OSAP Key Terms

Issued following the failure to meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements. If issued an academic warning, students will be placed on an academic probationary period lasting one academic year, during which time they are still eligible for OSAP funding, but are required, at minimum, to submit a “letter of explanation” which must include;

• The circumstances which affected your academic performance
• The steps you are taking to improve your academic progress
• Your academic goals

Failure to meet OSAP’s minimum academic progress requirements while on academic probation will result in your probation being upgraded to a restriction. A restriction may last 1-5 academic years, during which a student is ineligible to receive OSAP funding.

The term(s) for which you are currently registered as a full time student. Your academic period may be fall or winter only, fall and winter or summer.

An affidavit is a sworn written statement. You are swearing that the contents written in the affidavit are true. That document is then signed by a lawyer, a commissioner of oaths, or a notary public.

An affidavit is generally required by OSAP if you need to provide supporting documentation but are unable to provide an official document. For example, an affidavit may be required to support your relationship status (such as a common-law relationship).

You can get an affidavit by booking an appointment at a City of Ottawa Client Service Centre.

Refers to your Transit, Bank I.D., and Account Number. Preferably, this should be obtained through a void cheque for your bank account, or a direct deposit slip from your bank. However, this information can also be acquired by accessing your online bank account or contacting your bank by phone.

Note: This information is needed upon the pick up of your OSAP Loan/Grant Certificate. Once the loan has been released by the Awards & Financial Aid Office, it will need to be taken to representatives from the National Student Loan Service Centre, or designated Canada Post outlet to be mailed out. In order for the funding on the certificate to be issued to your personal bank account, this information must be provided.

As outlined in the Ontario Family Law Act, you’re living in a common-law relationship if you and your spouse:

• have cohabitated continuously for a period of at least 3 years or
• are in a relationship of some permanence and are the natural or adoptive parents of a child

For the 2018-19 academic year, compulsory fees include service and education-related costs charged by your school, such as:

• co-op fees
• student activity fees
• athletic fees
• health services
• student union fees
• laboratory fees
• field placement
• technology (excluding computer purchase or lease fees)
• professional fees

It does not include fees such as late registration charges, parking or special tests or exam fees.

New for 2019-20:

Compulsory fees will only include the fees that all students must pay.

These fees fund campus-wide services, such as:

• health services
• athletic fees
• Walksafe programs

Before your OSAP funding can be released each term, the Awards Office must confirm your enrolment at Carleton with OSAP.

We attempt to automatically confirm your enrolment at the start of each term. If you are registered in the course load that you indicated on your OSAP application, and have submitted all required supporting documents, there is nothing you need to do.

If you have not submitted all required documents or registered in the course load you indicated on your application, your OSAP funding will be placed on hold and your enrolment will not be confirmed.

For more information, including Confirmation of Enrolment for Part-Time students, read our blog post How Confirmation of Enrolment Works.

A document mailed to you, 6-8 weeks before the end of your grace period, by the National Student Loan Service Centre which outlines;

• Your total loan amount
• Your interest rate
• Your repayment term (how long it will take you to repay your loan)
• Your monthly payment
• Your first payment date

Note: Your first payment will be due on the last day of the month marking your “Consolidation Date”

Example: Mike’s Consolidation Date is November 1; his first payment is due November 30.

The first day of the seventh month following the month you ceased to be a full time student. On this day, all of your outstanding loans are consolidated.

Example 1: Johnny finished being a full time student at the end of April, when he graduated. His consolidation date is November 1.

Example 2: Sally withdrew from full time studies in October for medical reasons. Her consolidation date is May 1.

If all of the following are true, you are a dependent student for the 2018-19 academic year:

• you’re not married or in a common-law relationship
• you’re not separated, divorced or widowed
• you’re not a sole-support parent
• you’ve been out of high school for less than 4 years before the start of your study period
• you haven’t worked full-time for at least 24 months in a row

New for 2019-20

If all of the following are true, you are a dependent student:

• you’re not married or in a common-law relationship
• you’re not separated, divorced or widowed
• you’re not a sole-support parent
• you’ve been out of high school for less than 6 years before the start of your study period
  • if you applied for 2018-19 OSAP for Full-Time Students and you were 4 or more years out of high school in 2018-19, you are still considered an independent student
• you haven’t worked full-time for at least 24 months in a row

Not everyone receives the same amount of OSAP. The amount you qualify for is called your entitlement. Your entitlement is based on information

• you provide on your application
• from your postsecondary school, and
• verified with third parties (for example, the Canada Revenue Agency)

The amount of OSAP you have been approved to receive for the academic session based on the assessment of your application and supporting documentation.

