OSAP tips/advice/questions (Old)

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey BBQ, first of all thanks for all the sweet info and help on here. Second of all, I think I earned the right to post here since i'm pretty sure i've actually read this entire thread.

So a couple of questions. You made reference to putting assets in an joint account with your parents? Is there a date that this has to be done by (ie. when will they look to see my assets)? And should I be keeping a little bit ($500-$1000) under my own name just so i don't look completely broke if they do look into my assets? And is there anything fancy I have to do to transfer the money over, or it's just pretty much a straight transfer from one account to another?

Also, in the estimator, they ask for the 16 week pre-study income. I was curious if you or anyone else knew how they verify this. It's not like my T4 breaks down how the money earned was distributed throughout the year.

Just a bit of background - just accepted into med school, so I'm more than 4 years out of high school, so independent, and trying to put off spending from the $150K LOC I will have as long as possible. Been working since the middle of Feb and will probably be working until the middle of August.

Theres no date, you can do it now, no reason to procrastinate this.
Sure put something in the account but its not unusual to have almost nothing there.
They can't verify that in the short term.

[maebach]

My estimated loan is $10,390. And it says that Estimated Ontario Student Opportunity Grant will deduct 3390 because the max is $7,000. What happens to that 3390? Am I fogiven for it? So I only have to pay the 7,000 back?

[2door]

My estimated loan is $10,390. And it says that Estimated Ontario Student Opportunity Grant will deduct 3390 because the max is $7,000. What happens to that 3390? Am I fogiven for it? So I only have to pay the 7,000 back?
Yes. The grant is free money, from what I understand.

[73142]

how do you apply for osap if you cant verify parental income?

[CSR]

how do you apply for osap if you cant verify parental income?

They can... you provide their SIN which ties up with their income tax returns.

[uria]

Hi BBQPorkBun,
In regards to OSAP verifying the assets that one has...how do they check it? do they check with different financial institutions to see what amount is on their bank account (assuming its not RRSPs)?

[BBQPorkBun]

My estimated loan is $10,390. And it says that Estimated Ontario Student Opportunity Grant will deduct 3390 because the max is $7,000. What happens to that 3390? Am I fogiven for it? So I only have to pay the 7,000 back?

yes

[BBQPorkBun]

Hi BBQPorkBun,
In regards to OSAP verifying the assets that one has...how do they check it? do they check with different financial institutions to see what amount is on their bank account (assuming its not RRSPs)?

How exactly I can't tell you, everything is intertwined, its not that hard.

[Jeff18]

Hi, I'm a student just finishing up highschool and applying for osap for the first time.

I filled out my 2008-2009 application and submitted it accidently with my parents 2006 tax returns instead of the 2007 one that they did not receive yet. On the site it won't let me make changes or cancel my application. Is this a serious problem? What should i do? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[BBQPorkBun]

Hi, I'm a student just finishing up highschool and applying for osap for the first time.

I filled out my 2008-2009 application and submitted it accidently with my parents 2006 tax returns instead of the 2007 one that they did not receive yet. On the site it won't let me make changes or cancel my application. Is this a serious problem? What should i do? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Call in to the NSLSC (google them) for some more detailed instructions but what you'll probably have to do is submit a letter requesting that it be changed on the application. Its not a serious problem, just you got to deal with making some changes, at least you caught it early.

[dragonz2]

When your putting in your RESP total, does your RESP include residence, like does RESP pay for residence or not?

[Professor Iris]

When your putting in your RESP total, does your RESP include residence, like does RESP pay for residence or not?

Depends on how much your RESP is for. It is just money that your parents have saved for your education, all of it or a portion of it is given to you at a time per school year and you can use it as you wish. They just want to know how much of your RESP you will be getting that year it doesn't matter what it is being spent on, though it is supposed to be for your education.

[73142]

can you still apply if your parents havent filed taxes? they are low income but they havent gotten around to it yet as they have been very busy (self employed)

[BBQPorkBun]

can you still apply if your parents havent filed taxes? they are low income but they havent gotten around to it yet as they have been very busy (self employed)

no point even if you could cuz it would hold up things for you

[hitman047]

Ok, so I just finished my 2nd year and i'm going on a 16-month internship. Here's my details:

OSAP borrowed over 2 years: $19,200
Interest rate: Prime + 2.25% = 7.25% (at the moment)
Dad's income: technically zero .. worked in US last year
Estimated monthly interest: $116/month (calculated over 114 months)
Residence status: Living with parents
Assets: Null
Income over the internship: $33,000/year starting June 2008 (before tax)

What do you think my chances are of getting an interest relief? What should I be telling them about why I'm not able to pay now? Mind you, my payments don't start until 6 months from now (ie. Nov 2008).
I just need a month or two to allow time for my dad to somehow gather 20K and then pay off the whole OSAP as one sum. Good idea?

[BBQPorkBun]

Ok, so I just finished my 2nd year and i'm going on a 16-month internship. Here's my details:

OSAP borrowed over 2 years: $19,200
Interest rate: Prime + 2.25% = 7.25% (at the moment)
Dad's income: technically zero .. worked in US last year
Estimated monthly interest: $116/month (calculated over 114 months)
Residence status: Living with parents
Assets: Null
Income over the internship: $33,000/year starting June 2008 (before tax)

What do you think my chances are of getting an interest relief? What should I be telling them about why I'm not able to pay now? Mind you, my payments don't start until 6 months from now (ie. Nov 2008).
I just need a month or two to allow time for my dad to somehow gather 20K and then pay off the whole OSAP as one sum. Good idea?

close to 0 chance for IR

http://osap.gov.on.ca/eng/PDF/0506/Income%20Eligibility%20Chart%20-%20August%201%20%202005.pdf

doesn't matter what your reasons are cuz you can pay now

yes, good idea, do it now

[Shadow Rider]

If I am going on exchange and I have an exchange bursary worth "xxxx" coming to me from my university being deposited on July 31. Should I still included on OSAP under

Income Received During Your 2008-2009 Period of Study (Sep 02, 2008 to Apr 25, 2009)
Will be receiving scholarships, bursaries and awards: Yes
Estimated total gross income from scholarships, bursaries, or awards: xxxx

Even though that thing says income received from Sept 02, and the bursary is being deposited July 31.

[BBQPorkBun]

If I am going on exchange and I have an exchange bursary worth "xxxx" coming to me from my university being deposited on July 31. Should I still included on OSAP under

Income Received During Your 2008-2009 Period of Study (Sep 02, 2008 to Apr 25, 2009)
Will be receiving scholarships, bursaries and awards: Yes
Estimated total gross income from scholarships, bursaries, or awards: xxxx

Even though that thing says income received from Sept 02, and the bursary is being deposited July 31.

yes, it doesn't matter when funds are actually deposited, what matters is in which period of time that money was intended for.

[7ofu]

got a few questions

1. in terms of RESP's, that doesnt necessary need to be reported even though you are recieving the money from the organization correct? they are assuming that you're going to spend that money on education so they are pretty much asking "how much RESP are you spending on school?" correct?

2. i have a problem filling out my parents section right now. this is the situation. my father divorced and remarried, but the new spouse is not in the country which therefore means she has no canadian info, income, life etc.
and now on OSAP, it is required for me to write in all that info which does not exist, how should i go about doing this or should i fill the app out with my dad as divorced or single parent?...the reason is because he is a single/sole supporter but on his tax paper and stuff hes crossed off as married.

any help would be great thanks

[BBQPorkBun]

got a few questions

1. in terms of RESP's, that doesnt necessary need to be reported even though you are recieving the money from the organization correct? they are assuming that you're going to spend that money on education so they are pretty much asking "how much RESP are you spending on school?" correct?

2. i have a problem filling out my parents section right now. this is the situation. my father divorced and remarried, but the new spouse is not in the country which therefore means she has no canadian info, income, life etc.
and now on OSAP, it is required for me to write in all that info which does not exist, how should i go about doing this or should i fill the app out with my dad as divorced or single parent?...the reason is because he is a single/sole supporter but on his tax paper and stuff hes crossed off as married.

any help would be great thanks

1) no, report all RESP

2) don't get how someone can be legally married and recognized as married here with no Canadian info at all. if in the case its not legally recognized here in Canada then your father probably shouldn't have checked off married.

Id apply as divorced and deal with it if it becomes an issue.

[7ofu]

the issue is that he divored and remarried, but new spouse is a canadian resident and never was.

[7ofu]

lastly, what if i am applying for osap now, but i do not know how much RESP i am getting

[BBQPorkBun]

lastly, what if i am applying for osap now, but i do not know how much RESP i am getting

Its about how much you have, not 'getting'.

[Professor Iris]

Its about how much you have, not 'getting'.

See, this never made sense to me, I'm sure you right but I always put down what I was getting. My parents don't actually have to give me the RESP money, it would cause problems for taxes, but I'm not for sure getting that money.

[pajo]

Great thread BBQ! Believe it or not I read all 69 pages in the last 3 days and finally today I registered on this forum.

This is my situation:

I'm 32 yrs old, married, we have 1 baby and 1 more on the way (due date October 2008). Currently I'm working full time, but I will have to quit my job in September when I start my full-time university studies (Faculty of Education - 1 year program (2 semesters))

According to OSAP Aid Estimator ( http://accesswindow.osap.gov.on.ca/cgi-bin/lansaweb?procfun+AWPROC0607+D060607+OSP+eng )I qualify for OSAP. There is a huge difference in the amount of money I should receive when I'm entering "1 dependent" and "2 dependents". Like I already said, currently we have 1 baby (18 months old). During my full time studies I will have "1 dependent" for the first 2 months and "2 dependents" next 6 months.

So should I apply now with "1 dependent"? Should I notify them after we have our 2-nd baby? Are they going to give us more money after we notify them?

I hope this is not too complicated for you.


Thanks in advance :)

[BBQPorkBun]

See, this never made sense to me, I'm sure you right but I always put down what I was getting. My parents don't actually have to give me the RESP money, it would cause problems for taxes, but I'm not for sure getting that money.

Why wouldn't you be getting it? Isnt that the purpose?

I also assumed that he was talking about the listing of the assets part.

[BBQPorkBun]

Great thread BBQ! Believe it or not I read all 69 pages in the last 3 days and finally today I registered on this forum.

This is my situation:

I'm 32 yrs old, married, we have 1 baby and 1 more on the way (due date October 2008). Currently I'm working full time, but I will have to quit my job in September when I start my full-time university studies (Faculty of Education - 1 year program (2 semesters))

According to OSAP Aid Estimator ( http://accesswindow.osap.gov.on.ca/cgi-bin/lansaweb?procfun+AWPROC0607+D060607+OSP+eng )I qualify for OSAP. There is a huge difference in the amount of money I should receive when I'm entering "1 dependent" and "2 dependents". Like I already said, currently we have 1 baby (18 months old). During my full time studies I will have "1 dependent" for the first 2 months and "2 dependents" next 6 months.

So should I apply now with "1 dependent"? Should I notify them after we have our 2-nd baby? Are they going to give us more money after we notify them?

I hope this is not too complicated for you.


Thanks in advance :)

Welcome to RFD

No, its not complicated at all, you have 2 dependants.

[Legend24]

Thanks for the info BBQ, read it all over the past week or so.

1. I have a 4 month co-op starting in January 2009 (2nd semester of 2nd year) so technically, I will only be in school for one semester. Does osap just split what I would have gotten in half or do they take my co-op earnings into consideration even though it takes place after the first semester?

2. Will the fact that I have a car affect my osap if the vehicle is not in my own name? Let's assume the vehicle is worth about $7000.

3. I am going to have to go to school for the summer following my co-op term as required by my program course calender. I'm assuming my co-op earnings will affect my osap for that summer semester?

4. My dad wants to put some of his assets in my name and put my name on some of his accounts. Is it best to not take over any of his assets until the end of the school year for audit purposes? And, will I lose any osap for being a part of joint accounts that have money in them?

5. If I get a $1000 scholarship from my school, does osap take $1000 off what they lend me?

Just some background info. My school is about 90 minutes from my parent's house and during the school year, I will be living about 5 minutes from the campus, paying rent. My parents make a decent living so I'm not expecting much from osap anyways... just hope I get more than 0. Thanks for your help.

[Sass_829]

Hi,

Great thread and BBQPorkBun you are awesome for answering all these questions. I'm currently a student at Carleton and hoping to transfer to UBC (still waiting to hear back since I applied late). I've received full OSAP last year, and as well as for the summer term. I'd like to apply for OSAP for next year however I have not yet heard back and so I'm wondering if I should do two applications, one for UBC and one for Carleton? Or what would I do in this situation? Do I need to wait for acceptance from UBC? Am I only allowed to do one application? Thanks in advance!

[pajo]

No, its not complicated at all, you have 2 dependants.

Thank you very much for the answer :razz:

1. So, you are 100% positive that I can say I have 2 dependants even though at this moment I have only 1 and the first 2 months of my studies I'm still going to have only 1 dependant?

I'm asking this because I plan to apply for OSAP next week.


Thanks again!

[pajo]

I have another question. Currently I have around $9K in bank (checking + savings account). I still owe $5K for my car (and I'm paying interest on that money). Would it be wise to pay my car in full and then all my assets would be just $4K, so I guess I can get more money from OSAP?

Thanks.

Or maybe it would be a good idea if I open savings account on my daughter's name and transfer $5K there? Is is still going to be considered as MY ASSET or no?

[BBQPorkBun]

Thanks for the info BBQ, read it all over the past week or so.

1. I have a 4 month co-op starting in January 2009 (2nd semester of 2nd year) so technically, I will only be in school for one semester. Does osap just split what I would have gotten in half or do they take my co-op earnings into consideration even though it takes place after the first semester?

2. Will the fact that I have a car affect my osap if the vehicle is not in my own name? Let's assume the vehicle is worth about $7000.

3. I am going to have to go to school for the summer following my co-op term as required by my program course calender. I'm assuming my co-op earnings will affect my osap for that summer semester?

4. My dad wants to put some of his assets in my name and put my name on some of his accounts. Is it best to not take over any of his assets until the end of the school year for audit purposes? And, will I lose any osap for being a part of joint accounts that have money in them?

5. If I get a $1000 scholarship from my school, does osap take $1000 off what they lend me?

Just some background info. My school is about 90 minutes from my parent's house and during the school year, I will be living about 5 minutes from the campus, paying rent. My parents make a decent living so I'm not expecting much from osap anyways... just hope I get more than 0. Thanks for your help.

1) not split in half, you will get reassessed
2) not if its not in your name
3) yes
4) in your name is not the same as both your names (joint accts)
5) reassessed by approx.

[BBQPorkBun]

Hi,

Great thread and BBQPorkBun you are awesome for answering all these questions. I'm currently a student at Carleton and hoping to transfer to UBC (still waiting to hear back since I applied late). I've received full OSAP last year, and as well as for the summer term. I'd like to apply for OSAP for next year however I have not yet heard back and so I'm wondering if I should do two applications, one for UBC and one for Carleton? Or what would I do in this situation? Do I need to wait for acceptance from UBC? Am I only allowed to do one application? Thanks in advance!

Apply to BCSAP when you are accepted

[BBQPorkBun]

Thank you very much for the answer :razz:

1. So, you are 100% positive that I can say I have 2 dependants even though at this moment I have only 1 and the first 2 months of my studies I'm still going to have only 1 dependant?

I'm asking this because I plan to apply for OSAP next week.


Thanks again!

You have two and paying expenses for two whether you know it or not =p

[BBQPorkBun]

I have another question. Currently I have around $9K in bank (checking + savings account). I still owe $5K for my car (and I'm paying interest on that money). Would it be wise to pay my car in full and then all my assets would be just $4K, so I guess I can get more money from OSAP?

Thanks.

Or maybe it would be a good idea if I open savings account on my daughter's name and transfer $5K there? Is is still going to be considered as MY ASSET or no?

First scenario would do nothing because you still have to list your car as an asset.

Second scenario, it would be you daughter's asset.

[pajo]

You have two and paying expenses for two whether you know it or not =p

I like your answer very much :lol:

I wish I could add my wife as dependant cause anyway she won't be working at the time I'm studying :cheesygri

[pajo]

First scenario would do nothing because you still have to list your car as an asset.

Second scenario, it would be you daughter's asset.

Can NSLSC see somehow that I made a transfer from my account to my daughter's account?

Or I am 100% legal and safe?

[killoverme]

whats the number i would call to talk to someone about the ontario access grant in relation to my osap loan in the previous year. I was at Ryerson at this time, but there phone system SUCKS, seems to all be automated or something.

[Canada_7]

This is going to be the first time I've ever applied to OSAP, and first one in my immediate family as I am the first in my family to go into post-secondary studies in Canada. I was wondering if people can give me some general tips, helpers, suggestions in regards to applying. Thanks. :)

[killoverme]

This is going to be the first time I've ever applied to OSAP, and first one in my immediate family as I am the first in my family to go into post-secondary studies in Canada. I was wondering if people can give me some general tips, helpers, suggestions in regards to applying. Thanks. :)

Just answer truthfully, and completely i would say. Its pretty simple.

[Buggy166]

the only way you get denied osap is if your parents make a higher than average amount of money.

i myself live with a single parents and so osap was never an issue. They basically say if your parents can afford yuor schooling, they dont need to help you.

Some kids do get screwed that way bc some parents dont wanna pay for the education but the only way to go around it is if you move out for a big amount of time,etc

dont lie on ur app, follow the instructions..which are clear...and thats that.:arrowu:

[BBQPorkBun]

Can NSLSC see somehow that I made a transfer from my account to my daughter's account?

Or I am 100% legal and safe?

They can't see and even if they dig deep enough to find it. You can always justify it somehow that its her money.

Just my own preference, but i prefer one acct for your personal stuff, one for OSAP transactions at two diff banks.

[BBQPorkBun]

This is going to be the first time I've ever applied to OSAP, and first one in my immediate family as I am the first in my family to go into post-secondary studies in Canada. I was wondering if people can give me some general tips, helpers, suggestions in regards to applying. Thanks. :)

read thread

[pajo]

Just my own preference, but i prefer one acct for your personal stuff, one for OSAP transactions at two diff banks.

I think I'll do the same. Thanks

[Supra_KL]

hey BBQPorkBun or anyone with good financial planning skills, hopefully you can help me out.

here's my situation. I'm going back this September for my 2nd year and my Mother lost her job recently (outsourced) and looking for a new job. so my father is the only one currently making any income at $25K - $30K. As you can tell, we're strapped on cash and will be struggling if my mother doesn't find a job during school.

Fortunately, I have about 7k in my bank account which I would like to invest with, so I can use in the future to pay off loans and what not.

So I was just wondering.
1) would just be a wise idea to use the 7k to pay for school and disregard loans for this year.
OR
2) Invest the 7K and take the loans?
2b) Do all types of investments, GICs, RRSPs and etc. count against you in OSAP?

thanks

[BBQPorkBun]

hey BBQPorkBun or anyone with good financial planning skills, hopefully you can help me out.

here's my situation. I'm going back this September for my 2nd year and my Mother lost her job recently (outsourced) and looking for a new job. so my father is the only one currently making any income at $25K - $30K. As you can tell, we're strapped on cash and will be struggling if my mother doesn't find a job during school.

Fortunately, I have about 7k in my bank account which I would like to invest with, so I can use in the future to pay off loans and what not.

So I was just wondering.
1) would just be a wise idea to use the 7k to pay for school and disregard loans for this year.
OR
2) Invest the 7K and take the loans?
2b) Do all types of investments, GICs, RRSPs and etc. count against you in OSAP?

thanks

Your mom should be on EI

2b) - yes, so that eliminates choice 2) cuz u won't get much loans if any

[7ofu]

hi BBQ, i had one more question...in regards to student income for pre studies, during period of study and combined for the year and etc, should i be putting down what i made(eg. year to date on my pay stub) or the amount that i think i have/will save?

[Duperman]

Hi guys... is it too late to apply for OSAP for this fall's (2k8-9) session? I'm at UTSC (pretty much the OSAP capital of Canada :p) but I'm going into second year. I got loans from uncle for my first year but now I'm going second year without cash and I'm wondering if they'll still accept you since I didn't use OSAP first year and they might be like wtf.

I'm still unclear on interest issues. Basically there's no interest while you're in school, but it accumulates 6 months after you finish school, but you can pay it off (somehow) immediately after you finish school so that it won't reach 6 months, thus no interest...is that right

[Professor Iris]

Hi guys... is it too late to apply for OSAP for this fall's (2k8-9) session? I'm at UTSC (pretty much the OSAP capital of Canada :p) but I'm going into second year. I got loans from uncle for my first year but now I'm going second year without cash and I'm wondering if they'll still accept you since I didn't use OSAP first year and they might be like wtf.

I'm still unclear on interest issues. Basically there's no interest while you're in school, but it accumulates 6 months after you finish school, but you can pay it off (somehow) immediately after you finish school so that it won't reach 6 months, thus no interest...is that right

You can apply for osap in any year whether you have before or not, but they won't give you osap for more than ten years. You are being charged interest immediately after you graduate, but you don't have to pay anything until you have been out for six months.

[dragonz2]

Does your RESP cover your residence cost or not? what does it cover? What do you put in the OSAP, your total RESP or what?

[pajo]

Since I'm married and both me and my wife are currently working, I want to know what should I report for question number 1:

Only my GROSS income for this 3,5 months period or combined income (me + my wife)?

Also, what about 2-nd question. She is going to start receiving maternity+parental benefits in October. Should I report this income or no because it's not really MY income. (or maybe it should be included since we are a family?)

http://i26.tinypic.com/15of5ea.jpg







On the last page it's pretty much clear that this is only my wife's income for the previous year (in this case 2007)
http://i29.tinypic.com/2yytu8m.jpg

[killoverme]

if your making nothing 1 and 2 are 0

the last one is your wife so that would be their indication of what she will provide you

[pajo]

if your making nothing 1 and 2 are 0

the last one is your wife so that would be their indication of what she will provide you

Thanks for your answer!

Last one is pretty much clear! Income for my wife for 2007!


Since I'm still working I will definitely report my income for the first question and in my opinion I shouldn't add my wife's income in that field! So I am reporting only my income before taxes! Right?


I don't plan to work during my studies, so I will make $0, but since my wife is going to receive maternity benefits I'm not sure if I should report that income???

[Duperman]

Whoa I thought you were only charged interest after 6 months. Does that mean ideally everyone should pay it all off asap once they're done studies?

And is there a hard deadline to apply for this upcoming Fall session? I've still to retrieve my OSAP access because I made a login last year but forgot it by now.

[BBQPorkBun]

hi BBQ, i had one more question...in regards to student income for pre studies, during period of study and combined for the year and etc, should i be putting down what i made(eg. year to date on my pay stub) or the amount that i think i have/will save?

will have made, not will have saved

[BBQPorkBun]

Hi guys... is it too late to apply for OSAP for this fall's (2k8-9) session? I'm at UTSC (pretty much the OSAP capital of Canada :p) but I'm going into second year. I got loans from uncle for my first year but now I'm going second year without cash and I'm wondering if they'll still accept you since I didn't use OSAP first year and they might be like wtf.

I'm still unclear on interest issues. Basically there's no interest while you're in school, but it accumulates 6 months after you finish school, but you can pay it off (somehow) immediately after you finish school so that it won't reach 6 months, thus no interest...is that right

not too late

yes

[BBQPorkBun]

Does your RESP cover your residence cost or not? what does it cover? What do you put in the OSAP, your total RESP or what?

Total

[BBQPorkBun]

Whoa I thought you were only charged interest after 6 months. Does that mean ideally everyone should pay it all off asap once they're done studies?

And is there a hard deadline to apply for this upcoming Fall session? I've still to retrieve my OSAP access because I made a login last year but forgot it by now.

interested charged once you are done school (typically may 1 under a normal academic year)

no hard deadline, but obviously the sooner the better

[BBQPorkBun]

Thanks for your answer!

Last one is pretty much clear! Income for my wife for 2007!


Since I'm still working I will definitely report my income for the first question and in my opinion I shouldn't add my wife's income in that field! So I am reporting only my income before taxes! Right?


I don't plan to work during my studies, so I will make $0, but since my wife is going to receive maternity benefits I'm not sure if I should report that income???

before, hence gross

Ive already answered this question via PM

'put down the income for maternity leave because that is a reasonably assured amount that you will be getting. don't include amounts for parental leave because thats not reasonably assured yet, when it is asssured, contact the nslsc and have your case reassessed.'

[poedua]

Total

On the RESP as it pertains to OSAP.

Assume, for example, you have 4 kids and also have $ 100,000 in RESP.

Assuming all 4 kids went to university ( tuition, books, in residence, meal plan etc. ) for the full 4 years, total university costs for all 4 might come to at least $ 160,000+++++.

If the first child to go to university applied for OSAP, would the $ 100,000 in RESP be designated ( by OSAP ) as having 100 % of the $100,000 available to the first child ( thus making OSAP for the first child a non-starter ) ?

Or would the existence of the 3 other kids have some bearing on possible OSAP eligibility ?

[babaji]

Question: Say I have $9000 in the bank. Can I take out $4000 and put it in a relative's account before August and say I have $5000 in the bank?

[DarkReaper]

If I have a joint bank account, should I still list it as my other assets?

[CSR]

Question: Say I have $9000 in the bank. Can I take out $4000 and put it in a relative's account before August and say I have $5000 in the bank?

Why not take everything out and put it in your relatives?

[babaji]

Why not take everything out and put it in your relatives?

Because some of the money is locked-in there till 2009. =/. Investments or something.

[BBQPorkBun]

On the RESP as it pertains to OSAP.

Assume, for example, you have 4 kids and also have $ 100,000 in RESP.

Assuming all 4 kids went to university ( tuition, books, in residence, meal plan etc. ) for the full 4 years, total university costs for all 4 might come to at least $ 160,000+++++.

If the first child to go to university applied for OSAP, would the $ 100,000 in RESP be designated ( by OSAP ) as having 100 % of the $100,000 available to the first child ( thus making OSAP for the first child a non-starter ) ?

Or would the existence of the 3 other kids have some bearing on possible OSAP eligibility ?

yes to the first question

for the second question, the number of kids has no bearing but the number that are in post secondary at the same time would have some bearing, but not enough to have an effect over 100k in resp

people have to think of osap as it being there as a last resort, its for people who can't afford to go, obviously someone accumulating resp (not necessarily 100k but some of it) is not as poor as those who have none. so in your scenario, why would they even think of loaning you money when 100k is sitting there.

the whole point of the resp after all is an incentive for people to save for their child's post secondary education costs.

[BBQPorkBun]

Because some of the money is locked-in there till 2009. =/. Investments or something.

ultimately it comes down to what can be proved. if you have an investment in your name, well thats obvious. if part of it was transferred somewhere (joint acct, someone else's acct), who's to say it belongs to who, they will have to take your word for it.

[BBQPorkBun]

If I have a joint bank account, should I still list it as my other assets?

see above

[poedua]

yes to the first question

for the second question, the number of kids has no bearing but the number that are in post secondary at the same time would have some bearing, but not enough to have an effect over 100k in resp

people have to think of osap as it being there as a last resort, its for people who can't afford to go, obviously someone accumulating resp (not necessarily 100k but some of it) is not as poor as those who have none. so in your scenario, why would they even think of loaning you money when 100k is sitting there.

So in other words, in theory, one possible ' nightmare ' scenario is that the first child consumes $50,000 of the RESP over 4 years and the second child also consumes the remaining $ 50,000 of the $100,000 over their 4 years ...then ( all other things being equal ) only child #3 and child #4 will be ' possibly ' eligible for OSAP ........... as the RESP will have been exhausted by the 2 oldest. Got it.

Obviously, the $100,000 needs to partially allocated to each child over time ( assuming each child goes to university ) and should be allocated to allow for ( as example ) $25,000 per child over 4 years ( i.e tuition only ) to total $100,000 with each child being on the hook to pay for any residence, meal plans etc. costs that exceed s$25,000 over 4 years themselves.

the whole point of the resp after all is an incentive for people to save for their child's post secondary education costs.

Got it.

[BBQPorkBun]

So in other words, in theory, one possible ' nightmare ' scenario is that the first child consumes $50,000 of the RESP over 4 years and the second child also consumes the remaining $ 50,000 of the $100,000 over their 4 years ...then ( all other things being equal ) only child #3 and child #4 will be ' possibly ' eligible for OSAP ........... as the RESP will have been exhausted by the 2 oldest. Got it.

Obviously, the $100,000 needs to partially allocated to each child over time ( assuming each child goes to university ) and should be allocated to allow for ( as example ) $25,000 per child over 4 years ( i.e tuition only ) to total $100,000 with each child being on the hook to pay for any residence, meal plans etc. costs that exceed s$25,000 over 4 years themselves.



Got it.

Maybe child 1 and 2 can get jobs? Just an idea

Many students are on the hook to pay for everything themselves.

[dlvc]

I'm graduating this month and was wondering is there a way that the I can get a reduction in the amount that I'm owing? I read somewhere that you can apply for a reduction based on your financial situation before you graduate, is this true? If it is, how would I apply for this?

I understand that if you were given over 7k, the excess would be a grant, but when would this happen? I'm expected to make my first payment in Dec, so I was wondering if this excess amount will be reflected in the amount owing?

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.

[poedua]

Maybe child 1 and 2 can get jobs? Just an idea

Many students are on the hook to pay for everything themselves.

Well, if they are allocated $25,000 from the $100,000 RESP each to cover them for the entire 4 years, assuming they stay in residence, have a meal plan etc. to the tune of at least $12,000 a year - almost $50,000 over 4 years - then yes, they'd pretty much have to work to cover the difference...or about $6,000 a year.

Obviously, an RESP of $200,000 would have been closer to what's required to try and fully fund their education.

[rogeryen]

Hi, I was wondering, do you go into repayment status even when you are just doing a long co-op?

I owe about $27K on my student loan, and right now I am doing a 8-12 month co-op while doing part time at school(company just beside the school). I got the letters and forms from NSLSC saying that I'll have to start paying since it's been 6 months after the end of my last full time studies. I gave them a call and unfortunately apparently my co-op income is too high...about $3000 a month, and I'm not qualified for interest relief.

I'm OK with paying my loans, but it's just the interests that's killing me, about $1000 just from Jan to June. I thought that they might consider co-op as part of school...but I guess not.

