OSAP: 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.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for funding through OSAP micro-credentials programs, 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 (search for 'Laurier' in the Microcredential Portal program search bar to view OSAP eligibility as noted within each Laurier microcredential course description). 
• 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).

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).

Application Process

Step 1: Submit Your Application Online

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 if the program is OSAP eligible (search for 'Laurier' in the Microcredential Portal program search bar to view OSAP eligibility as noted within each Laurier microcredential course description). 

An estimate will be calculated at the end of your application. Estimates may change once your application information is verified and updated.

Step 2: Loan Agreement and Banking Information

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 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.

Step 3: Required Documents

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 micro-credentials application must be uploaded directly to your OSAP for Micro-credentials application.

• You can only upload a file in a PDF format. Ensure your scanned document is clear and easy to read before saving it as a PDF (.pdf ). You cannot upload a file that is password protected.
• PDF files 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 fast processing we strongly recommend uploading over mailing.

Step 4: Enrolment Confirmation

Once you have completed the online application and have submitted all required documentation:

• Laurier will confirm your enrolment for funding release, which is completed automatically by the Laurier Financial Aid office at the beginning of each study period for completed applications.
• The process ensures that you are enrolled for the study period indicated on the OSAP micro-credentials application.

Step 5: Monitor Your Application Status

It is important that you regularly check your OSAP status online throughout the year because the information or requirements for release of your funding can change through the year.

It is your responsibility to ensure all required information has been submitted to complete the OSAP micro-credentials application process by the required deadlines.

To monitor your status: 

• Status updates are available through your online OSAP micro-credentials application and any special communications will be sent through your OSAP Message Centre.
• Set up your Message Centre to receive electronic communications to avoid any delays in receiving correspondence about required information in the mail.

Step 6: Funding Release

OSAP 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:

• Submit all required documents.
• Enrol in the same micro-credential course as indicated on your OSAP micro-credentials application.

Released funding will be sent directly to you by the National Student Loans Centre for Micro-credentials (a division of the NSLSC). Payment for your course must be made by you 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 micro-credential application and assessment. This may result in a recalculation and overpayment of your grant or loan funding.