OSAP Eligibility and Application Instructions
Table of Contents
Step-by-Step Instructions
If you’re unsure about whether you’re full-time or part-time for the fall/winter, then check out our Fall/Winter course load guide.
- Apply for Fall/Winter 2025-2026 Full-Time OSAP
- Apply for one term of funding for Fall/Winter 2025-2026 Full-Time OSAP
- Apply for Fall/Winter 2025-2026 Part-Time OSAP
If you’re unsure about your study period, you can check out our study period start and end dates.
OSAP Overview
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The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a financial aid program funded by the federal and provincial governments for post-secondary students. OSAP provides Ontario students with financial assistance to help pay for university tuition and related educational costs.
Through a single application you will be assessed for federal and provincial grant funding, and for a repayable student loan.
- Grants = Money that you will NOT have to repay.
- Loans = Borrowed money that you will have to repay.
- Loans through OSAP are interest and payment-free while you are a full-time student.
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To be eligible for OSAP funding, you must:
- be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident or Protected Person
- meet Ontario’s provincial residency requirements
- If you do not meet Ontario’s residency requirements, you may be eligible for government financial aid through your home province or territory.
- See our Out-of-Province Student Assistance Programs page for a list of government financial aid programs by province and territory.
- If you do not meet Ontario’s residency requirements, you may be eligible for government financial aid through your home province or territory.
- be enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program
- be studying full-time or part-time at an OSAP approved institution
Most Undergraduate, Master’s, and Doctoral degree programs at Carleton are approved for OSAP purposes. If you are enrolled as a Special Student, or in a diploma or certificate program, please contact us to determine your eligibility for OSAP funding.
Special students (non-degree students) who have been suspended from a particular degree at the University are not eligible for OSAP funding during the period of suspension.
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The amount of money you can get from OSAP is based on your assessed financial need. OSAP looks at two factors to determine this:
- Your education expenses: the amount of money you need to cover tuition, books, childcare, personal living expenses, supplies, and equipment.
- Your personal financial situation: the amount of money you and your family are expected to contribute, based on income, family size, and other factors.
The online OSAP Aid Estimator can provide you with a funding estimate based on a few factors. Remember that this is an estimate only! Submitting an application will provide you with an accurate assessment based on your individual situation.
Full-time vs Part-time OSAP
OSAP funding is available for both full-time and part-time post-secondary students. If you are unsure which program is best for you, contact us.
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Undergraduate
You must be taking 60% or more of a full course load to be considered for the full-time student assistance program (Full-time OSAP).This means a minimum course load of 1.5 credits per term for undergraduate students.
Graduate
You must be designated as a full-time graduate student by the Office of Graduate Studies.
If you are a full-time graduate student, you will enter a 100% course load on your OSAP application regardless of the number of credits you are taking.
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Undergraduate
You must be taking less than 60% of a full course load to be considered for the part-time student assistance program (Part-time OSAP).
This means a course load of less than 1.5 credits per term for undergraduate students.
Graduate
You must be designated as a part-time graduate student by the Office of Graduate Studies.
If you are a part-time graduate student, you will enter a 50% course load on your OSAP application, regardless of the number of credits you are taking.
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If you have a registered permanent disability, then you are eligible for either Full-time or Part-time OSAP funding when taking a 40% course load (1.0 credit per term).
The full-time program will provide you with funding for tuition, books and living costs.
The part-time program will only provide you with funding for tuition and books.
Students in a Co-op Work Term
Co-op work terms are considered full-time for OSAP purposes. If you have previously received OSAP funding but don’t plan on applying during your work term then make sure that you complete an Interest-Free Status application.
Fall/Winter
If you plan on completing a work and study term, or two work terms, during the academic year then you must complete two separate OSAP applications. This means submitting one application for your work term and one for your study term, or an application for each of your work terms.
Updating your income
It’s important to report your study period income as accurately as possible on your OSAP application. When reporting your income don’t forget to include your expected earnings from your co-op work placement. If you have already submitted your application and need to update your reported income, contact the Awards Office. We can take care of that for you.
Taking classes
Many students decide to take a half-credit course while completing a work-term. When you apply for OSAP and select a work term, your funding will be assessed based on your co-op fees.
If you plan to take a class and would like to be assessed for additional funding, send us an email so we can update your application to reflect your additional tuition and fee costs. Make sure that you include your student number in any email that you send to us.
Course Load Percentage Guide
Fall/Winter
| Undergraduate Course Credits per term | OSAP course load percentage | OSAP funding available |
| 0.5 credits | 20% | Part-time |
| 1.0 credits | 40% | Part-time, or full-time for students with a permanent or prolonged/persistent disability |
| 1.5 credits | 60% | Full-time |
| Co-op Work Term | 100% | Full-time |
| 2.0 or more credits | 100% | Full-time |
Note:
There is no 80% course load during the fall/winter terms.
Summer
| Undergraduate Course Credits per term | OSAP course load percentage | OSAP Funding Available |
| 0.5 Credits | 20% | Part-Time |
| 1.0 Credits | 40% | Part-Time or Full-Time (for students with a confirmed permanent disability) |
| 1.5 Credits | 60% | Full-Time |
| 2.0 Credits | 80% | Full-Time |
| 2.5 Credits or more | 100% | Full-Time |
| Co-op Work Term | 100% | Full-Time |
National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC)
We encourage students to watch The National Student Loan Service Centre’s orientation video below.
You will learn more about:
- Who is involved in the world of student loan funding and who you should contact in various situations.
- The 3 stages of your student loan and what happens in each of those stages.
- Repaying your student loan and what happens if you can’t or don’t make your payments.
- How the National Student Loan Service Center keeps in touch with you and how to create and make the most of your NSLSC.ca online services account.