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Full-Time OSAP

Curious about ways that you can finance your Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) education? You may be eligible for loan and/or grant funding through the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) (external link, opens in new window) .

The program changes slightly from year to year, so check out our guides below—they’ll tell you everything you need to know. You can also get more information by visiting the OSAP How To Apply guide (external link, opens in new window) .

If you are taking three or more courses per term (or two or more courses per term if you have a permanent disability), you can apply for full-time OSAP. If you are taking less than that, please apply for part-time OSAP. Follow our step-by-step guide for full-time OSAP.

Note: Graduate students in a full-time program, regardless of their course load, must apply for full-time OSAP.

Can I be full-time and part-time in the same year?

Yes! If you were, for example, taking one to two courses in the fall and three or more courses in the winter, you would submit two applications—one for part-time OSAP in the fall and one for full-time OSAP in the winter. If you have questions about the process, be sure to contact Student Financial Assistance.

How to Apply for Full-Time OSAP

We recommend submitting your OSAP application and all required documents by late June to ensure your OSAP is processed and ready to go for September. You can still apply after this date, however, your funding may be delayed.

For final application and document submission deadlines, please refer to the Important Dates and Deadlines page.

Although the OSAP process is the same for most students, we do have some additional information for specific student groups. Please review the information on the linked page before you start your application.

At the end of your application, you will be asked to scan and upload any required documents (external link, opens in new window) . Your required documents are listed on your OSAP application.

Document processing usually takes about three to six weeks from your date of submission for review, with longer processing times at the start of term. You can view our OSAP document processing times on the Student Financial Assistance home page. When your documents have been processed, you will 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.

Within a few days of applying, you will 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.

When your documents have been processed, you will receive another funding update communication through your OSAP message centre. For more information on next steps, you can also visit the After You Apply for OSAP (external link, opens in new window)  page for more information on next steps.

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 OSAP funding summary screen.

OSAP funding is always released in two instalments: September and January. Starting the last week of August, our Student Financial Assistance department will begin confirming enrolment for the fall term. When you have been confirmed and your funding has been released, you will receive an update through your OSAP message centre.

Please note that the ServiceHub and Student Financial Assistance are unable to expedite confirmation of enrolments.

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 bank account. You can check your funding summary page for a breakdown of your OSAP assessment and funding disbursements.

OSAP funding is released by the lender of student loan funding, the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) (external link, opens in new window) . OSAP funding typically deposits fully within five to 10 business days after confirmation. We encourage you to track your funding online.

Check your MyServiceHub account to make sure your OSAP funds arrive. OSAP didn’t cover all your fees? Remember to pay the outstanding balance. To avoid interest, we recommend paying by the beginning of October (when monthly interest of 1.25% will begin).  

You may receive communications your university email and your OSAP message centre regarding your file throughout the year.

The week back from the mid-year break (January), TMU will begin confirming enrolment for the winter term. When you have been confirmed and your funding has been released, you will receive an update through your OSAP message centre.

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 bank account. You can check your funding summary page for a breakdown of your OSAP assessment and funding disbursements.

OSAP funding is released by the lender of student loan funding, the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) (external link, opens in new window) . OSAP funding typically deposits fully within five to 10 business days after confirmation. We encourage you to track your funding online.

You can expect to receive your OSAP near the first week of classes.

A note for graduate students: if you are in a graduate program that ends in the summer, you will receive your final OSAP installment in January that covers both the winter and spring/summer terms. Be sure to budget accordingly.

Check your MyServiceHub account to make sure your OSAP funds arrive. OSAP didn’t cover all your fees? Remember to pay the outstanding balance. To avoid interest, we recommend paying by the beginning of February (when monthly interest of 1.25% will begin).

At the end of every school year, we check your academic progress at the end of every school year. As an OSAP recipient, you are expected to pass three courses per term (two courses, if you are a student with a permanent disability). Don’t worry, we’re not checking your academic average; OSAP academic progress is assessed on a pass/fail basis. If you don’t pass three courses per term, you may be placed on OSAP Academic Progress/Probation.

Please note that OSAP Academic Progress/Probation is not the same as TMU Academic Probation.

Important: Students can apply for OSAP for the duration of the prescribed length of their program plus one additional year (e.g. students in a four-year program can receive OSAP for up to five years). If you take longer than the prescribed time to complete your program, you will not be eligible for further OSAP funding for your program and will be required to self-fund.*

*Students with a confirmed permanent disability are exempt from this policy.

If you’re returning to full-time studies within six months of the end of your study period, you have two options to stay out of repayment and maintain interest-free status:

  1. Apply for full-time OSAP again: When we confirm your enrolment, the National Student Loan Service Centre is notified that you are still in full-time studies and places your loans back into interest-free status.
  2. Apply for interest-free status: If you don’t want to apply for full-time OSAP again, and will be continuing full-time studies, you can submit a Continuation of Interest-Free Status application through your OSAP account online (external link, opens in new window) . If approved, this will keep your loans interest-free and defer repayment. Be sure to apply within the deadline by checking our important dates and deadlines page.

Not returning to full-time studies? Visit the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) website to learn more about repaying your loans (external link, opens in new window) .