAP for Micro-credentials application.
- 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 to:
Laurier Financial Aid Office
75 University Ave. W.
Waterloo, ON, N2L 3C5
All documents must be received by the Financial Aid Office no later than five days after the last day of the micro-credential program’s study period. To ensure prompt receipt of documents and fastest processing we strongly recommend uploading over mailing.
Once you have completed the online application and have submitted all required documentation, Laurier will confirm your enrolment for funding release. This process is completed automatically by the Laurier Financial Aid office at the beginning of each study period for completed applications to ensure the applicant is enrolled for the study period indicated on the OSAP for Micro-credentials application. Once your micro-credential enrolment has been successfully confirmed, funding is typically received within 10 business days.
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. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all required information has been submitted to complete the OSAP for Micro-credentials application process by the required deadlines.
Status updates will be available through your online OSAP for Micro-credentials application and any special communications will be sent through your OSAP Message Centre. Due to the short timeframe of micro-credential courses we recommend your Message Centre be set up to receive electronic communications to avoid delay of receiving correspondence about required information in the mail.
OSAP for Micro-credential funding release begins after the first day of the study period term for all students with completed applications. Confirmation of enrolment requires that you have submitted all required documents and you are enrolled in the same micro-credential course as indicated on your OSAP for Micro-credentials application.
Released funding will be sent directly to the student by the National Student Loans Centre for Micro-credentials (a division of the NSLSC). Payment for your course must be made by the student at time of registration.
Note: If you have indicated payment by cheque, this funding will be sent to you by cheque from the Ministry. Please ensure your mailing address on your OSAP profile is correct when applying for funding.
Withdrawals After Funding Release
Withdrawal from a micro-credential program before completion will result in an update to the OSAP for micro-credential application and assessment. This may result in a recalculation and overpayment of your grant or loan funding.