Your 2024 Guide to OSAP Applications

Key Takeaways

• Prepare your SIN, OEN, income information, and commissioned affidavits to verify your marital status or Indigenous identity before starting an OSAP application.
• Begin the application process by creating an account on the OSAP website and filling out the application with the appropriate details.
• Get the completed application and required documents ready to avoid delays.
• OSAP will send an offer once the submission is finished, so review it in your account and check the terms.
• Upon accepting the offer, the funds from OSAP will either be disbursed to you or your school.

How to Apply for OSAP 

If you are a student in need of financial assistance for postsecondary education in Ontario, the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a government-funded program that can help. In this blog, we will guide you through the process of applying for OSAP.

Step 1: Gather Your Information

Before starting your application, it is important to gather all the necessary information you will need. This includes your Social Insurance Number (SIN), your Ontario Education Number (OEN) if you attended high school in Ontario, and your bank account information. You will also need to provide your parents’ or spouse’s income information if you are a dependent student.

You’ll also be required to provide an authenticated affidavit confirming details about your OSAP application. For additional detail, please read the section titled “Preparing your OSAP Affidavit”. You’ll need to provide an affidavit to confirm the following as it applies to you:

• Common-law status: You must provide an affidavit signed by you and your spouse to confirm:
  • You have lived together continuously for a period of not less than three years, or
  • You are in a relationship of some permanence and are the natural or adoptive parents of a child.
• Sole support parent (widowed or never married): You must provide an affidavit confirming you have sole legal custody of your children, who will live with you full-time during the academic year.
• Separated, divorced or widowed (no dependent children): If you do not have a separation agreement or court order, you can provide an affidavit confirming your separation.
• Indigenous identity: If you do not have an approved official document (as stated in the OSAP application) that proves your Indigenous identity, you may provide an affidavit confirming your Indigenous identity and an explanation of why official documentation is unavailable.
• Spouse income verification: Canadian non-taxable and/or foreign income: An affidavit to prove the amount, currency and sources of a spouse’s foreign income or to explain why a spouse did not have any income.
• Parent income verification: Canadian non-taxable and/or foreign income: An affidavit to prove the amount, currency and sources of foreign income, or to explain why a parent did not have any income.
• Marital status: An affidavit signed by you and your spouse to confirm the date of your marriage.

To confirm whether you should create an OSAP affidavit, please contact your financial aid office or the National Student Loans Service Centre.

Step 2: Create an OSAP Account

The first step in applying for OSAP is to create an account on the OSAP website. Once you have created an account, you will be given a username and password that you can use to log in and access your application.

Step 3: Complete the Application

The OSAP application is divided into several sections. You will need to provide information about your personal and academic background, as well as details about your program of study and the institution you will be attending.

You will also need to provide information about your financial situation, including your income and expenses. OSAP uses this information to determine your eligibility for financial assistance.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

Once you have completed your application, you will need to submit it online through your OSAP account. You will also need to submit any supporting documentation, such as income tax returns and proof of enrollment.

Step 5: Review Your Application and Accept Your Offer

After you have submitted your application, OSAP will review it and send you an offer of financial assistance. You will need to log in to your OSAP account to review your offer and accept it if you are satisfied with the amount offered.

Step 6: Receive Your Funding

Once you have accepted your offer, OSAP will release your funding to your school. You can then use the funds to pay for tuition, books, and other educational expenses.

Preparing your OSAP Affidavit 

To apply for OSAP, students must fill out an application form and provide supporting documentation, including an affidavit.

By definition, an affidavit is a written statement made under oath or affirmation that is used as evidence in legal proceedings. In the case of OSAP, the affidavit is a document that verifies certain information provided by the student in their application. The purpose of the affidavit is to ensure that the information provided by the student is accurate and truthful.

There are several types of information that may be required in your affidavit as part of the OSAP application process. These include:

• Income Verification: This is used to verify the income of the student and/or their spouse or parent(s). It is typically required if the student or their family has experienced a significant change in income since the previous tax year, or if there are discrepancies in the income reported on the application.
• Declaration of a Common-Law Relationship or Marital Status: This is required if the student is in a common-law relationship or married and is claiming their partner’s income for the purposes of their OSAP application.
• Declaration of Status in Canada: This is required if the student is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and is required to provide proof of their immigration status.
• Confirmation of Enrollment: This is used to confirm that the student is enrolled in an eligible program of study at an approved institution.
• Signature and Declaration: This is a general declaration that the information provided by the student in their OSAP application is true and accurate.
• Declaration of Indigenous Identity: If you do not have an approved official document that proves your Indigenous identity, you may provide an additional affidavit confirming your Indigenous identity and an explanation of why official documentation is unavailable.

It is important to note that submitting a false affidavit or providing false information on an OSAP application is considered fraud and can result in serious consequences, including fines, imprisonment, and a permanent criminal record.

In order to ensure that your OSAP application is processed smoothly and without delay, it is important to carefully review and provide accurate and truthful information. If you are unsure about any aspect of the application or the affidavit process, it is recommended that you seek assistance from a financial aid advisor or other qualified professional.

Important OSAP Deadlines for 2024

Each year, these deadlines are set by OSAP. The vast majority of educational institutions in Ontario will have these available for you to review online, and will have the most up-to-date information. 

It’s important to note your course start and end date to ensure that you’re applying correctly and on time for your full or part time OSAP or the continuation of your interest-free period between semesters.

The recommended deadlines in these tables are guidelines for your applications, this ensures that you have plenty of extra time for processing or in the event that you need to provide additional information for your application.

There is some variation in the dates for specific institutions across Ontario. It’s best to check with your current or prospective university to ensure that you’re applying on time. Many institutions recommend applying 8 weeks ahead of your semester start date to ensure that you allow enough processing time for your application.