Co-op Funding

Co-op students are eligible to apply for OSAP during their study terms, and can apply for full-time funding when taking courses while completing their work term.

Eligibility Requirements

Before applying, there are some things to consider:

• If you are earning above $5,600 per term, you must include your gross co-op earnings on your application as study period income.
• Your study and work terms are considered separate study periods and the appropriate reinstatement/extension forms must be submitted through the academic year by the required deadlines for each individual study period.
• You will use up more terms of your student grant lifetime limit (i.e. Ontario Student Grant funding is limited to a lifetime maximum of eight terms of funding).
• You will use up more weeks of your OSAP lifetime limit.
• You may incur more debt.

Application Process

• Fall work term: If applying for a fall work term, complete the full-time OSAP application online and select your program work term from the program selection list. You will need to complete an OSAP Winter Extension Form to reinstate your application for your study period(s) following the end of your fall work term.
• Winter work term: If applying for a winter work term after already completing an OSAP application for your fall study period(s), complete an OSAP Winter Extension Form to reinstate your application. An OSAP Spring Extension Form will be required to reinstate your application for your spring study term (if applicable).
• Spring work term: If applying for a work spring term after already completing an OSAP application for your fall and/or winter study period(s), complete an OSAP Spring Extension Form to reinstate your application.

Note: You are required to log in to access the OSAP Winter and Spring Extension Forms. Login instructions: Enter your MyLaurier username and Laurier password. Your username and password are the same as when logging into MyLearningSpace, MyLaurier email or LORIS. If you are unsure of your password, please contact the ICT Service Desk at support@mylaurier.ca.

If you have questions about how to apply for OSAP while on your co-op work term, email the Laurier Financial Aid office.

Maintaining Interest-Free Status During Extended Work Term

Repayment of previous OSAP loans begins 6 months after your last confirmed full-time study period end date.   If you are on a 4 month work term, as long as your OSAP account is in good standing and you fully complete a new OSAP application or the appropriate extension form(s) (including submission of all required documents) for your next study period before the end of your 6 month grace period so your enrolment is confirmed to the National Student Loan Service Center (NSLSC) repayment should not begin.   

If you are registered in a work term that is longer than 4 months, a Continuation of Interest Free Status form on your OSAP application is required to inform the National Student Loan Service Centre of your full-time work term status.   Interest Free status forms must be submitted by the required deadline and cannot be submitted for past terms.

If you have questions about how to maintain interest-free status while on your extended co-op work term, contact the Laurier Financial Aid office.