What's New in OSAP

December 06, 2006

2007-2008 Aird Scholarship

The complete 2007-2008 Aird Scholarship Information, Instructions, and Application package is now available in PDF format on the OSAP Website

September 06, 2006

Universal Child Care Benefit and OSAP

The Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) is a monthly taxable benefit for parents with children under the age of six. It provides up to $ 1,200 a year per child, in monthly instalments of $100. This benefit was recently implemented with the passing of the 2006 Federal budget. First payments were distributed in July 2006.

The UCCB will not be included as income for the purposes of calculating assistance through the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). If you have children under the age of six, and you are receiving the UCCB, do not include the expected UCCB amounts when completing your OSAP application.

The introduction of the UCCB will not affect the reporting of income by students’ parents or spouses on the 2006 OSAP application, as prior year income is reported.

July 31, 2006

2006-2007 Ontario Power of Attorney Process

Information about the new Ontario Power of Attorney process for 2006-07 is now available. You may complete and submit the form if you are studying out of the country or out of the province during the 2006-07 academic year, and want to have another person negotiate your loan document on your behalf.

April 20, 2006

2006-2007 OSAP Web Application Released

The 2006-2007 OSAP web application is now available online for students to apply!

Web Application

We strongly urge you to apply online. Just look at the benefits:

• The online application on the OSAP website is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• It is quick and easy to use.
• Your information is secure.
• It has built-in "smarts" to help you to avoid making entry errors.
• There is no application fee when you enter your application online.
• You can get an on-the-spot estimate of the amount of funding you may receive.

Web Renewal Application

Students who have previously applied for OSAP and are continuing into the next year of their program will get an online renewal application. It asks students to provide information relevant to their study period only, which makes it very short and easy to complete. Go to Renewal Application for details.

Paper Application

The paper application will be available for printing early May 2006.

April 03, 2006

2006-2007 Fellowships for Studying in French Application Form is now available in PDF Format

March 31, 2006

College Strike: Important OSAP information for college students

The following information is available regarding Interruption of Classes Due to an Academic Staff Strike: OSAP and Tuition Fee Refund Policy: Frequently Asked Questions

March 8, 2006

News Release

McGuinty government plan to improve quality and access in postsecondary education
Student access guarantee for working families

TORONTO - The McGuinty government is providing a student access guarantee that means no qualified Ontario student will be prevented from attending Ontario’s public colleges and universities due to lack of financial support programs, said Chris Bentley, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.

View the full text at:

English --

http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GPOE
/2006/03/08/c0202.html?lmatch=&lang=_e.html

January 3, 2006

Special Consideration for Canada and Ontario Access Grants

The ministry has sent special letters and forms to students who, due to recent policy changes, may now be eligible for:

• Canada Access Grant for Students from Low-income Families and Millennium/Ontario Access Grant,
• Ontario Access Grant.
  
  Note: only students who are considered eligible will have received the letter and form. In addition, those students will have a notice placed under “Important Messages” on his or her “Application Status Summary” page on the OSAP website. Go to ”Check Status” to find out if you are considered eligible.

Eligible students could receive up to $3,000 from each grant to a maximum of $6,000. The grants are non-repayable but they are considered taxable income, so a T4A will be issued.

Students will be considered for the Canada Access Grant for Students from Low-income Families and the Millennium/Ontario Access Grant if, in the 2005-2006 academic year, he or she:

• is a first-time postsecondary student for,
• is entering postsecondary education within four years of leaving secondary school,
• is taking an undergraduate program that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate,
• is taking a program that is at least two or more years in length, and
• received and/or remain eligible for the Canada portion of the 2005-2006 Canada-Ontario Integrated Student Loan.

Students will be considered for the Ontario Access Grant if, in 2005-2006 academic year, he or she:

•  is a second-year postsecondary student,
• is entering postsecondary education within four years of leaving secondary school,
• is taking an undergraduate program that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate,
• is taking a program that is at least two or more years in length, and
• received and/or remain eligible for the Ontario portion of the 2005-2006 Canada-Ontario Integrated Student Loan.

The ministry has determined, based upon the above criteria, who may be considered for these grants and has mailed directly to them a letter and application form. In order to determine whether a student qualifies for this grant, the ministry requires information from the student’s parent(s) including parent’s net income for the 2004 income tax year. Students who wish to be considered for these grants are directed to ensure that the “consideration” application form is completed and signed by the student’s parent(s) and forwarded to the ministry at the address provided. We suggest that students submit the form and any required supporting documentation as soon as possible; however, the latest that it may be submitted is 30 days before the end of your current study period.

Students will be notified by the ministry, in writing, as to whether or not you have been considered for the grant. It will also be shown on the OSAP website by clicking on “Check Status” for that application.

Generally, how the grant is paid out depends upon whether or not a student has already negotiated all of his or her 2005-2006 Canada-Ontario Integrated Student Loan. If the student has, then the grant(s) is not paid directly to the student, it is sent to the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) to pay down the outstanding balance of the student’s Canada-Ontario Integrated Student Loans. If the student has not already negotiated all of his or her loan, the grant(s) is either given to the student by cheque (Millennium/Ontario Access Grant and Ontario Access Grant) or is issued through a supplemental loan/grant certificate (Canada Access Grant for Low-income Families).

Additional questions should be directed to the ministry at:

Student Support Branch
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
PO Box 4500
189 Red River Road, 4TH Floor
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6G9
(807) 343-7260