Parent FAQs

• 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.
• What is OSAP?

  The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a government program that provides financial aid to qualified Ontario 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.
• When should my child 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.
• Is every student entitled to OSAP funding?
  No. OSAP eligibility is based on financial need. The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) determines the level of financial need based on the information submitted in each student's OSAP application.
• Does my child have to apply for OSAP each year?
  Yes. A student must submit a new OSAP application each new academic year.
• 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).
  • The Student Awards and Financial Aid (SAFA) office must process signature pages and all supporting documents.
  • The application must go through a Social Insurance Number check.
• If my child is denied assistance, will they always be denied?
  No. OSAP applications are based on the information provided each year. Changes in the applicant's information (e.g., level of family income or student's earnings) will result in a change in the assessment of financial need. Therefore, we recommend students re-apply for OSAP each academic year.
• Our annual income is $X. Will my child qualify for OSAP?
  It is not possible to predict OSAP eligibility based solely on parents' gross income levels. Many factors are considered, including the number of dependents in the family, the number of dependents living at home, etc. It is important to remember that there is an expected contribution from parental income. The best way to find out whether your child will qualify is to complete the online application.
• Does OSAP cover all expenses associated with post-secondary studies?

  No. OSAP is designed to supplement the expected contributions of students and parents.

• What other types of financial assistance are available?
  • Awards
  • Bursaries
  • Financial literacy workshops
  • Financial planning
  • Scholarships
  • University Works on-campus employment programs
• Can I have access to my child's student account?

  We take your child's privacy seriously. While we are happy to provide you with general information about our programs, specific information will not be discussed with a third party unless we have an Authorization to Release Student Information form, signed by your child. Have them complete the Authorization to Release Student Information form available through their MyOntarioTech portal, under Current Students, within the Undergraduate Forms box.

• Can I have access to my child' OSAP account?
  The SAFA office cannot discuss specific information about a student's OSAP account with a third party, unless consent has been given on their OSAP application. At any time, students can log into their account on the OSAP website, and make changes to their 'Release of Information' settings under 'View Profile'.
• 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.