Refers to the approximate amount of funding you may be eligible to receive based upon the unverified information you have inputted into your OSAP application. As an estimate, this amount is subject to change once official processing and verification of this information begins.

OSAP expects that you and your family have planned for your full-time post secondary education. The purpose of OSAP is to supplement, not replace your resources.

In general, you’re expected to contribute towards your educational costs.

• For 2018-19, your contribution would be $3,000.
• New for 2019-20: Your contribution will be $3,600.

However, your contribution could be waived in some situations (e.g., if you have one or more children or you receive continued care and support from an Ontario Children’s Aid Society, or you self-identify as an Indigenous student). A contribution may also be expected based on your assets and/or your spouse’s (if applicable).

A financial contribution may be expected from your parents or spouse, depending on their income.

A family breakdown is when you are estranged from your parent(s) due to documented mental, physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse or drug or alcohol addiction in your family.

We will tell you what supporting documents you’ll need to provide when you apply.

If you have any questions about the documents required, contact us for more information.

OSAP is a needs-based program. This means that financial aid for full-time students is based on a formula that compares your education costs with expected financial contributions.

The formula is:

OSAP allowable educational costs & allowances MINUS Expected Financial Contribution = Financial Need

OSAP allowable educational costs & allowances 

• tuition and compulsory fees
• books and supplies
• equipment
• computer
• personal living expenses
• child care
• transportation

Expected Financial Contribution

• student income
• student assets
• parental or spousal income
  (if applicable)
• spousal assets
  (if applicable)

New for 2019-20:

Only fees that all students must pay, such as health services and athletic fees will be considered in the calculation above.

You’re considered a Francophone student if:

• your mother tongue is French or
• you studied in French at the elementary or secondary level or
• you are/were enrolled in a postsecondary program offered at least partially in French

To be considered for the full-time student assistance program (Full-time OSAP), you must be taking at least 60% (1.5 credits) of a full course load. If you have a permanent disability, you may choose to be considered a full-time student if you’re taking at least 40% (1.0 credits) of a full course load.

Note: Students completing a work-term for a co-operative program are considered full-time for OSAP purposes.

While completing an OSAP application, you will be asked to provide information on the type and amount of government income you expect to receive during the study period.

If you receive Second Career, WSIB, or Postsecondary Student Support Program funding, you must enter the full amount of funding you will receive for the study period  including mounts for tuition fees, books, transportation costs, dependent care, basic living costs, and any other costs. Do not include amounts you will receive, if any, for disability-related expenses.

If you are an Ontario Disability Support Program or Ontario Works recipient enter the total amount of income support you will receive during your study period. If your spouse or parent(s) are the direct recipient of ODSP or OW, do not enter their income support here. If you are receiving a Canada Apprenticeship Loan for your current study period, you are not eligible to apply for OSAP funding.

The 6 month period immediately following the end of your full time studies. You will be charged interest on the Ontario portion of your loan during your 6-month grace period. This interest will be added to your loan balance (“loan principal”).

All income reported on your OSAP application is later verified by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development through the Canada Revenue Agency. If there is a discrepancy between the income reported to the CRA and that reported on your OSAP application, your student loan may be reassessed to determine if you were eligible for the full amount of funding you received. A significant discrepancy may result in a restriction from receiving OSAP funding in the future.

If you’re applying to OSAP as a full-time student, you’re considered a single independent student if both of the following are true:

• you’re not currently married or in a common-law relationship
• you don’t have any dependent children

AND if at least one of the following applies to you:

For the 2018-2019 academic year:

• you’ve been out of high school for 4 or more years at the start of your study period
• you’ve worked full-time for at least 24 months in a row
• both your parents are deceased
• you’re currently a child in extended society care or in the care of the Crown just prior to age 18
• you’re currently receiving a Continued Care and Support for Youth program allowance from your Children’s Aid Society

For the 2019-20 academic year:

• You’ve been out of high school for 6 or more years at the start of your study period.
  • If you applied for 2018-19 OSAP for Full-Time Students and you were 4 or more years out of high school in 2018-19, you are still considered an independent student.
• You’ve worked full-time for at least 24 months in a row.
• Both your parents are deceased.
• You’re currently a child in extended society care or in the care of the Crown just prior to age 18.
• You’re currently receiving a Continued Care and Support for Youth program allowance from your Children’s Aid Society.

