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Academic Requirements

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.  

Academic Progress Assessment

When assessing your application academic progress for your full-time application, OSAP considers the following criteria:

Have you completed each term in full?

While receiving full-time OSAP funding, the ministry expects you to complete the minimum required course load for full-time studies in each term (equivalent of 60% or higher, or with Permanent Disability status registered with OSAP 40% or higher). If you withdraw or drop to part-time studies after receiving your full-time OSAP funds you will be placed on OSAP academic probation, effective the day you reduced your course load below the minimum requirement.

Note: a grade of a CR (Credit) on your transcript will meet OSAP academic requirements.  A grade of a WD (Withdrawal) on your transcript is considered an incomplete course and will not meet OSAP's academic requirements.

Have you passed the minimum required course load each term?

The ministry also expects you to successfully pass the courses taken during your funded study period.  Failure to obtain the required passing grades in the minimum required course load will result in you being placed on academic probation effective the last day of your study period.  As of 2020-21 a pass is considered with a grade of a D- or higher.

Are you progressing in your program of study?

The ministry expects that while you are in receipt of OSAP funding you are working towards the completion of a degree program. Frequent and/or multiple program changes, repetition of courses, or failing to advance to the next year of your program can result in you being placed on OSAP academic probation.

OSAP Academic Probation

If you fail to meet these minimum academic requirements during a full-time OSAP funded study period, the ministry will place you on OSAP academic probation for one academic year. During this OSAP academic probation time you are still eligible to receive OSAP funding, however, before your funding can be released, you will be required to submit documentation regarding the OSAP academic probation status prior to the release of your funding.  Depending on your academic status with OSAP this could be either:

  • Acknowldegement of Academic Probation form:  this form will be available for download with the required documents listed on your OSAP application; or
  • Proof of Academic Progress letter:  instructions on letter requirements will be outlined in the required documents section of your application.  Please review the instructions carefully and ensure all required information is included on your signed and dated letter.  

If you were placed on academic probation by another postsecondary institution you will also be required to submit your transcripts from your previous school (unofficial transcripts are acceptable).  All required documents must be uploaded to your OSAP application no later than 40 days before the end of your study period.

 

OSAP Academic Restriction

If you fail to meet these minimum full-time OSAP academic requirements for a second academic year after your OSAP academic probation you will be placed on an OSAP academic restriction and will be ineligible to receive OSAP for a notified period of time.