What would the best thing to do right now? Have my monthly payment as much as possible so my interest isn't as high? Thanks.

[BBQPorkBun]

I'm graduating this month and was wondering is there a way that the I can get a reduction in the amount that I'm owing? I read somewhere that you can apply for a reduction based on your financial situation before you graduate, is this true? If it is, how would I apply for this?

I understand that if you were given over 7k, the excess would be a grant, but when would this happen? I'm expected to make my first payment in Dec, so I was wondering if this excess amount will be reflected in the amount owing?

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.

nope, for the first question
yes, it will be reflected in the amount owing.

[BBQPorkBun]

Well, if they are allocated $25,000 from the $100,000 RESP each to cover them for the entire 4 years, assuming they stay in residence, have a meal plan etc. to the tune of at least $12,000 a year - almost $50,000 over 4 years - then yes, they'd pretty much have to work to cover the difference...or about $6,000 a year.

Obviously, an RESP of $200,000 would have been closer to what's required to try and fully fund their education.

Lucky kids. I remember working 3 jobs, living in a hole, barely getting by. The good ol days. =)

[BBQPorkBun]

Hi, I was wondering, do you go into repayment status even when you are just doing a long co-op?

I owe about $27K on my student loan, and right now I am doing a 8-12 month co-op while doing part time at school(company just beside the school). I got the letters and forms from NSLSC saying that I'll have to start paying since it's been 6 months after the end of my last full time studies. I gave them a call and unfortunately apparently my co-op income is too high...about $3000 a month, and I'm not qualified for interest relief.

I'm OK with paying my loans, but it's just the interests that's killing me, about $1000 just from Jan to June. I thought that they might consider co-op as part of school...but I guess not.

What would the best thing to do right now? Have my monthly payment as much as possible so my interest isn't as high? Thanks.

yes, you go into repayment status

this is one of those unique situations where it actually benefits you more to make less money and get under that IR threshold cuz the interest is alot.

so if you can, get paid less (under the threshold). and also try to get back to full time school asap

[rogeryen]

yes, you go into repayment status

this is one of those unique situations where it actually benefits you more to make less money and get under that IR threshold cuz the interest is alot.

so if you can, get paid less (under the threshold). and also try to get back to full time school asap

My co-op term will likely end in December and I "probably" won't go back into full time until January 2009. :(

But now something popped up in my minds, I'm planning to take 2 courses during the Fall term, and then I'd only need 1 more course in order to be qualified as full time, but most likely the 3rd course will be too much, so I'm just wondering whether it would "work" if I register 3 courses in September, drop the third one before the deadline(before they charge me fees) at my school, and continue as full time in January? How would they calculate it? Would they see me as a full time student, stop accumulating interests from September to December, find out that I actually dropped the third course and became part time, then charge me with all the interests that I was trying to get away with; or will they just determine by checking my status at the beginning of the term?

[BBQPorkBun]

My co-op term will likely end in December and I "probably" won't go back into full time until January 2009. :(

But now something popped up in my minds, I'm planning to take 2 courses during the Fall term, and then I'd only need 1 more course in order to be qualified as full time, but most likely the 3rd course will be too much, so I'm just wondering whether it would "work" if I register 3 courses in September, drop the third one before the deadline(before they charge me fees) at my school, and continue as full time in January? How would they calculate it? Would they see me as a full time student, stop accumulating interests from September to December, find out that I actually dropped the third course and became part time, then charge me with all the interests that I was trying to get away with; or will they just determine by checking my status at the beginning of the term?

Its retroactive, they'll go back and 'charge you'. nice try

[rogeryen]

Its retroactive, they'll go back and 'charge you'. nice try

I see.
However, how do they determine the 6 month grace period? Do they look at your student status at the end of every term or anytime?

Suppose the example in my above post, say I was registered as a full time student in September, OSAP says "OK your status is full time right now, you don't need to pay for the loan", then I drop the course within September, and thus becomes part time again for the rest of the term.

Now in January, when they see that I was actually part time for the last term, they'll want to charge me interests, BUT, January is still within the grace period and I will actually be full time for the whole term!

Would it work this way? I'm just trying to think up every possibility to pay as little interests as possible...:lol:

[pajo]

You have two and paying expenses for two whether you know it or not =p

Today I tried to fill out my OSAP application, but I couldn't enter the information for the baby that we are expecting.

Here is the message:

http://i31.tinypic.com/aebqz6.jpg

I tried to call NSLSC at 1-888-815-4514, but I couldn't get that information. I guess I will have to talk to the financial aid office at my university and hopefully they will know what should I do.

[*annie*]

Hello, I have a small problem:

Today I filled my 2008-2009 application. By mistake I put my father as single, and didn't realize it was put like that until after I submitted the application. I tried to cancel the application or to change it but I couldn't. Is it possible to change the status or to cancel the application if I contact my school's financial office? I sure hope I'm not in trouble.

[BBQPorkBun]

I see.
However, how do they determine the 6 month grace period? Do they look at your student status at the end of every term or anytime?

Suppose the example in my above post, say I was registered as a full time student in September, OSAP says "OK your status is full time right now, you don't need to pay for the loan", then I drop the course within September, and thus becomes part time again for the rest of the term.

Now in January, when they see that I was actually part time for the last term, they'll want to charge me interests, BUT, January is still within the grace period and I will actually be full time for the whole term!

Would it work this way? I'm just trying to think up every possibility to pay as little interests as possible...:lol:

I know what you are trying to do but it won't work. If it was this easy, many would have done it by now. And like i said, its retroactive, no matter how you do it, it will always be reverted to how it should have been.

[BBQPorkBun]

Today I tried to fill out my OSAP application, but I couldn't enter the information for the baby that we are expecting.

Here is the message:

http://i31.tinypic.com/aebqz6.jpg

I tried to call NSLSC at 1-888-815-4514, but I couldn't get that information. I guess I will have to talk to the financial aid office at my university and hopefully they will know what should I do.

Do as instructed but at least u know they take the second child into account.

[BBQPorkBun]

Hello, I have a small problem:

Today I filled my 2008-2009 application. By mistake I put my father as single, and didn't realize it was put like that until after I submitted the application. I tried to cancel the application or to change it but I couldn't. Is it possible to change the status or to cancel the application if I contact my school's financial office? I sure hope I'm not in trouble.

you are not in trouble, people make mistakes

i would contact the nslsc directly and just follow their instructions as to how to change something on the application

[Professor Iris]

I've had to change information on my application because I entered something incorrectly and I had to bring some info to my financial aid office, I think when things need to be changed that you are supposed to go through them, but that might just be to make less work for nslc.

[Athina021]

Hi!

Would you have tips on getting the most out of OSAP? I'm going to medical school in the fall, which is obviously going to cost an arm and a leg, and I'd like to maximize my OSAP loan.

After using the aid calculator online, it seems like being in a common-law relationship and having some savings and some RRSPs (nothing substantial, though) will greatly limit the amount of OSAP aid I can get.
I don't have a car or other assets and have much less than 2000$ in RRSPs and savings per year I've been out of high school (seven years now, enrolled in university full-time since then, but debt-free). I'll be making around 4000$ from May 1st to Sept. 1st.

I can't really count on money from my family or from my common-law "husband", and I'm not sure I want to transfer my RRSPs to pay tuition. But my OSAP estimate came out at less than 2000$!!!! So it seems I'll have to live and pay tuition mostly from a line of credit, after draining my meager savings, and it's freaking me out a little!

I'd really appreciate any tips or suggestions! Thanks!

[MikeyPyro]

2 questions. I got checks mailed to me in my first year but I was wondering how I can get my OSAP directly deposited into my bank account. Do I call the financial aid office and they'll set it up over the phone or what...?


Also I highly doubt this but this question is for a friend, he wants to know if he can get his OSAP earlier (by early he means very early September or even earlier than that as opposed to mid September). He really needs it beacuse he's in a bind at home.

[BBQPorkBun]

Hi!

Would you have tips on getting the most out of OSAP? I'm going to medical school in the fall, which is obviously going to cost an arm and a leg, and I'd like to maximize my OSAP loan.

After using the aid calculator online, it seems like being in a common-law relationship and having some savings and some RRSPs (nothing substantial, though) will greatly limit the amount of OSAP aid I can get.
I don't have a car or other assets and have much less than 2000$ in RRSPs and savings per year I've been out of high school (seven years now, enrolled in university full-time since then, but debt-free). I'll be making around 4000$ from May 1st to Sept. 1st.

I can't really count on money from my family or from my common-law "husband", and I'm not sure I want to transfer my RRSPs to pay tuition. But my OSAP estimate came out at less than 2000$!!!! So it seems I'll have to live and pay tuition mostly from a line of credit, after draining my meager savings, and it's freaking me out a little!

I'd really appreciate any tips or suggestions! Thanks!

Hello, I understand your situation. its hard to change anything because for the most part the numbers are what they are. you are expected to use your rrsps, now is not the time to think about retirement (i never get why people are so reluctant to use it, people have low income at this time, hence low tax bracket, time to withdrawl)

people typically going for an mba or med or whatever have to go to another resource and that resource is usually a LOC. can't count on the husband? well what is he good for then? if you have a house, sell it and rent, live like a student. you'll more than make it up later.

[BBQPorkBun]

2 questions. I got checks mailed to me in my first year but I was wondering how I can get my OSAP directly deposited into my bank account. Do I call the financial aid office and they'll set it up over the phone or what...?


Also I highly doubt this but this question is for a friend, he wants to know if he can get his OSAP earlier (by early he means very early September or even earlier than that as opposed to mid September). He really needs it beacuse he's in a bind at home.

call nslsc to give them bank info, they may ask u to fax in a void check. often i believe when u pick up ur osap stuff at school you just give them a void cheque.

nope, osap is not for binds at home

[MangoSlice]

Abuse is still abuse, regardless of if it comes from a friend or a fraud artist.

You want to talk about Fraud? What about the constant tuition hikes over the several of years? Or the promise of a tuition freeze? If anything, universities are conning us.

[BBQPorkBun]

You want to talk about Fraud? What about the constant tuition hikes over the several of years? Or the promise of a tuition freeze? If anything, universities are conning us.

Easy boy..., lets not drum up anything unproductive to fill up this thread. want to have a fraud vs tuition hike discussion, separate thread plz.

[MangoSlice]

Easy boy..., lets not drum up anything unproductive to fill up this thread. want to have a fraud vs tuition hike discussion, separate thread plz.


lol, Sorry, just trying to defend this thread and what an absolute life saver all this info is that I'm taking in.

Anyways I've got a question, I have a RESP and I am going to use most of that money to pay for tuition and whatever is left I'm going to use for residence. But I'm afraid the left over money isn't enough to cover the res fee and I was relying on OSAP money to pay the rest. OSAP pays you in two sums one for each term. This year I calculated the expected funding and it isn't that much because of my RESP. Is there anyway I can get it all within the first semester so I can cover my res fee?

[BBQPorkBun]

lol, Sorry, just trying to defend this thread and what an absolute life saver all this info is that I'm taking in.

Anyways I've got a question, I have a RESP and I am going to use most of that money to pay for tuition and whatever is left I'm going to use for residence. But I'm afraid the left over money isn't enough to cover the res fee and I was relying on OSAP money to pay the rest. OSAP pays you in two sums one for each term. This year I calculated the expected funding and it isn't that much because of my RESP. Is there anyway I can get it all within the first semester so I can cover my res fee?

osap will decide how the cashflow will go, and you won't have any say in the matter really. you'll have to work something out.

[akirika]

ok OSAP given me an estimate of $300 for this term.

lets say next term i apply as an independent, i will be able to get more right?

how do they check if you are independent or not? i will be living away from home btw.

[Professor Iris]

You are independent if you are not married or common law and have been out of high school for 4 years.

[akirika]

You are independent if you are not married or common law and have been out of high school for 4 years.

hmm i have just been out of high school for 2 years :(

any other way to get more $ without lying? my parents cant really afford all this + family debts

[vee_one]

BBQ...recently a friend of mine got a letter from osap saying his in academic probation...and there were several lines he had to fill up saying why he did bad in school.

if he doesn't make the paragraph will he still be eligible for osap next sem?

[BBQPorkBun]

hmm i have just been out of high school for 2 years :(

any other way to get more $ without lying? my parents cant really afford all this + family debts


Theres gotta be some factor thats making you eligible for so little. Could possibly be your parents combined income is too high? not really osaps issue if parents out there can't budget or still live beyond their means. could be you have too much assets, i dunno. find the factor and see if something can be done.

[Dark-Colonel]

This question may or may not have been answered earlier but I just recently filled out the OSAP application form and it says my OSAP estimate is around $11 000.

My question to you guys is regarding residence. I will reside in Waterloo on campus (I live in Richmond Hill, about 2 hours of commute from home to campus) and I'm guessing that OSAP will NOT cover residence fees correct?

[BBQPorkBun]

BBQ...recently a friend of mine got a letter from osap saying his in academic probation...and there were several lines he had to fill up saying why he did bad in school.

if he doesn't make the paragraph will he still be eligible for osap next sem?

nope

I don't understand why wouldn't he do the paragraph?

[BBQPorkBun]

This question may or may not have been answered earlier but I just recently filled out the OSAP application form and it says my OSAP estimate is around $11 000.

My question to you guys is regarding residence. I will reside in Waterloo on campus (I live in Richmond Hill, about 2 hours of commute from home to campus) and I'm guessing that OSAP will NOT cover residence fees correct?

I am guessing that 11k takes into account that you are living away from home unless your tuition is 11k or higher

[mok86]

I currently have a single bank account that is joint with my parents... is the amount in there my asset or my parents asset. If its considered mine, should i ask my parents to remove their money and just leave mine?

[akirika]

how does osap deal with special occasians

ie. large medical bills that will hamper family's financial state

[MangoSlice]

BBQ, thanks for the help again.

What I thought was an RESP isn't one, it was just some Educational Trust Fund my parents set up through a private company. (Or maybe I'm mistaken and these are the same things?) I am applying for OSAP right now and it ask the amount you have in RESP, Educational Saving Plans, etc. Would I put this Trust fund under that because it is for my education or do I put in under as an asset? (investment, savings, etc.) Or would it even be considered an investment, savings, etc?

[KennethToronto]

I'm wondering if anyone knows what the absolute max. per year is available from OSAP?

I hear $11,900 tossed around, but I'm starting a professional degree (medicine) and the tuition is significantly greater than undergrad costs so it seems like it should be higher for us? I'm trying my hardest not to dig into the LOC.

[Justin]

BBQ, thanks for the help again.

What I thought was an RESP isn't one, it was just some Educational Trust Fund my parents set up through a private company. (Or maybe I'm mistaken and these are the same things?) I am applying for OSAP right now and it ask the amount you have in RESP, Educational Saving Plans, etc. Would I put this Trust fund under that because it is for my education or do I put in under as an asset? (investment, savings, etc.) Or would it even be considered an investment, savings, etc?

I am not sure how much money you have, but if you have over $10,000 there is no way you will get any student loan money so no point applying.

[BBQPorkBun]

I currently have a single bank account that is joint with my parents... is the amount in there my asset or my parents asset. If its considered mine, should i ask my parents to remove their money and just leave mine?

theres no need, they can't disseminate what belongs to who really.

[MangoSlice]

I am not sure how much money you have, but if you have over $10,000 there is no way you will get any student loan money so no point applying.

Well it's like floating around the 10K mark but I tried the estimate calculator and put in that amount both under (at different times) "RESP" and as an "asset" to see if it made a difference on the amount I'd be eligible for. When I put it under RESP, I was eligible for like $4,900, but if I put it as an asset, I was only eligible for $2,500. 10K isn't enough to cover my uni fees because I'll be living in res, so every bit helps.

[BBQPorkBun]

how does osap deal with special occasians

ie. large medical bills that will hamper family's financial state

they don't, not their issue.

[BBQPorkBun]

BBQ, thanks for the help again.

What I thought was an RESP isn't one, it was just some Educational Trust Fund my parents set up through a private company. (Or maybe I'm mistaken and these are the same things?) I am applying for OSAP right now and it ask the amount you have in RESP, Educational Saving Plans, etc. Would I put this Trust fund under that because it is for my education or do I put in under as an asset? (investment, savings, etc.) Or would it even be considered an investment, savings, etc?

instead of me taking a stab at it (especially if its private) i suggest you go ask them what it really is. either way its something.

[temp1]

I'm wondering if anyone knows what the absolute max. per year is available from OSAP?

I hear $11,900 tossed around, but I'm starting a professional degree (medicine) and the tuition is significantly greater than undergrad costs so it seems like it should be higher for us? I'm trying my hardest not to dig into the LOC.

From the OSAP FAQs:

11. Is there a maximum amount of OSAP that I can receive in one year?
OSAP funds single students to a maximum of $350 per week. Sole support parents or married students may receive a maximum of $575 per week in OSAP funding. For a 34 week school year a single student could receive a maximum of $11,900 in OSAP funding. A married or sole support parent could receive a maximum of $19,550 in OSAP funding. OSAP bases the assessment on the student's assumed resources less their educational costs. Not all students receive the maximum funding amount.

So for most normal undergrad degrees, a year is 34 weeks which gives a max of $11900. I get a $14000 max for my estimate for med at Western (40 weeks 1st year), not sure if it's the same for other schools, but if you wanted to find out you could just pick the school and program in the OSAP estimator and put all of the assets at $0 and see what the max funding is.

So yeah, even though our tuition is significantly higher (higher than the max OSAP), we're still capped at the $350 a week. The OSAP estimator put my estimated financial need at just under $30,000 I think. Hooray for massive LOC.....

[BBQPorkBun]

From the OSAP FAQs:

11. Is there a maximum amount of OSAP that I can receive in one year?
OSAP funds single students to a maximum of $350 per week. Sole support parents or married students may receive a maximum of $575 per week in OSAP funding. For a 34 week school year a single student could receive a maximum of $11,900 in OSAP funding. A married or sole support parent could receive a maximum of $19,550 in OSAP funding. OSAP bases the assessment on the student's assumed resources less their educational costs. Not all students receive the maximum funding amount.

So for most normal undergrad degrees, a year is 34 weeks which gives a max of $11900. I get a $14000 max for my estimate for med at Western (40 weeks 1st year), not sure if it's the same for other schools, but if you wanted to find out you could just pick the school and program in the OSAP estimator and put all of the assets at $0 and see what the max funding is.

So yeah, even though our tuition is significantly higher (higher than the max OSAP), we're still capped at the $350 a week. The OSAP estimator put my estimated financial need at just under $30,000 I think. Hooray for massive LOC.....

thx =)

[sschopra]

As a student for the past 7 years and accumulating large OSAP loans I have some advice (have not read the entire thread so sorry if some of the information is repeated).

1) If both your parents work chances are you won't get much money at all unless you have 1-2 siblings in school. Doesn't matter if your parents are not willing to help you with your education. If you have been out of highschool for 4 years it doesn't matter if your parents are rich or poor because it doesn't count towards your funding anymore. My OSAP went from $2000 to $16000 from my 4th - 5th year out of highschool!

2) Do not own a car or house. You will get little/no OSAP if you buy yourself a car at anytime during your education. If you need a car, get your parents to put the car under their name and let you drive it.

3) When its time to repay try and switch to a low interest LOC. If you work hard you should be able to get at Prime rate. Better than prime + 2.5 OSAP gives. Will save you money in the long run even if you cannot tax deduct the interest because its not a student loan persay anymore.

4) Once graduated and forced to repay loans if you are not working there are interest relief forms. You have to show proof that you have not been working. Remember if you can pay before the 6 months grace period has started start paying right away. You are otherwise accumulating interest! 50,000 dollar loan at prime + 2.5% adds up quickly over 6 months of no payments.

5) Yes you will get less OSAP if you live at home. However, the OSAP you get living away from home is not even close to equal to the amount you save by living at home! The savings depend on where you go to school, residence versus other housing.

Any other questions feel free to PM me.

[jason_3108]

As a student for the past 7 years and accumulating large OSAP loans I have some advice (have not read the entire thread so sorry if some of the information is repeated).

1) If both your parents work chances are you won't get much money at all unless you have 1-2 siblings in school. Doesn't matter if your parents are not willing to help you with your education. If you have been out of highschool for 4 years it doesn't matter if your parents are rich or poor because it doesn't count towards your funding anymore. My OSAP went from $2000 to $16000 from my 4th - 5th year out of highschool!



Any other questions feel free to PM me.

i am 19 and my parents are not willing to help me... so i am not gonna get more from osap??? i need some advices coz i am applying soon//

[jopojo]

Another question for you BBQPorkBun:

I recently won a scholarship that was offered by my mother's place of work. I was wondering if I have to declare this as income on my OSAP application?

[BBQPorkBun]

As a student for the past 7 years and accumulating large OSAP loans I have some advice (have not read the entire thread so sorry if some of the information is repeated).

1) If both your parents work chances are you won't get much money at all unless you have 1-2 siblings in school. Doesn't matter if your parents are not willing to help you with your education. If you have been out of highschool for 4 years it doesn't matter if your parents are rich or poor because it doesn't count towards your funding anymore. My OSAP went from $2000 to $16000 from my 4th - 5th year out of highschool!

2) Do not own a car or house. You will get little/no OSAP if you buy yourself a car at anytime during your education. If you need a car, get your parents to put the car under their name and let you drive it.

3) When its time to repay try and switch to a low interest LOC. If you work hard you should be able to get at Prime rate. Better than prime + 2.5 OSAP gives. Will save you money in the long run even if you cannot tax deduct the interest because its not a student loan persay anymore.

4) Once graduated and forced to repay loans if you are not working there are interest relief forms. You have to show proof that you have not been working. Remember if you can pay before the 6 months grace period has started start paying right away. You are otherwise accumulating interest! 50,000 dollar loan at prime + 2.5% adds up quickly over 6 months of no payments.

5) Yes you will get less OSAP if you live at home. However, the OSAP you get living away from home is not even close to equal to the amount you save by living at home! The savings depend on where you go to school, residence versus other housing.

Any other questions feel free to PM me.

3) I would only go with a LOC if you are making decent income and reasonably assured you will have that job longer term. If you make low or unstable income, if the loan is with the nslsc you can always get IR as sort of your insurance. with the deduction you are just above prime anyways, so you may consider staying

5) It really depends. the intangible costs have to be factored as well. if it takes you 1.0-1.5 hrs commute one way downtown, plus gas, parking, insurance, depreciation, stress, loss of sleep. and u do that both ways everyday, its not that much more to just rent some place close by. also for those poorer students out there, instead of getting a 7k loan and paying back 7k, if you lived out you can get 12k loan for example and pay back 7k, pretty sweet

[BBQPorkBun]

i am 19 and my parents are not willing to help me... so i am not gonna get more from osap??? i need some advices coz i am applying soon//

it was pretty clearly stated that their income is the factor that decides how much loans you get and not their willingness to help you. willingness is not a factor.

[BBQPorkBun]

Another question for you BBQPorkBun:

I recently won a scholarship that was offered by my mother's place of work. I was wondering if I have to declare this as income on my OSAP application?

yup

[jopojo]

Thx again man. You're the best!

[andrew2good4u]

just to clarify, Owning a vehicle valued under $5000 has no affect at all on my osap?

[rijet]

Hey. I need some help with my OSAP application.

1. I am going to McMaster engineering. Basically first year is just Level 1 General Engineering. However, OSAP doesnt list any general or level 1 engineering, only specific types of engineering for Year 1 which McMaster does not even offer in first year engineering. I just selected Mechanical and Management for Year 1 even though I am not even that program yet. So what should I do about this?

2. Is it ok if i put my amount of course load as a 100%? I have not chosen any courses yet and plan to take the "normal" amount of courses, which I have no clue how much that is or anything.

3. In the Eligibility section, it asks about residency information regarding how long I have stayed in Ontario. There are 9 options and I have no clue which one to pick. I basically have lived in Ontario for over 6 years and am a normal high school student in gr12, and the one I think is most right is "Ontario is the last province my parent, step-parent, legal guardian, or official sponsor have resided in for at least 12 consecutive months." Is this correct?

Thanks for all the help :)

[BBQPorkBun]

just to clarify, Owning a vehicle valued under $5000 has no affect at all on my osap?

Someone said something about this before but i cannot verify this.

The application mostly just asks to list your assets, so do so accordingly.

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey. I need some help with my OSAP application.

1. I am going to McMaster engineering. Basically first year is just Level 1 General Engineering. However, OSAP doesnt list any general or level 1 engineering, only specific types of engineering for Year 1 which McMaster does not even offer in first year engineering. I just selected Mechanical and Management for Year 1 even though I am not even that program yet. So what should I do about this?

2. Is it ok if i put my amount of course load as a 100%? I have not chosen any courses yet and plan to take the "normal" amount of courses, which I have no clue how much that is or anything.

3. In the Eligibility section, it asks about residency information regarding how long I have stayed in Ontario. There are 9 options and I have no clue which one to pick. I basically have lived in Ontario for over 6 years and am a normal high school student in gr12, and the one I think is most right is "Ontario is the last province my parent, step-parent, legal guardian, or official sponsor have resided in for at least 12 consecutive months." Is this correct?

Thanks for all the help :)

1) call nslsc or financial aid
2) yes
3) same as 1

lets try to keep the application field questions out of the thread. you'll get more accurate answers from the nslsc or financial aid. lets keep the thread to more of a FAQ type that generally provides info that helps everyone and i'll do my best to answer them.

[alsamman]

I am a little confused on one part of the OSAP application. It says:
Based on the period of study you chose, income information is required for the following time periods. In columns A, B, and C provide an estimate of the total gross income from all sources that you expect to receive during each time period. Enter amounts in dollars only; do not indicate cents. If no income, enter zero (0).
Column 1: Jan 01, 2008 to Jun 29, 2008
Column 2: Jun 30, 2008 to Sep 01, 2008
Column 3: Jan 01, 2008 to Dec 31, 2008
So in the columns, do I include the income of my parents or is it just asking how much money I MAKE ALONE (from my own job and such)?

[Professor Iris]

I am a little confused on one part of the OSAP application. It says:
Based on the period of study you chose, income information is required for the following time periods. In columns A, B, and C provide an estimate of the total gross income from all sources that you expect to receive during each time period. Enter amounts in dollars only; do not indicate cents. If no income, enter zero (0).
Column 1: Jan 01, 2008 to Jun 29, 2008
Column 2: Jun 30, 2008 to Sep 01, 2008
Column 3: Jan 01, 2008 to Dec 31, 2008
So in the columns, do I include the income of my parents or is it just asking how much money I MAKE ALONE (from my own job and such)?

This means everything, including money you expect to get from your parents. Mind, unless they were giving me a T4 for some reason, I wouldn't assume they were giving me much until I had it in my hand, which osap still wouldn't know about. Mind you, if they did find out that you willfully lied there's all sorts of problems, its all on the fine print when you submit and sign your papers.

[alsamman]

This means everything, including money you expect to get from your parents. Mind, unless they were giving me a T4 for some reason, I wouldn't assume they were giving me much until I had it in my hand, which osap still wouldn't know about. Mind you, if they did find out that you willfully lied there's all sorts of problems, its all on the fine print when you submit and sign your papers.

so when i enter the income, I just enter my parents total income right? even if not all of it goes to my tuition right?

[killoverme]

I am a little confused on one part of the OSAP application. It says:
Based on the period of study you chose, income information is required for the following time periods. In columns A, B, and C provide an estimate of the total gross income from all sources that you expect to receive during each time period. Enter amounts in dollars only; do not indicate cents. If no income, enter zero (0).
Column 1: Jan 01, 2008 to Jun 29, 2008
Column 2: Jun 30, 2008 to Sep 01, 2008
Column 3: Jan 01, 2008 to Dec 31, 2008
So in the columns, do I include the income of my parents or is it just asking how much money I MAKE ALONE (from my own job and such)?

This means everything, including money you expect to get from your parents. Mind, unless they were giving me a T4 for some reason, I wouldn't assume they were giving me much until I had it in my hand, which osap still wouldn't know about. Mind you, if they did find out that you willfully lied there's all sorts of problems, its all on the fine print when you submit and sign your papers.

It means what you would make, not what your parents will give you. If your parents give you money also, OSAP won't find out anyways. So no reason to write it down. mainly the money you make is the money that you will declare to your taxes later during tax return.

Its not lying by the way, since it specifically says
"total gross income from all sources that you expect to receive during each time period". Money given by parents are not income, unless you work for them and they are paying you for work and you are considered an offical employee and get T4s for it.


so when i enter the income, I just enter my parents total income right? even if not all of it goes to my tuition right?

The income of your parents? yes enter what was in their tax return as it states. Income of yourself is what you make yourself.

[Professor Iris]

Your income is separate from your parents. If it asks for your income, then everything from jobs, birthday money, monetary gifts from your parents. There is a part that asks for your parents income, it will list specific lines from their taxes that have to be put down.

Income - Total Gross

You must provide all taxable and non-taxable income from all world-wide sources (except if it is an income item from the list of Income - Not to be Reported in your OSAP Application provided below). For example, you must include employment, child-support and alimony payments, monetary gifts, lottery winnings, and government benefits, cashed-in RRSPs, cashed-in RESPs, and any other income (e.g., awards, scholarships, fellowships, bursaries, grants, interest, investments, and/or trust fund income). All income is verified with Canada Revenue Agency. The ministry may also contact any of the government bodies that administer income support in order to verify income.

Income - Not to be Reported in your OSAP Application

There are certain items that you should not report in your OSAP application:

DO NOT include GST Rebates, Child Tax Benefits, Universal Child Care Benefit, OSAP funding, including student loans, Child-Care Bursary, Bursary for Students with Disabilities, Queen Elizabeth II Aiming for the Top Scholarships, Canada Study Grants, Millennium Bursary, Millennium/Ontario Access Grants, and/or Canada Access Grants.
DO NOT include an award, bursary, and/or a needs-based scholarship from a publicly-funded Ontario college of applied arts and technology or university IF that postsecondary institution informs you in writing that they will report it to OSAP directly. If you have not received notification in writing from your postsecondary institution, then you must report this income. https://osap.gov.on.ca/eng/not_secure/app_osap_definitions_12.htm

Here is the exact osap definition. The answers to many questions are on their site. I meant that money your parents give you would be considered a monetary gift, if they give you money say for your birthday, for graduating, an allowance, etc.

[smolek]

When is the deadline for 08-09? I checked through the OSAP site and maybe I'm blind but I couldnt find it listed anywhere? Thanks for the help.