Allows you to postpone repaying your loans while you are registered as a full time post-secondary school student. The Government of Canada and/or the Province of Ontario will pay the interest on those loans on your behalf. This is contingent on you, the student, notifying the National Student Loan Service Centre of your enrollment.

For the purposes of OSAP, this refers to a student who;

• Is married or has a spouse with whom they are living in a common law relationship
• May, or may not, have dependent children living with them on a full time basis while they are in school

This document replaces previous federal and provincial loan agreements and outlines all of the terms and conditions of accepting and repaying provincial and federal funding.

MSFAA terms and conditions for Ontario residents are listed on the Government of Canada website.

What is the Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA)?

The MSFAA is a multi-year federal and provincial loan agreement. It outlines your responsibilities and the terms and conditions of accepting and repaying your student loans. When you sign your MSFAA, you are signing two contracts: one between yourself and the Government of Canada, and one between yourself and your provincial government.

Your MSFAA doesn’t specify the amount of assistance you qualify for; you’ll receive a separate Notice of Assessment from your province or territory that tells you how much you’ll receive in federal and provincial loans as well as any Canada Student Grants or provincial grants you may qualify for.

What do I do with it?

In short: Read it, sign it, submit it!

Before any funding can be released to you, you must submit your Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA) to the National Student Loan Service Centre (NSLSC). Here’s how:

1. After completing your application, OSAP will let you know in 3-4 business days if you need to complete an MSFAA.
2. The NSLSC will send you an email when it’s time to register for your online account and complete your MSFAA online.
3. Click on the link, create a profile and create an NSLSC account
4. Input the MSFAA # and your banking info and submit.

Read the terms and conditions of the MSFAA.

OSAP works with the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC). They are responsible for administering OSAP loans, which includes processing your MSFAA.

To be considered for Full-time OSAP, you must be taking 60% or more of a full course load. For undergraduate students, this means a minimum course load of 1.5 credits per term. Students with a permanent disability are eligible for Full-time OSAP when taking a 40% course load (1.0 credit per term)

Overview: Course Load Requirements

Also referred to as the Ministry, MAESD is responsible for the administration of laws relating to education and skills training programs in the province of Ontario, this includes;

1. Distributing funds allocated by the provincial legislature to colleges and universities
2. Providing financial assistance programs to post secondary school students (i.e. OSAP).

The National Student Loan Service Centre (NSLSC) is one of three partners who are responsible for the disbursement of OSAP, in conjunction with the Canada/Ontario Integrated Student Loan Program and Carleton University. The NSLSC is under agreement with the federal government to administer the student financial assistance programs offered through the Government of Canada and/or the Province of Ontario. The NSLSC is responsible for;

1.  The disbursment of OSAP funds to Carleton University to pay a portion of your tuition fees, and the depositing of loan/grant funding into your personal bank account.
2.  Processing payments, responding to inquiries and offering assistance programs in regards to repaying government student loans.

To be considered an Ontario Resident, a student must meet at least one of the following criteria;

• As of the first day of the student’s study period, Ontario is the last province in which the student resided for 12 consecutive months without being a full-time post-secondary student; or
• If the student is married as of the first day of the student’s study period, Ontario is the last province in which the student’s spouse resided for 12 consecutive months without being a full-time post-secondary student; or
• if the student is a single dependent student as of the first day of the student’s study period, Ontario is the last province in which the student’s parent(s), step-parent(s), legal guardians(s) or official sponsor(s) resided for at least 12 consecutive months. Where parents/step-parents are separated or divorced, this requirement refers to the residency of the parent which whom the student normally resides, or who financially supports the student.

A provincial program designed to assist in reducing the amount of annual debt a student accumulates while attending post secondary school. You do not apply for this program, you are automatically assessed once your study period has ended. Eligible students will have, at minimum, been approved for, and picked up student loan funding that exceeded $7,300 for a two-term academic session, or $10,950 for a three-term academic session.

