For step-by-step instructions on how to apply for either full- or part-time OSAP you can check out our instructions below:
Apply for Fall/Winter 2023-2024 Full-Time OSAP
Apply for Fall/Winter 2023-2024 One Term OSAP
Apply for Fall/Winter 2023-2024 Part-Time OSAP
Don’t know if you’re full-time or part-time? Check out our course load requirements.
If you’re unsure about your study period, you can check out our study period start and end dates.
On this page
What is OSAP?
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.
| Grant | = | Money that you will NOT have to repay. |
| Loan | = | Borrowed money that you will have to repay. Loans through OSAP are interest and payment-free while you are a full-time student. |
Transcript – NSLSC Orientation Presentation
Before going further into the details of OSAP funding, we encourage students to watch The National Student Loan Service Centre’s orientation webinar linked above. 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.
Full-Time vs Part-Time OSAP
OSAP funding is available for both full-time and part-time post-secondary students.
Full-time
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:
Graduate students must be designated as a full-time graduate student by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs. 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.
Part-Time
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 fewer than 1.5 credits per term for undergraduate students.
Graduate:
Graduate students must be designated as a part-time graduate student by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs. If you area part-time graduate student, you will enter a 50% course load on your OSAP application, regardless of the number of credits you are taking.
Students with a Permanent Disability
Students with a permanent disability 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 whereas the part-time program will only provide you with funding for tuition and books. If you are unsure which program is best for you, contact us.
Summary of Fall/Winter Course Load Requirements
| Undergraduate Course Credits per term | Course Load | OSAP funding available |
| 2.0 or more credits | 100% | Full-time |
| Co-op Work Term | 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 credits | 20% | Part-time |
How OSAP Aid is Determined
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. Submitting an application will provide you with an accurate assessment based on your individual situation.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for OSAP funding, you must:
- be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident or Protected Person
- meet Ontario’s provincial residency requirements
- 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.
Note: 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.
For a detailed explanation of citizenship and provincial residency requirements, please view our OSAP eligibility definitions.
If you do not meet Ontario’s residency requirements, you may be eligible for government financial aid through your home province or territory. Visit carleton.ca/awards/sfa for a list of government financial aid programs by province and territory.
How to Apply
Step 1: Apply online at ontario.ca/osap
All students who wish to receive OSAP for the upcoming academic year must submit a new application online. This means that if you are a returning student and received OSAP in previous years you must re-apply every year. For new students, you must first register as a new user on the OSAP website and then submit your online application.
Step 2: Upload supporting documents
If you need to provide documents to support your application they will be listed on the Print/Upload page of your OSAP account. Review the document requirements carefully. When you have your documents ready, scan them and return to the Print/Upload page to upload them to your OSAP account.
Step 3: Complete your MSFAA
The Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA) is a multi-year financial aid agreement that outlines your responsibilities and the terms and conditions of accepting student loans and grants. Additionally, your MSFAA is where you provide your banking information for the deposit of your OSAP funding. You are only required to submit an MSFAA once. When you apply for OSAP for subsequent academic years, you will not be asked to resubmit an MSFAA.
You complete your MSFAA on the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC)’s website. The NSLSC will send you a “Welcome Email” when it is time for you to register for your online account and complete your MSFAA.
Step 4: Monitor your application
After you have completed and submitted your application, it will be reviewed for completeness and the information you submitted will be used to calculate the amount of funding you are eligible to receive. At this stage, it is very important that you monitor your application’s progress. If certain information is missing or invalid you will be contacted directly via the OSAP Message Centre and your Carleton e-mail account.
To view detailed information about the status of your application and your funding entitlement, log in to your OSAP account and review your Funding Summary at Ontario.ca/osap.
Getting Your Money
If you have applied for Full-time OSAP
OSAP funding is typically released in two installments. Generally, you would receive your first installment in the first week of September (for the fall term) and your second installment in the first week of January (for the winter term).
If you apply after your study period has begun, your funding will be released as soon as your application has processed.
Confirmation of Enrollment
Confirmation of enrollment is done by the Awards Office. If you have submitted all required documents and are registered in the course load you indicated on your application, your enrollment will be confirmed automatically.
Before your funding can be released each term, the Awards Office must confirm your enrollment at Carleton with OSAP. This is typically done a few days prior to your funding release date each term. If you have not submitted all required documents or registered in the appropriate course load, your OSAP will be placed on hold and your enrollment will not be confirmed. You should regularly check your Carleton email account for messages from the Awards Office regarding your OSAP application.
If you have applied for Part-time OSAP
Part-time OSAP funding is generally released in one large installment at the beginning of the fall term, although a small portion of your grant funding may be held until the beginning of your second term.
Confirmation of Enrollment
Confirmation of enrollment is done by the Awards Office. If you have submitted all required documents and are registered in the course load you indicated on your application, your enrollment will be confirmed automatically.
Before your funding can be released each term, the Awards Office must confirm your enrollment at Carleton with OSAP. This is typically done a few days prior to your funding release date each term. If you have not submitted all required documents or registered in the appropriate course load, your OSAP will be placed on hold and your enrollment will not be confirmed. You should regularly check your Carleton email account for messages from the Awards Office regarding your OSAP application.
Paying your Fees with OSAP
If you are planning to pay your tuition and fees with OSAP, your payment due date can be extended so that it aligns with when your OSAP is released. This is called a payment deferral.
You must be approved for OSAP funding to receive a payment deferral. This means you must complete the application process on or before the standard payment due dates of August 25 for the fall term and November 25 for the winter term.
If you meet all of the conditions for a payment deferral, then your fee payment will be automatically deferred. You can log into Carleton Central to see if you have been approved for the payment deferral. For more information about the conditions required to receive the payment deferral, visit the Student Accounts Fee Payment page and scroll down to the OSAP section.
If your OSAP application is on hold or you have not been approved for funding by the fee payment deadline, you will not receive a deferral and will be expected to meet the standard fee payment deadline.
