ABOUT OSAP
Request to have OSAP Access Restored
Why You Are Locked Out
You are locked out of the OSAP website when you have entered an incorrect password too many times. The lock out ensures that someone cannot figure out your password and get access to your personal information. We wish to ensure your personal information is safe and secure.
How You Are Locked Out
When you make three (3) unsuccessful attempts to gain access to the OSAP website you will be locked out for 24 hours. At the end of the 24 hour period, you may attempt to log in again. If you are unsuccessful a further three (3) times you will be locked out for another 24 hour period. At the end of this second 24 hour period you may attempt to log in a final three (3) times before being locked out from the system permanently. In total, you have nine (9) attempts to access the system before you are locked out permanently.
What To Do When You Are Locked Out
Use Your Challenge Questions
After March 26, 2003, if you successfully logged in you were asked to create two (2) personal challenge questions. If you are locked out of the OSAP website you can click on the "Challenge Questions" link on the log in page and you will be presented with the two questions you submitted. If you answer them successfully, you will then be asked to create a new password and you will be re-directed to the site. Please note that this is a new feature. If you have not already set up your challenge questions, you will be given the following message and you will have to follow the instructions on getting a temporary password.
- If You do not have Challenge Questions and Answers on file. Please use either your OSAP Access Number (OAN) or your Social Insurance Number(SIN) AND your password to log in to the OSAP website. You will then be given the opportunity to create your Challenge Questions and Answers.
Getting a Temporary Password
If you are locked out, you must get a temporary password. Once you have your temporary password and you log in to the OSAP website, you will be asked to create a new password, which you will use from then on to access your application and/or personal information. It is recommended that you write down your log in information, including your password and store it in a safe place.
There are two ways in which you can get a temporary password:
- You can go to a designated financial aid office at a college of applied arts and technology or university in Ontario and get one immediately.
- You can complete a "Request for a Temporary OSAP Password" form and provide acceptable proof of identity to the ministry, who will mail you a letter with your temporary password.
Going to a Financial Aid Office
You must provide a designated financial aid office with your Social Insurance Number and acceptable proof of identity. Once your identity has been established, a temporary password is created on the OSAP computer system. The temporary password is effective immediately.
If the financial aid staff does not have ready access to the OSAP computer system, you will be asked to fill out and sign a short form requesting a temporary password. The temporary password will be effective within one business day.
- One piece of valid photo ID issued in Canada by the federal, provincial or a territorial government (a legible photocopy is acceptable). Examples of acceptable ID are: a valid driver's licence, passport, provincial health card with photo, permanent residency or citizenship card, etc. AND
- One document proving that the Social Insurance Number is your own. For example, you may present your Social Insurance Number card (a legible photocopy is acceptable) or an official Government of Canada document that indicates your Social Insurance Number (e.g., a Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment, a Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions, or a Confirmation of Social Insurance Number from Service Canada).
- If the student does not have photo identification, he or she must contact the appropriate government agency in order to obtain a government-issued photo ID.
Completing a "Request for a Temporary OSAP Password" Form
You must send the ministry a completed Request for a Temporary OSAP Password form, which must be signed by an authorized individual indicating that your identity has been established. This form and a photocopy of acceptable proof of identity that was provided to the authorized individual must be sent to the ministry. They can be faxed to the ministry or mailed to:
Student Financial Assistance Branch
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
PO Box 4500
189 Red River Road, 4th Floor
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6G9
Fax: (807) 343-7278
Once the form and acceptable proof of identity has been received, the ministry will mail you a letter with the temporary password in approximately two weeks.
IMPORTANT:
Do not send duplicate requests! Each request for a temporary password will be handled as received. Sending duplicate requests will generate multiple passwords. This will cause you to be locked out of the system as the first password you receive will become invalid as soon as another is generated by the system. You will remain locked out of the system until you submit another temporary password request, significantly increasing your delay in accessing the OSAP site.
An authorized individual includes:
- a postsecondary institution official (e.g., financial aid administrator or registrar)
- Judge, magistrate, police officer (RCMP, provincial, or Municipal)
- Lawyer (member of a provincial bar association)
- Mayor
- Medical Doctor, Dentist
- Minister of Religion authorized under provincial law to perform marriages
- Notary Public
- Principal of secondary school
- Professional accountant (member of APA, CA, CGA, CMA, or RPA)
- Signing officer of a bank or a trust company or full-time Manager of a credit union
- Senior official of an embassy or consulate.
