Part-Time OSAP
Part-Time OSAP
Need help paying for university? Follow our step-by-step guide for applying to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) as a part-time student.
We understand that trying to fit school into your life isn’t always straightforward, and we’re glad you’re thinking of joining us part-time. You might think that being part-time makes you ineligible for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), but that’s not true. We’ll take you through the program, eligibility and application process below. Let’s get started!
OSAP is a government financial aid program made up of grants and loans that can help you pay for college or university.
When you apply for part-time OSAP, you’ll be considered for funding to help with your tuition, books and fees — make sure you have a plan to cover your living expenses, as part-time OSAP doesn't assess you for these.
Please note that you have to re-apply for part-time OSAP every term (i.e. separate application for fall, winter and spring/summer).
If you’re taking one or 2 courses a term, you can apply for part-time OSAP (one course if you have a permanent, persistent or prolonged disability). If you’re taking more courses than that, please apply for full-time OSAP.
This can happen, for example, if you took 3 or more courses in the first semester but only 2 in the second. You would need to submit 2 applications: one for full-time OSAP in the fall and one for part-time OSAP in the winter. If you’re not sure about something, our OSAP advisors can help!
If you're a graduate student in a part-time program, regardless of your course load, you must apply for part-time OSAP. However, if you're a graduate student with a permanent, persistent or prolonged disability, you can apply for full-time OSAP. Please note that your disability must be confirmed on your OSAP application by completing an approved Disability Verification Form.
Complete Your Application Online
Although the OSAP process is the same for most students, we do have some additional information for specific student populations like Indigenous students, students with disabilities, students planning an exchange and more. Make sure to check if any of this additional information applies to you before you start your application.
Waiting to hear back about your funding to be processed can be stressful — don’t leave it until the last minute! We recommend submitting your OSAP application and all required documents at least 2 months before you begin your studies. This will ensure your OSAP is processed and ready to go for the start of term.
For final application and document submission deadlines, please refer to the Important Dates and Deadlines page.
If this is your first time registering for OSAP, you'll receive an OSAP Access Number (OAN). Keep this number in a safe place — you'll need it to access your account.
Here’s a checklist of things you’ll need to complete your application:
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and your parents’ or spouse’s SIN (if either is applicable)
- Information about your school and program
- Your tax information and your parents’ or spouse’s tax information (if either is applicable)
Reminder:
If you don’t want the loan portion of your OSAP funding, you can request the “no loan option” to receive grant-only funding. We encourage you to request this at the time of application on your OSAP funding summary page. If you change your mind and wish to opt back into the loan portion of your funding, you can opt back into receiving loans directly on your funding summary page.
Upload Required Documents Directly to Your OSAP Portal
At the end of your application, you'll be asked to scan and upload your documents. This may include income information or transcripts from other post-secondary institutions. Your required documents are listed on your OSAP application.
Document processing usually takes about 3 to 6 weeks from your date of submission for review, with longer processing times at the start of term. Check in on your documents on the OSAP Processing Dates page. When your documents have been processed, you'll receive a status update via your OSAP Message Centre.
Check your OSAP Message Centre regularly — if we need anything else from you, we’ll be in touch through there.
Note: If you applied for full-time OSAP in the current academic year and are now applying for part-time OSAP, you may have additional documentation to provide. While the process of applying for full-time and part-time OSAP is similar, they are unique applications.
Receive Your Assessment
When your documents have been processed, you'll receive your funding estimate through your OSAP Message Centre.
Please note that this estimate is based on unverified information and may change once your application is fully processed.
For more information on next steps, visit the OSAP website linked below.
Student Financial Assistance will begin confirming enrolment starting the last week of August for the fall term and the first week back after the mid-year break for the winter term. When you've been confirmed and your funding has been released, you’ll receive an update through your OSAP Message Centre.
It’s natural to feel a bit anxious as you wait, but please remember that the ServiceHub and Student Financial Assistance are unable to expedite confirmations of enrolment.
Here are some things that could delay your OSAP confirmation:
- Too early to confirm: Confirmation of enrolment can be completed as early as 15 days prior to the study period start date
- Your enrolment on MyServiceHub doesn't match the enrolment or program information you indicated on your OSAP application
- Your OSAP application may be incomplete (e.g. missing required documents or documents are still under review by our office). Check your OSAP Required Documents page and OSAP Message Centre for status updates
- Too late to confirm: Confirmation of enrolment can't be completed with less than 5 days remaining in the study period
If 10 business days have passed since your enrolment was confirmed and your funding has not been deposited, please contact the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) (external link) at 1-888-815-4514.
OSAP funding is released by the NSLSC, the lender of student loans. It typically deposits to TMU and/or your authorized bank account linked with the NSLSC within 5 to 10 business days after confirmation. We encourage you to track your funding online.
Funding will first be directed to your TMU student account (MyServiceHub) to be applied towards outstanding tuition. The remaining funding (if any) will be directed to your authorized bank account linked with the NSLSC. You can check your OSAP funding summary page for a breakdown of your OSAP assessment and funding disbursements.
If OSAP doesn’t cover all of your fees, you’re responsible for paying the outstanding balance. To avoid interest, we recommend paying before the second month of the semester (when a monthly interest of 1.25% will begin). This means paying before September for the fall term, January for the winter term and May for the spring/summer term.
Don't forget to apply for scholarships and bursaries which can help with costs that OSAP doesn't cover.
At the end of every term, we check your academic progress. As an OSAP recipient, you're expected to pass all of the courses that you received part-time OSAP funding for. Don’t worry, we’re not checking your academic average — OSAP academic progress is assessed on a pass/fail basis.
It's important to remember that if you don't pass all the courses that you received funding for, you'll be required to self-fund the next time you're enrolled as a part-time OSAP student.
Please note that OSAP academic progress/probation isn't the same as TMU's probationary academic standing.
If you’re returning to part-time studies within 6 months of the end of your study period, you have 2 options to stay out of repayment and maintain interest-free status:
- Apply for part-time OSAP again: When we confirm your enrolment, the NSLSC (external link) is notified that you're still in part-time studies and places your loans back into interest-free status.
- Apply for interest-free status: If you don’t want to apply for part-time OSAP again, and will be continuing part-time studies, you can submit a Schedule 2. This application should be submitted to the Student Financial Assistance office for review. If approved, the Schedule 2 will keep your loans interest-free and allow you to defer repayment. Be sure to apply within the deadline by checking out our Important Dates and Deadlines page.
Not returning to your studies yet? Visit the NSLSC website to learn more about your repayment options (external link) .