You can learn more about the Ontario Student Opportunity Grant at ontario.ca/osap.

Occurs when you have been issued more OSAP funding then you are entitled to have received. This may happen because;

1. You have increased your personal resources (e.g. more employment income than expected)
2. You withdrew from your program, or reduced your course load while receiving OSAP

NOTE: If you have been notified of an overpayment, contact the Awards & Financial Aid Office as soon as possible.

A student who is enrolled in a post secondary institution and is taking a course load which is less than 60% (1.5 credits) of a full course load, or less than 40% (1.0 credits) for a student with a registered disability.

For the purposes of OSAP, this refers to a functional limitation that is caused by a physical or mental impairment that restricts one’s ability to perform the daily activities necessary to participate in studies at a post-secondary level. This limitation and/or impairment is permanent and ongoing. At Carleton University, students with a permanent disability are encouraged to register with the Paul Menton Centre.

If you are placed on Academic Probation for failing to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress, you will be required provide Proof of Academic Progress in order to be eligible for future funding.

Proof of Academic Progress can be provided by submitting an Academic Response Letter to your Financial Aid Advisor at the Awards Office.

Your letter must outline:

1. The circumstances if any that affected your academic performance during your most recent academic year;
2. The steps you will take during your probationary period to improve your academic progress;
3. A description of your academic goals.

Your letter can be submitted via email to awards@carleton.ca, mail, or in-person. We encourage you to use our Academic Response Letter Template when determining the structure and what to include in your letter.

There are situations when you will be asked to provide proof of your Social Insurance Number (SIN) such as when you submit your Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement at a designated Canada Post outlet, or if you visit the Awards Office to reset your Ontario Access Number.

Proof of your SIN can be:

• A Social Insurance Number (SIN) card, or
• SIN Confirmation letter issued by the Government of Canada, or
• Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions, or
• Temporary SIN card

A Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) is a savings account that is registered by the Government of Canada and allows money deposited for postsecondary education to grow tax-free until the person named as beneficiary enrols in postsecondary studies after high school. Withdrawals from RESPs may be Educational Assistance Payments (EAP) and Refunds of Contribution (ROC). A student can receive funding from an RESP through the EAP (amount cashed in or withdrawn for the student) and the ROC (amount withdrawn by RESP contributor such as a parent), which can be forwarded to the student. When entering income from a RESP on your OSAP application, enter only the EAP amount you have received or will receive for this study period even if you receive it before the start of the study period.

The period during which you are making monthly payments on your student loan(s). This may be the time after your grace period has ended and you are not, or have not notified the National Student Loan Service Centre that you are, a full time student, or after being notified of mandatory repayment (e.g. failed to meet satisfactory academic progress more than once).

Our page on repaying your government student loans details the repayment process.

Assists borrowers who are having difficulty repaying their loans. There are two stages of this program; Interest Relief & Debt Reduction. During periods of repayment assistance you will either be exempt from making monthly payments or asked to make affordable monthly payments.

For eligibility requirements, terms, and conditions, visit the Repayment Assistance Plan page on canada.ca.

For the purposes of OSAP, this refers to you, the student, passing at least;

• 3.0 credits if you are registered for a two term academic session (e.g. fall and winter)
• 2.0 credits if you are a student with a permanent disability who is registered for a two term academic session (e.g. fall and winter)
• 1.5 credits if you are registered for a one term academic session (e.g. fall or winter or full summer)
• 1.0 credit if you are a student with a permanent disability who is registered for a one term academic session (e.g. fall or winter or full summer)

Note: Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements of the summer session may be different.

For OSAP, you’re a sole-support parent if:

• you have a dependent child or children living with you full-time during your study period and
• you’re single, separated, divorced or widowed

A partnership between Carleton University and the Government of Ontario to ensure that no qualified Ontario student should be prevented from attending University due to lack of financial support programs.

For OSAP, the study period is the time period used to determine the amount of OSAP funding you’re eligible to receive for the OSAP academic year. It also determines your deadline dates.

Usually your OSAP study period is the normal school year for your program. It may include one or more terms. Contact us if you are unsure about your study period.