If estranged from or disowned by parent(s) due to extenuating circumstances:

2023-24 OSAP Application for Full-time Students

Note: The ministry considers this situation to go beyond normal disagreements between parents and children. In order for this review to be approved, the situation must involve a serious rift in the family that results in a severe and/or permanent breakdown in the student’s relationship with one or both parents.

Students must complete the 2023-24 OSAP: Parent Information Not Available form as well as the following:

1. Provide documentation from at least one professional third party who was directly involved with the family breakdown (e.g., social worker, physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, counsellor, children’s shelter staff). This documentation must:

    • outline the reason(s) why you are estranged from or have been disowned by one or both parents;
    • provide relevant date(s)/timeline(s) pertaining to this situation and additional supporting documentation, if appropriate (e.g., court reports, police reports, medical documentation); and
    • contain the signature and contact information for the third party, including telephone number, address and e-mail address.

Note: If a professional third party was not involved, documentation from at least two other appropriate third parties who were familiar with the situation can be submitted for consideration (e.g., siblings aged sixteen or older, grandparents, other relatives). This documentation must:

    • outline the reason(s) why you are estranged from or have been disowned by one or both parents;
    • provide relevant date(s)/timeline(s) pertaining to this situation and additional supporting documentation, if appropriate (e.g., court reports, police reports, medical documentation); and
    • contain the signature and contact information for each third party, including telephone number, address and e-mail address.

2. Provide a letter from you including the following information:

    • a general explanation of the situation and the event(s) or action(s) that led to the rift with parent(s), including the date of the final serious rift and the date when you left home;
    • indication the rift is severe and/or permanent;
    • description of the communications, if any, with parent(s) since the rift;
    • how you have supported yourself since leaving home; and
    • possibility of reconciliation with parent(s).

3. Provide proof that you are not living with parent(s) (e.g., a copy of your lease or rental agreement, or, if you do not have a lease or rental agreement, a letter confirming your residence from the individual who owns or rents the home you are living in).

4. Provide proof that you are not receiving financial supports from your parent(s) (e.g., receipt of alternative financial support you may be receiving such as Ontario Works, or a pay stub to indicate that you have been working to support your own living costs).

If your parent is unable to sign required OSAP documentation due to extreme circumstances:

Students must complete the 2023-24 OSAP: Parent Information Not Available form as well as the following:

1. Provide a letter of explanation of why parental signatures cannot reasonably be provided. Include your name, date, and detailed information on the extreme circumstances that support why your parent is unable to sign the required documentation. Reasons may include, but are not limited to:

    • mail cannot be delivered to your parent(s) or technological access is limited.
    • political unrest, civil war or refugee camp conditions make it difficult for parent(s) to provide their signature.
    • you are unaware of the whereabouts of your parent(s) due to the political climate in your home country.

Note: If you have made attempts to obtain parental signatures, the letter must also include information regarding the communication attempts made to obtain them.

2. Provide at minimum, one of the following supporting documents proving why parental signatures cannot reasonably be provided:

    • A letter supporting your claim from a third-party settlement or immigration organization that works with you or your family (for example, World University Service of Canada (WUSC)) on the organization’s letterhead. The letter should be signed and dated by a senior representative of the organization and include their name, contact information, and position within the organization.
    • A Reason for the Decision in a Hearing document from the Immigration and Refugee Board that confirms you arrived in Canada without your parent(s) due to extreme circumstances in your home country.
    • Any other relevant refugee/immigration documentation that supports your independent status and extreme circumstances occurring where your parent(s) reside.
    • If third-party supporting documentation is not available, you must provide a copy of your lease or rental agreement. If you do not have a lease or rental agreement, provide a letter confirming your residence from the individual who owns or rents the home you are living in.

If you have questions about the requirements listed above, contact your financial aid office for help.