[Azxster]

I think deadline is 30days before the end of the term...

[sunnyd71]

I have heard two different answers on this question so I hope you can help me clear it up.

Is the "Canada Access Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities" guaranteed to convert the first $2000 of loans to a grant if you qualify? Qualifications mentioned are a permanent disability and OSAP eligible.

I am unsure if this amount is variable depending on financial need or if I will get the full $2000 as a grant provided that the loan amount is greater than $2000. This will help in my planning. Thank you.

[BrianJai]

hey um, for the income part? do you have to include the non-taxable stuff such as like i work but i get paid in cash? should i include that or not.. can the osap ppl see how much you have in your BANk? or somethin lol :S dont kno what to do

[BBQPorkBun]

I have heard two different answers on this question so I hope you can help me clear it up.

Is the "Canada Access Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities" guaranteed to convert the first $2000 of loans to a grant if you qualify? Qualifications mentioned are a permanent disability and OSAP eligible.

I am unsure if this amount is variable depending on financial need or if I will get the full $2000 as a grant provided that the loan amount is greater than $2000. This will help in my planning. Thank you.

read up

http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/goc/access_grant_disabilities.shtml

[BBQPorkBun]

hey um, for the income part? do you have to include the non-taxable stuff such as like i work but i get paid in cash? should i include that or not.. can the osap ppl see how much you have in your BANk? or somethin lol :S dont kno what to do

include what you and others can prove (no cash, thats the benefits of cash)
assume that they can see whats in your bank

[sunnyd71]

read up

http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/goc/access_grant_disabilities.shtml


Thank you, the OSAP website does not mention financial need at all.
https://osap.gov.on.ca/eng/not_secure/Plan_Grants_CAG_PD_12345.htm

I'll go with the Service Canada answer since they deliver the grant and should be more knowledgeable.

[MangoSlice]

Hey I got this question on the OSAP application and I need clarification on it. Thanks!

"Are you taking your program of study through correspondence or distance education?"

[killoverme]

Hey I got this question on the OSAP application and I need clarification on it. Thanks!

"Are you taking your program of study through correspondence or distance education?"

exactly as it states.

So do you have to travel to your school? if not then the answer is yes

If you do have to travel then its no

[jason_3108]

guys, i cant find my program in osap.
it is (TSN) Utsc management coop
only the art management showed up on my osap page....

[BBQPorkBun]

exactly as it states.

So do you have to travel to your school? if not then the answer is yes

If you do have to travel then its no

Thanks.

Its not too hard to look up some of these things yourselves people, google is your best friend.

[jwei]

Should current grade 12 students (entering university in the fall) apply now?

[Sigurd]

Should current grade 12 students (entering university in the fall) apply now?

i think so, the deadline for the Queens Elizabeth scholarship is on June 20th, so I think people should apply and see if they qualify. I still have to apply myself, stupid password >.<.

[ericyjh85]

Hello, I am going to apply for student loan in the next couple of days and I've got a few questions,

1. I am thinking about moving out on my own this upcoming school year and obviously this will increase the amount of loan that I will be eligible. But what if I change my mind after I applied for the loan and decide to stay at home? Do I have to report this change to them? Am I going to get into trouble if I don't because technically I am not lying to them at the time when I applied for the loan (and are they actually going to ask for proof that I'm living on my own?).

2. I have some savings (over 10 grand) in my bank account and I am thinking about transferring them to my mom's bank account just before I apply for student loan because I do owe her money. Can they find out about this transaction when they review my application? And if they do, can I get into trouble?

O yes, I will be applying for student loan as an Independent for the first time this year because I am out of high school more than 4 years now, so my parents won't be expected to contribute.

Thanks.

[BBQPorkBun]

Hello, I am going to apply for student loan in the next couple of days and I've got a few questions,

1. I am thinking about moving out on my own this upcoming school year and obviously this will increase the amount of loan that I will be eligible. But what if I change my mind after I applied for the loan and decide to stay at home? Do I have to report this change to them? Am I going to get into trouble if I don't because technically I am not lying to them at the time when I applied for the loan (and are they actually going to ask for proof that I'm living on my own?).

2. I have some savings (over 10 grand) in my bank account and I am thinking about transferring them to my mom's bank account just before I apply for student loan because I do owe her money. Can they find out about this transaction when they review my application? And if they do, can I get into trouble?

O yes, I will be applying for student loan as an Independent for the first time this year because I am out of high school more than 4 years now, so my parents won't be expected to contribute.

Thanks.

1) tell them, yes, yes
2) a sudden lump sum coming out just before you apply ain't a good sign. joint accounts are better. if u do a lump sum transaction, be prepared to explain with documentation that you owe her money to assume worse case scenario.

[RedD1]

hi, I did my osap and sent it in. But i saw the page that said supporting documentation (optional) so i didnt print it or even look at it. But my friend said i have to send it with my osap. Was i suppose to fill out this fourm and with what.

[BBQPorkBun]

hi, I did my osap and sent it in. But i saw the page that said supporting documentation (optional) so i didnt print it or even look at it. But my friend said i have to send it with my osap. Was i suppose to fill out this fourm and with what.

I don't know the answer to this because im unfamiliar with step by step application process. If no one else can help just call the NSLSC.

[help_questions]

1) tell them, yes, yes
2) a sudden lump sum coming out just before you apply ain't a good sign. joint accounts are better. if u do a lump sum transaction, be prepared to explain with documentation that you owe her money to assume worse case scenario.

so how do they determine which bank accounts to review? will they just look at all accounts in my name?

[y2knp]

hi,BBQ. I just completed my university, but i havn't find a job. Im wondering if they may reduce the principle of my student loan if i have the difficulties of paying it. thank you

[BBQPorkBun]

so how do they determine which bank accounts to review? will they just look at all accounts in my name?

Not sure, but its not too hard to do so if they really wanted to, play it safe

[BBQPorkBun]

hi,BBQ. I just completed my university, but i havn't find a job. Im wondering if they may reduce the principle of my student loan if i have the difficulties of paying it. thank you

no. if you just completed it then u won't have to pay until november anyways (assuming april grad)

[Professor Iris]

I don't know the answer to this because im unfamiliar with step by step application process. If no one else can help just call the NSLSC.

hi, I did my osap and sent it in. But i saw the page that said supporting documentation (optional) so i didnt print it or even look at it. But my friend said i have to send it with my osap. Was i suppose to fill out this fourm and with what.

It is optional to print the supporting document pages, but you will not get your osap released until you submit them to your financial aid office. If your parents info is in your application there are sheets for each of them to sign, and also pages for your to sign. If you applied as n independent student only you have sheets to sign. If you applied as common-law or married then your spouse will also have to sign some sheets. It is to show that you told the truth in your application, stuff like that. You can either have them mailed to you or print them yourself. If you log in, under things to do it will have print signature pages you can also ask that they mail them.

[RedD1]

so since i sent my paretns and mine signature forms i should be fine. i wont need to send in the supporting documentation form

[Professor Iris]

so since i sent my paretns and mine signature forms i should be fine. i wont need to send in the supporting documentation form

Those are the supporting documents. You can or can not send in the cover letter for them.

[CSR]

Not sure, but its not too hard to do so if they really wanted to, play it safe

What's the worst they can do if they find out about your (undeclared) assets?

[help_questions]

so how do they determine which bank accounts to review? will they just look at all accounts in my name?

Not sure, but its not too hard to do so if they really wanted to, play it safe

by playing it safe, my options are having a joint account with someone who isn't my wife, or declaring the money as an asset, correct?

I just got my tax return, and don't want it to hurt me.

[y2knp]

no. if you just completed it then u won't have to pay until november anyways (assuming april grad)

But they have been charging me the interest since april. So i wanna negotiate with them to see if they can reduce the principle.

[Professor Iris]

Can't. They kindly give you six months to find a job while they charge you interest, and then you can do things like apply for interest relief or lower payments. They don't decrease the principle until you've gone through a lot of interest relief first. You can reduce the principle by paying before they start charging interest though, and you can make payments during the 'grace' period.

[CanadaBoy]

I am kind of confused about the deadline to apply.

The website says:

If your online application is submitted to, or your paper application is received by your financial aid office or the ministry (for students planning to attend postsecondary institutions outside Ontario) within the first 45 days of your study period, you will be eligible to receive funding for your entire study period.

https://osap.gov.on.ca/eng/not_secure/App_deadline_123.htm

But someone told me the deadline is today :confused:

[babaji]

It's due today for those who applied for the University of Waterloo Entrance bursaries.

[pointofnoreturn]

Quick Question:

I applied for OSAP last summer and received funding/grants for an one-year professional degree program. I'm due to start repayment in November but I got accepted (as a full-time student) as a graduate student in a Masters degree program starting this fall.

Does the interest from my original OSAP loan count? I'm kinda confused. I plan on applying to OSAP again to receive funding for my grad program (which is also one-year as well). Hopefully someone can help me figure out if I'm still supposed to pay off the $7000 for the 07/08 year and if interest from that year is still part of it?

[BBQPorkBun]

What's the worst they can do if they find out about your (undeclared) assets?

not give you a loan, ask you to pay back immediately all you've borrowed. put an unhappy face by your name so u'll be flagged for the next little while. charge for fraud perhaps, depends on severity i guess.

[BBQPorkBun]

by playing it safe, my options are having a joint account with someone who isn't my wife, or declaring the money as an asset, correct?

I just got my tax return, and don't want it to hurt me.

fact of the matter is you have that money...hence u need less than others. if u want to keep it with someone and say you have no assets, well then thats your prerogative. oh one other alternative, use it. buy a laptop or equipment or whatever you need.

[BBQPorkBun]

But they have been charging me the interest since april. So i wanna negotiate with them to see if they can reduce the principle.

you can't, so im not sure where you are going with this.

[BBQPorkBun]

I am kind of confused about the deadline to apply.

The website says:

If your online application is submitted to, or your paper application is received by your financial aid office or the ministry (for students planning to attend postsecondary institutions outside Ontario) within the first 45 days of your study period, you will be eligible to receive funding for your entire study period.

https://osap.gov.on.ca/eng/not_secure/App_deadline_123.htm

But someone told me the deadline is today :confused:

just apply, its a soft deadline. sooner the better though

[BBQPorkBun]

Quick Question:

I applied for OSAP last summer and received funding/grants for an one-year professional degree program. I'm due to start repayment in November but I got accepted (as a full-time student) as a graduate student in a Masters degree program starting this fall.

Does the interest from my original OSAP loan count? I'm kinda confused. I plan on applying to OSAP again to receive funding for my grad program (which is also one-year as well). Hopefully someone can help me figure out if I'm still supposed to pay off the $7000 for the 07/08 year and if interest from that year is still part of it?

you'll go back into full time student status and all the interest accumulated up till now will not have to be paid. just make sure in sept you give them all the necessary documents. its the same as if u were in year 1, took the summer off then going to year 2

[pointofnoreturn]

Thanks - that clears things up. :)

[Canada_7]

Honestly, how am I suppose to fill out some of the info? I mean, one in particular is through scholarships and bursaries. I don't know that info until much later, how the heck does OSAP expect me to know that (now add to the fact you apply for the Queen Elizabeth scholarship thing AFTER OSAP, I don't freaking know how much I'm getting). If I fill out $0 from bursaries, and I end up actually getting a bursary from my institution and some scholarship money from the Queen Elizabeth thing, how do I change it??

I am kind of confused about the deadline to apply.

The website says:

If your online application is submitted to, or your paper application is received by your financial aid office or the ministry (for students planning to attend postsecondary institutions outside Ontario) within the first 45 days of your study period, you will be eligible to receive funding for your entire study period.

https://osap.gov.on.ca/eng/not_secure/App_deadline_123.htm

But someone told me the deadline is today :confused:

I'd also like to get a clear-up on this; I didn't apply until now.

[CEOdeep]

Im still not sure what to put for my summer income. should i work alot? work too less?

[Professor Iris]

Honestly, how am I suppose to fill out some of the info? I mean, one in particular is through scholarships and bursaries. I don't know that info until much later, how the heck does OSAP expect me to know that (now add to the fact you apply for the Queen Elizabeth scholarship thing AFTER OSAP, I don't freaking know how much I'm getting). If I fill out $0 from bursaries, and I end up actually getting a bursary from my institution and some scholarship money from the Queen Elizabeth thing, how do I change it??



I'd also like to get a clear-up on this; I didn't apply until now.

You tell your student aid office that your information has changed. I myself have ended up getting around $2k in bursaries after I filled out the form, told no one and have had no problems. Put what you know right now, they can't fault you for that. They can however fault you for not correcting it with the correct info.

[BBQPorkBun]

Honestly, how am I suppose to fill out some of the info? I mean, one in particular is through scholarships and bursaries. I don't know that info until much later, how the heck does OSAP expect me to know that (now add to the fact you apply for the Queen Elizabeth scholarship thing AFTER OSAP, I don't freaking know how much I'm getting). If I fill out $0 from bursaries, and I end up actually getting a bursary from my institution and some scholarship money from the Queen Elizabeth thing, how do I change it??



I'd also like to get a clear-up on this; I didn't apply until now.

assume 0 till you get it, then get reassessed.

[huwacky]

Here is my situation.

I already submitted my OSAP application (online and mailed too the required supporting documents). However, I received a letter of admission for another program yesterday. How can I change the program that I mentioned in my initial application for an another program??

thanks :D

[BBQPorkBun]

Here is my situation.

I already submitted my OSAP application (online and mailed too the required supporting documents). However, I received a letter of admission for another program yesterday. How can I change the program that I mentioned in my initial application for an another program??

thanks :D

call them up and find out, they can give you a more detailed procedure

[scan]

I'm sorry if this has been answered already but I've already tried googling this.

How do you find the current market value for a vehicle to put that in the application?

[torontorocklacrosse]

If i wanted to be declared an independent how do i do that?
My parents make way to much and the approximate money i would be getting is a measly $700.

Secondly, if im considered an independent, but get denied since im living at home, can i change my adress to my grandparents place to be able to recive the hole ammount?

im not to sure if this has been anwsered before, but if it has just let me know.

[BBQPorkBun]

I'm sorry if this has been answered already but I've already tried googling this.

How do you find the current market value for a vehicle to put that in the application?

Blue book?

[BBQPorkBun]

If i wanted to be declared an independent how do i do that?
My parents make way to much and the approximate money i would be getting is a measly $700.

Secondly, if im considered an independent, but get denied since im living at home, can i change my adress to my grandparents place to be able to recive the hole ammount?

im not to sure if this has been anwsered before, but if it has just let me know.

out of high school for 4 years

you would have to prove rent and your grandparents would have to declare it as income and pay tax on it

[temp1]

Ok, so another question regarding assets and what they ask you to report. So in the application, they ask you to report your assets at the date which is 16 weeks prior to your start date (ends up being 13 May/08). And also on the OSAP application, it states:

"You must inform your financial aid office or the ministry, in writing, if there is a change to any of your assets from 16 weeks before the start of your study period until the end of your study period. In order to verify assets, the ministry may also contact any persons or bodies, including government bodies within and outside of Canada, that may have information about your assets."

Now obviously they have put this in so that people must update them if any assets are gained so that the amount of funding may be reassessed and decreased if necessary, but what about if assets change the other way, in that your assets decrease? So should I be putting approximately what my assets were on May 13th (certain accounts have since been closed and i don't have the exact numbers), and then send them a letter saying my assets have decreased to what they're at now? Would this possibly bring their attention to something appearing fishy on my application? Any idea if it would be reassessed with the updated assets instead of the May 13th assets? I feel as though this would be the honest and safer way of approaching it as it covers me for any reassessment that could come up if I mistakenly reported for the wrong date.

And just another point with regards to the quote above. I'm sure that the vast majority of people who have assets during the pre-study period will have a change in assets between then and the end of the study period. It's not like OSAP will reassess you after you have paid your tuition. Say I indicated $16000 in assets and paid my $16000 tuition bill with my assets. Then I would have $0 in assets, but obviously no one would expect OSAP to reassess and give me more money. So would this update of assets be looked at depending on the date of the update?

Thanks in advance to anyone with any advice/opinions/ideas. (especially BBQ for all the help to everyone)

[Yami Sasha]

I reached the Residency Information, and am left with nine options:

Check 1 of the following 9 statements that best describes your current residency situation:

-I have always resided in Ontario
-Ontario is the last province in which I resided in for 12 consecutive months without being a full-time postsecondary student.
-I reside in Ontario AND I have lived in Canada for less than 12 consecutive months.
-My spouse has always resided in Ontario
-Ontario is the last province my spouse resided in for 12 consecutive months without being a full-time postsecondary student.
-I reside in Ontario and my spouse and I have lived in Canada for less than 12 consecutive months.
-Ontario is the last province my parent, step-parent, legal guardian, or official sponsor have resided in for at least 12 consecutive months.
-I reside in Ontario AND my parent(s) and I have resided in Canada for less than 12 consecutive months.
-I now reside in Ontario, but none of the above statements applies to me.

I was born in Quebec, but my family and I moved out and came to Ontario when I was the age of 1. My parents say I should check the first one of "I have always resided in Ontario", but i'm not sure if that 1 year in Quebec matters. The rest all seem to be aiming for people who have been here for only a year or so, while I am more or less a full resident of Ontario.

Please help, this is all that is left for me to check.

[BBQPorkBun]

Ok, so another question regarding assets and what they ask you to report. So in the application, they ask you to report your assets at the date which is 16 weeks prior to your start date (ends up being 13 May/08). And also on the OSAP application, it states:

"You must inform your financial aid office or the ministry, in writing, if there is a change to any of your assets from 16 weeks before the start of your study period until the end of your study period. In order to verify assets, the ministry may also contact any persons or bodies, including government bodies within and outside of Canada, that may have information about your assets."

Now obviously they have put this in so that people must update them if any assets are gained so that the amount of funding may be reassessed and decreased if necessary, but what about if assets change the other way, in that your assets decrease? So should I be putting approximately what my assets were on May 13th (certain accounts have since been closed and i don't have the exact numbers), and then send them a letter saying my assets have decreased to what they're at now? Would this possibly bring their attention to something appearing fishy on my application? Any idea if it would be reassessed with the updated assets instead of the May 13th assets? I feel as though this would be the honest and safer way of approaching it as it covers me for any reassessment that could come up if I mistakenly reported for the wrong date.

And just another point with regards to the quote above. I'm sure that the vast majority of people who have assets during the pre-study period will have a change in assets between then and the end of the study period. It's not like OSAP will reassess you after you have paid your tuition. Say I indicated $16000 in assets and paid my $16000 tuition bill with my assets. Then I would have $0 in assets, but obviously no one would expect OSAP to reassess and give me more money. So would this update of assets be looked at depending on the date of the update?

Thanks in advance to anyone with any advice/opinions/ideas. (especially BBQ for all the help to everyone)

you are over reading and over complicating things than they really are.

list your assets as of the day you do you application, nobody cares about what happened in may. reassessment happens after you've been allowed to borrow X amount.

A change in assets means and increase in assets not considered in the original scenario, not literally what is in your bank account.

osap loans you money to pay your tuition, why would you have to inform osap your bank account has 0 now because you paid your tuition, they expected you to do that. if you won the lottery, thats where then reassement comes in.

[BBQPorkBun]

I reached the Residency Information, and am left with nine options:

Check 1 of the following 9 statements that best describes your current residency situation:

-I have always resided in Ontario
-Ontario is the last province in which I resided in for 12 consecutive months without being a full-time postsecondary student.
-I reside in Ontario AND I have lived in Canada for less than 12 consecutive months.
-My spouse has always resided in Ontario
-Ontario is the last province my spouse resided in for 12 consecutive months without being a full-time postsecondary student.
-I reside in Ontario and my spouse and I have lived in Canada for less than 12 consecutive months.
-Ontario is the last province my parent, step-parent, legal guardian, or official sponsor have resided in for at least 12 consecutive months.
-I reside in Ontario AND my parent(s) and I have resided in Canada for less than 12 consecutive months.
-I now reside in Ontario, but none of the above statements applies to me.

I was born in Quebec, but my family and I moved out and came to Ontario when I was the age of 1. My parents say I should check the first one of "I have always resided in Ontario", but i'm not sure if that 1 year in Quebec matters. The rest all seem to be aiming for people who have been here for only a year or so, while I am more or less a full resident of Ontario.

Please help, this is all that is left for me to check.

1st one

[PTgirl]

I've read the first 30+ pages of this thread. GREAT Stuff BBQ btw!
I have approx. $ 19000 in Canada-Ontario Integrated Students Loans.

I called the NSLSC and they advised me I *cannot* negotiate or consolidate my loans before April 1st 2009, which is the end of my 6 month grace period. They said interest WILL accrue during that time and I can NOT apply for IR during these 6 months but that I CAN: 1) write or fax a letter for permission to make monthly payments towards the interest or 2) make lump sum payments towards the principal.

They said towards the end of the 6 month grace period they would send me a letter outling my monthly payment amount (usually based on 9.5 yrs) but I can make that HIGHER or LOWER depending on how quickly I want to pay the 19K down.

Here's some background info:

1. I will probably most likely have a FT job WAY before April 09, more like Oct 08. If I get the FT position I interviewed for I would be making 58K/yr. I have no dependents.

2. I want to pay off my debt (OSAP loans and credit cards) in 24 months. I have calculated on the NSLSC site that I will have to pay approx. 850/mth for the OSAP portion.

---> ?? --->> When I contact the NSLSC towards the end of my 6 month grace period to negotiate this, will they be ok with me wanting to make these large payments??

3. Call me crazy, BUT I STILL WANT IR! I looked at the
Maximum Income Guidelines for Interest Relief (http://www.canlearn.ca/eng/main/help/glossary/maximum_income_guidelines_IR.shtml) and saw 2 colums. I think because I have a Canada Integrated loan, I should be using the 2nd column?

--->?? --->> According to this column, if my monthly loan payment is 850 then I am only eligible for IR if my GROSS? or NET? does NOT exced 2709.
If I make 58k/yr my GROSS monthly income will be 4800/mth, NET would be approx $ 3000-3500/mth. Clearly, I would NOT be eligible for IR.

BUT MY BURNING QUESTION IS - HOW & DOES the NSLSC verify income?

I ask because my friend worked full-time for 3 yrs after graduation and has NEVER paid INTEREST! She's steady been on IR but is close to finishing off her last 3K on her OSAP. She claims she applied for interest relief right away when she was unemployed, kept renweing every 6 months before it expired, "under" declared her income (even when she found a job), made lump sump payments every once in a while and says they NEVER asked her for proof of income etc... On the flip side, a friend of HERS was audited.

SO I GUESS I'm really wondering... what happens if I fudge the truth a little bit in April and say I only make $2500/mth (thus making me eligible for IR) will they:

a) APPROVE me for IR, OR
b) ask me to REDUCE my monthly payment rather than approve me?

And if they do approve me, how likely is it that they will audit me and/or verify my income? I'm not tryna scam the govt here as I fully intend to pay this amount off in 2 years REGARDLESS but if I can get a break on the interest duing that time I WILL TAKE IT!

Thanks alot!

PT girl

[temp1]

you are over reading and over complicating things than they really are.

list your assets as of the day you do you application, nobody cares about what happened in may. reassessment happens after you've been allowed to borrow X amount.


Thinkin that's probably what i'll do even though it asks for assets on may 13th. Don't even know how much i had on that date anyways.


A change in assets means and increase in assets not considered in the original scenario, not literally what is in your bank account.

osap loans you money to pay your tuition, why would you have to inform osap your bank account has 0 now because you paid your tuition, they expected you to do that. if you won the lottery, thats where then reassement comes in.

Yeah i wasn't suggesting i would actually do that, just kinda saying how it's a bit dumb how they probably would only look at increases in assets and not decreases. The tuition example was just to solidify that they clearly wouldn't do something like that.

I shoulda just blown all the money i worked hard to save up. Shoulda gone and gambled it or something. Best case - double my money and get no osap. Worst case - lose my money and get max osap, haha.

thanks bbq

[BBQPorkBun]

Thinkin that's probably what i'll do even though it asks for assets on may 13th. Don't even know how much i had on that date anyways.



Yeah i wasn't suggesting i would actually do that, just kinda saying how it's a bit dumb how they probably would only look at increases in assets and not decreases. The tuition example was just to solidify that they clearly wouldn't do something like that.

I shoulda just blown all the money i worked hard to save up. Shoulda gone and gambled it or something. Best case - double my money and get no osap. Worst case - lose my money and get max osap, haha.

thanks bbq

yup, you pretty much summarized it.

[BBQPorkBun]

I've read the first 30+ pages of this thread. GREAT Stuff BBQ btw!
I have approx. $ 19000 in Canada-Ontario Integrated Students Loans.

I called the NSLSC and they advised me I *cannot* negotiate or consolidate my loans before April 1st 2009, which is the end of my 6 month grace period. They said interest WILL accrue during that time and I can NOT apply for IR during these 6 months but that I CAN: 1) write or fax a letter for permission to make monthly payments towards the interest or 2) make lump sum payments towards the principal.

They said towards the end of the 6 month grace period they would send me a letter outling my monthly payment amount (usually based on 9.5 yrs) but I can make that HIGHER or LOWER depending on how quickly I want to pay the 19K down.

Here's some background info:

1. I will probably most likely have a FT job WAY before April 09, more like Oct 08. If I get the FT position I interviewed for I would be making 58K/yr. I have no dependents.

2. I want to pay off my debt (OSAP loans and credit cards) in 24 months. I have calculated on the NSLSC site that I will have to pay approx. 850/mth for the OSAP portion.

---> ?? --->> When I contact the NSLSC towards the end of my 6 month grace period to negotiate this, will they be ok with me wanting to make these large payments??

3. Call me crazy, BUT I STILL WANT IR! I looked at the
Maximum Income Guidelines for Interest Relief (http://www.canlearn.ca/eng/main/help/glossary/maximum_income_guidelines_IR.shtml) and saw 2 colums. I think because I have a Canada Integrated loan, I should be using the 2nd column?

--->?? --->> According to this column, if my monthly loan payment is 850 then I am only eligible for IR if my GROSS? or NET? does NOT exced 2709.
If I make 58k/yr my GROSS monthly income will be 4800/mth, NET would be approx $ 3000-3500/mth. Clearly, I would NOT be eligible for IR.

BUT MY BURNING QUESTION IS - HOW & DOES the NSLSC verify income?

I ask because my friend worked full-time for 3 yrs after graduation and has NEVER paid INTEREST! She's steady been on IR but is close to finishing off her last 3K on her OSAP. She claims she applied for interest relief right away when she was unemployed, kept renweing every 6 months before it expired, "under" declared her income (even when she found a job), made lump sump payments every once in a while and says they NEVER asked her for proof of income etc... On the flip side, a friend of HERS was audited.

SO I GUESS I'm really wondering... what happens if I fudge the truth a little bit in April and say I only make $2500/mth (thus making me eligible for IR) will they:

a) APPROVE me for IR, OR
b) ask me to REDUCE my monthly payment rather than approve me?

And if they do approve me, how likely is it that they will audit me and/or verify my income? I'm not tryna scam the govt here as I fully intend to pay this amount off in 2 years REGARDLESS but if I can get a break on the interest duing that time I WILL TAKE IT!

Thanks alot!

PT girl

too long, will not read...=p

yes, they will approve you for a high monthly payment. i was on 2500 per month when i had my loans.

back in the day when loans were with multiple banks and parties, you can manipulate the monthly payment to get a higher IR threshold but now its all with the NSLSC so you won't be able to do that anymore.

when i graduated, i struggled and only had temp/contract jobs, and i always timed it and quit early at times to jump on IR then looked for my next job. for sure i ended up better than if i had a full time job with my income just over the threshold. By the time i got a decent full time gig i had enough to pay it all off. so for those struggling, you can do something like that.

incomes always on gross. you have to prove your income, so im not sure how you are gonna commit the fraud you are proposing. yes, it is scamming really. your friend lied and she took that chance. if she was ever caught or flagged/audited, they may make her pay the balance of the loan and backdated interest immedately.

advice, hope you get the job, start throwing lump sums into it asap.

[spazzamatic]

i probably only have 3000 worth of osap debt and im in my third year=)

the key is.. screw osap. apply for scholarships.

for all the frosh's MAKE SURE YOU APPLY FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH AIMING FOR THE TOP SCHOLARSHIP..

=) thats practically free money.

[PTgirl]

Interest Relief Q&A Booklet (http://www.studentloanfairness.ca/documents/InterestReliefCSLPManual.pdf)

Thanks BBQ! I figured that. If I accept only a PT job I would def be eligible for IR. But full-time no go huh? And in the link above they say they do ask for proof of income eg T4, statement of assessment, pay stub... so there would be NO way of fudging my income. I just don't know how my friend did it? :confused:

O wells, guess once I start working I better make alot of lump sum payments :idea:

[jason_3108]

does anyone know the deadline for the application of osap?

[temp1]

does anyone know the deadline for the application of osap?

this question has been answered a bunch of times in this thread already. Sure it's 79 pages and that's a lot, but if you even just read like the last 3 pages, you would see the answer to this question.

No strict deadline, but you're supposed to give roughly 10 weeks before the start of your school if you want to make sure you get money at that time. You could apply during the school year if you wanted, but no use in putting it off.

[BBQPorkBun]

this question has been answered a bunch of times in this thread already. Sure it's 79 pages and that's a lot, but if you even just read like the last 3 pages, you would see the answer to this question.

No strict deadline, but you're supposed to give roughly 10 weeks before the start of your school if you want to make sure you get money at that time. You could apply during the school year if you wanted, but no use in putting it off.

thx

[sPiKyAZN]

I've got a dummy question, I noticed if a student's annual gross income is below $6200 you have to submit documentation explaining how you meet living expenses. I happen to fall in this category, however, like most students I'm still living at home and most of my expenses are covered by my parents. Do we really have to submit some supporting documents? To be honest, I'm not even that serious about my OSAP loan; I'll probably get nothing. I just want to try for the Queen Elizabeth Aiming for the Top scholarship.

