
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a financial aid program for students in Ontario, Canada. It offers a mixture of grants and loans to help students pay for college or university. To be eligible for OSAP, applicants must be residents of Ontario and Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons. Unfortunately, international students are not eligible for OSAP. However, there are other funding options available for international students studying in Canada, such as scholarships and private loans. It is important to note that the application process and requirements for OSAP may vary depending on the institution and students must apply each year to continue receiving funding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student eligibility | Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons; international students are not eligible |
| Residency requirements | Applicants must be residents of Ontario, i.e., have lived in Ontario for at least 12 months before the start of their studies |
| Academic program eligibility | Applicants must be enrolled in an approved educational program |
| Financial need | Applicants must demonstrate financial need based on the government's calculation, which considers family income, resources, and assets |
| Academic progress | Students must meet academic progress requirements while receiving OSAP assistance |
| Previous student loans | Applicants must not be in default on any previous student loans |
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What You'll Learn

International students are not eligible for OSAP
OSAP is a mixture of repayable loans and grants (money that does not need to be repaid). When you apply for OSAP, you are automatically considered for both grants and loans. If you are a full-time or part-time student and do not want to take a loan, you can decline it after your application is approved.
The amount of financial aid you receive from OSAP is based on the government's assessment of your educational costs and expected financial resources. OSAP considers your income, family income, family size, dependents, and other factors.
International students who are not eligible for OSAP may be able to receive financial aid through other programs or scholarships. It is recommended that international students contact the financial aid office of their institution to inquire about alternative funding options.
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OSAP is for Ontario resident students
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a financial aid program for Ontario resident students. It is a government-based program that offers a mixture of repayable loans and grants. OSAP is available to full-time and part-time students and can be used to help pay for college or university. The amount of financial aid provided is based on the government's assessment of a student's educational costs and expected financial resources.
To be eligible for OSAP, students must be residents of Ontario, which means they must have lived in the province for at least 12 months before the start of their studies. Additionally, students must be enrolled in an OSAP-approved program at a post-secondary institution in Ontario. OSAP is not available to international students.
The OSAP application process typically opens in May of each year, and students must apply annually to continue receiving funding. When applying, students are automatically considered for both grants and loans, and they have the option to decline the loan if they do not need it. The determination of whether a student receives a grant or loan is based on their income, family income, family size, dependents, and other factors.
Students can use OSAP funding to cover various educational costs, including tuition, books, child care, personal living expenses, supplies, and equipment. It is important to note that OSAP funding is not affected by a student's Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). Additionally, there are opportunities for additional funding through OSAP for underrepresented learners.
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OSAP offers a mixture of grants and loans
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a financial aid program that helps students pay for college or university. It is an application-based government aid program for Ontario resident students. OSAP offers a mixture of repayable loans and grants (money that does not need to be repaid). When you apply for OSAP, you are automatically considered for both grants and loans. If you are a full-time or part-time student and do not want to take a loan, you can decline it after your application is approved.
The amount of financial aid you receive from OSAP is based on the government's assessment of your educational costs and expected financial resources. OSAP considers your tuition, books, child care (for full-time and part-time students), personal living expenses (for full-time students), supplies and equipment, course load, program hours, and personal financial situation.
To receive OSAP funding, you must apply each year. The OSAP application for a new academic year typically opens in May, and you can use the funding to attend a private or public college or university anywhere in the world, as long as it is approved.
If you are in a micro-credential program, you can only receive OSAP for OSAP-approved micro-credentials offered at a post-secondary institution in Ontario.
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OSAP considers educational costs and expected financial resources
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a financial aid program that can help students pay for college or university. OSAP is funded by the federal and provincial governments and is run by the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security.
When it comes to educational costs and expected financial resources, OSAP considers a range of factors to determine a student's financial need. Firstly, OSAP takes into account the allowable educational costs, which include tuition, books, child care (for full-time and part-time students), personal living expenses (for full-time students), and supplies and equipment. These costs are essential expenses that students need to cover to pursue their education.
Secondly, OSAP considers the expected financial contribution from the student and their family. OSAP expects that students and their families have planned and saved for their full-time post-secondary education. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the expected student contribution was set at $3,600. However, this contribution can be waived or adjusted in certain situations, such as if the student has children, receives support from an Ontario Children's Aid Society, or self-identifies as an Indigenous student. Additionally, a financial contribution may be expected from the student's parents or spouse, depending on their income and assets.
The difference between the allowable educational costs and the expected financial contribution determines the student's financial need. OSAP aims to supplement the student's resources to help cover these educational costs. It is important to note that OSAP is designed to supplement, not replace, a student's financial resources. The program assumes that students will contribute towards their educational expenses.
When applying for OSAP, students are automatically considered for both grants and loans. Grants are a type of financial aid that typically does not need to be repaid, while loans can be declined if the student does not want to take on debt. The amount of financial aid offered through OSAP depends on various factors, including the student's income, family income, family size, dependents, and other sources of government aid. OSAP also provides funding for students with disabilities and those with dependent children, taking into account their unique needs and expenses.
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OSAP funding is available for full-time and part-time students
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a financial aid program that helps students pay for college or university. OSAP funding is available for full-time and part-time students. The program offers a mixture of repayable loans and grants (money that you will not need to repay). When you apply for OSAP, you are automatically considered for both grants and loans. If you don’t want to take a loan, and you’re a full-time or part-time student, you can decline it after your application is approved.
To be eligible for OSAP, you must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or have protected person status. International students are not eligible for OSAP. You must also be a resident of Ontario, which means you must have lived in Ontario for at least 12 months before the start of your studies. Additionally, you must be enrolled in an approved program of study. Most degree programs at Ontario universities are approved, but it is important to confirm this before applying.
The amount of OSAP funding you can receive depends on your educational costs and expected financial resources. Educational costs include tuition, books, child care (for full-time and part-time students), personal living expenses (for full-time students), supplies, and equipment. Your personal financial situation, including your income and family's income, family size, dependents, and other factors, will also be considered. It is important to note that if you use money from your Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP), it will not affect the amount of OSAP you can receive.
To apply for OSAP, you can visit the government's OSAP website and follow the step-by-step instructions provided. The OSAP application typically opens in May for the upcoming academic year, and you will need to apply each year to continue receiving funding. It is important to submit your application before the deadline, as funding will not be released until all required documents are submitted and approved.
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Frequently asked questions
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a financial aid program that helps students pay for college or university.
No, international students are not eligible for OSAP.
Ontario resident students who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or have protected person status.
OSAP offers a mixture of repayable loans and grants (money you will not need to repay) based on the government's assessment of your educational costs and expected financial resources.
You can apply for OSAP online via the government's OSAP website.




