Guidance counsellor FAQs
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Where can I get financial aid information?
Information about federal and provincial government financial assistance is available on the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) website. For information on the university's financial aid programs, visit the scholarships and bursaries section of this website.
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What is OSAP?
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a government program that provides financial aid to qualified students to help pay for education-related costs such as tuition, books, living costs and transportation. OSAP offers two kinds of aid:
- Grants that a student does not have to repay.
- Loans that a student must repay.
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What are the eligibility requirements for OSAP?
OSAP is open to Ontario residents who are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person.
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How and when should students apply for OSAP?
Students should apply on the OSAP website as soon as they have been accepted into a program and know they will be attending the university. We recommend applying four to six weeks before their program starts.
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Is every student entitled to OSAP funding?
No. OSAP eligibility is based on financial need. The Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development determines the level of financial need based on the information submitted in each student's OSAP application.
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Do students have to apply for OSAP each year?
Yes. A student must submit a new OSAP application each new academic year.
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Does OSAP cover all expenses associated with post-secondary studies?
No. OSAP is designed to supplement the expected contributions of students and parents.
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How long does it take to process an OSAP application?
The application process takes from four to six weeks:
- Students must submit their Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA) to the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) online.
- The Student Awards and Financial Aid (SAFA) office must process signature pages and all supporting documents.
- Applications must go through a Social Insurance Number check.
Application times vary. We encourage students to apply early.
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What is the Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA)?
The MSFAA is a lifetime student loan agreement for full-time students that must be completed once during a student's post-secondary study period. The agreement contains the terms and conditions a student must agree to, in order to receive and repay his or her OSAP loan.
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What other types of financial assistance are available?
The SAFA office offers several forms of financial assistance including:
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What awards does the university offer and how do students apply?
The university offers a variety of awards and scholarships that recognize student achievement including awards of recognition, in-course scholarships and application-based scholarships. Visit the scholarships and bursaries section of our website for information and application instructions.
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What bursaries does the university offer and how do students apply?
Bursaries are awarded to students based on financial need and include (but are not limited to):
- Indigenous Student Bursary
- General Bursaries
- Ontario First Generation Bursary
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Who can I contact for more information?
Contact the Student Awards and Financial Aid office at 905.721.3190 or by email at connect@ontariotechu.ca.