[BBQPorkBun]

I've got a dummy question, I noticed if a student's annual gross income is below $6200 you have to submit documentation explaining how you meet living expenses. I happen to fall in this category, however, like most students I'm still living at home and most of my expenses are covered by my parents. Do we really have to submit some supporting documents? To be honest, I'm not even that serious about my OSAP loan; I'll probably get nothing. I just want to try for the Queen Elizabeth Aiming for the Top scholarship.

yes

[wbastien]

Hey, my mom and step dad moved to Nova Scotia and I wanted to finish grade 12 in Ontario at my high school so I moved in with my grandpa. She pays him monthly for like groceries, water, electricity. Should I just use my mom and step dad's information when applying (no communication with father), or use my grandpa? He doesn't claim me as a dependant on taxes or report anything.

[aznboiz]

can any one explain to me what this means: "Are you taking your program of study through correspondence or distance education?"

[killoverme]

can any one explain to me what this means: "Are you taking your program of study through correspondence or distance education?"

wow this has been asked so much,

What do you think it means?

Examine the question (use a dictionary if you have to). I won't give it away, so you can learn how to logically think or google if must. If your still stuck... I dunno if you should be going to uni

[sPiKyAZN]

yes

So what do most people send in?

[aznboiz]

wow, chill dude. just trying to finish my application. And i have searched, but people like u giving the same responses pretty much flooded the search.

[redflagrox]

omg... i said yes to the distance education question... i had no time cuz i was only applyin for the queen elizabeth scholarship... do we get a chance to redo that part of the app??? like can we change it? but would that affect my chance of getting the queen elizabeth scholarship?

[danman227460]

Anyone know if working during the school year has any effect on your OSAP? I am talking about 10 hours or so a week. Incase it isn't clear what I am trying to ask, I am wondering if I apply for OSAP for my third year, get an amount and work during my third year, would that effect my current or my next year's application?

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey, my mom and step dad moved to Nova Scotia and I wanted to finish grade 12 in Ontario at my high school so I moved in with my grandpa. She pays him monthly for like groceries, water, electricity. Should I just use my mom and step dad's information when applying (no communication with father), or use my grandpa? He doesn't claim me as a dependant on taxes or report anything.

use your mom and step father, you'll get more osap this way too

[BBQPorkBun]

I'm a little concerned about what OSAP is going to be doing to me when they check the info I provided with what CRA has this fall. I've always reported all the income I've made during university.

I've been working my butt off since the last 2 years of high school and during university because my mom cannot afford to pay for me. Due to working and living at home, I was able to pay off my tuition and what not without using the money OSAP gave me. I am now going to be entering my third year. During the end of first year I transferred the OSAP money into a high interest savings account so the interest I made off it I'm guessing was reported to CRA becuz I received a T5 slip in March of my second year (a couple months back).

My concern is that I told OSAP, I have 0 financial assets which is basically true because it is there money and grants that I had in the bank and it says that you do not need to include OSAP funding when listing your financial assets.

you should be concerned, cuz thats not true.

[BBQPorkBun]

Anyone know if working during the school year has any effect on your OSAP? I am talking about 10 hours or so a week. Incase it isn't clear what I am trying to ask, I am wondering if I apply for OSAP for my third year, get an amount and work during my third year, would that effect my current or my next year's application?

any income you make affects osap. it affects the year in which that income is made.

[BBQPorkBun]

wow this has been asked so much,

What do you think it means?

Examine the question (use a dictionary if you have to). I won't give it away, so you can learn how to logically think or google if must. If your still stuck... I dunno if you should be going to uni

I agree

take a few seconds to use google plz

[BBQPorkBun]

So what do most people send in?

just a written explaination by you, they may ask you for more evidence depending on what you say but its not likely

[Silent_girl]

I have tried with 3 different phones to call the telephone payment option for the OSAP paper application and the number is just not working. 1 900 565 3434

Is there a certain time you are supposed to call, ie weekday, mid day?

[killoverme]

wow, chill dude. just trying to finish my application. And i have searched, but people like u giving the same responses pretty much flooded the search.

if you even actually searched properly, i answered the question fully a week or less ago. it wasn't an attack it was just, use your common sense. Search for my answer if you wish in this thread and you'll find the answer.

you are trying to finish your app but you need to learn that you dont need help to find answers to these simple questions. It is a direct question which requires little or no though, just look up the words if you don't know them.

[killoverme]

I have tried with 3 different phones to call the telephone payment option for the OSAP paper application and the number is just not working. 1 900 565 3434

Is there a certain time you are supposed to call, ie weekday, mid day?

payment option?

[BBQPorkBun]

I have tried with 3 different phones to call the telephone payment option for the OSAP paper application and the number is just not working. 1 900 565 3434

Is there a certain time you are supposed to call, ie weekday, mid day?

1-888-815-4514

Thats the number to the NSLSC

But im confused about you trying to make a payment? yet applying for osap?

Also, FYI, the NSLSC is based in mississauga and has to cater to the east and west coast, so it opens at like 6am and theres still service till 11pm

[temp1]

1-888-815-4514

Thats the number to the NSLSC

But im confused about you trying to make a payment? yet applying for osap?

Also, FYI, the NSLSC is based in mississauga and has to cater to the east and west coast, so it opens at like 6am and theres still service till 11pm

i just googled that 1-900 number and it seems as though it is to pay the fee for doing the paper application. So you call the 1900 number and it charges your phone bill the fee.

Really don't know why they wouldn't just do the online app?

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey BBQPorkBun,

thanks for answering my question. it says this on the OSAP website

Other Assets

Other assets include the total gross value of all account balances at financial institutions, bonds, term deposits, GICs, all other investments, and any other assets (e.g., boats, aircraft, motors, etc.) not indicated in the items on your application dealing with vehicles and/or RRSPs.). Do not include your principal residence, clothing, furniture, personal belongings or OSAP funding.

So if they were to ask where I got this money that's currently in my bank acct couldn't I tell that it is the OSAP funding which is why I didn't include it???

yeah...i would suggest you stop trying to find loopholes and workarounds.

don't you think that if anyones ever had an osap loan that anyone can just say that whatever is in their account was osap from another year, hence i have no assets.

all questions on the application are factual and not up for interpretation, nothing is suppose to be subjective.

the question is saying, what are your assets, not including the anticipated osap you would be getting in the upcoming year.

[BBQPorkBun]

i just googled that 1-900 number and it seems as though it is to pay the fee for doing the paper application. So you call the 1900 number and it charges your phone bill the fee.

Really don't know why they wouldn't just do the online app?

Ive never heard it done this way, but if thats how it works nowadays, sure whatever. I would suggest you just do the online app. not sure who you are refering to when saying why wouldn't 'they' do the online app.

[aznscrewball]

I reached the Residency Information, and am left with nine options:

Check 1 of the following 9 statements that best describes your current residency situation:

-I have always resided in Ontario
-Ontario is the last province in which I resided in for 12 consecutive months without being a full-time postsecondary student.
-I reside in Ontario AND I have lived in Canada for less than 12 consecutive months.
-My spouse has always resided in Ontario
-Ontario is the last province my spouse resided in for 12 consecutive months without being a full-time postsecondary student.
-I reside in Ontario and my spouse and I have lived in Canada for less than 12 consecutive months.
-Ontario is the last province my parent, step-parent, legal guardian, or official sponsor have resided in for at least 12 consecutive months.
-I reside in Ontario AND my parent(s) and I have resided in Canada for less than 12 consecutive months.
-I now reside in Ontario, but none of the above statements applies to me.

I was born in Quebec, but my family and I moved out and came to Ontario when I was the age of 1. My parents say I should check the first one of "I have always resided in Ontario", but i'm not sure if that 1 year in Quebec matters. The rest all seem to be aiming for people who have been here for only a year or so, while I am more or less a full resident of Ontario.

Please help, this is all that is left for me to check.

I seem to have a similar problem as you.
Can anyone help? I moved here when I was 3 years old, and this seems to be aiming at immigrant families who just moved to Canada. I got confused last year and checked off "-Ontario is the last province my parent, step-parent, legal guardian, or official sponsor have resided in for at least 12 consecutive months." option, which after re-reading it a million times does not sound too right. I can't really say I have resided always in Ontario, so I am leaning towards the last option that none of the above applies to me. Am I right in my thinking?

Also, another matter, all this technical words is making my head spin. Where exactly should I enter how much I have sitting in my bank account?

edit-
If I am going to take one Dis. Ed. course, do I need to check off that option? Or is that for people who are taking the whole year as Dis. Ed?

I have quite a few questions, so thank you to anyone for answering :)

[temp1]

Ive never heard it done this way, but if thats how it works nowadays, sure whatever. I would suggest you just do the online app. not sure who you are refering to when saying why wouldn't 'they' do the online app.

sorry, the "they" i was referring to was the original person who posted asking why the 1-900 number wasn't working. Wasn't sure why the person asking the question did the paper application instead of the online one.

[temp1]

I seem to have a similar problem as you.
Can anyone help? I moved here when I was 3 years old, and this seems to be aiming at immigrant families who just moved to Canada. I got confused last year and checked off "-Ontario is the last province my parent, step-parent, legal guardian, or official sponsor have resided in for at least 12 consecutive months." option, which after re-reading it a million times does not sound too right. I can't really say I have resided always in Ontario, so I am leaning towards the last option that none of the above applies to me. Am I right in my thinking?

"-Ontario is the last province in which I resided in for 12 consecutive months without being a full-time postsecondary student." - wouldn't this one apply? The last time you weren't a post-secondary student, so probably during high school, you lived in ontario for 12 consecutive months, right? That's the one I selected, and I've lived in ontario for the past 11 or so years.

Also, another matter, all this technical words is making my head spin. Where exactly should I enter how much I have sitting in my bank account?

Other assets section (account balances are within the definition of other assets)

edit-
If I am going to take one Dis. Ed. course, do I need to check off that option? Or is that for people who are taking the whole year as Dis. Ed?
I have quite a few questions, so thank you to anyone for answering :)

Don't know anything about this personally.

[WonderingIf]

They can't see and even if they dig deep enough to find it. You can always justify it somehow that its her money.

Just my own preference, but i prefer one acct for your personal stuff, one for OSAP transactions at two diff banks.

I have seen a few references here to "joint accounts" (i.e., not really an OSAP asset), but what about "in-trust accounts" (i.e., in the parent's name, "in-trust" for the student)?

[sPiKyAZN]

just a written explaination by you, they may ask you for more evidence depending on what you say but its not likely

thanks bbqporkbun

[BBQPorkBun]

I have seen a few references here to "joint accounts" (i.e., not really an OSAP asset), but what about "in-trust accounts" (i.e., in the parent's name, "in-trust" for the student)?

still your asset, now your name is stapled to it

[f00kie]

I was wondering what the repercussions are if I were to guess on the wrong side of the equation. For example, I believe there is a question on the application that asks me to estimate my earnings during the upcoming school year. I have a part-time job and technically know my earnings, but I could always quit before school starts, drastically cut my hours, or get laid off. What if I were to put $0? Realistically, would they actually ping my SIN account every once in a while to see whether any income is coming in?

Oh, and I'm entering the last year, so I don't quite care if they deny me loans for future years as there won't be any.

[BBQPorkBun]

I was wondering what the repercussions are if I were to guess on the wrong side of the equation. For example, I believe there is a question on the application that asks me to estimate my earnings during the upcoming school year. I have a part-time job and technically know my earnings, but I could always quit before school starts, drastically cut my hours, or get laid off. What if I were to put $0? Realistically, would they actually ping my SIN account every once in a while to see whether any income is coming in?

Oh, and I'm entering the last year, so I don't quite care if they deny me loans for future years as there won't be any.

I would advise being conservative on these kind of estimates, whether you need the loan or not. Assume, 0 until you've earned it, worse case scenario you pay them back a bit.

[freebie]

I've gone thru about the first 30 pages of the thread and it looks like great stuff! I have a question regarding the "loan forgiveness" on the portion that exceeds $7000... this was discussed in the original post as well as on page 15.

Here's my situation: I received roughly $10,000 in OSAP loans for my first year of studies, but I didn't apply for any more loans in subsequent years. Now I have graduated and I need to start paying back the loan.

My form says the Principal (and capitalized interest) is around $10,500, which works out to ~$128 per month for a standard 9.5 year (114 months) repayment schedule. OSAP did not "forgive" any part of my loan that exceeded $7000 nor did they consider it a grant.

Where can I find more information about automatic forgiveness of loans that exceed $7000 per school year? My 6-month grace period is about to expire and I have to start making payments in July.

[mk5718]

I have a question regarding claiming how much "assets" one has.

According to OSAP's definition of an asset, I have none - except for what's in my bank account, which is where I am unsure.

I'm supposed to claim the balance in my account - but as I live from paycheck to paycheck, this number fluctuates throughout the month -
ie. By the end of the month, I have $ to cover my rent and bills in my account, but one week later, when everything is paid off, I'm essentially back to 0 (or pretty close to it).

Therefore, depending on when you look into my account, it can have anywhere from under 100$ to, maybe 1k.

This is worrisome, because I've been through the osap estimator - and that 1k is pretty significant.

My question is: do I put in 0 (which is the truth of my acutal 'savings') or the 1k (which is just money that flows through me and into the hands of my landlord, and other debt collectors ><)

Thanks~

[killoverme]

I have a question regarding claiming how much "assets" one has.

According to OSAP's definition of an asset, I have none - except for what's in my bank account, which is where I am unsure.

I'm supposed to claim the balance in my account - but as I live from paycheck to paycheck, this number fluctuates throughout the month -
ie. By the end of the month, I have $ to cover my rent and bills in my account, but one week later, when everything is paid off, I'm essentially back to 0 (or pretty close to it).

Therefore, depending on when you look into my account, it can have anywhere from under 100$ to, maybe 1k.

This is worrisome, because I've been through the osap estimator - and that 1k is pretty significant.

My question is: do I put in 0 (which is the truth of my acutal 'savings') or the 1k (which is just money that flows through me and into the hands of my landlord, and other debt collectors ><)

Thanks~
just put how much you have right now. or put 500. or 0 if you wish

[BBQPorkBun]

I've gone thru about the first 30 pages of the thread and it looks like great stuff! I have a question regarding the "loan forgiveness" on the portion that exceeds $7000... this was discussed in the original post as well as on page 15.

Here's my situation: I received roughly $10,000 in OSAP loans for my first year of studies, but I didn't apply for any more loans in subsequent years. Now I have graduated and I need to start paying back the loan.

My form says the Principal (and capitalized interest) is around $10,500, which works out to ~$128 per month for a standard 9.5 year (114 months) repayment schedule. OSAP did not "forgive" any part of my loan that exceeded $7000 nor did they consider it a grant.

Where can I find more information about automatic forgiveness of loans that exceed $7000 per school year? My 6-month grace period is about to expire and I have to start making payments in July.

Firstly, lets get the terminology right, thats not loan forgiveness, its a government grant that they are giving you. loan forgiveness is something else that happens after you've exhausted interest relief.

I suggest you call the NSLSC and ask for a statement and take a look at your disbursements. My instincts tell me theres more to the story, like that is 10k including summer or something, in which the grant would not apply.

[BBQPorkBun]

I have a question regarding claiming how much "assets" one has.

According to OSAP's definition of an asset, I have none - except for what's in my bank account, which is where I am unsure.

I'm supposed to claim the balance in my account - but as I live from paycheck to paycheck, this number fluctuates throughout the month -
ie. By the end of the month, I have $ to cover my rent and bills in my account, but one week later, when everything is paid off, I'm essentially back to 0 (or pretty close to it).

Therefore, depending on when you look into my account, it can have anywhere from under 100$ to, maybe 1k.

This is worrisome, because I've been through the osap estimator - and that 1k is pretty significant.

My question is: do I put in 0 (which is the truth of my acutal 'savings') or the 1k (which is just money that flows through me and into the hands of my landlord, and other debt collectors ><)

Thanks~

0

[IBOPM]

Umm, I got an awesome summer job and I'm gonna make $11k from it. I'm going into 3rd year and my tuition is about $9000. What should I do? I feel screwed.

[BBQPorkBun]

Umm, I got an awesome summer job and I'm gonna make $11k from it. I'm going into 3rd year and my tuition is about $9000. What should I do? I feel screwed.

If the job gets you a head start in your career, keep at it. if its some nowhere job and you just worked alot or did alot of overtime or its not even in the field you want to go in, then reconsider. But alot of students would really want a job like that, well those that don't get osap at least.

[IBOPM]

Yea the job is alright. It's a little bit related to what I want to do. It can sound good on the resume. But what can I do now in terms of getting as much OSAP as possible? Or am I doomed to get $0 from OSAP?

[freebie]

Firstly, lets get the terminology right, thats not loan forgiveness, its a government grant that they are giving you. loan forgiveness is something else that happens after you've exhausted interest relief.

I suggest you call the NSLSC and ask for a statement and take a look at your disbursements. My instincts tell me theres more to the story, like that is 10k including summer or something, in which the grant would not apply.
You're right, the 10k did include additional loans over the summer.

I called NSLSC for the disbursement information and here's what they told me:
-I was assessed a loan of $8888 for the school year (Sept - Apr) and I received it two payments, part of it in September ($5493) and January ($3395).

-Then in the summer I took a couple courses and applied for more OSAP funding. I received an additional $1266 in April.

-So the total disbursements for that school year was $8888 + $1266 = roughly $10,000. None of it was in the form of a grant, though. Any comments or ideas if I could get that changed, since I did get over 7k for the regular Sept-Apr period? :rolleyes:

[BBQPorkBun]

Yea the job is alright. It's a little bit related to what I want to do. It can sound good on the resume. But what can I do now in terms of getting as much OSAP as possible? Or am I doomed to get $0 from OSAP?

try and see, can't hurt. u may get something if your tuition is 9k plus u gotta live away from home.

[BBQPorkBun]

You're right, the 10k did include additional loans over the summer.

I called NSLSC for the disbursement information and here's what they told me:
-I was assessed a loan of $8888 for the school year (Sept - Apr) and I received it two payments, part of it in September ($5493) and January ($3395).

-Then in the summer I took a couple courses and applied for more OSAP funding. I received an additional $1266 in April.

-So the total disbursements for that school year was $8888 + $1266 = roughly $10,000. None of it was in the form of a grant, though. Any comments or ideas if I could get that changed, since I did get over 7k for the regular Sept-Apr period? :rolleyes:

go to your financial aid office and find out

or try to see why you didn't qualify
http://osap.gov.on.ca/eng/Not_secure/Plan_Grants_full_newapp_osog_12345.htm

[JaneSmith]

a lot of these questions can be answered by simply logging onto the osap website and looking at your distribution history. You'll see your breakdown year by year, including what grants/scholarships you might have received, etc. Furthermore, there's a nice little FAQ and lots of explanations as to how things work...right there for all to see.
For anyone interested there's also a forum dedicated to osap horror stories, where people being harrassed by collection agencies go to complain. You might want to read through some of those posts as they'll motivate you to manage your OSAP loans more intelligently while you're in school and beyond.
it's at http://www.canadastudentdebt.ca

[HockeyGirl]

2 questions

i have received via mail - osap the declaration / signature page to sign and mail back to the finanicial office ( can i drop it off? )
george brown college has 2 finanicial offices ( two different campus)
and 2nd - my supporting documenation - i dropped it off @ an different finincial office than the one that they want me to send back the signature page is that okay?
thank you

[BBQPorkBun]

a lot of these questions can be answered by simply logging onto the osap website and looking at your distribution history. You'll see your breakdown year by year, including what grants/scholarships you might have received, etc. Furthermore, there's a nice little FAQ and lots of explanations as to how things work...right there for all to see.
For anyone interested there's also a forum dedicated to osap horror stories, where people being harrassed by collection agencies go to complain. You might want to read through some of those posts as they'll motivate you to manage your OSAP loans more intelligently while you're in school and beyond.
it's at http://www.canadastudentdebt.ca

thx

[BBQPorkBun]

2 questions

i have received via mail - osap the declaration / signature page to sign and mail back to the finanicial office ( can i drop it off? )
george brown college has 2 finanicial offices ( two different campus)
and 2nd - my supporting documenation - i dropped it off @ an different finincial office than the one that they want me to send back the signature page is that okay?
thank you

ask financial aid

[raven82]

I've got a quick question. If OSAP does look into your bank account and financial assets, do they have access to information from more than a year ago? How far back can they check?

[professionaldude]

I had a loan of around $9000 this year from sep 2007 to aug2008. last week I received a letter saying that I wouldn't be able to apply for OSAP again as there were significant difference between the Income reported by you and the CRA. I was surprised coz I just extended my loan and took some summer courses and there was no problem. Well, I took it to the Financial Office and they told me to wait until i get the appeal form from NSLS and send the supporting documents if required but I will not be able to apply for OSAP for next 5 years. Now i really don't know what to do? Any suggestion what could i do coz i still have 2 years to finish.
thx

[BBQPorkBun]

I've got a quick question. If OSAP does look into your bank account and financial assets, do they have access to information from more than a year ago? How far back can they check?

if they can access one year, theres no reason why they couldn't access any other year, but how relevant would it be, the past can't be changed anyways.

[help_questions]

I've got three questions:
1) how long after the application is completed do we found out how much we get?

2) the application is just for the September 2008-April 2009 school year and we apply for summer school separately.....is that correct?

3) how do I determine what to list as the value of my wife's car?

thanks again for all the help!

[BBQPorkBun]

I had a loan of around $9000 this year from sep 2007 to aug2008. last week I received a letter saying that I wouldn't be able to apply for OSAP again as there were significant difference between the Income reported by you and the CRA. I was surprised coz I just extended my loan and took some summer courses and there was no problem. Well, I took it to the Financial Office and they told me to wait until i get the appeal form from NSLS and send the supporting documents if required but I will not be able to apply for OSAP for next 5 years. Now i really don't know what to do? Any suggestion what could i do coz i still have 2 years to finish.
thx

at the very least by posting this, many others will hopefully avoid this scenario

short answer is no, all you can do is go through the appeal process and somewhat prove or legitimize your discrepancy.

good luck

[help_questions]

I've got a quick question. If OSAP does look into your bank account and financial assets, do they have access to information from more than a year ago? How far back can they check?

if they can access one year, theres no reason why they couldn't access any other year, but how relevant would it be, the past can't be changed anyways.

what is the normal procedure here? how far/recent do they usually check?

[JaneSmith]

I can answer #2 for you...it's for the whole calendar year, not the school year. If you're taking summer school, you include that in your amount of weeks of study.

#1 and #3...sorry no clue

I've got three questions:
1) how long after the application is completed do we found out how much we get?

2) the application is just for the September 2008-April 2009 school year and we apply for summer school separately.....is that correct?

3) how do I determine what to list as the value of my wife's car?

thanks again for all the help!

[dazzel]

Just Curious, What are the significant things that could result in you getting a definite estimate of 0?

[BBQPorkBun]

what is the normal procedure here? how far/recent do they usually check?

the normal procedure they'll check what's been asked of you to verify. if however you are flagged or your a special case of some kind and they need extra info, its available to them.

[BBQPorkBun]

Just Curious, What are the significant things that could result in you getting a definite estimate of 0?

your income
parents income
assets
lack of children =p

[dazzel]

is there a cap for your parents income? Everything else you mentioned i have pretty much none of :) and no children :lol:

[BBQPorkBun]

I've got three questions:
1) how long after the application is completed do we found out how much we get?

2) the application is just for the September 2008-April 2009 school year and we apply for summer school separately.....is that correct?

3) how do I determine what to list as the value of my wife's car?

thanks again for all the help!

1)depends when you did it, how busy they are
2)yes
3)http://www.kbb.com/

[BBQPorkBun]

is there a cap for your parents income? Everything else you mentioned i have pretty much none of :) and no children :lol:

not sure what you mean by cap, but if you are asking if theres a mark in which you will get no osap because your parent's income is past that mark, well of course there is. what is that mark, i don't know, but apply and find out. it is what it is.

[help_questions]

1)depends when you did it, how busy they are
2)yes
3)http://www.kbb.com/

thanks for your help

[JaneSmith]

A summer semester isn't applied for separately. I just had to amend my application because I did just that.

[help_questions]

is incorrectly stating when you last attended university a big error?

also

do they compare the listed value of the car (from the application) to the kbb.com? If so, when/how would they account for things that would lower the value of the car (like cigarette burns, accidents, scratches, dings).

[BBQPorkBun]

A summer semester isn't applied for separately. I just had to amend my application because I did just that.

You probably don't want to do that in most cases.

its the summer, so far away and you may change your mind as to what you're doing and what your plans are depending on how your year goes. also you don't want to be reassessed in april, and having your verify your income from before which was just an estimate before etc. just a bit troublesome, advise you seggregate the two.

[BBQPorkBun]

is incorrectly stating when you last attended university a big error?

also

do they compare the listed value of the car (from the application) to the kbb.com? If so, when/how would they account for things that would lower the value of the car (like cigarette burns, accidents, scratches, dings).

if the answer is 9 vs 10 years ago then no, but if you are talking about 5 months ago or a year then yes

those factors are insignifcant for the purpose of this application

[help_questions]

if the answer is 9 vs 10 years ago then no, but if you are talking about 5 months ago or a year then yes

those factors are insignifcant for the purpose of this application

thanks for responding. When I acquired my vehicle, it was appraised at under $3500. But when I go to the kbb.com site you provided, it says that my car is valued at over $5000. I know that the over $5000 figure is for cars in mint condition, which mine isn't, so am wondering if the value I list will cause a problem later on.

[BBQPorkBun]

thanks for responding. When I acquired my vehicle, it was appraised at under $3500. But when I go to the kbb.com site you provided, it says that my car is valued at over $5000. I know that the over $5000 figure is for cars in mint condition, which mine isn't, so am wondering if the value I list will cause a problem later on.

no it won't, use the appraised value, i assume you have documentation anyways.

[JaneSmith]

You probably don't want to do that in most cases.

its the summer, so far away and you may change your mind as to what you're doing and what your plans are depending on how your year goes. also you don't want to be reassessed in april, and having your verify your income from before which was just an estimate before etc. just a bit troublesome, advise you seggregate the two.


Well in my case I have no choice as it's part of my program..meaning I have no choice but to go to school during the summer. I guess for others it's more of a choice, and their application process would be different.

[JaneSmith]

Just curious...
so many people are talking about submitting their parents income, but I didn't have to do that. Is that because it's not my first time applying?

[knickerbocker]

How do you go about repaying your loan. I have $25,000 in loans, and would like to pay about $2,200 each month in order to pay it off in 12 months. Do I call the NSLC? And also can you repay via Credit Card?

[BBQPorkBun]

How do you go about repaying your loan. I have $25,000 in loans, and would like to pay about $2,200 each month in order to pay it off in 12 months. Do I call the NSLC? And also can you repay via Credit Card?

give them your bank info to set up preauthorized paymts
send them a cheque, whatever you want...except credit cards

[visitor12]

is the osap page down or is it just me.

[nasdaqnyse]

yea im unable to access the website as well

[knickerbocker]

What seriously, you can't pay a monthly payment via credit card?!?!?!?!?

[Juls4444]

Yup, down for me too!

Now I am in grad school, and can either be full time for the whole year:

Tuition: 8000
Amount of $ loaned total: 20000
Amount to payback 10500 (i think this is the cap for 3 terms)
(this is including a grant from UofT)

OR

full time for the first and parttime for the second:

Tuition total: 5000
amount of $ loaned: 5500
(I would not get a grant and I assume none of this would be forgiven?)
Amount to eventually payback: 5500

I am at a loss as to what I should do... it seems being fulltime for the year works out to being better financially, and I would get access to health insurance, gym ect... plus courses not all jam packed into the first term.

Can anyone comment on this at all? I know being fulltime the one thing would be that I would be able to work much since I would go over what I was allowed to make to get full OSAP (as I did this past year of my masters).

Anyw comments/help is VERY appriciated!

Thanks!

[BBQPorkBun]

What seriously, you can't pay a monthly payment via credit card?!?!?!?!?

No, why is it so suprising? Firstly you are exchanging one form of debt to another, secondly why would OSAP pay credit card companies anything to collect their debt?

[BBQPorkBun]

Yup, down for me too!

Now I am in grad school, and can either be full time for the whole year:

Tuition: 8000
Amount of $ loaned total: 20000
Amount to payback 10500 (i think this is the cap for 3 terms)
(this is including a grant from UofT)

OR

full time for the first and parttime for the second:

Tuition total: 5000
amount of $ loaned: 5500
(I would not get a grant and I assume none of this would be forgiven?)
Amount to eventually payback: 5500

I am at a loss as to what I should do... it seems being fulltime for the year works out to being better financially, and I would get access to health insurance, gym ect... plus courses not all jam packed into the first term.

Can anyone comment on this at all? I know being fulltime the one thing would be that I would be able to work much since I would go over what I was allowed to make to get full OSAP (as I did this past year of my masters).

Anyw comments/help is VERY appriciated!

Thanks!

Theres no benefits to going part time ever.

[TechRock]

hi, got another question, my mom want to change the ownership of one of our vehicle to me? would that effect my OSAP? And what about adding my name on the house deed, would that effect my OSAP too?

[jwei]

No, why is it so suprising? Firstly you are exchanging one form of debt to another, secondly why would OSAP pay credit card companies anything to collect their debt?

lol there was sarcasm in that post before.

[pajo]

I have reported the value of my car according to www.kbb.com Today I checked the status of my application and I got this message:

"you must provide a written and signed independent vehicle appraisal that indicates the current market value for that particular vehicle"

How can I obtain "a written and signed independent vehicle appraisal " Where should I go? Do I pay for this?

[Juls4444]

I own a little Vespa scooter, and have never said anything- can they track this? Will they? It is only worth about $4000.
Also- when will we find out how much funding we are getting for the Fall semester? The OSAP site has been down constantly.

[BBQPorkBun]

hi, got another question, my mom want to change the ownership of one of our vehicle to me? would that effect my OSAP? And what about adding my name on the house deed, would that effect my OSAP too?

yes, yes

[BBQPorkBun]

I have reported the value of my car according to www.kbb.com Today I checked the status of my application and I got this message:

"you must provide a written and signed independent vehicle appraisal that indicates the current market value for that particular vehicle"

How can I obtain "a written and signed independent vehicle appraisal " Where should I go? Do I pay for this?

Used car dealership, your insurance company? not too sure, some other guy on this thread did it, read back and PM him.

[BBQPorkBun]

I own a little Vespa scooter, and have never said anything- can they track this? Will they? It is only worth about $4000.
Also- when will we find out how much funding we are getting for the Fall semester? The OSAP site has been down constantly.

