Planning to study in Ontario in 2025–26 and need help paying for tuition and living costs? OSAP combines federal and provincial grants and loans, and most steps are online. This guide shows who qualifies, the real deadlines to watch, and a clean, step-by-step application you can follow today. (The 2025–26 OSAP application is open for full-time, part-time and micro-credential programs.)
Who’s eligible in 2025
You’re generally eligible if you:
- are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person, and an Ontario resident;
- are enrolled in an OSAP-approved program at an approved school;
- meet academic progress standards; and
- are not in default/restriction and within lifetime funding limits.
Read: OSAP vs private loans (2025): interest, grace, repayment
OSAP 2025 deadlines
Application: submit no later than 60 days before the end of your study period (applies to all full-time; similar timing rules exist for longer part-time study periods).
Supporting documents & signature(s): submit no later than 40 days before the end of your study period.
Tip: Apply as soon as you have your admission details. Funding can only be released after your school confirms enrolment and you complete the MSFAA step (below).
Step-by-step: how to apply
- Confirm your school/program is OSAP-approved. Check the 2025–26 lookup.
- Create / sign in to your OSAP account and start the 2025–26 application for your program type (full-time, part-time, micro-credential).
- Complete your profile & application. Have program dates, tuition/fees, book costs, and parent/spouse details ready—or use Ontario’s Aid Estimator to preview your range.
- Upload required documents (ID, income docs, status proofs) by the document deadline.
- Sign your MSFAA online with NSLSC. As of May 25, 2025, you access NSLSC via My Service Canada Account (MSCA), then e-sign your MSFAA.
- School confirms enrolment. Funds release only after this confirmation; OSAP can pay tuition to your school and deposit the remainder to you.
- Track status & respond quickly if OSAP requests more info. Keep your profile current (course load, income changes, marital/dependant status).
Read: PGWP eligible colleges in Ontario
What funding looks like
OSAP packages mix grants (non-repayable) and loans (repayable). Maximums vary by year, course load, dependants/disability status, and assessed need; Ontario publishes current caps for each stream. Use the Aid Estimator to get a personalised preview before you apply.
Repayment, interest, and staying eligible
- Grace period: You typically have six months after leaving full-time studies before repayment starts (keep your contact info up to date with NSLSC).
- Federal interest: The Government of Canada permanently eliminated interest on Canada Student Loans effective April 1, 2023. (Provincial portions can differ; check your OSAP communications.)
- Maintain eligibility while in school: meet academic progress (usually pass 60% of a full course load; 40% for students with a permanent disability). If you continue full-time without taking new OSAP, submit CIFS to keep prior loans interest-free during studies.
Read: How to study real estate in Ontario
A simple example (costs & timelines)
Akshar’s 2-term diploma runs September 3, 2025 – April 24, 2026.
- He applies in June 2025 (well before the 60-day cutoff), uploads documents in July, signs MSFAA via MSCA, and his school confirms enrolment in late August.
- Tuition is paid directly to the college; leftover funds land in his bank account the first week of September.
- After finishing in April, his 6-month grace runs to October 2026; his federal portion stays interest-free under the permanent change.
FAQ
Is OSAP first-come, first-served?
No. Funding is assessed based on need and program details, but deadlines are strict. Apply early so funds are ready by the start of term.
Can I get OSAP for micro-credentials or part-time study?
Yes—OSAP supports approved micro-credentials and part-time programs; check your program in the 2025–26 lookup before applying.
Do I still need to sign the MSFAA?
Yes. You sign it online with NSLSC via MSCA; this is required before any loan funds are released.
Key takeaways
- Check eligibility and school approval early; the 2025–26 OSAP application is open.
- Put the 60-day (apply) and 40-day (docs/MSFAA) deadlines in your calendar.
- Sign your MSFAA via MSCA → NSLSC or your funds won’t release.
- Federal loans are interest-free; know your provincial terms.
Offical Sources: OSAP: Ontario Student Assistance Program
