The process of lining up at your school’s financial aid office to get your OSAP loan document before each term is ending. Canada and Ontario are implementing a lifetime loan agreement that will cover you for all the time you are in full-time postsecondary studies. This lifetime loan agreement is called the “Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA)”.
You’ll be able to print your personalized MSFAA anytime after you submit your OSAP online application and then you submit it along with identification to a designated Canada Post outlet in your area. This only needs to be done ONCE, and will be in place throughout your time as a full-time postsecondary student.
The other change you will notice is that once your OSAP application and MSFAA are submitted, funding will be deposited directly into your bank account after your school confirms your enrolment. For your second term funding, we only ask that you update your estimated income.
Follow these 4 steps to get your OSAP funding. For more information visit “Getting OSAP” section on the OSAP website.
After you submit your online OSAP Application for Full-Time Students, print your MSFAA. You can also ask the ministry to mail it to you, but we recommend that you print it yourself. If you applied for OSAP using a paper application, your MSFAA will be mailed to you. Read the terms and conditions, then complete and sign your MSFAA.
Take page 1 of your MSFAA to a designated Canada Post Outlet right away (keep the other pages as reference as they outline the terms and conditions). Please ensure that it prints legibly. You don’t have to wait for classes to begin. You may also take your MSFAA to a NSLSC kiosk, but they are only available at certain times of year. You must present the following two pieces of documentation to prove your identity:
If you can’t go to a designated Canada Post outlet (or NSLSC kiosk) because you’re not in Canada, in a remote area, or don’t have a designated Canada Post outlet nearby, you can mail page 1 of your MSFAA and photocopies of two pieces of documentation to prove your identity (see list of acceptable documentation above) to: National Student Loans Service Centre, PO Box 4030, Mississauga, ON L5A 4M4.
All required documents listed at the end of your online OSAP application must be submitted to your financial aid office before any funding can be disbursed to you. For your personalized list of required documents, log on to your OSAP account on the OSAP website and go to the “View App Details” section.
Your school must confirm your enrolment before your funding can be disbursed to you. This confirmation will happen for each disbursement. For most students, this will happen at the start of their studies (e.g., September) and then again halfway through their study period (e.g., January). For information about your disbursements and funding, log on to your OSAP account on the OSAP website and go to the “Check Status” section.
You must confirm your income before the release of your second disbursement, which is generally halfway through your study period (e.g., January). Instructions will be sent to you about a month before your second disbursement.