They are vehicles you have to register and pay insurance for?
4k would affect your osap

When? i dunno, when they get to it. Depends when you did your app, where you are in the queue. etc.

[Juls4444]

Thanks BBQ,
If you do not mention the scooter- will they find out about it?
I did not include it in my application...
Thanks,
J

[studentmom]

Hello,
I had a question I cannot seem to find the answer too, in these 80+ pages. :cheesygri

Before applying to OSAP I plugged in the numbers and it spit out the figure, $7400. I thought great--enough to cover tuition, books. I then proceeded to fill out the application and it gave another estimate at the end for $500--WTH?? So after waiting for them to process it, the amount came back at $1800. I know the above are just estimates but how can the discrepancy be so huge with the same numbers! I'm worried and will go see Financial aid but came across this site and thought I'd ask if anyone had ideas.

I have had OSAP in the past, in good standing, still paying it off. I'm going back to upgrade my degree/take a second in another subject to go to teachers college the following year. My husband has a good job, but we are a single income family and have 2 very young kids that would need childcare. We own a house(mortgaged) and two older cars worth maybe $6000 total. I'm stumped, I can't think of anything else of relevance. I have no idea how we'll afford this without OSAP. Divorce maybe? LOL

Any ideas what could cause such a discrepancy between the orginal estimate and actual amount?

[BBQPorkBun]

Thanks BBQ,
If you do not mention the scooter- will they find out about it?
I did not include it in my application...
Thanks,
J

I dunno, maybe, maybe not, up to you if you want that risk.

[BBQPorkBun]

Hello,
I had a question I cannot seem to find the answer too, in these 80+ pages. :cheesygri

Before applying to OSAP I plugged in the numbers and it spit out the figure, $7400. I thought great--enough to cover tuition, books. I then proceeded to fill out the application and it gave another estimate at the end for $500--WTH?? So after waiting for them to process it, the amount came back at $1800. I know the above are just estimates but how can the discrepancy be so huge with the same numbers! I'm worried and will go see Financial aid but came across this site and thought I'd ask if anyone had ideas.

I have had OSAP in the past, in good standing, still paying it off. I'm going back to upgrade my degree/take a second in another subject to go to teachers college the following year. My husband has a good job, but we are a single income family and have 2 very young kids that would need childcare. We own a house(mortgaged) and two older cars worth maybe $6000 total. I'm stumped, I can't think of anything else of relevance. I have no idea how we'll afford this without OSAP. Divorce maybe? LOL

Any ideas what could cause such a discrepancy between the orginal estimate and actual amount?

I would suggest writing an appeal and then get them to reassess you

[acidrunner]

Hey, I also have a question:
I'm entering 3rd year and have some cash saved up from the past two years on OSAP (~10k). Can I just pay this money back to NSLSC and apply for OSAP as usual, or do I declare it as an asset and get nothing this year... I owe about (14k) so I will need the money when the time comes to pay back the loan. The money is on my parents account right now, if that makes a difference...
Also if I do declare it as an asset, can I pay tuition and rent first and then declare what remains?

Thanks!

[help_questions]

They are vehicles you have to register and pay insurance for?
4k would affect your osap

When? i dunno, when they get to it. Depends when you did your app, where you are in the queue. etc.

I thought vehicles under $5000 would not affect one's osap....


also, it turns out that the document that states the value of my car is inaccurate. I called a couple of appraisal places, and found that my car could be valued at $7000. I did an OSAP loan estimate online, and with our family income and the vehicle value listed at $7000, it says that:
TOTAL ESTIMATED COSTS: $30000
TOTAL ESTIMATED OSAP FUNDING:$18530

Does that make sense, with my vehicle valued at $7000? I figure that it does since the funding available is still less than my estimated costs.

Just for the sake of understanding, does that mean that if my costs were lower than $18530, I would get less than my $18530 because I have the car.

Also, for anyone else wondering about the car appraisals, I found this link from google that lists places that do appraisals:
http://www.lant-ins.ca/links.php

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey, I also have a question:
I'm entering 3rd year and have some cash saved up from the past two years on OSAP (~10k). Can I just pay this money back to NSLSC and apply for OSAP as usual, or do I declare it as an asset and get nothing this year... I owe about (14k) so I will need the money when the time comes to pay back the loan. The money is on my parents account right now, if that makes a difference...
Also if I do declare it as an asset, can I pay tuition and rent first and then declare what remains?

Thanks!

declare what? theres no point, because your expenses is paid, why do you need to borrow any money?

use the money for 3rd year, apply for osap in 4th year with no assets. theres no point in paying osap back, its an interest free loan.

if your goal is to pay back the 10k, then apply for osap declaring no assets and try to get a grant for amounts over 7k, that method might backfire on you.

[BBQPorkBun]

I thought vehicles under $5000 would not affect one's osap....


also, it turns out that the document that states the value of my car is inaccurate. I called a couple of appraisal places, and found that my car could be valued at $7000. I did an OSAP loan estimate online, and with our family income and the vehicle value listed at $7000, it says that:
TOTAL ESTIMATED COSTS: $30000
TOTAL ESTIMATED OSAP FUNDING:$18530

Does that make sense, with my vehicle valued at $7000? I figure that it does since the funding available is still less than my estimated costs.

Just for the sake of understanding, does that mean that if my costs were lower than $18530, I would get less than my $18530 because I have the car.

Also, for anyone else wondering about the car appraisals, I found this link from google that lists places that do appraisals:
http://www.lant-ins.ca/links.php

someone else mentioned that before too but I have never heard of that myself, if someone can provide a link to prove that, it would be helpful.

[SamInfinity]

So my OSAP application has been assessed for the 2008-09 session, and I was overpaid on my loan - now they're requesting I pay back the overpayment before my future funds are released. They sent in the form asking that allows me to appeal their assessment, in which I have to break down my income and send in supporting documentation as well.

It's true that I overstated since my income is reported to CRA, but there were things I didn't know at the time of application last year. For example, I picked up some extra shifts at work (it was originally supposed to be a summer job only) and got a $2000 bursary from the University on top.

The other thing that sort of makes me a little sad is that I have a line of credit from a bank at prime + 0.5% which I pay interest on. The reason I applied for the loan was because my OSAP assessment when I started my program wasn't going to be enough to pay for my education (by a LOT). I used the LOC to pay for schooling, and then used a small portion of what savings I had into an investment account. Fast forward to the present, the investment paid off and I was able to pay back a large chunk of the LOC, except the problem is that capital gains are also reported on income taxes. So for last year, my income is quite different from my earlier estimates.

My question is: Is there any point in writing a letter of appeal about my LOC along with my income statements from last year. It seems in the past two years they didn't really care how much was drawn from it in their assessment of my OSAP loan.

[pi314]

Hey


I might be able to save some OSAP cash in the first year by living outside of school res. Could one invest the grants totalling about 5k for 4 years in ING or something, will it effect future osaps? Is it a good idea?

[help_questions]

someone else mentioned that before too but I have never heard of that myself, if someone can provide a link to prove that, it would be helpful.

i am not sure what you mean here.........please clarify and i'll try to track down a link

[Thor991]

Hi, so I applied for osap (haven't received an estimate yet).. got a question or two:

Anyways I have a Co-op that starts in January. I figured this was part of my studies so I put 100% course load (im taking full course load 1st semester and 1 course during my paid co-op) 1.) Is this right?

2.) I'm getting a car soon but its going under my parents name cause they are paying for most of it (its not expensive tho,) do I have to update file with this?

3.) If my co-op starts in January and ends at the beginning of the next school year (so its also my summer job) do I have to pay back loans? (because I'm out of school for 8 months, or does the co-op count as schooling). Thanks.

If it makes any difference im at a private institution.

[BBQPorkBun]

So my OSAP application has been assessed for the 2008-09 session, and I was overpaid on my loan - now they're requesting I pay back the overpayment before my future funds are released. They sent in the form asking that allows me to appeal their assessment, in which I have to break down my income and send in supporting documentation as well.

It's true that I overstated since my income is reported to CRA, but there were things I didn't know at the time of application last year. For example, I picked up some extra shifts at work (it was originally supposed to be a summer job only) and got a $2000 bursary from the University on top.

The other thing that sort of makes me a little sad is that I have a line of credit from a bank at prime + 0.5% which I pay interest on. The reason I applied for the loan was because my OSAP assessment when I started my program wasn't going to be enough to pay for my education (by a LOT). I used the LOC to pay for schooling, and then used a small portion of what savings I had into an investment account. Fast forward to the present, the investment paid off and I was able to pay back a large chunk of the LOC, except the problem is that capital gains are also reported on income taxes. So for last year, my income is quite different from my earlier estimates.

My question is: Is there any point in writing a letter of appeal about my LOC along with my income statements from last year. It seems in the past two years they didn't really care how much was drawn from it in their assessment of my OSAP loan.

nope, they don't care. theres no point making alot of income in a borrowing osap situation. you should of just paid off the LOC, then apply for OSAP with no assets and low income.

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey


I might be able to save some OSAP cash in the first year by living outside of school res. Could one invest the grants totalling about 5k for 4 years in ING or something, will it effect future osaps? Is it a good idea?

well it means you have 5k in assets for next yrs application which means you'll get less osap next year, so expect to use it.

[BBQPorkBun]

i am not sure what you mean here.........please clarify and i'll try to track down a link

means if theres a FAQ out there or info on the osap site that refers to this car value under 5k thing. ive tried, haven't seen anything about that.

[BBQPorkBun]

Hi, so I applied for osap (haven't received an estimate yet).. got a question or two:

Anyways I have a Co-op that starts in January. I figured this was part of my studies so I put 100% course load (im taking full course load 1st semester and 1 course during my paid co-op) 1.) Is this right?

2.) I'm getting a car soon but its going under my parents name cause they are paying for most of it (its not expensive tho,) do I have to update file with this?

3.) If my co-op starts in January and ends at the beginning of the next school year (so its also my summer job) do I have to pay back loans? (because I'm out of school for 8 months, or does the co-op count as schooling). Thanks.

If it makes any difference im at a private institution.

1) no, co-op is not school.
2) no
3) you will accumulate interest starting jan 1, starting paying loans in july. then go back on full time student status in sept. not a good deal in my opinion, 4 month work terms are best.

[acidrunner]

declare what? theres no point, because your expenses is paid, why do you need to borrow any money?

use the money for 3rd year, apply for osap in 4th year with no assets. theres no point in paying osap back, its an interest free loan.

if your goal is to pay back the 10k, then apply for osap declaring no assets and try to get a grant for amounts over 7k, that method might backfire on you.


Well the reason I still want to apply for osap is because of QUEII - it seems stupid to pass off 3.5k. Also you need to have applied for osap to get some school scholarships. I know it's not entirely honest not to declare that money, but I could have just bought 20 pairs of shoes and lived in a place twice as big over the school year to waste that money, and that would have been perfectly honest? It's a weird system.
If I just use that money for school, that's 7k I have to pay back. With QEII and some other school scholarships I can almost get by for free...

Anyway, more advice would be appreciated.

[help_questions]

means if theres a FAQ out there or info on the osap site that refers to this car value under 5k thing. ive tried, haven't seen anything about that.

I copied and pasted the quote in of of my posts in this thread from back in march....http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6498543&postcount=801

I googled the quote and it gave returned Durham College's OSAP FAQ. Here is the link: http://www.dc-uoit.ca/EN/main/financialaid/133951.html

[rocheapplied]

Hey everyone,

Just a quick question, does anyone know what the deadline is for Fall / Winter 2008-2009 Studies?

Also, when I was starting my OSAP Application form, they asked me to enter my income earned. After I submitted the information however, the OSAP page stated that the amount of income I was receiving was "too low" and they required me to explain how I was currently "living." I am really confused, because this summer I'll be making around $4000, and this is what I indicated on the OSAP Form.

Has anyone else had this problem?

[noxe2]

Hey guys, I just got a letter from OSAP yesterday and now I am not sure what to do...

Basically according to the letter, my 2007 Income information from CRA was $4XXX, and my total income indicated on OSAP file shows $0 for both semesters. I did not work, but did receive two Education Assistance Payment from USC Education plan (RESP which I cashed out first yr). Please note that I got this after I picked up my OSAP, hence I did not inform OSAP about it.

Now they have reassessed my OSAP funding and says I have a variance of $4XXX.

I am going into 4th yr of my studies, will most likely apply for OSAP soon for 08-09 yr. Also I have a total of 13K loan from OSAP from last 3 yrs, where I recieved 9K from OSAP last year alone due to certain family income issues.

It says that I have 2 options:

Option 1 is "No further action is required by you if you are aware that you did not accurately report your actual income for your pre-study and study period."

Option 2 is to complete the Verification of Income form and return it with acceptable supporting documents to the ministry for further review if either of the following applies to me --
- that i accurately reported all income
OR
- withdrew RRSP and or RESP in 2007

So what do I do? I know I should be calling but I saw the letter late last night and am worried. I will call in Monday to my Financial Aid Office and try to sort things through. In the meantime, how can I confirm that my income was $4XXX like they indicate? Should my Notice of Assessment from tax return reveal that? Sorry, just a newbie when it comes to these things. Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Note - I did have some small income being an webmaster and all, but never bothered showing it since the revenue from my website went directly to either my Paypal account and/or my bank account (from Google Adsense). Not sure how that might affect it, but not leaving out any info here :lol:

[noreeeen]

Hey guys, I just got a letter from OSAP yesterday and now I am not sure what to do...

Basically according to the letter, my 2007 Income information from CRA was $4XXX, and my total income indicated on OSAP file shows $0 for both semesters. I did not work, but did receive two Education Assistance Payment from USC Education plan (RESP which I cashed out first yr). Please note that I got this after I picked up my OSAP, hence I did not inform OSAP about it.

Now they have reassessed my OSAP funding and says I have a variance of $4XXX.

I am going into 4th yr of my studies, will most likely apply for OSAP soon for 08-09 yr. Also I have a total of 13K loan from OSAP from last 3 yrs, where I recieved 9K from OSAP last year alone due to certain family income issues.

It says that I have 2 options:

Option 1 is "No further action is required by you if you are aware that you did not accurately report your actual income for your pre-study and study period."

Option 2 is to complete the Verification of Income form and return it with acceptable supporting documents to the ministry for further review if either of the following applies to me --
- that i accurately reported all income
OR
- withdrew RRSP and or RESP in 2007

So what do I do? I know I should be calling but I saw the letter late last night and am worried. I will call in Monday to my Financial Aid Office and try to sort things through. In the meantime, how can I confirm that my income was $4XXX like they indicate? Should my Notice of Assessment from tax return reveal that? Sorry, just a newbie when it comes to these things. Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Note - I did have some small income being an webmaster and all, but never bothered showing it since the revenue from my website went directly to either my Paypal account and/or my bank account (from Google Adsense). Not sure how that might affect it, but not leaving out any info here :lol:

Yep, your notice of assessment should reveal that. Even better are the T4(s) you got from USC for explaining where the income came from. I'm sure you've figured out by now that you should report all income to them throughout the year!

Good luck. Don't worry, just call Financial Aid and they'll tell you what to do.

EDIT to add: Question, has anyone at UTSC not been assessed yet? It says my application is on hold because they're updating costs for my program, but it also says this is usually done by mid-June.

[BBQPorkBun]

I copied and pasted the quote in of of my posts in this thread from back in march....http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6498543&postcount=801

I googled the quote and it gave returned Durham College's OSAP FAQ. Here is the link: http://www.dc-uoit.ca/EN/main/financialaid/133951.html

sounds good to me

so that guy with the vespa should declare it to prevent any flags going up

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey everyone,

Just a quick question, does anyone know what the deadline is for Fall / Winter 2008-2009 Studies?

Also, when I was starting my OSAP Application form, they asked me to enter my income earned. After I submitted the information however, the OSAP page stated that the amount of income I was receiving was "too low" and they required me to explain how I was currently "living." I am really confused, because this summer I'll be making around $4000, and this is what I indicated on the OSAP Form.

Has anyone else had this problem?

thats normal

deadline is asap

[keeter]

Hi, I think I may have a problem here.

Last academic year 2007-2008 I had a 7xxx loan, and it wad divided into 3xxx before Jan 1 and 3xxx after Jan 1. I submitted the first one, but not the 2nd one. However, total funding issued is still 7xxx, but I never even got the 2nd installment in my bank account as I did not request it. I also have a feeling it is too late to do this...

[acidrunner]

hey everyone,
just one more question - can you get osap / QEII for a fifth year of study (i.e. upgrading your degree or doing full-time non-degree study) There does not seem to be a 5th year option for any of the programs... do you just select 4th year the second time?

Thanks

[BBQPorkBun]

Hi, I think I may have a problem here.

Last academic year 2007-2008 I had a 7xxx loan, and it wad divided into 3xxx before Jan 1 and 3xxx after Jan 1. I submitted the first one, but not the 2nd one. However, total funding issued is still 7xxx, but I never even got the 2nd installment in my bank account as I did not request it. I also have a feeling it is too late to do this...

not a big deal, you don't owe what they never gave you or you didn't accept.

but its not a very smart move overall, dunno why you would do that even if you didn't need the money. its an interest free loan.

[BBQPorkBun]

hey everyone,
just one more question - can you get osap / QEII for a fifth year of study (i.e. upgrading your degree or doing full-time non-degree study) There does not seem to be a 5th year option for any of the programs... do you just select 4th year the second time?

Thanks

yes, you can go to school for 10 years if you want.

[rocheapplied]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the response.
Also, I had one more other question. Normally, OSAP required me to input my Parent's Income Information (2007 Tax Return Form). However, this year, OSAP did not require me to input any information regarding my parents.

Is this normal? I'm confused as to why this happened in previous years, but not this year.

Thanks!

[Professor Iris]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the response.
Also, I had one more other question. Normally, OSAP required me to input my Parent's Income Information (2007 Tax Return Form). However, this year, OSAP did not require me to input any information regarding my parents.

Is this normal? I'm confused as to why this happened in previous years, but not this year.

Thanks!

Could it be that you have been out of high school for 4 years now? If so you are an independent student and do not need to input your parents income.

[7ofu]

Hi

I recently recieved a letter from osap regarding the variance of my income. I later went to my application from last term to check the status and found that the income entitlement is now less than what was issued. For example I recieved 1000 in grants and now they are saying im only supposed to get 900. I'm just curious to know how they works such as am I supposed to pay them back or?

On another note, I was shocked at the amount because it was a lot more than I expected and above what I made at work so I figured it's best to overestimate for this osap session as opposed to underestimate?

Thanks

[BBQPorkBun]

Hi

I recently recieved a letter from osap regarding the variance of my income. I later went to my application from last term to check the status and found that the income entitlement is now less than what was issued. For example I recieved 1000 in grants and now they are saying im only supposed to get 900. I'm just curious to know how they works such as am I supposed to pay them back or?

On another note, I was shocked at the amount because it was a lot more than I expected and above what I made at work so I figured it's best to overestimate for this osap session as opposed to underestimate?

Thanks

you don't necessarily have to pay back anything unless they explicitly say that you do.

nope, never over estimate

[bluemountfuji]

Ello,

I'm transferring to another university this fall, so if I change my application today, what are the chances that I'll be able to get the money in September?

Thanks.

[pi314]

Hey


I might be able to save some OSAP cash in the first year by living outside of school res. Could one invest the grants totalling about 5k for 4 years in ING or something, will it effect future osaps? Is it a good idea?

well it means you have 5k in assets for next yrs application which means you'll get less osap next year, so expect to use it.


Ok thanks. hmm, what about if for instance student owes money to the parents so transfers a large sum. could that effect the next OSAP totals in the next year? do they check for this?

[help_questions]

Is OSAP available for graduate school (such as Law School, or a Master's Program, or Teacher's College)?

[killoverme]

Is OSAP available for graduate school (such as Law School, or a Master's Program, or Teacher's College)?

Yes

[bahasad]

Currently in University of Toronto St. George. Paid for first year with RESP.
Applied to states. Accepted to university and program I want to attend - I checked eligibility of the University and it is eligible but a different campus (there are 3) from the one I wish to attend. Will I still be able to apply for OSAP?

How much is the max OSAP gives for American Universities?

Will I have to accept my offer...then apply for OSAP. Or can I apply for OSAP and then accept my offer?

What is the best way to fill out this application so I can receive the necessary help because I have never filled out one of these financial aid applications.

Sorry if these have been asked before...if you could give me the link I would appreciate it.

EDIT: Also what is the deadline? I see above someone said "ASAP"...does that mean I missed an important date or something...am I late?

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey Guys

Question:

I am taking 3 courses during the summer, a 60% load, and I am thinking of dropping one which will disqualify me for summer OSAP funding even though I have used it all.

What will be the penalty?

Thanks in advance

its not a 'penalty', you just qualify for less or no loans and gotta pay back what they loaned you or a portion of it.

[BBQPorkBun]

Ello,

I'm transferring to another university this fall, so if I change my application today, what are the chances that I'll be able to get the money in September?

Thanks.

nobody can answer this, do everything asap

[BBQPorkBun]

Ok thanks. hmm, what about if for instance student owes money to the parents so transfers a large sum. could that effect the next OSAP totals in the next year? do they check for this?

looks suspicious if they do check you up. may end up asking you to prove you owe them something. thats worse case scenario.

[BBQPorkBun]

Currently in University of Toronto St. George. Paid for first year with RESP.
Applied to states. Accepted to university and program I want to attend - I checked eligibility of the University and it is eligible but a different campus (there are 3) from the one I wish to attend. Will I still be able to apply for OSAP?

How much is the max OSAP gives for American Universities?

Will I have to accept my offer...then apply for OSAP. Or can I apply for OSAP and then accept my offer?

What is the best way to fill out this application so I can receive the necessary help because I have never filled out one of these financial aid applications.

Sorry if these have been asked before...if you could give me the link I would appreciate it.

EDIT: Also what is the deadline? I see above someone said "ASAP"...does that mean I missed an important date or something...am I late?

1) should be ok
2) same max
3) either
4) no best way, facts are facts
5) link?
6) asap means now, go do it!

[Havo]

I had a question about income discrepancies... See the thing is I started my part time job last year and it asked me what I estimated that I would earn. I put $6k and I ended up earning 14k so the discrepancy is like 8k. They have cut down the amount that they are going to loan me this fall and they sent me some papers to fill out and show proof of my earnings. The thing is I can't seem to find all my pay stubs from last year because it's been so long already. Is there anything else I can do? They ask for an estimate... it's not like I'm a mind reader and I can determine how much I earn or how much I work because I earn commission.

[BBQPorkBun]

I had a question about income discrepancies... See the thing is I started my part time job last year and it asked me what I estimated that I would earn. I put $6k and I ended up earning 14k so the discrepancy is like 8k. They have cut down the amount that they are going to loan me this fall and they sent me some papers to fill out and show proof of my earnings. The thing is I can't seem to find all my pay stubs from last year because it's been so long already. Is there anything else I can do? They ask for an estimate... it's not like I'm a mind reader and I can determine how much I earn or how much I work because I earn commission.

Go back to your employer. your own bank records.

[Dark-Colonel]

Ok I need some help because I'm a bit worried.

I applied for OSAP about a week before the deadline, I received my application through the mail which I then had to sign and mail off to Waterloo.

I did this mid June and so far I have not received any updates$ from OSAP or Waterloo. I requested to be contacted through e-mail only via my OSAP application.

On the OSAP website, my status is still Web Application.

For Waterloo, my Quest page under Financial Aid says "No financial aid information found."

Should I be worried or does it take awhile for them to update my file?

What makes it worse is that I'm currently in Vienna and therfore can only check my status through the web.

[geestring]

It says on my osap app that it is on hold until I send in a supporting documentation sheet.
I applied as an independent, with some freelance web work thats not even worth mentioning.
My parents support me mostly.

What sort of a documents could I send? A paragraph saying that my parents support me? Will that suffice?

[pacman99]

^i had the same message and I also applied as an independent but correct me if I'm wrong but the message said something along the lines of:
"Your application is on hold because we haven't received your supporting documentation. If this is not the case, your application may be on hold because your university financial office is currently reviewing your application"
Obviously the wording is off but that's what I remember reading. Of course someone more knowledgeable would have a better answer.

[geestring]

yea mine says that as well. But it actually says "living expenses" blah blah under the list of required docs.

I already have my sheets in an envelope. I might as well send it. Couldnt hurt.

[Rx8-black]

when is the deadline for osap for the upcoming year(sept)? for 2nd year students.thanks

[BBQPorkBun]

Ok I need some help because I'm a bit worried.

I applied for OSAP about a week before the deadline, I received my application through the mail which I then had to sign and mail off to Waterloo.

I did this mid June and so far I have not received any updates$ from OSAP or Waterloo. I requested to be contacted through e-mail only via my OSAP application.

On the OSAP website, my status is still Web Application.

For Waterloo, my Quest page under Financial Aid says "No financial aid information found."

Should I be worried or does it take awhile for them to update my file?

What makes it worse is that I'm currently in Vienna and therfore can only check my status through the web.

Call to see if they've received it. If not, do you know if it bounced back? Its best in your situation to send these things via registered mail.

[BBQPorkBun]

It says on my osap app that it is on hold until I send in a supporting documentation sheet.
I applied as an independent, with some freelance web work thats not even worth mentioning.
My parents support me mostly.

What sort of a documents could I send? A paragraph saying that my parents support me? Will that suffice?

How would anyone know what supporting documents they are asking of you except you? Its advised that people read through the screens, I don't think you want anyone to guess what they need from you.

[skyrink]

:( I need some HELLPPPPP

1. if i havent worked all year, wat can i put under my own income? my parents pay for everything and i have no idea how to put that in $$$...and it also says that if its less than $6200, i have to have proof of how I'm being supported? :confused:

2. i applied to osap last year and received $4200, i applied again today with everything practically the same and my parents making the same and i got an estimate of $0.00!!!!! whats the deal?

any clarification would be appreciated, thanks. :idea:

[geestring]

How would anyone know what supporting documents they are asking of you except you? Its advised that people read through the screens, I don't think you want anyone to guess what they need from you.

Sorry I didnt mention.
It says "Supporting documents for how you are paying for living expenses, paying rent"

I don't really have documents that prove my dad pays for my food.

[BBQPorkBun]

Sorry I didnt mention.
It says "Supporting documents for how you are paying for living expenses, paying rent"

I don't really have documents that prove my dad pays for my food.

Just write a letter saying so then

[BBQPorkBun]

:( I need some HELLPPPPP

1. if i havent worked all year, wat can i put under my own income? my parents pay for everything and i have no idea how to put that in $$$...and it also says that if its less than $6200, i have to have proof of how I'm being supported? :confused:

2. i applied to osap last year and received $4200, i applied again today with everything practically the same and my parents making the same and i got an estimate of $0.00!!!!! whats the deal?

any clarification would be appreciated, thanks. :idea:

1) 0, and u'll have to write a letter saying you are being supported, not a big deal

2) i dunno, could be any number of factors

[boo99]

Hi BBQ, I have a question for you, let's say if I met all the requirements to apply for the debt reduction, about what percentage will they usually reduce the debt? what and how do they determine how much should it be reduced? Thank you very much.

[BBQPorkBun]

Hi BBQ, I have a question for you, let's say if I met all the requirements to apply for the debt reduction, about what percentage will they usually reduce the debt? what and how do they determine how much should it be reduced? Thank you very much.

Good question but its all on a case by case basis, I've never worked with that responsiblity nor is there a set structure as to what factor means how much or what % they forgive.

The implications of doing this is that you will never have access to interest relief ever again.

[MangoSlice]

Alright so I just realized I made a mistake on my OSAP app. I put "0" in assets cause I thought it meant like special saving accounts and other such investments. Didn't know that my personal savings was a factor and I thought that my gross income was going to be the main factor. I have a "chequing account" don't know if that necessarily means savings account (which I don't have). I have 3000+ in my chequing account and I've already been accessed around 5000 for my OSAP. Will this drastically change my assessment? What's the best thing to do? I don't want to Jeopardize my OSAP funding in the future because I banking my future on it. Or is there a way around this by simply spending most of the money in my account or will they check?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[onexeyed]

Alright so I just realized I made a mistake on my OSAP app. I put "0" in assets cause I thought it meant like special saving accounts and other such investments. Didn't know that my personal savings was a factor and I thought that my gross income was going to be the main factor. I have a "chequing account" don't know if that necessarily means savings account (which I don't have). I have 3000+ in my chequing account and I've already been accessed around 5000 for my OSAP. Will this drastically change my assessment? What's the best thing to do? I don't want to Jeopardize my OSAP funding in the future because I banking my future on it. Or is there a way around this by simply spending most of the money in my account or will they check?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

I've always said "0" to assets too because I have a chequing account. I've asked the exact same question before and called the finanical aid office at my university. The financial aid office said that if I had savings bond, investments, RRSPs, etc. I should enter in the amount. If not, then enter "0." I was told a chequing account is not considered as 'personal savings' because you're money fluctates in a chequing account and your money doesn't remain constant for long period of time or something like that. I was on OSAP for the last 4 years and no they do not check your banking account/statements.

My OSAP funding flucuated every year depending on circumstances. From my OSAP experience, my funding was decided upon:

Going away for school
Income (summer, gross, etc.)
Savings, if any
Scholarship/bursaries
Parent(s) income
Assets (like a car - if you own one [bought it yourself, registered under your name, pay issurance on it], you won't get a lot of OSAP money because I didn't).

[BBQPorkBun]

I've always said "0" to assets too because I have a chequing account. I've asked the exact same question before and called the finanical aid office at my university. The financial aid office said that if I had savings bond, investments, RRSPs, etc. I should enter in the amount. If not, then enter "0." I was told a chequing account is not considered as 'personal savings' because you're money fluctates in a chequing account and your money doesn't remain constant for long period of time or something like that. I was on OSAP for the last 4 years and no they do not check your banking account/statements.

My OSAP funding flucuated every year depending on circumstances. From my OSAP experience, my funding was decided upon:

Going away for school
Income (summer, gross, etc.)
Savings, if any
Scholarship/bursaries
Parent(s) income
Assets (like a car - if you own one [bought it yourself, registered under your name, pay issurance on it], you won't get a lot of OSAP money because I didn't).

