Applying for OSAP

Apply Online

1. Register online for an OSAP Account. You will create your OSAP profile – your personal information, such as your date of birth, high school graduation date, your address, etc.  You will need your Social Insurance Number (SIN) to create your OSAP account. Enter your first and last name as they appear on your SIN card (or the Confirmation of SIN).
   • TIP – Write down your OSAP Access Number (OAN) and password as you’ll need them every time you login to OSAP.
   • Choose the “Check online” option on your OSAP profile to receive the email notification anytime the status of your application changes.

Every time you apply for OSAP, you will be asked to confirm the information in your profile and you can make changes to the information as required.

1. Apply for OSAP. You apply each year and if you want to receive your funding during the first week of classes, we recommend you do so at least two months before classes start.
   • For Fall and Fall/Winter, apply by June 30
   • For Winter, apply by October 30
   • For Summer, apply by April 1

It takes about 15 minutes to complete an application. You can start an application and come back to it if you need. Here’s the information you will need to complete your application:

• UTSC students will choose University of Toronto as the institution
• Choose your program and year of study from the list. If you're not able to find your program search programs by typing Scarborough. Do not manually type in your program name as this may significantly delay your funding. You can always change a program on your application by completing the OSAP Application Update Form.
• Declare your course load. Incorrectly declaring your course load may give you an inaccurate assessment of your funding. Refer to the chart below to help you determine your correct course load. Don't worry, if your course load changes after you apply, you can make changes using the OSAP Application Update Form.
• Your tax information (if you have filed a return)
• Your parents’ or spouse’s SIN (if applicable) and their personal information
• Your parents’ or spouse’s tax information – this is information, such as income and other information found in an income tax return.

1. Submit your OSAP application by the deadline. All applications for full time funding must be submitted no later than 60 days before the end of the study period. Check the dates for the relevant session on our website under Important Dates > Financial Deadlines. You can receive an estimate of your OSAP funding after you submit your application.
   Alternatively, you can check back in 3 to 4 days to view the funding calculation (we call it your assessment)
2. Complete your OSAP application. After you submit your application, you will be able to check to see what documents you are required to submit. This step is important. If you miss this step, your funding cannot be released to you. 

First Time Applicants

• Complete the Full-Time Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA).  The MSFAA is a lifetime student loan agreement, so you only need to complete it once. 
• The National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) will send you an email.  When you receive the email, you will need to create an online account with NSLSC and then you will complete your MSFAA online.
• Complete your signature and declarations forms and upload them to your OSAP Account. If applicable, complete the signature and declarations forms for your parent(s) or spouse (if application) and upload these to your account.  Please note that you must upload ALL pages.

All Applicants

• Additional documentation may be required with each application. Always check the Required Documents list to ensure that you have uploaded each required document on the list. Check deadline below in Supporting Documentation Deadline.

Determine Your Course Load

Important Note for Students with a Permanent Disability

Students with a permanent disability notation on their OSAP profile are considered full-time if they register in at least 1.0 credit each semester (40% course load).

Supporting Documentation Deadline

All supporting documentation must be submitted no later than 40 days before the end of the study period. Check the dates for the relevant session on our website under Important Dates > Financial Deadlines.

Processing Timelines

Depending on the time of year, it can take from 3 to 6 weeks to process your application (including the review of the supporting documents required for the application). Our busiest time of year is mid-June to late September and processing can take 5 to 6 weeks during July and August. This means that if you submit a document on August 1, we will be reviewing your document in early to mid-September.

Monitor Your OSAP Account Regularly

Updates about your application will be posted online on your OSAP account. Opt-in for the email notifications so you know as soon as an update has occurred. We recommend you login to your OSAP account once a month to check for messages in the Message Centre and/or to see if there have been any changes to your assessment or additional required documents.

OSAP Definitions

Acquaint yourself with the terminology of OSAP terminology.  You will find this excellent resource on the OSAP website.