OSAP Eligibility

If you have any questions regarding the OSAP Loan Eligibility Requirements listed below, please visit the OSAP website or contact Student Financial Services.

Residency Requirements

You must be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident of Canada, or a Protected Person. You also must meet Ontario residency requirements to apply for OSAP. You are considered an Ontario resident if as of the first day of their study period, Ontario is the most recent province in which you have resided for 12 consecutive months, not including any time as a full-time postsecondary student. For complete information on OSAP residency requirements, please visit the OSAP website, or connect with Student Financial Services.

Not an Ontario Resident?

Apply to the government student financial aid program in your home province. For more information, please visit the Out-of-Province Funding page.

Questions About Citizenship

Visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website for their online help centre and for information about IRCC offices.

Degree Eligibility

To be eligible for OSAP funding, students must be registered in a program that leads directly to a degree or diploma. Students registered in a non-degree program are not eligible to apply for OSAP funding. Under limited circumstances, some qualifying studies may be eligible for funding.

Course Load Requirements

Please note, at the University of Guelph-Humber, a full course load is considered 2.5 credits per term. Please connect with Student Financial Services prior to making any changes to your course load.

Full-Time OSAP

You are eligible to apply for full-time OSAP assistance if you are enrolled in at least 60% of a full course load (per term), or 40% of a full course load, if you are a student with a permanent disability.

Part-Time OSAP

Part-time OSAP is available to students who take less than 60% of a full course load. Students with a permanent disability, who are taking 40% of a full course load, have the choice of receiving full- or part-time OSAP funding.

Course Credits per Term	Course Load	OSAP Funding Available
2.0 or more credits	100%	Full time
1.5 credits	60%	Full time
1.0 credits	40%	Part time, or full time for students with a permanent disability
0.5 credit	20%	Part time

Course Load Changes

Changes in your course load may lead to changes in your OSAP funding. If you drop below the minimum requirements, you will lose eligibility for your funding plus incur an OSAP academic penalty. Please see the academic progress section below for information on academic penalties.

Withdrawal from Studies

If you withdraw from your studies, your OSAP funding will be affected, and you will be assessed with an OSAP academic penalty. If you withdrew because of illness, or family emergency, an appeal may be available. Please contact Student Financial Services to discuss if you may eligible for an appeal.

Refunds

Any refund of tuition or fees, up to the total value of OSAP received, must be returned to the National Student Loans Service Centre. This government regulation is outlined on the Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA), and the signature/consent pages that students sign. All OSAP-funded students agree to these terms and conditions when they apply for OSAP.

Academic Progress

Courses that are dropped without academic penalty at the University of Guelph-Humber are not considered to be successfully completed. Students must complete, and pass, the required course load to avoid OSAP academic penalties. For all inquiries regarding your Academic Progress, please contact Student Financial Services.

Full-Time OSAP
Students must successfully complete at least 60% of a full course load (1.5 credits each term) to maintain OSAP eligibility. Students with a permanent disability must successfully complete 40% of a full course load (1.0 credits each term) to maintain OSAP eligibility. Failure to complete the required course load will result in OSAP academic probation or restriction.

If you are on academic probation, you will be required to complete and submit the Acknowledgement of Academic Probation Form found under the “Required Documents” section of your OSAP application to allow for the release of funding.

Please note, you may be eligible to have your academic probation or restriction reviewed. Please contact Student Financial Services for further details.

Academic Progress Consequences

Academic Situation

Consequence

Next Steps

Failure to make satisfactory academic progress during 1 academic year.

Student is on probation for the remainder of the current academic year, if any (for example, due to a withdrawal/drop to PT), and the next FULL OSAP academic year.

During the probationary period, the student remains eligible for Full-Time OSAP or Part-Time OSAP, unless there is a part-time academic penalty on file.

When you apply for OSAP for the next year, you will be required to complete and submit the Acknowledgement of Academic Probation Form (form can be found on your OSAP account).

Must succeed in following academic year to maintain continuous Full-Time OSAP eligibility. If student is not receiving OSAP funding during probationary year, the student must maintain Canada – Ontario Integrated Student Loans in good standing.

Failure to make satisfactory academic progress for 2 successive academic years.

Restriction: Student loses eligibility for Full-Time OSAP and Part-Time OSAP for a minimum of 12 months (1 year).

Must maintain Canada – Ontario Integrated Student Loans in good standing during the 12-month period.

Once restriction period is over, contact Student Financial Services to obtain Academic Restriction Clearance procedure.

You are eligible to apply for OSAP the semester following the end of your restriction period.

Academic Edit

OSAP may place you on an Academic Edit for demonstrating lack of academic progress for one of the following reasons:

Students should progress through the years of their academic programs and finish their studies in a reasonable period of time. For example, if you are in a four year program, OSAP expects you to take no longer than five years to finish.
A student should not be in the same year of a program for more than two years. For example, you should not be in the 2nd year of your degree for more than two years.
Students should not have frequent program changes, course drops or withdrawals.

Please contact Student Financial Services if you have any questions regarding the requirements.

Part-Time OSAP

Students who receive part-time OSAP funding must successfully complete all funded courses. Failure to complete the required course load will require the student to successfully complete one semester through self-funding to regain eligibility.

Once you have self-funded for one semester and wish to continue receiving part-time funding, you must submit your transcript showing successful completion of your part-time studies and letter outlining your request to receive funding under the part-time program.