So the solution to everyone having assets is, convert it all to cash and put it in your chequing account, then everyone will have 0 assets (sarcasm)

Think about it.
you're lucky you are not caught yet.

its common sense people, if u have a few hundred bucks in there and it fluctuates, u basically have no money. if u have 50k in there, cuz it fluctuates it doesn't mean you have no assets.

[BBQPorkBun]

Alright so I just realized I made a mistake on my OSAP app. I put "0" in assets cause I thought it meant like special saving accounts and other such investments. Didn't know that my personal savings was a factor and I thought that my gross income was going to be the main factor. I have a "chequing account" don't know if that necessarily means savings account (which I don't have). I have 3000+ in my chequing account and I've already been accessed around 5000 for my OSAP. Will this drastically change my assessment? What's the best thing to do? I don't want to Jeopardize my OSAP funding in the future because I banking my future on it. Or is there a way around this by simply spending most of the money in my account or will they check?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

it makes a diff, how drastic i dunno.

[help_questions]

so i finally submitted my OSAP application.
How accurate is the the estimate that was provided?
I know it just a estimate, but am wondering if it is usually reflective of what applicants actually receive?

[royaltee66]

OSAP was denied for me and I thank them dearly for rejecting me. I don't have 40K to payback and I had as much fun as the kids who had tons of cash to blow. I just worried more about money and didn't dress fancy but today I'm free - they aren't. I hate losers who buy cars with OSAP funds and others that say their parents make nothing because they own a business. Pure scam and the government is equally dumb to fall for it

[CEOdeep]

Iv submitted my osap application and it says the estimate is 8100 (thats if i stay home)


now the thing is i cant decide if i should stay home or stay on campus. Im leaning towards staying on campus (@ york, i live 45 minutes away)

so the tuition for the uni is like 6k. staying there = 5K a year.

and in osap we dont pay back anything more than 7k.

so i want you peoples opinion on weather i should commute or stay on campus.
thanks

[MangoSlice]

So the solution to everyone having assets is, convert it all to cash and put it in your chequing account, then everyone will have 0 assets (sarcasm)

Think about it.
you're lucky you are not caught yet.

its common sense people, if u have a few hundred bucks in there and it fluctuates, u basically have no money. if u have 50k in there, cuz it fluctuates it doesn't mean you have no assets.

I'm confused, I've been assessed already (5000) and I applied to OSAP clearly stating I have a job and made about 7,000 since the beginning of this year. Wouldn't be obvious to them that I clearly would have saved something from that (about 3000) but yet they still assessed me 5000 even though I unintentionally put 0 as an asset. Wouldn't they bother to check if I did have any savings considering I work during my assessment? I'm in the process of waiting for income verification and I'm planning to call Financial Aid Office/NSLSC and asking what is considered an "asset". If my chequing account counts, I have every intention to let NSLSC know so I can be reassessed and don't jeopardize future funding from OSAP.

Also, I don't have the same balance in my account as I did when I applied because I've been paying deposit fees/essential needs and been paying off my parents back of what I owe from a laptop purchase. Will this look suspicious? Would I need to tell them the total of my chequing account from when I first applied or tell them the total of it on this day?

Thanks in advance.

[Crimzaelus]

Iv submitted my osap application and it says the estimate is 8100 (thats if i stay home)


now the thing is i cant decide if i should stay home or stay on campus. Im leaning towards staying on campus (@ york, i live 45 minutes away)

so the tuition for the uni is like 6k. staying there = 5K a year.

and in osap we dont pay back anything more than 7k.

so i want you peoples opinion on weather i should commute or stay on campus.
thanks

If you live on campus, I think you can get reassessed for that.

[pajo]

If anyone needs to sent vehicle appraisal form to the financial aid office, here it is http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/forms/rst/pdf/1159.pdf

I printed this form and went to a car dealership. This form has to be signed by a licensed appraisor.

[BBQPorkBun]

OSAP was denied for me and I thank them dearly for rejecting me. I don't have 40K to payback and I had as much fun as the kids who had tons of cash to blow. I just worried more about money and didn't dress fancy but today I'm free - they aren't. I hate losers who buy cars with OSAP funds and others that say their parents make nothing because they own a business. Pure scam and the government is equally dumb to fall for it

For alot of people, osap is the only way to get by. You obviously didn't need it because you got by. So yes thank you for you not getting an interest free loan so that someone else who actually needs it can go get an education.

[BBQPorkBun]

If anyone needs to sent vehicle appraisal form to the financial aid office, here it is http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/forms/rst/pdf/1159.pdf

I printed this form and went to a car dealership. This form has to be signed by a licensed appraisor.

thanx

[BBQPorkBun]

I'm confused, I've been assessed already (5000) and I applied to OSAP clearly stating I have a job and made about 7,000 since the beginning of this year. Wouldn't be obvious to them that I clearly would have saved something from that (about 3000) but yet they still assessed me 5000 even though I unintentionally put 0 as an asset. Wouldn't they bother to check if I did have any savings considering I work during my assessment? I'm in the process of waiting for income verification and I'm planning to call Financial Aid Office/NSLSC and asking what is considered an "asset". If my chequing account counts, I have every intention to let NSLSC know so I can be reassessed and don't jeopardize future funding from OSAP.

Also, I don't have the same balance in my account as I did when I applied because I've been paying deposit fees/essential needs and been paying off my parents back of what I owe from a laptop purchase. Will this look suspicious? Would I need to tell them the total of my chequing account from when I first applied or tell them the total of it on this day?

Thanks in advance.

Having a job and making money is in no way related to if a person has assets or not, it is two totally different questions and I don't know how can any system out there equate having income to automatically having assets.

Its not a day by day amount they are looking for, the question is asking when you are going to school this year, before paying for anything contributing to your education, how much assets do you have. only then can they assess your financial need. so if ive saved 3k this summer and its there be used for school expenses if i need it, it doesn't matter if i have 3800 or 3100. 3k is a fine answer, its definately not 0.

When you ask them what an asset is, ask in the scenario i have 10k in my chequing account, does that constitute as having assets? If they say no, they should be fired.

[help_questions]

what does this mean:
"Your application has been received and OSAP funding calculated."

[Professor Iris]

what does this mean:
"Your application has been received and OSAP funding calculated."

They have gotten your application and have now calculated the amount of funding that you will be receiving, which you can then find on the OSAP website.

[Sass_829]

I have another question. I complete two application for OSAP as I'm still waiting on decision from UBC. I supplied the exact same information on both applications and everything is identical. On the OSAP website it shows for Carleton that I will be getting the full amount. As for UBC, I received this letter.

"The ministry has reviewed the explanation that you have submitted regarding how your daily costs are being met. In this letter you indicate that you are surviving primarily on he student loans received through OSAP. However you have indicated minimal income on your application, and the OSAP does not cover all costs. You are therefore required to submit a letter which outlines how your daily costs are being met, if you are receiving assistance from a third party supporting documentation is required."

I also received a $1000 bursary from Carleton which I didn't mention because Carleton told me they knew.

A)Should I write them a letter including the bursary and if so do you think that amount is significant enough for them to "meet daily costs"?

I am great at making a budget and so with the 11900 from OSAP and the $1000 bursary I was able to manage. (Of course there was like a few hundred dollars from babysitting but that was all).

Why would they require this of my UBC application and not of my Carleton application also?

Thanks

[BBQPorkBun]

I have another question. I complete two application for OSAP as I'm still waiting on decision from UBC. I supplied the exact same information on both applications and everything is identical. On the OSAP website it shows for Carleton that I will be getting the full amount. As for UBC, I received this letter.

"The ministry has reviewed the explanation that you have submitted regarding how your daily costs are being met. In this letter you indicate that you are surviving primarily on he student loans received through OSAP. However you have indicated minimal income on your application, and the OSAP does not cover all costs. You are therefore required to submit a letter which outlines how your daily costs are being met, if you are receiving assistance from a third party supporting documentation is required."

I also received a $1000 bursary from Carleton which I didn't mention because Carleton told me they knew.

A)Should I write them a letter including the bursary and if so do you think that amount is significant enough for them to "meet daily costs"?

I am great at making a budget and so with the 11900 from OSAP and the $1000 bursary I was able to manage. (Of course there was like a few hundred dollars from babysitting but that was all).

Why would they require this of my UBC application and not of my Carleton application also?

Thanks

these are two diff situations here, don't relate one to the other at all or they will get confused. situation 1) how are costs being met? just answer the question honestly. 2) tell them you got 1k and be reassessed, it should not affect you much if at all. i repeat do not relate these situations.

difference could be because difference in cost of living.

[Professor Iris]

Originally Posted by Sass_829
I have another question. I complete two application for OSAP as I'm still waiting on decision from UBC. I supplied the exact same information on both applications and everything is identical. On the OSAP website it shows for Carleton that I will be getting the full amount. As for UBC, I received this letter.

"The ministry has reviewed the explanation that you have submitted regarding how your daily costs are being met. In this letter you indicate that you are surviving primarily on he student loans received through OSAP. However you have indicated minimal income on your application, and the OSAP does not cover all costs. You are therefore required to submit a letter which outlines how your daily costs are being met, if you are receiving assistance from a third party supporting documentation is required."

I also received a $1000 bursary from Carleton which I didn't mention because Carleton told me they knew.

A)Should I write them a letter including the bursary and if so do you think that amount is significant enough for them to "meet daily costs"?

I am great at making a budget and so with the 11900 from OSAP and the $1000 bursary I was able to manage. (Of course there was like a few hundred dollars from babysitting but that was all).

Why would they require this of my UBC application and not of my Carleton application also?

Thanks
these are two diff situations here, don't relate one to the other at all or they will get confused. situation 1) how are costs being met? just answer the question honestly. 2) tell them you got 1k and be reassessed, it should not affect you much if at all. i repeat do not relate these situations.

difference could be because difference in cost of living.

I'm just curious, how would a bursary at carleton affect the ability to make ends meet at ubc? Is it not conditional upon you going there?

[Sass_829]

From the letter I thought they were asking how I met the daily living costs in the past as in this past school year? Is that not what they mean? If they mean how I will meet the daily costs while at UBC I plan to work part time but since I don't actually have the job yet I only assumed I'd make $2000 during the whole year which is what they indicate i guess as minimal income. Should I just estimate a higher amount?

[The Master]

hey BBQ....awesome thread....
I have read through the first 10 pages but I'm a bit confused....I'm pretty sure you have answered this but I did not want to search through all the pages....

I have 18K in student loans. I was supposed to graduate in June but I found out I have to go back in September for one class.

So I have a couple of questions.
1. When will I have to start repaying my loan? Nov 08? or June09(6 months after I graduate)? will OSAP automatically know that I haven't graduated?

2. Just to clarify... Lets say I graduate in June 08....does interest start accumulated right away? or does it start in Nov 08? if it does start right away do I apply for IR right away?

Thanks in advance!

[BBQPorkBun]

From the letter I thought they were asking how I met the daily living costs in the past as in this past school year? Is that not what they mean? If they mean how I will meet the daily costs while at UBC I plan to work part time but since I don't actually have the job yet I only assumed I'd make $2000 during the whole year which is what they indicate i guess as minimal income. Should I just estimate a higher amount?

no, always be conservative when estimating. worse case you get reassessed later after you've actually made the money and its in your hands. I would have just put 0. But the letter is not a big deal at all, just say you plan to work and currently your parents feed you, something along those lines. don't think of the letter as something you have to get around.

[BBQPorkBun]

hey BBQ....awesome thread....
I have read through the first 10 pages but I'm a bit confused....I'm pretty sure you have answered this but I did not want to search through all the pages....

I have 18K in student loans. I was supposed to graduate in June but I found out I have to go back in September for one class.

So I have a couple of questions.
1. When will I have to start repaying my loan? Nov 08? or June09(6 months after I graduate)? will OSAP automatically know that I haven't graduated?

2. Just to clarify... Lets say I graduate in June 08....does interest start accumulated right away? or does it start in Nov 08? if it does start right away do I apply for IR right away?

Thanks in advance!

I assume you were full time last in april. calculations are based on when you were last full time, not when you grad. in that scenario, the answers are

1) nov 08 (6 months after you were last full time)

2) interest starts as of may 1, you cannot apply for IR during grace period. you can apply in nov when you actually have to make the payments.

[905fcuk]

Hey BBQ,

nice thread.. just started reading it today. anyways ive got a question.. as do most of the ppl in here.. but yeah here goes:

Im going into third year at UofT and Ive applied for osap already (estimate 12250).. the problem is that Im kinda unsure whether or not i put in the correct information. I received a grant of 4000$ from innis college (uoft)..

Now as i was applying for Osap.. i read a section saying that you dont need to report a grant if you received a written letter in the mail.. the problem here is that i remember receiving a letter but i cant find it.. so i dont know whether it said that they would report it to osap directly..

So I called into my registrar.. and the lady said that i probably dont need to list it as income cuz i received in january '08.. so I DIDNT enter it in as part of my income..

Should i cancel my application and send a new one that includes the 4000$ grant that i received in january.. or keep my application as is?

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey BBQ,

nice thread.. just started reading it today. anyways ive got a question.. as do most of the ppl in here.. but yeah here goes:

Im going into third year at UofT and Ive applied for osap already (estimate 12250).. the problem is that Im kinda unsure whether or not i put in the correct information. I received a grant of 4000$ from innis college (uoft)..

Now as i was applying for Osap.. i read a section saying that you dont need to report a grant if you received a written letter in the mail.. the problem here is that i remember receiving a letter but i cant find it.. so i dont know whether it said that they would report it to osap directly..

So I called into my registrar.. and the lady said that i probably dont need to list it as income cuz i received in january '08.. so I DIDNT enter it in as part of my income..

Should i cancel my application and send a new one that includes the 4000$ grant that i received in january.. or keep my application as is?

if your grant is for the study period sept 07-april 08, leave it as it is.

[905fcuk]

thanks for the quick reply.. i went through some other pages of this thread.. and noticed that i do have other assets as well.. that is a GIC which is where i keep all the grant/loan money that i havent used from OSAP..

the problem is.. i didnt report it to OSAP.. should i call in and have them change that information?

[905fcuk]

oh.. and i was planning on cashing out that GIC like this week.. for my mom to borrow and do other such things with it.. so it technically wouldnt be there anymore =S

[badmus]

Thanks for this thread
I have some questions which I need help with
- what do you think would happen if I failed to report changes in my income for last year because I did not know I was supposed to and even when I did i could not calculate it because I am self employed and my income changes everyday ( how do I explain that)
- also even though I made some money this year very little of it was profit but on the form they were asking for the gross amount, so what amount do you think I should put on the form.

Thank you

[BBQPorkBun]

Thanks for this thread
I have some questions which I need help with
- what do you think would happen if I failed to report changes in my income for last year because I did not know I was supposed to and even when I did i could not calculate it because I am self employed and my income changes everyday ( how do I explain that)
- also even though I made some money this year very little of it was profit but on the form they were asking for the gross amount, so what amount do you think I should put on the form.

Thank you

hm...an accounting course would do you good. especially being self employed

changes in your income mean if u predict you will earn x but you actually earned 2x, then you report 2x. its in the past and is fact, i dunno how your everyday business has anything to do with that.

gross income means before taxes, not before expenses (hence the acct course)

[badmus]

hm...an accounting course would do you good. especially being self employed

changes in your income mean if u predict you will earn x but you actually earned 2x, then you report 2x. its in the past and is fact, i dunno how your everyday business has anything to do with that.

gross income means before taxes, not before expenses (hence the acct course)
Thanks for your reply, I just have some more questions
- what do you advise I should do now about declaring changes in income since the period has already passed (is it too late).
- also I have already submitted my form and the income I declared was just my gross income without removing expenses do you think I should go and change it.
- Finally what kind of accounting course would you recommend I take if you know anyone cause I am into online selling on places like Ebay and Amazon and a good course would really be helpful like you have said.

Thanks again

[BBQPorkBun]

Thanks for your reply, I just have some more questions
- what do you advise I should do now about declaring changes in income since the period has already passed (is it too late).
- also I have already submitted my form and the income I declared was just my gross income without removing expenses do you think I should go and change it.
- Finally what kind of accounting course would you recommend I take if you know anyone cause I am into online selling on places like Ebay and Amazon and a good course would really be helpful like you have said.

Thanks again

just let it be, they'll notify you if you need to do anything

i would advise changing it because now they think you've made more than you have, but they may be suspicious and ask you to provide something to back up what you're saying

any intro to acct course at any post secondary institution is fine.

[badmus]

just let it be, they'll notify you if you need to do anything

i would advise changing it because now they think you've made more than you have, but they may be suspicious and ask you to provide something to back up what you're saying

any intro to acct course at any post secondary institution is fine.

are you saying they are going to be suspicious if I change it or they are
going to be suspicious if I don't change it.
Thanks again

[pontiac_driver]

sorry if it was posted before...

are there interest penalty for osap overpayment. i understand i wont be entitled to further payments until i clear this overpayment. but if i choose to do nothing as the moment due to current financial constraints, am i faced with another consequences other than no further payments?

[BBQPorkBun]

are you saying they are going to be suspicious if I change it or they are
going to be suspicious if I don't change it.
Thanks again

of course change it

[BBQPorkBun]

sorry if it was posted before...

are there interest penalty for osap overpayment. i understand i wont be entitled to further payments until i clear this overpayment. but if i choose to do nothing as the moment due to current financial constraints, am i faced with another consequences other than no further payments?

good question, quick answer is i dunno but but it can be interest being calculated from the date of overpayment, thats very possible

let us know how it turns out

[Justin]

sorry if it was posted before...

are there interest penalty for osap overpayment. i understand i wont be entitled to further payments until i clear this overpayment. but if i choose to do nothing as the moment due to current financial constraints, am i faced with another consequences other than no further payments?


I would also like to know the answer to this question. I have an overpayment of around $1000. I will not be applying for more student loans this upcoming year and dont plan to pay back the overpayment now.

[BBQPorkBun]

I would also like to know the answer to this question. I have an overpayment of around $1000. I will not be applying for more student loans this upcoming year and dont plan to pay back the overpayment now.

thats just looking for trouble in my opinion. but you guys got some nerve. thinking after getting a interest free loan that its up to you whether you pay back an overpayment that could have help some other person out. generation of entitlement i guess.

[mingyang]

I have a question on why is the estimate so off, last year they estimated $10,300, they ended up lending me $8,300. this year I applied, they estimated 8,100 and "check status" showed me, I'm only getting $5100.

Since I really need more money, anyway I could mail them why they assessed this low, my mom's income($13,000) last year was about the same PLUS she was on EI. Which she wasn't last year, funny that I got more last year. I guess they didn't take EI into account. Anyway, could I them for more?


Appreciate in advance for any help!

Also thank BBQPorkBun for keeping the thread up!!

[Professor Iris]

thats just looking for trouble in my opinion. but you guys got some nerve. thinking after getting a interest free loan that its up to you whether you pay back an overpayment that could have help some other person out. generation of entitlement i guess.

I have received an overpayment and am still getting osap. They have not asked me to repay that portion of my loan, and as a result I am not. Don't think that there is anything wrong with this.

[JaneSmith]

On the osap website I've had the same "check back in 2-3 business days" message for the last 5 or so weeks. They have been reviewing/assessing my application since June 1st. Does it usually take this long or am I just being impatient? I already contacted the financial aid office at my school to see if there was something missing or insufficient in my application but I got the kind of unhelpful answer i've come to expect from all schools.
Should I give the osap people a call or is this standard waiting time?

[sweet_angel1400]

On the osap website I've had the same "check back in 2-3 business days" message for the last 5 or so weeks. They have been reviewing/assessing my application since June 1st. Does it usually take this long or am I just being impatient? I already contacted the financial aid office at my school to see if there was something missing or insufficient in my application but I got the kind of unhelpful answer i've come to expect from all schools.
Should I give the osap people a call or is this standard waiting time?

I applied in late may, and got my assesment only a couple of weeks ago (in July). So just give it time...

[help_questions]

At what stage do you officially know exactly how much you will be receiving?

This is my first time applying for OSAP, so some help would be appreciated.

[Justin]

thats just looking for trouble in my opinion. but you guys got some nerve. thinking after getting a interest free loan that its up to you whether you pay back an overpayment that could have help some other person out. generation of entitlement i guess.

I don't see how it is my problem that there was a screw up that resulted in my overpayment. It was not my mistake. The overpayment will be used for school expenses this upcoming year.

[Professor Iris]

At what stage do you officially know exactly how much you will be receiving?

This is my first time applying for OSAP, so some help would be appreciated.

Once your supporting documentation has been received they will shortly thereafter assess your application and determine how much funding you will be receiving. Look on the osap website under check status for more info.

[BBQPorkBun]

I have a question on why is the estimate so off, last year they estimated $10,300, they ended up lending me $8,300. this year I applied, they estimated 8,100 and "check status" showed me, I'm only getting $5100.

Since I really need more money, anyway I could mail them why they assessed this low, my mom's income($13,000) last year was about the same PLUS she was on EI. Which she wasn't last year, funny that I got more last year. I guess they didn't take EI into account. Anyway, could I them for more?


Appreciate in advance for any help!

Also thank BBQPorkBun for keeping the thread up!!

you can appeal what they've given you, you'll have to explain some things but shouldn't be too hard. im thinking there might be some other factors at play here, but just a guess.

[BBQPorkBun]

I have received an overpayment and am still getting osap. They have not asked me to repay that portion of my loan, and as a result I am not. Don't think that there is anything wrong with this.

thats fine, i was under the assumption that they did ask for it back

[BBQPorkBun]

On the osap website I've had the same "check back in 2-3 business days" message for the last 5 or so weeks. They have been reviewing/assessing my application since June 1st. Does it usually take this long or am I just being impatient? I already contacted the financial aid office at my school to see if there was something missing or insufficient in my application but I got the kind of unhelpful answer i've come to expect from all schools.
Should I give the osap people a call or is this standard waiting time?

yes, nslsc will know right because they have notes and status summaries and stuff, call and ask.

[BBQPorkBun]

At what stage do you officially know exactly how much you will be receiving?

This is my first time applying for OSAP, so some help would be appreciated.

timings never going to be accurate, chk the website. or call in.

[help_questions]

timings never going to be accurate, chk the website. or call in.


thanks for responding....i guess what i was asking was at what stage of the process will I know exactly what I will be receiving?

[Justin]

thats fine, i was under the assumption that they did ask for it back They didn't ask for mine back either. Just said that if I didn't repay now, it would be taken from future student loans I receive. So, it sounds like it does not matter.

[badmus]

of course change it

sorry if it is a stupid question, but how do I change it? is it from my school's financial office or osap themselves

Thanks

[Mansech]

I got a quick question. I've checked my OSAP status and theres a chart there with what I'm receiving, my question is if I will be getting mailed anything with instructions and information because I rather have it in writing than on the computer. Anybody know?

Thanks in advance

[loosecannon]

Hey, I think I hit a brick wall at the moment...

I'm currently filling out my OSAP application for this coming school term (I don't know if it's too late; still worth a shot, what have I got to lose?) This is "supposedly" my fourth year, although I've been working all throughout the school years so I'm a little behind in credits and won't graduate until the end of my fifth year.

I've taken a loan from OSAP in my first year (2005-2006) and paid that off when second year started (bad move I know, you don't need to tell me --- interest-free! what was I thinking/smoking atm?!). I then proceeded to pay for school out of my own pocket (hence the working-almost-full-time-and-juggling-school part)

But for the past year and a bit, it's been a little different. My dad's work had been laying off people and he was among the unfortunate few (all that restructuring crap these companies are going through...). I supported the family with some of my earnings (I work in retail, so it's not much...).

I unfortunately ended off third year with a not-so-good GPA and I was short 0.3 from continuing in my program at York, due to the stress of spending more time at work than school stuff. I spoke to an advisor and because I was in a specialized program, she said I can go down to the BA version of the program. I agreed to it but I can't go into the program until January 2009 (that's another long story, which I won't get into detail). She said until then, I can go into another program for Fall and apply for the program I want, in January 2009.

So after a long story, here comes my questions ---

1) When I'm picking the program that I'm forced to take this fall, do I choose "First year - Social Science" although I'm technically in fourth year?

2) When I switch to my wanted program in the Winter term, I'm assuming that I have to inform NSLSC or I don't have to?

[BBQPorkBun]

thanks for responding....i guess what i was asking was at what stage of the process will I know exactly what I will be receiving?

im not sure how to answer that. when they are done assessing you?

[BBQPorkBun]

sorry if it is a stupid question, but how do I change it? is it from my school's financial office or osap themselves

Thanks

try osap themselves and skip the middleman

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey, I think I hit a brick wall at the moment...

I'm currently filling out my OSAP application for this coming school term (I don't know if it's too late; still worth a shot, what have I got to lose?) This is "supposedly" my fourth year, although I've been working all throughout the school years so I'm a little behind in credits and won't graduate until the end of my fifth year.

I've taken a loan from OSAP in my first year (2005-2006) and paid that off when second year started (bad move I know, you don't need to tell me --- interest-free! what was I thinking/smoking atm?!). I then proceeded to pay for school out of my own pocket (hence the working-almost-full-time-and-juggling-school part)

But for the past year and a bit, it's been a little different. My dad's work had been laying off people and he was among the unfortunate few (all that restructuring crap these companies are going through...). I supported the family with some of my earnings (I work in retail, so it's not much...).

I unfortunately ended off third year with a not-so-good GPA and I was short 0.3 from continuing in my program at York, due to the stress of spending more time at work than school stuff. I spoke to an advisor and because I was in a specialized program, she said I can go down to the BA version of the program. I agreed to it but I can't go into the program until January 2009 (that's another long story, which I won't get into detail). She said until then, I can go into another program for Fall and apply for the program I want, in January 2009.

So after a long story, here comes my questions ---

1) When I'm picking the program that I'm forced to take this fall, do I choose "First year - Social Science" although I'm technically in fourth year?

2) When I switch to my wanted program in the Winter term, I'm assuming that I have to inform NSLSC or I don't have to?

1) 4th yr, you can be 4th year in something and still not take a single course required by your program
2) inform, but shouldn't affect your funding unless theres a drastic change in costs

[badmus]

try osap themselves and skip the middleman

thank you very much for all your help :)

[JaneSmith]

thanks bbqpork and sweet_angel

[help_questions]

im not sure how to answer that. when they are done assessing you?

Well, I've handed in my signature sheets, although it says they haven't received it yet, so i figure it is still being processes. They have completed my spouses CRA comparison, and will do mine when I stop making money in August. They have my funding scheduled to be released on various dates. I am just wondering if it is possible that I will be reassessed again, and if so, under what circumstances.

[BBQPorkBun]

Well, I've handed in my signature sheets, although it says they haven't received it yet, so i figure it is still being processes. They have completed my spouses CRA comparison, and will do mine when I stop making money in August. They have my funding scheduled to be released on various dates. I am just wondering if it is possible that I will be reassessed again, and if so, under what circumstances.

no, you won't be reassassed again if theres no drastic change to your original application. just make sure they've received it, assuming thats happened could be a potential nightmare.

[help_questions]

no, you won't be reassassed again if theres no drastic change to your original application. just make sure they've received it, assuming thats happened could be a potential nightmare.

excellent..........

thanks for responding

[wbastien]

A REMINDER FOR ALL THOSE WHO APPLIED IN TIME FOR THE QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOLARSHIP!!

YOUR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (YOUR SIGNATURES AND YOUR PARENTS SIGNATURES) ARE DUE AT YOUR FINANCIAL OFFICE OF YOUR UNIVERSITY BY FRIDAY JULY 18 OR YOU ARE NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP!!

I just next day mailed mine, I completely forgot to send them!

[badmus]

just one more thing
on the income change form they gave me it says you must report your total earned and expected resources
and it also says I should enter my total gross employment earnings before any deductions.
So what do you think? should I still deduct the expenses or should I wait
for them to ask since my earnings are not actually employment earnings

Thanks again

[BBQPorkBun]

just one more thing
on the income change form they gave me it says you must report your total earned and expected resources
and it also says I should enter my total gross employment earnings before any deductions.
So what do you think? should I still deduct the expenses or should I wait
for them to ask since my earnings are not actually employment earnings

Thanks again

yup, deductions not equal to expenses btw

[badmus]

yup, deductions not equal to expenses btw
just to confirm, I should go ahead and change it right?

Thanks

[fooey]

I have a question regarding OSAP as well :)

I just recently graduated in April of 2008 and have to start paying back OSAP starting in October/November. My situation is that I'm going to be working overseas until February 2009 and I may decide to go back to school in foreign countries and not back here in Canada. If I do get into the program and start attending the foreign school in March, can I possibly hold off the OSAP loan payment? Or because it's a foreign school, I still need to pay back starting in Oct/Nov ?

[JaneSmith]

I have a question regarding OSAP as well :)

I just recently graduated in April of 2008 and have to start paying back OSAP starting in October/November. My situation is that I'm going to be working overseas until February 2009 and I may decide to go back to school in foreign countries and not back here in Canada. If I do get into the program and start attending the foreign school in March, can I possibly hold off the OSAP loan payment? Or because it's a foreign school, I still need to pay back starting in Oct/Nov ?

I can answer this one since I went to school overseas as well. You don't have to pay back osap as long as you're in school (overseas or in canada) as long as you can provide the appropriate forms stating so. However you will have to start paying back your loan starting in November, until you do go back to school.

[BBQPorkBun]

I can answer this one since I went to school overseas as well. You don't have to pay back osap as long as you're in school (overseas or in canada) as long as you can provide the appropriate forms stating so. However you will have to start paying back your loan starting in November, until you do go back to school.

Just to add to that, it must be a school recognized by OSAP.

And if not or you are only in part time (hence repayment status) you will not qualify to get IR because you have to be in the country.

[MangoSlice]

Having a job and making money is in no way related to if a person has assets or not, it is two totally different questions and I don't know how can any system out there equate having income to automatically having assets.

Its not a day by day amount they are looking for, the question is asking when you are going to school this year, before paying for anything contributing to your education, how much assets do you have. only then can they assess your financial need. so if ive saved 3k this summer and its there be used for school expenses if i need it, it doesn't matter if i have 3800 or 3100. 3k is a fine answer, its definately not 0.

When you ask them what an asset is, ask in the scenario i have 10k in my chequing account, does that constitute as having assets? If they say no, they should be fired.

I called my financial office (tired NLSCC but no options available to me) and they said in order to amend the amount of assets I have I need to write a letter stating what needs to be changed.

Would it be just faster to cancel my application and start a new one because sending in a letter, verifying the information, etc would take a long time to process. (I'm assuming)

Or if I send them the letter, should I put what my assets were on the day I applied (nearly 4k) or what I have now, $2,800. The drastic change can be blamed for me owing my parents $1200 for my laptop even before I applied to OSAP. (Documentation can be provided)

Thanks

[fooey]

Just to add to that, it must be a school recognized by OSAP.



Is there a list of schools that are recognized by OSAP?

I'm having difficult time trying to search through OSAP and NSLSC website.

[pi314]

Hi again.
I am asked to send a letter signed by parent as a proof of financial aid and stuff...


How much detail is sufficient becase i want to send it asap.. or Do you calculate and state the actual numbers like food: $200, clothing: 300 etc

Also they want some kind of supporting document im assuming their tax forms, correct?


Thanks

[BBQPorkBun]

I called my financial office (tired NLSCC but no options available to me) and they said in order to amend the amount of assets I have I need to write a letter stating what needs to be changed.

Would it be just faster to cancel my application and start a new one because sending in a letter, verifying the information, etc would take a long time to process. (I'm assuming)

Or if I send them the letter, should I put what my assets were on the day I applied (nearly 4k) or what I have now, $2,800. The drastic change can be blamed for me owing my parents $1200 for my laptop even before I applied to OSAP. (Documentation can be provided)

Thanks

Write the letter, another application will just confuse them and cause mix ups for you, big headache. the letter is not that bad. if i were you id just take some money out of your acct and declare 2k as assets.

[BBQPorkBun]

Is there a list of schools that are recognized by OSAP?

I'm having difficult time trying to search through OSAP and NSLSC website.

https://osap.gov.on.ca/cgi-bin/lansaweb?procfun+proc0809+SCH0809+OSP+eng

[BBQPorkBun]

Hi again.
I am asked to send a letter signed by parent as a proof of financial aid and stuff...


How much detail is sufficient becase i want to send it asap.. or Do you calculate and state the actual numbers like food: $200, clothing: 300 etc

Also they want some kind of supporting document im assuming their tax forms, correct?


Thanks

I can't really reccomend anything based on 'financial aid and stuff...'

It would be in your interest to paste their instructions here instead of paraphrasing

[ansh12]

i need some guidance about osap.

I applied and got my assesment and want to know how much of osap will be changed because some income is changed. My parental income below is very low. I filled i will MAKE 1500 in the summer and 0 for all other income. Know i got a 2000 scholarship+ 1600 bursary + i will make 3000ish instead of 1500 filled in the form. so basically i filled about 5100 less in my original. My parental income is very low below 20k/year.

Thanks,
Ansh

[MangoSlice]

Write the letter, another application will just confuse them and cause mix ups for you, big headache. the letter is not that bad. if i were you id just take some money out of your acct and declare 2k as assets.

Thanks, I'll probably do that.

PS: Is it to late to change the part on the application where it asks you "if you live 30 km from your university" cause I originally put no. I mapquest it and it said I live 28 km from my university. I'm sure 2 km doesn't make a difference because if you live under 30 kms from your uni, OSAP automatically expects you to live with your parents, so I can't get more funding even though I do plan to live away from home.

[sweet_angel1400]

i need some guidance about osap.

I applied and got my assesment and want to know how much of osap will be changed because some income is changed. My parental income below is very low. I filled i will MAKE 1500 in the summer and 0 for all other income. Know i got a 2000 scholarship+ 1600 bursary + i will make 3000ish instead of 1500 filled in the form. so basically i filled about 5100 less in my original. My parental income is very low below 20k/year.

Thanks,
Ansh

You will have to declare the changes in September, when you will be receiving your OSAP. This will affect your winter installment portion. But you shouldn’t worry too much because what you put on your OSAP application was an estimate and you cannot be 100% accurate.

[BBQPorkBun]

You will have to declare the changes in September, when you will be receiving your OSAP. This will affect your winter installment portion. But you shouldn’t worry too much because what you put on your OSAP application was an estimate and you cannot be 100% accurate.

I think what that person is asking is how much will her funding change. its always hard to predict these things unless you know their formula but they may deem the extra income is needed and not change your funding at all or say ok, you need less now and deduct approx the same amount. it depends on alot of factors.

[BBQPorkBun]

Thanks, I'll probably do that.

PS: Is it to late to change the part on the application where it asks you "if you live 30 km from your university" cause I originally put no. I mapquest it and it said I live 28 km from my university. I'm sure 2 km doesn't make a difference because if you live under 30 kms from your uni, OSAP automatically expects you to live with your parents, so I can't get more funding even though I do plan to live away from home.

its not too late but they'll look into your answer. they'll probably conclude well its about 30km and you just choose to move out. however, if this does happen you can appeal to osap and explain why you have to move out (if that is indeed the case).

[sweet_angel1400]

I think what that person is asking is how much will her funding change. its always hard to predict these things unless you know their formula but they may deem the extra income is needed and not change your funding at all or say ok, you need less now and deduct approx the same amount. it depends on alot of factors.

I didn’t comment because there is no point guessing. $5100 is a pretty large discrepancy. I know I was in that situation last year. My income change by $2000 I believe, and my funding got reduced by maybe $800.

Ansh12, I cannot make any claims, and neither can anyone else (unless of course they work for osap). It depends how much you funding you received, whether or not it’s a loan or a grant. If you are really worried about the discrepancy, you can submit the changes in writing to your financial office now (and not wait until September) if you are sure you will be receiving those scholarships and income.

[ansh12]

I didn’t comment because there is no point guessing. $5100 is a pretty large discrepancy. I know I was in that situation last year. My income change by $2000 I believe, and my funding got reduced by maybe $800.

Ansh12, I cannot make any claims, and neither can anyone else (unless of course they work for osap). It depends how much you funding you received, whether or not it’s a loan or a grant. If you are really worried about the discrepancy, you can submit the changes in writing to your financial office now (and not wait until September) if you are sure you will be receiving those scholarships and income.

Ok thank you guys, but what range was your parental income because my parents income is low and quite unimaginable. :(

[sweet_angel1400]

Ok thank you guys, but what range was your parental income because my parents income is low and quite unimaginable. :(

If you are really worried, and want to know for sure, the best thing to do is call your University Financial Office.

I am sure OSAP realizes that you won't save everything that you earn, so I REALLY doubt they would reduce your loan by $5100.

The best way is to just call and clarify.

[pi314]

I can't really reccomend anything based on 'financial aid and stuff...'

It would be in your interest to paste their instructions here instead of paraphrasing

email told me to fillout the form and send the documents that it's telling me to

from the pdf
"You indicated on your OSAP application that your income for 2008 (January 1, 2008 –December 31,
2008) was less than $6200 (NOT INCLUDING OSAP, WORK STUDY, GST OR CHILD TAX
CREDIT REFUNDS, OR INCOME TAX RETURNS IN THIS FIGURE). To complete the
processing of your 2008-2009 OSAP application, the Ministry requires you to submit a letter and
supporting documentation detailing how you are meeting your daily living costs. Your OSAP
application will not process until you provide this letter and all supporting documentation that
is required. See below for more instructions about required supporting documentation. "

then, list of documents i need to supply

"A letter from parent(s)/family member stating what type of
assistance is being provided. Signature required.

Major Source of Funding: Supporting Documentation "

[Majestic]

email told me to fillout the form and send the documents that it's telling me to

from the pdf
"You indicated on your OSAP application that your income for 2008 (January 1, 2008 –December 31,
2008) was less than $6200 (NOT INCLUDING OSAP, WORK STUDY, GST OR CHILD TAX
CREDIT REFUNDS, OR INCOME TAX RETURNS IN THIS FIGURE). To complete the
processing of your 2008-2009 OSAP application, the Ministry requires you to submit a letter and
supporting documentation detailing how you are meeting your daily living costs. Your OSAP
application will not process until you provide this letter and all supporting documentation that
is required. See below for more instructions about required supporting documentation. "

then, list of documents i need to supply

"A letter from parent(s)/family member stating what type of
assistance is being provided. Signature required.

Major Source of Funding: Supporting Documentation "

Is this additional documentation new? I don't recall having to do this last year.

[BBQPorkBun]

email told me to fillout the form and send the documents that it's telling me to

from the pdf
"You indicated on your OSAP application that your income for 2008 (January 1, 2008 –December 31,
2008) was less than $6200 (NOT INCLUDING OSAP, WORK STUDY, GST OR CHILD TAX
CREDIT REFUNDS, OR INCOME TAX RETURNS IN THIS FIGURE). To complete the
processing of your 2008-2009 OSAP application, the Ministry requires you to submit a letter and
supporting documentation detailing how you are meeting your daily living costs. Your OSAP
application will not process until you provide this letter and all supporting documentation that
is required. See below for more instructions about required supporting documentation. "

then, list of documents i need to supply

"A letter from parent(s)/family member stating what type of
assistance is being provided. Signature required.

Major Source of Funding: Supporting Documentation "

get your parents to write letter saying they support you (im assuming thats the case). no need to break down individual costs or items.

[the_cure]

I have a problem with OSAP. My parents made a combined total of $19,000 last year before taxes. I stated that I'm living with them and will be making $1,200 this summer and I'm going to another province for university. I checked my OSAP status and it states that they're only giving me $7400 in the integrated loans. I'm just wondering how come I'm not getting max OSAP while people whose parents make more are getting it?

[CSR]

I have a problem with OSAP. My parents made a combined total of $19,000 last year before taxes. I stated that I'm living with them and will be making $1,200 this summer and I'm going to another province for university. I checked my OSAP status and it states that they're only giving me $7400 in the integrated loans. I'm just wondering how come I'm not getting max OSAP while people whose parents make more are getting it?

You're not living on rez.

[help_questions]

I have a problem with OSAP. My parents made a combined total of $19,000 last year before taxes. I stated that I'm living with them and will be making $1,200 this summer and I'm going to another province for university. I checked my OSAP status and it states that they're only giving me $7400 in the integrated loans. I'm just wondering how come I'm not getting max OSAP while people whose parents make more are getting it?


are you getting anything else (Millennium Bursary) that will make your total closer to the max.

I am not sure maximum amount applies exclusively to the Canada-Ontario Integrated Student Loan or to the total amount of funding approved...but am interested to know.

[BBQPorkBun]

I have a problem with OSAP. My parents made a combined total of $19,000 last year before taxes. I stated that I'm living with them and will be making $1,200 this summer and I'm going to another province for university. I checked my OSAP status and it states that they're only giving me $7400 in the integrated loans. I'm just wondering how come I'm not getting max OSAP while people whose parents make more are getting it?

must be some other factor, check your application, maybe you marked off something incorrectly

[the_cure]

I am living on rez at UBC (I live in Toronto now). I don't get info about the Millenium Bursary until later first term into uni. I am getting the ontario access grant and low income family bursary which both add to $4800. But that's still not close to the 17k a year I need. I double checked my application and everything seems to be on point. I did state that I am living with my parents for the summer period but I'm paying for my (food, internet bill, etc.) so I don't think they would count my summer disposable income to pay for my tuition? Any other tips or questions about my application (in case I did something wrong) would be truly appreciated.

[BBQPorkBun]

I am living on rez at UBC (I live in Toronto now). I don't get info about the Millenium Bursary until later first term into uni. I am getting the ontario access grant and low income family bursary which both add to $4800. But that's still not close to the 17k a year I need. I double checked my application and everything seems to be on point. I did state that I am living with my parents for the summer period but I'm paying for my (food, internet bill, etc.) so I don't think they would count my summer disposable income to pay for my tuition? Any other tips or questions about my application (in case I did something wrong) would be truly appreciated.

well, you are nowhere near gonna get 17 k.
submitt an appeal.

[the_cure]

the osap max is $11,900 and I'm pretty sure I should be able to receive that amount (as opposed to the $7,400 they're giving me). the rest I can make up for in bursaries. my school's only offering me a $500 entrance scholarship as well. also, if i wanted to make an appeal, how do i do it and what's the best method to do it quickly? thanks

[BBQPorkBun]

the osap max is $11,900 and I'm pretty sure I should be able to receive that amount (as opposed to the $7,400 they're giving me). the rest I can make up for in bursaries. my school's only offering me a $500 entrance scholarship as well. also, if i wanted to make an appeal, how do i do it and what's the best method to do it quickly? thanks

financial aid office

[help_questions]

BBQPorkBun -

Regarding the set maximum amount that one can get from OSAP....
Does the set maximum amount refer to total funding (Canada-Ontario Integrated Student Loan+any applicable grants and bursaries) or just the Canada-Ontario Integrated Student Loan?

I guess what I am asking is that can one get the maximum amount via the Canada-Ontario Integrated Student Loan, AND qualify for additional funding, such as the Dependent Children grant and the Millennium Bursary?

Thanks for your help...

By the way, IMO, this is RFDs most helpful thread.

[the_cure]

By the way, IMO, this is RFDs most helpful thread.

I most definitely agree. Thanks for your help guys. And yeah, I was confused about that too. I thought I'm qualified for MAX Osap even if I'm getting bursaries and scholarships and not the fact that they all add up in the end because they might not 100% of the time.

[BBQPorkBun]

BBQPorkBun -

Regarding the set maximum amount that one can get from OSAP....
Does the set maximum amount refer to total funding (Canada-Ontario Integrated Student Loan+any applicable grants and bursaries) or just the Canada-Ontario Integrated Student Loan?

I guess what I am asking is that can one get the maximum amount via the Canada-Ontario Integrated Student Loan, AND qualify for additional funding, such as the Dependent Children grant and the Millennium Bursary?

Thanks for your help...

By the way, IMO, this is RFDs most helpful thread.

Thanks, maybe we should get an award or something for it, haha.

the max amount is a set number, and not a number per criteria (ex. not integrated loan is X, this grant is Y and that grant is Z) the only variation is what your loan is made up of. and most of the grants don't work like ok grants is giving you this much. the process is more like, ok we lend you 10,000 but the gov't is helping paying off 6,500 for this person, and 3,000 for this other person etc.

[JBlue]

Quick Question. Online OSAP stated I need to sign Declaration and Signature's Applicant form.

I have printed the form out and signed it. I can't find the address to send this form in. It says DO NOT FAX but where/whom and I suppose to give this to?

This is for Ryerson if that helps.

Thx

[*annie*]

Quick Question. Online OSAP stated I need to sign Declaration and Signature's Applicant form.

I have printed the form out and signed it. I can't find the address to send this form in. It says DO NOT FAX but where/whom and I suppose to give this to?

This is for Ryerson if that helps.

Thx


https://osap.gov.on.ca/eng/not_secure/CONTACT_fao_ontariopub_123.htm
Scroll down to where it says Ryerson, and just send it to that exact address.

[the_cure]

Didn't get a chance today but I'll call them tomorrow during break at work and i'll let you guys know, much thanks.

[ansh12]

I am living on rez at UBC (I live in Toronto now). I don't get info about the Millenium Bursary until later first term into uni. I am getting the ontario access grant and low income family bursary which both add to $4800. But that's still not close to the 17k a year I need. I double checked my application and everything seems to be on point. I did state that I am living with my parents for the summer period but I'm paying for my (food, internet bill, etc.) so I don't think they would count my summer disposable income to pay for my tuition? Any other tips or questions about my application (in case I did something wrong) would be truly appreciated.

hhmmm... does osap ask where u will live in the summer...i dont think it did but im not too sure. You might wanna check that again. My parental income is lowers than yours and my total first year expense is about 8-9k and i got 7k total from osap. I am living at home and i can easily pay. I still think you have done something wrong some where. But again, i am not sure...Re check your application and read what the question is asking you and check if you answered it correctly. You might even wanna ask someone in your family to see if you filled it out properly.

Ansh

[iconicrocket]

Can OSAP find out how large my investment portfolio is? I have a small amount in RRSP and cash account, not enough to cover tuition thou.

[Juls4444]

Hey there,
I just found out I am only getting 9600$, not the max but it is because I was overpayed this summer. Does this now mean I will not be eligible for the UTAPS awards the UofT gives out for people who still need extra funding since OSAP does not really cover it? I got max last year and UTAPS gave me $4700 that I do not have to pay back...
Thanks so much- and I agree- ammmmazing thread and I *heart* BBQ! :P
Mmmm pork.

[BBQPorkBun]

Can OSAP find out how large my investment portfolio is? I have a small amount in RRSP and cash account, not enough to cover tuition thou.

why would they have to find out, you are telling them right =p if not, then nothing further needs to be said =)

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey there,
I just found out I am only getting 9600$, not the max but it is because I was overpayed this summer. Does this now mean I will not be eligible for the UTAPS awards the UofT gives out for people who still need extra funding since OSAP does not really cover it? I got max last year and UTAPS gave me $4700 that I do not have to pay back...
Thanks so much- and I agree- ammmmazing thread and I *heart* BBQ! :P
Mmmm pork.

*blushes*

According to this you are eligible http://www.adm.utoronto.ca/fa/UTAPS/default.htm

[Dark-Colonel]

Ok I'm getting a bit worried because:

On OSAP it says:

Current Status
Your application is currently on hold.
Your institution is in the process of providing the ministry with information on their programs and tuition, fee, and book costs. Therefore, at this time the ministry is not assessing your application to determine your level of funding and/or not releasing any funding to students attending this institution.

Does anyone else have this too? Some people have been reporting to have received their fundings already.

[BBQPorkBun]

Ok I'm getting a bit worried because:

On OSAP it says:

Current Status
Your application is currently on hold.
Your institution is in the process of providing the ministry with information on their programs and tuition, fee, and book costs. Therefore, at this time the ministry is not assessing your application to determine your level of funding and/or not releasing any funding to students attending this institution.

Does anyone else have this too? Some people have been reporting to have received their fundings already.

what institution are they referring to?

[Dark-Colonel]

what institution are they referring to?

Waterloo, I gotta give them a call and see what is happening.

Waterloo was saying that financial aid is being released as of this (apparently, its alphabetical so I'm sorta down the list starting with S).

UPDATE - Got in touch with Waterloo, they said that all aid info will be released during the first week of August. They also told me that if my OSAP application says on hold because of the University not having submitted fee summaries, then I am in good terms with supporting documentation.

[Windevil7]

Finally find the place to get some answers, thanks, hehe!
I have graduated for two months.
I have two questions:
1. How do I pay the federal portion of the loan first? Heck, I dont even know how much the portion of my loan is federal. I tried to call their toll free number, but I couldn't find any answers and wasn't able to find a representative.
2. I wanna pay a lump sum portion of the loan right now, should I just send them a cheque?
BTW, do you know a number that can connect me to a real person of the ministry?

Much appreciated!

[skyrink]

question: i submitted my application several weeks ago and received the signature documentations...BUT i made a mistake on my application saying that i make money but i actually dont....i called my school and they said to just include a letter about the mistake and having my parents sign that they provide for me since i have no personal income.

is this wat u guys did too? or should i call OSAP and tell them to cancel my application and redo again? (i tried cancelling application online but it wont let me)

[BBQPorkBun]

Finally find the place to get some answers, thanks, hehe!
I have graduated for two months.
I have two questions:
1. How do I pay the federal portion of the loan first? Heck, I dont even know how much the portion of my loan is federal. I tried to call their toll free number, but I couldn't find any answers and wasn't able to find a representative.
2. I wanna pay a lump sum portion of the loan right now, should I just send them a cheque?
BTW, do you know a number that can connect me to a real person of the ministry?

Much appreciated!

NSLSC 1-888-815-4514

You have to see whether your loan is split up between Federdal and Provincial or not, most likely its just integrated.

You can send them a cheque, get them to take it directly out of your acct, go to their office in person, up to you.

[BBQPorkBun]

question: i submitted my application several weeks ago and received the signature documentations...BUT i made a mistake on my application saying that i make money but i actually dont....i called my school and they said to just include a letter about the mistake and having my parents sign that they provide for me since i have no personal income.

is this wat u guys did too? or should i call OSAP and tell them to cancel my application and redo again? (i tried cancelling application online but it wont let me)

do what was reccomended, you don't cancel or redo applications, just modify the one you currently have going.

[jeeva86]

I'm confused on the following questions:

Where living 16 weeks before period of study starts:
Living with parents during 2008-2009 period of study:

Reason I ask is because it's not like my parents are supporting me. I'm paying rent, so I don't want to be denied because I live with my parents. What does it exactly mean to live with your parents? What if my parents and I are all living with my brother? Am I still living with my parents? This is such a trick question which I think will bite me in the ass if not properly answered. Thanks.

[BBQPorkBun]

I'm confused on the following questions:

Where living 16 weeks before period of study starts:
Living with parents during 2008-2009 period of study:

Reason I ask is because it's not like my parents are supporting me. I'm paying rent, so I don't want to be denied because I live with my parents. What does it exactly mean to live with your parents? What if my parents and I are all living with my brother? Am I still living with my parents? This is such a trick question which I think will bite me in the ass if not properly answered. Thanks.

do you claim rent on your taxes? does your brother recognize rent income?

if not, you have no case, living at home.

worse case, appeal what they give you and explain

[jeeva86]

yea my brother does claim part of the rent as income. I didn't know I'd be able to claim rent paid on my taxes, is it a non-refundable tax credit?

[viet_jon]

What does study period exemption mean?


Study period exemption for merit-based scholarships
Students who indicated on their OSAP application that they expect to receive scholarships, bursaries, and/or awards during their study period may be eligible for an increased study period exemption if the scholarship is based on exceptional academic merit. Usually, these scholarships require an 80%, A-, or better grade to be considered eligible.

To be considered for this study period exemption, you must provide your financial aid office with official written documentation (e.g., information brochure, application form) on the scholarship that outlines the eligibility requirements and selection process. Your financial aid office will review the material provided and determine if you are eligible for the study period exemption for merit-based scholarships.

[sassymiss]

*blushes*

According to this you are eligible http://www.adm.utoronto.ca/fa/UTAPS/default.htm

hey, how exactly do I apply for UTAPS...because I did the assessment and and it seems I am eligible to apply for UTAPS...your help is much appreciated :)

[WonderingIf]

I'm confused on the following questions:

Where living 16 weeks before period of study starts:
Living with parents during 2008-2009 period of study:

Reason I ask is because it's not like my parents are supporting me. I'm paying rent, so I don't want to be denied because I live with my parents. What does it exactly mean to live with your parents? What if my parents and I are all living with my brother? Am I still living with my parents? This is such a trick question which I think will bite me in the ass if not properly answered. Thanks.

This might be a similar question. During this summer I am living & working at home. I am also paying rent at school, as I have a 12 month lease which runs from 1 May to 30 April next year (there is little chance of getting anything but 12 month leases off campus). When I filled out OSAP, I indicated I lived at home this summer. I have to pay this rent also, is there anything I can claim? Should I have indicated I was not living with my parents this summer?

[licious]

hey, how exactly do I apply for UTAPS...because I did the assessment and and it seems I am eligible to apply for UTAPS...your help is much appreciated :)

Copied and pasted this:
Students who apply for OSAP and receive the maximum loan amount may qualify for a University grant if OSAP's assessment of their need exceeds the maximum loan amount. This grant - part of the University of Toronto's Advance Planning for Students program (UTAPS) is non- repayable. Students are automatically considered for UTAPS if they apply for OSAP.

[BBQPorkBun]

yea my brother does claim part of the rent as income. I didn't know I'd be able to claim rent paid on my taxes, is it a non-refundable tax credit?

no, ontario credits

[BBQPorkBun]

This might be a similar question. During this summer I am living & working at home. I am also paying rent at school, as I have a 12 month lease which runs from 1 May to 30 April next year (there is little chance of getting anything but 12 month leases off campus). When I filled out OSAP, I indicated I lived at home this summer. I have to pay this rent also, is there anything I can claim? Should I have indicated I was not living with my parents this summer?

won't make a diff, osap supports you during your study period, doesn't matter what you do in the summer

[rajan_kamal]

Hey, I am working full time right now, and going back to school again this fall, I have been able to save money to pay for my first year education,(2008-2009) and then some, obviously the left over money i would be using for rent, food, pay off debt etc. I ve been trying to pay off some debt, and also planning to pay off some of the money I owe to my parents, so I am expecting a major drainage by the begining of summer 2009, and to make things more difficult my school is on 12 months for the first year so no time for summer jobs :(... after paying my tuition i ll have 18K-20k left in my account.. considering living cost is about 8k and the total debt i owe is about 10 k by the end of school year 2009... i wont have any money left in the account... I certainly wouldent want ppl who would be going through my file to ask... hey what happend to that 18k... I guess what i am trying to ask is

How far back do they go interms of your financial history...?
sorry for the lenghty one, your input is appriciated
thanks

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey, I am working full time right now, and going back to school again this fall, I have been able to save money to pay for my first year education,(2008-2009) and then some, obviously the left over money i would be using for rent, food, pay off debt etc. I ve been trying to pay off some debt, and also planning to pay off some of the money I owe to my parents, so I am expecting a major drainage by the begining of summer 2009, and to make things more difficult my school is on 12 months for the first year so no time for summer jobs :(... after paying my tuition i ll have 18K-20k left in my account.. considering living cost is about 8k and the total debt i owe is about 10 k by the end of school year 2009... i wont have any money left in the account... I certainly wouldent want ppl who would be going through my file to ask... hey what happend to that 18k... I guess what i am trying to ask is

How far back do they go interms of your financial history...?
sorry for the lenghty one, your input is appriciated
thanks

apply for osap next year with nothing, won't matter your financial history going so far back, got used up.

what im interested in is in what form is that 10k debt?
1) debt to parents, pay them back now, why are you making yourself look like you have money?
2) if credit card debt/line of credit, same action as above, why pay interest
3) osap debt, don't need to pay that back yet.

[viet_jon]

If I have bad credit, will I not get OSAP?


I have a couple oustanding phone bills, should it off first before I submit my application?

[jwei]

Hey just a quick question...theres both

"Millennium / Ontario Access Grant" (Under the heading Ontario Access Grant)

and

"Students from Low-Income Families" (Under Canada Access Grant)



Now both of those columns there is an amount under, but both have the same amount. Does this mean I get two grants? Or just one?

In total in the Current Entitlement Row, there are 3 sums of money, one which is the loan, and the other two are grants, but the grants are the same value (As stated above). Does that mean I get both grants?

[Nettles]

I Need around a thousand more on my application. They gave me $5000 + $2500 from the Millenium Bursary last year. This year I'm only getting $3000 from OSAP and nothing from the Millenium Bursary. So...what should I do?

My mom put some money in my account but it's been taken out now and I was wondering what the procedure was for getting more.

[BBQPorkBun]

If I have bad credit, will I not get OSAP?


I have a couple oustanding phone bills, should it off first before I submit my application?

depends on severity, even if you pay it off, it will help a bit but not much

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey just a quick question...theres both

"Millennium / Ontario Access Grant" (Under the heading Ontario Access Grant)

and

"Students from Low-Income Families" (Under Canada Access Grant)



Now both of those columns there is an amount under, but both have the same amount. Does this mean I get two grants? Or just one?

In total in the Current Entitlement Row, there are 3 sums of money, one which is the loan, and the other two are grants, but the grants are the same value (As stated above). Does that mean I get both grants?

Im pretty sure its two grants, they are two diff things

[BBQPorkBun]

I Need around a thousand more on my application. They gave me $5000 + $2500 from the Millenium Bursary last year. This year I'm only getting $3000 from OSAP and nothing from the Millenium Bursary. So...what should I do?

My mom put some money in my account but it's been taken out now and I was wondering what the procedure was for getting more.

job? work more?

there is no procedure to 'get more'

[Legend24]

Is there anyway to still apply for OSAP without providing income/tax info for one of my parents? What if I just put in their SIN? Couldn't they find what they are looking for that way?

[gregelefth]

Hey I have a problem regarding my application which has already been submitted. Under the Dependent Children and Dependent Children in Postsecondary studies I have 1 and 1. For dependent children I put 1 as myself and for the second option i put 1 as my sister. I also have a brother but he's been in postsecondary for more than 4 years so that rules him out for either, correct?

I was wondering if I have it down correctly, and if not, how would I go about getting it fixed. Who would i contact?

Help is greatly appreciated.

[BBQPorkBun]

Is there anyway to still apply for OSAP without providing income/tax info for one of my parents? What if I just put in their SIN? Couldn't they find what they are looking for that way?

no

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey I have a problem regarding my application which has already been submitted. Under the Dependent Children and Dependent Children in Postsecondary studies I have 1 and 1. For dependent children I put 1 as myself and for the second option i put 1 as my sister. I also have a brother but he's been in postsecondary for more than 4 years so that rules him out for either, correct?

I was wondering if I have it down correctly, and if not, how would I go about getting it fixed. Who would i contact?

Help is greatly appreciated.

sounds like 2 and 2 to me.

nslsc/financial aid office

[rajan_kamal]

apply for osap next year with nothing, won't matter your financial history going so far back, got used up.

what im interested in is in what form is that 10k debt?
1) debt to parents, pay them back now, why are you making yourself look like you have money?
2) if credit card debt/line of credit, same action as above, why pay interest
3) osap debt, don't need to pay that back yet.

thanx for the reply BBQPorkBun

The debt is mostly to parents.. about 9500 of it is going to my parents... i was only holding back the money b/c i wasnt sure how much fees do i have to pay, and all the expenses which will occour while i am at school , but i think i ve got it down to a ball park... so, i will be paying back the money before i start school again...

won't matter your financial history going so far back, got used up..

does that mean... they wont check or they'll just ignore the fact that close to 20k has just dissapeard from my account within a year ... the reason i am asking is b/c i was thinking I would probebly pay my parents cash... b/c thats how i recieved the money, if OSAP do check my history and asked about that previous account balance, then maybe i ll pay my parents through cheque or draft.. that way if any sitiuation arises, i have paper work to proove it...

thanks again... i really think it's a great job your doing here, to educate all the students here about one of the very importent life decsion. :)

[unleashed]

Hey BBQPorkBun, I got a question regarding online access at the osap website. I forgot my password and don't remember my question since it's been a while since I used that function. Is their anyway to retrieve my password?

-Thank You-.

[Dark_Danny]

I got a question about my future Osap.

So i got 8000 from osap plus a grant for 1500. my tuition is covered plus my books, i'll be living with my parents.

I was thinking of doing a part time job to pay off the first year loan from osap.
But if i did that, would i get less from osap?

also say i open a savings account and save money in that, would that count as asset? and i'd get less money. or should i always keep my money in cheqing?

[BBQPorkBun]

thanx for the reply BBQPorkBun

The debt is mostly to parents.. about 9500 of it is going to my parents... i was only holding back the money b/c i wasnt sure how much fees do i have to pay, and all the expenses which will occour while i am at school , but i think i ve got it down to a ball park... so, i will be paying back the money before i start school again...



does that mean... they wont check or they'll just ignore the fact that close to 20k has just dissapeard from my account within a year ... the reason i am asking is b/c i was thinking I would probebly pay my parents cash... b/c thats how i recieved the money, if OSAP do check my history and asked about that previous account balance, then maybe i ll pay my parents through cheque or draft.. that way if any sitiuation arises, i have paper work to proove it...

thanks again... i really think it's a great job your doing here, to educate all the students here about one of the very importent life decsion. :)

yeah it won't matter how the money gets withdrawn, its not uncommon for 20k to be used up by students, you don't have to worry about this.

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey BBQPorkBun, I got a question regarding online access at the osap website. I forgot my password and don't remember my question since it's been a while since I used that function. Is their anyway to retrieve my password?

-Thank You-.

Im not OSAP's FAQ or website admin, you are going to have to ask them.

I just try to help with what knowledge i have from the past working with them. funny question though =)

[BBQPorkBun]

I got a question about my future Osap.

So i got 8000 from osap plus a grant for 1500. my tuition is covered plus my books, i'll be living with my parents.

I was thinking of doing a part time job to pay off the first year loan from osap.
But if i did that, would i get less from osap?

also say i open a savings account and save money in that, would that count as asset? and i'd get less money. or should i always keep my money in cheqing?

theres no point in paying back osap before interest is being calculated, why would anyone do that? might as well keep it for ur own emergencies or make a bit of interest off that. its an asset, doesn't matter what account. but unless you make alot of money, its not going to affect ur future osap much.

when you grad and interest is about to start calculating, thats when you throw a whole large lump sum into it if u can.

[PwA]

hey, I think this may have been answered already but where do I check to see how much I still owe?

I have paid back a bunch of money and I only see the amount under total funding issued.

I have a good lump sum to put into my debt but want to make sure of what I will have left.

Thanks

[Rishi]

Hey BBQPorkBun, I got a question regarding online access at the osap website. I forgot my password and don't remember my question since it's been a while since I used that function. Is their anyway to retrieve my password?

-Thank You-.
Go to your university's fin aid office, they can reset it for you.

[BBQPorkBun]

hey, I think this may have been answered already but where do I check to see how much I still owe?

I have paid back a bunch of money and I only see the amount under total funding issued.

I have a good lump sum to put into my debt but want to make sure of what I will have left.

Thanks

fastest way is call in, also ask for your daily interest if you intend to pay the whole thing off but not today

[jeeva86]

To get your osap password reset you have to go to your fin aid office or have a paper signed by an authorized invididual which sucks big time. I had to go down to school just to reset it.

Register at www.canlearn.ca to check your amount owing etc.

[Shuhman]

Under my OSAP "check status" page it says I have 11,900 in funding in grants and loans for 2008-2009.

But also under income verification now it says under my mother's income

"The verification of income with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has been completed and there is a discrepancy between the income provided on your OSAP application and the income information received from CRA.
Please return to the Application Status Summary Page to check your current status and/or funding."

The income I put into the OSAP app was actually HIGHER than what my mother ended up making (I miss read the number when I was putting it into OSAP) The OSAP figure was higher by $6000 than what my mother actually made. Will anything change regarding how much funding I end up recieving from OSAP? Should I be expecting some kind of review on my account.

[BBQPorkBun]

Under my OSAP "check status" page it says I have 11,900 in funding in grants and loans for 2008-2009.

But also under income verification now it says under my mother's income

"The verification of income with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has been completed and there is a discrepancy between the income provided on your OSAP application and the income information received from CRA.
Please return to the Application Status Summary Page to check your current status and/or funding."

The income I put into the OSAP app was actually HIGHER than what my mother ended up making (I miss read the number when I was putting it into OSAP) The OSAP figure was higher by $6000 than what my mother actually made. Will anything change regarding how much funding I end up recieving from OSAP? Should I be expecting some kind of review on my account.

nope, most likely they used the lower amount to do your assessment

[TheFuteballer]

I apologize for not going through the 98 pages as I'm sure someone has asked it already but how do I appeal the amount of funding I got? I only recieved an estimate of $5000 for this year but I actually have no money and my mom is so far in debt (although she has a high salary) that she cannot help with any payments... with this and a fee deferral I still cannot pay the minimum I need to enrol. So what is the process to go through to appeal their decision?

[rajan_kamal]

yeah it won't matter how the money gets withdrawn, its not uncommon for 20k to be used up by students, you don't have to worry about this.

thaks a lot BBQPorkBun, really appriciate ur advice

[fidouser]

Great thread. Just have a few questions:

If I have stocks (~$5000), is this going to reduce my entitlement amount? I know this would make sense, but on the application, it asked for assets however in the list of assets it did not mention "stocks". I have not included this amount in my application.

Also, I am on a 12-month co-op term through school. I am supposed to be confidered a full-time student during this work term. But, as soon as I started, my OSAP was re-assessed because my course load had dropped to that of a part-time student and I filled out the continuation of interest free papers. Should I call NSLSC and tell them that even though I am officially registered in a course load that shows I am "part-time", I am truthfully Full-Time because I am on a co-op term required for my degree? Does this make sense and has this happened before?

[fidouser]

And to add one more thing....

i understand that I am confidered a dependant child for 4 years after I finish my post secondary education. After 4 years, OSAP will only look at my income, not my parents? Is this correct?

I have been out of high school for 3 years, in my 3rd year of uni now. Can I have osap not consider my parents income? This is because I am not dependant on their earnings at all. I am handling all expenses on my own. Is this a case I can appeal?

[BBQPorkBun]

I apologize for not going through the 98 pages as I'm sure someone has asked it already but how do I appeal the amount of funding I got? I only recieved an estimate of $5000 for this year but I actually have no money and my mom is so far in debt (although she has a high salary) that she cannot help with any payments... with this and a fee deferral I still cannot pay the minimum I need to enrol. So what is the process to go through to appeal their decision?

go to your financial aid office, but you won't get anything. other people are not responsible for families having bad financial planning or spending habbits. in otherwards, they won't take your mom's debt into consideration.

[BBQPorkBun]

Great thread. Just have a few questions:

If I have stocks (~$5000), is this going to reduce my entitlement amount? I know this would make sense, but on the application, it asked for assets however in the list of assets it did not mention "stocks". I have not included this amount in my application.

Also, I am on a 12-month co-op term through school. I am supposed to be confidered a full-time student during this work term. But, as soon as I started, my OSAP was re-assessed because my course load had dropped to that of a part-time student and I filled out the continuation of interest free papers. Should I call NSLSC and tell them that even though I am officially registered in a course load that shows I am "part-time", I am truthfully Full-Time because I am on a co-op term required for my degree? Does this make sense and has this happened before?

-everything makes sense

-stocks are assets

-you are not full time

[TheFuteballer]

go to your financial aid office, but you won't get anything. other people are not responsible for families having bad financial planning or spending habbits. in otherwards, they won't take your mom's debt into consideration.

hmm well that sucks... so on what conditions can one appeal? it's not so much spending habits or such that caused debt, but more like bad divorce and bringing up 3 kids by herself ( although I'm now the only dependant one even though all 3 live at home)

[BBQPorkBun]

And to add one more thing....

i understand that I am confidered a dependant child for 4 years after I finish my post secondary education. After 4 years, OSAP will only look at my income, not my parents? Is this correct?

I have been out of high school for 3 years, in my 3rd year of uni now. Can I have osap not consider my parents income? This is because I am not dependant on their earnings at all. I am handling all expenses on my own. Is this a case I can appeal?

that is correct, after 4 years
no, they will consider their income, doesn't matter if you are on your own
appealing is useless

just a tip, trying to pull off stuff like, all my money is in 'stocks' hence i have no assets is not advisable.

[BBQPorkBun]

hmm well that sucks... so on what conditions can one appeal? it's not so much spending habits or such that caused debt, but more like bad divorce and bringing up 3 kids by herself ( although I'm now the only dependant one even though all 3 live at home)

special circumstances

you can always try but osap doesn't assume the student's parents would pay a large chunk of you total costs to begin with. so if what you need is 1k or something, most likely nothing will happen and you can work for that. having only 1 dependant doesn't help either. and again, you mom's debt is irrelevant in terms of osap assement.

[fidouser]

-everything makes sense

-stocks are assets

-you are not full time

Thanks for the reply's.

I am not full-time? Why not? When I am on co-op, aren’t I doing 100% of the required term load? What more can I do? How is it that I am a “part-time” student?

And to clarify something else, right now for my OSAP application, only my current year’s income is considered, not my income from last year. Because they assume my income will not likely be the same as it was last year since I’m a student. However, for my parents it is last year’s income that is considered because they assume it stays the same every year. Is this correct? If so, when I apply next year, will my earnings for my co-op terms this year negatively affect my entitlement? Will they only consider the income I’ll be making next year, or assume I should have saved up from this year?

[gregelefth]

Thanks for the response BBQ.

[cuongp]

I couldn't find the info that I needed from the couple of pages I've read and I think this seems to be the more economical way to do it.

Well, I just checked out my OSAP account and saw what I was entitled for, problem is, what I was entitled for will not be able to cover my full tuition cost for that year. That being said, I have a part-time job, made 14k last year, live in a low-income family, and support the baby mama with expenses from our 3 yr old. Do I have any grounds to appeal for a larger loan, at least to cover my tuition for the year?

I'm attending UTSC and I'm just about $1500 shy if that helps.

[BBQPorkBun]

Thanks for the reply's.

I am not full-time? Why not? When I am on co-op, aren’t I doing 100% of the required term load? What more can I do? How is it that I am a “part-time” student?

And to clarify something else, right now for my OSAP application, only my current year’s income is considered, not my income from last year. Because they assume my income will not likely be the same as it was last year since I’m a student. However, for my parents it is last year’s income that is considered because they assume it stays the same every year. Is this correct? If so, when I apply next year, will my earnings for my co-op terms this year negatively affect my entitlement? Will they only consider the income I’ll be making next year, or assume I should have saved up from this year?

you are not full time because you are not in school, you are not studying, do not have to pay for tuition, have no books to pay for, you are making money. no use trying to convince me you are or not, it is what it is.

id throw all those assumptions out the window, and yes it will affect you negatively. with you working for a year, depending on income you might not get anything.

[BBQPorkBun]

I couldn't find the info that I needed from the couple of pages I've read and I think this seems to be the more economical way to do it.

Well, I just checked out my OSAP account and saw what I was entitled for, problem is, what I was entitled for will not be able to cover my full tuition cost for that year. That being said, I have a part-time job, made 14k last year, live in a low-income family, and support the baby mama with expenses from our 3 yr old. Do I have any grounds to appeal for a larger loan, at least to cover my tuition for the year?

I'm attending UTSC and I'm just about $1500 shy if that helps.

not really, i mean everything you told me now they already know.
you are not short very much, did you count the tax return you'll be getting? should be enough there. otherwise, work more i guess.

[starslight]

So I'm considering applying for OSAP for the year but I have an issue. My parents are not together and have never been married. According to the government, my mother is a single mother caring for 2 dependents. Her income is extremely low and using the OSAP estimate calculator it says I'm eligible for as much as $10, 000, since I would only need to report my mother's income on the application.
However, my fathers income is significantly higher and he is the one who is paying for my education. OSAP would be more of a back-up for me at the moment, but I'm afraid that if I apply and do get $10,000 in funding, it'll be seen as an overaward since to pay for my tuition and housing costs my father will be depositing money into my bank-account, which I assume I will have to report as my own income.

So my question is, can osap really claim that I made xxx amount of money this summer, when I only had xxx amount in my account for only an hour? The other day I literally deposited the money my Dad gave me for tuition into my account, and within an hour paid my tuition online. Any money I put into my account, even if for a short period of time, counts as summer income?

[BBQPorkBun]

So I'm considering applying for OSAP for the year but I have an issue. My parents are not together and have never been married. According to the government, my mother is a single mother caring for 2 dependents. Her income is extremely low and using the OSAP estimate calculator it says I'm eligible for as much as $10, 000, since I would only need to report my mother's income on the application.
However, my fathers income is significantly higher and he is the one who is paying for my education. OSAP would be more of a back-up for me at the moment, but I'm afraid that if I apply and do get $10,000 in funding, it'll be seen as an overaward since to pay for my tuition and housing costs my father will be depositing money into my bank-account, which I assume I will have to report as my own income.

So my question is, can osap really claim that I made xxx amount of money this summer, when I only had xxx amount in my account for only an hour? The other day I literally deposited the money my Dad gave me for tuition into my account, and within an hour paid my tuition online. Any money I put into my account, even if for a short period of time, counts as summer income?

thats not income, those are assets which you have to declare, doesn't matter how long its in your account, fact of the matter is you don't need osap to go to school

with that being said, osap is not for backup, leave it for someone who actually needs it

[Rishi]

thats not income, those are assets which you have to declare, doesn't matter how long its in your account, fact of the matter is you don't need osap to go to school

with that being said, osap is not for backup, leave it for someone who actually needs it
Right, if you have your dad pay your fees directly you can pocket (well, earn interest on) the OSAP loan but the ethical thing to do here is to not take the funding since you don't need it. Remember that loaning you that money interest-free costs the taxpayers $$$.

[cuongp]

not really, i mean everything you told me now they already know.
you are not short very much, did you count the tax return you'll be getting? should be enough there. otherwise, work more i guess.

does the university require for me to pay in full when my courses start in september? i'll be filling out the fee-deferral thing, do you know when i will have to pay when i file that?

thanks again

btw...i'll only owe i think $168 after my first year

oh ya, how do i qualify for commuting grant and travel grant?

[BBQPorkBun]

does the university require for me to pay in full when my courses start in september? i'll be filling out the fee-deferral thing, do you know when i will have to pay when i file that?

thanks again

btw...i'll only owe i think $168 after my first year

oh ya, how do i qualify for commuting grant and travel grant?

no idea, thats your universities doing
ok
no idea, unless its osap related, i can't answer much

[sunnyd71]

you are not full time because you are not in school, you are not studying, do not have to pay for tuition, have no books to pay for, you are making money. no use trying to convince me you are or not, it is what it is.

id throw all those assumptions out the window, and yes it will affect you negatively. with you working for a year, depending on income you might not get anything.

Fidouser,

When I was on co-op last year I gave the school the confirmation of enrollment form to fill out, they did and submitted it. I did not get additional OSAP funding but my previous loans remained interest free for the duration of co-op. We did have to pay co-op related fees during our terms. Co-op is a 0 credit course at my Uni and it does require studying and course work.

Also, the following semester I was only entitled to about $300 in funding because of my co-op earnings.

[*annie*]

oh ya, how do i qualify for commuting grant and travel grant?

Info here:
https://osap.gov.on.ca/eng/not_secure/Plan_grants_full_newapp_Dist_12345.htm

[cuongp]

Info here:
https://osap.gov.on.ca/eng/not_secure/Plan_grants_full_newapp_Dist_12345.htm

Thanks, wow 80km is ridicoulous...at least that is what I think.

And the fact that you have to attend the closest accredited post-secondary school to be eligle is ridicoulous..

[*annie*]

Thanks, wow 80km is ridicoulous...at least that is what I think.

And the fact that you have to attend the closest accredited post-secondary school to be eligle is ridicoulous..


You don't HAVE to attend the closest post-sec institution to be eligible. You are eligible IF you live in an area where the closest one is over 80km away.

This grant is intended to help those living in rural areas who would absolutely need to travel very long distances (without a choice) in order to attend post-sec.

[cuongp]

You don't HAVE to attend the closest post-sec institution to be eligible. You are eligible IF you live in an area where the closest one is over 80km away.


That statement is a little confusing, so you are eligle for the grant only if the closest post-sec is >80km away but you do not have to attend the one that is 81km away, you can attend the one that is 100km away?

[*annie*]

I believe so.

"Have a home address that is 80 kilometres or more from the closest publicly-assisted Ontario postsecondary institution of the type attended (i.e., 80 kilometres from a college if a college student, 80 kilometres from a university if a university student)."

You can always call and ask to be sure.

[joomie86]

Hi, I couldn't find the phone number for OSAP (does anyone know it?) so I'll quickly ask here.
I think my income estimates might be about $1000-1500 under estimated. 500 too little for Jan 01- May 18 and $500-$1000 too little for May to Sep 07.

Will that have an impact on my loan estimate? Should I (and can I) correct my application?

If it does impact my loan estimate, I'm thinking of quitting work earlier. What you do think?

[BBQPorkBun]

Hi, I couldn't find the phone number for OSAP (does anyone know it?) so I'll quickly ask here.
I think my income estimates might be about $1000-1500 under estimated. 500 too little for Jan 01- May 18 and $500-$1000 too little for May to Sep 07.

Will that have an impact on my loan estimate? Should I (and can I) correct my application?

If it does impact my loan estimate, I'm thinking of quitting work earlier. What you do think?

you can change it but its not significant enough to make any difference, so don't bother. its an estimate after all, you never know, you may quit anyways

[joomie86]

thanks, I'll just quit a few days earlier.. (I really hate work) Thanks for your advice!

[Rae4]

BBQ, thanks for all the great information. I am hoping you are someone else can answer my question. I am in year two and switching programs within the same school. Financial Services will help me cancel my original app (amount has already been confirmed, but not activated) for this year and submit a new one that reflects the changes in programs. This will mean that I will receive osap funds after the deadline for my tuition. If I use a student LOC to pay my tuition in the meantime, will I be able to use any of the osap money to pay back the borrowed bank funds that went to tuition, providing I can verify the amount?

Thanks.

[BBQPorkBun]

BBQ, thanks for all the great information. I am hoping you are someone else can answer my question. I am in year two and switching programs within the same school. Financial Services will help me cancel my original app (amount has already been confirmed, but not activated) for this year and submit a new one that reflects the changes in programs. This will mean that I will receive osap funds after the deadline for my tuition. If I use a student LOC to pay my tuition in the meantime, will I be able to use any of the osap money to pay back the borrowed bank funds that went to tuition, providing I can verify the amount?

Thanks.

absolutely, thats the way to go. no verification needed, its just you controlling your cash flows.

[CHELSEA78]

WHat a great thread full of information!

The application says you have to declare child support as income. I receive child support from the father of my son, but it isn't court ordered and isn't declared on my income tax or his or anything like that. Is there a way for them to find out that i receive that money? I desperately need help to go to school.
Thanks!

[BBQPorkBun]

WHat a great thread full of information!

The application says you have to declare child support as income. I receive child support from the father of my son, but it isn't court ordered and isn't declared on my income tax or his or anything like that. Is there a way for them to find out that i receive that money? I desperately need help to go to school.
Thanks!

if theres no paper trail, i think you're safe. though they may follow up by asking you to write one of those 'then how do you survive' letters.

[CHELSEA78]

Thanks for your quick answer BBQ!

[NiftyScent]

Hey guys.

I just got my RESP funds in the mail. Will it be "safe" to put it into my bank account? Will OSAP go "WDF, how did you get all this money?" (I put $0 of my own savings, although I did declare that I will receive about $6-7K from RESP).

[jaszy]

Oh man I'm all in a fritz right now due to the fact that I applied for OSAP a little late this year. Sort of forgot, I know....

I have RESP funds coming in which is great. I can simply bring that to my registrars office. At the moment, OSAP gave me an estimation on the funding that they will give me. But I'm currently missing information and some income verification problems.

1) Missing info for the Millenium Bursary. Well, I did not apply for it. What do I do now? Apparently there's a package that they're mailing me to fill in the blanks but I am not interested... No package yet. It's been a week.

2) Both mine and my parents declaration and signature pages have been sent to the fin. aid office almost a week and a half ago and no update from OSAP yet. It still under the "checklist".

I will be attending UTSC (2nd year) this coming fall/winter. I have to defer my fees by the 19th of August. To make things worse, I will be out of the country from the 14th to the 24th. :(

What can I do other than wait? And does it usually take this long for things to be processed? I don't want to submit the estimate that OSAP gave me on the deferral form 'cause that can always change.

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey guys.

I just got my RESP funds in the mail. Will it be "safe" to put it into my bank account? Will OSAP go "WDF, how did you get all this money?" (I put $0 of my own savings, although I did declare that I will receive about $6-7K from RESP).

nope, no issues here

[BBQPorkBun]

Oh man I'm all in a fritz right now due to the fact that I applied for OSAP a little late this year. Sort of forgot, I know....

I have RESP funds coming in which is great. I can simply bring that to my registrars office. At the moment, OSAP gave me an estimation on the funding that they will give me. But I'm currently missing information and some income verification problems.

1) Missing info for the Millenium Bursary. Well, I did not apply for it. What do I do now? Apparently there's a package that they're mailing me to fill in the blanks but I am not interested... No package yet. It's been a week.

2) Both mine and my parents declaration and signature pages have been sent to the fin. aid office almost a week and a half ago and no update from OSAP yet. It still under the "checklist".

I will be attending UTSC (2nd year) this coming fall/winter. I have to defer my fees by the 19th of August. To make things worse, I will be out of the country from the 14th to the 24th. :(

What can I do other than wait? And does it usually take this long for things to be processed? I don't want to submit the estimate that OSAP gave me on the deferral form 'cause that can always change.

1) guess some people just don't want free money
2) call into osap and ask, if they get any document, its under the notes under your profile, its far more updated than the website.

[sassymiss]

Oh man I'm all in a fritz right now due to the fact that I applied for OSAP a little late this year. Sort of forgot, I know....

I have RESP funds coming in which is great. I can simply bring that to my registrars office. At the moment, OSAP gave me an estimation on the funding that they will give me. But I'm currently missing information and some income verification problems.

1) Missing info for the Millenium Bursary. Well, I did not apply for it. What do I do now? Apparently there's a package that they're mailing me to fill in the blanks but I am not interested... No package yet. It's been a week.

2) Both mine and my parents declaration and signature pages have been sent to the fin. aid office almost a week and a half ago and no update from OSAP yet. It still under the "checklist".

I will be attending UTSC (2nd year) this coming fall/winter. I have to defer my fees by the 19th of August. To make things worse, I will be out of the country from the 14th to the 24th. :(

What can I do other than wait? And does it usually take this long for things to be processed? I don't want to submit the estimate that OSAP gave me on the deferral form 'cause that can always change.

Try making an appointment with a financial aid officer at UTSC. I also had some documentation that I had sent in a couple of weeks ago but it wasn't updated on the OSAP website, so I printed out another copy of them and gave it in to the fin aid office. They also have a more updated system regarding your OSAP file so they may check up on your current status as well.

[DarkReaper]

Noob question about RESP.

I sent the forms to McMaster for them to fill out and they did.

Received a check from USC.

Do I just deposit this check into my bank account or do I give this check to McMaster for them to use for my university tuition?

[BBQPorkBun]

Noob question about RESP.

I sent the forms to McMaster for them to fill out and they did.

Received a check from USC.

Do I just deposit this check into my bank account or do I give this check to McMaster for them to use for my university tuition?

give it to whoever the chk is made out to

[mike_ekim1]

First off, thanks BBQ for two years of answering questions for us RFDers. Your knowledge fantastic.

My situation: My parents are poor rural ontario farmers with two dependents. I am in third year. I got the full amount for the last two years, but got "re-evaluated" to a lesser amount last year as i worked my ass off during the school year (30-40 hrs/ week) to try to get ahead. What ended up happening was that for the extra 4000 I earned, I lost 2000 from my grant money.
Effectively, I worked for half my wage rate!

My question: is there anyway to have my cake and eat it too?
I understand OSAP keeping money for people who need it, but I feel like they are encouraging their clients to take the lazy road rather than prioritize expenditures and save.

Would my personal earnings be reflected on me differently if I was independent of my parents? While my mailing address is still at their house, I have effectively been moved out for just over a year now.

.... I should probably just quit and join the ranks of slack-ass hand to mouth college deadbeats. *sigh*

Insight appreciated!

[DarkReaper]

give it to whoever the chk is made out to

So it's ok to just deposit into the bank account? Because I was wondering how would McMaster know that money would be used for school and not like for anything else.

[JaneSmith]

I don't have an answer for you, but that really sucks! It'll be interesting to hear what BBQ says about it.

First off, thanks BBQ for two years of answering questions for us RFDers. Your knowledge fantastic.

My situation: My parents are poor rural ontario farmers with two dependents. I am in third year. I got the full amount for the last two years, but got "re-evaluated" to a lesser amount last year as i worked my ass off during the school year (30-40 hrs/ week) to try to get ahead. What ended up happening was that for the extra 4000 I earned, I lost 2000 from my grant money.
Effectively, I worked for half my wage rate!

My question: is there anyway to have my cake and eat it too?
I understand OSAP keeping money for people who need it, but I feel like they are encouraging their clients to take the lazy road rather than prioritize expenditures and save.

Would my personal earnings be reflected on me differently if I was independent of my parents? While my mailing address is still at their house, I have effectively been moved out for just over a year now.

.... I should probably just quit and join the ranks of slack-ass hand to mouth college deadbeats. *sigh*

Insight appreciated!

[ilikeegg]

I am having issues with my application.

The reality is I have $15000 of savings and investments. I'm working full-time now, part-time for the next four years. I live by myself but I don't pay rent as my dad owns the place. My mom pays my tuition. And my dad makes too much money.

My parents aren't married so it's easy to fix the last problem (say mom is single with dependants) but do I need to launder or lie about my bank account and if I say I pay rent and tuition back to my parents or something should my mom just set-up an account under her name and I put my money in there and pretend its payment?

[BBQPorkBun]

First off, thanks BBQ for two years of answering questions for us RFDers. Your knowledge fantastic.

My situation: My parents are poor rural ontario farmers with two dependents. I am in third year. I got the full amount for the last two years, but got "re-evaluated" to a lesser amount last year as i worked my ass off during the school year (30-40 hrs/ week) to try to get ahead. What ended up happening was that for the extra 4000 I earned, I lost 2000 from my grant money.
Effectively, I worked for half my wage rate!

My question: is there anyway to have my cake and eat it too?
I understand OSAP keeping money for people who need it, but I feel like they are encouraging their clients to take the lazy road rather than prioritize expenditures and save.

Would my personal earnings be reflected on me differently if I was independent of my parents? While my mailing address is still at their house, I have effectively been moved out for just over a year now.

.... I should probably just quit and join the ranks of slack-ass hand to mouth college deadbeats. *sigh*

Insight appreciated!

You are welcome.

Yes I agree with what you've said here, it does encourage that kind of behavior. My advice is to make less in this case, OSAP by default does assume you would make 1k-1.5k so that amount would probably have no affect on your osap. 4k needless to say would have an impact. Another way is to work for cash, I did some tutoring during my schooling days, all cash based.

Unless the work has more than just financial value for you, like it helps you with your future career or you are learning something, make less, get better marks and enjoy your schooling days more.

You can't be an independent from moving out, you have to be out of highschool for 4 years. good luck with everything.

[BBQPorkBun]

So it's ok to just deposit into the bank account? Because I was wondering how would McMaster know that money would be used for school and not like for anything else.

even when you get osap, if they don't pay the school directly, wouldn't stop you from blowing it all on something either.

all mac knows is u owe them tuition

[BBQPorkBun]

I am having issues with my application.

The reality is I have $15000 of savings and investments. I'm working full-time now, part-time for the next four years. I live by myself but I don't pay rent as my dad owns the place. My mom pays my tuition. And my dad makes too much money.

My parents aren't married so it's easy to fix the last problem (say mom is single with dependants) but do I need to launder or lie about my bank account and if I say I pay rent and tuition back to my parents or something should my mom just set-up an account under her name and I put my money in there and pretend its payment?

why are you even applying?

[mike_ekim1]

You are welcome.

Yes I agree with what you've said here, it does encourage that kind of behavior. My advice is to make less in this case, OSAP by default does assume you would make 1k-1.5k so that amount would probably have no affect on your osap. 4k needless to say would have an impact. Another way is to work for cash, I did some tutoring during my schooling days, all cash based.

Unless the work has more than just financial value for you, like it helps you with your future career or you are learning something, make less, get better marks and enjoy your schooling days more.

You can't be an independent from moving out, you have to be out of highschool for 4 years. good luck with everything.

I like my job, but is probably isn't worth keeping without being paid cash.
Thanks for the advice!

[Cquence]

Okay i applied for osap like last month and im gettin like 4900 dollars
and im commuting to school but my tuition fee is around 6000 dollars (not including text books)
Can i call osap and request more funding?? or should i just apply to UTAPS since im a uoft student??
ALSO does anybody have the OSAP contact number if i want to request more money?

O and i might actually think about moving onto rez or an apartment, can i call them up and tell them that im not commuting anymore? or do i have to fill out another application and change the option to "im not living with my parents"?

if u only have to pay 7000 back of what you get, i dont think i mind XD:confused:

[Professor Iris]

Okay i applied for osap like last month and im gettin like 4900 dollars
and im commuting to school but my tuition fee is around 6000 dollars (not including text books)
Can i call osap and request more funding?? or should i just apply to UTAPS since im a uoft student??
ALSO does anybody have the OSAP contact number if i want to request more money?

O and i might actually think about moving onto rez or an apartment, can i call them up and tell them that im not commuting anymore? or do i have to fill out another application and change the option to "im not living with my parents"?

if u only have to pay 7000 back of what you get, i dont think i mind XD:confused:

You can't just request more money, otherwise everyone would get max osap, use what they need and not pay back almost $4000, invest and end up making money on the deal.

[licious]

Okay i applied for osap like last month and im gettin like 4900 dollars
and im commuting to school but my tuition fee is around 6000 dollars (not including text books)
Can i call osap and request more funding?? or should i just apply to UTAPS since im a uoft student??
ALSO does anybody have the OSAP contact number if i want to request more money?

O and i might actually think about moving onto rez or an apartment, can i call them up and tell them that im not commuting anymore? or do i have to fill out another application and change the option to "im not living with my parents"?

if u only have to pay 7000 back of what you get, i dont think i mind XD:confused:

A few things:
1) Like someone already mentioned, you can't simply request more funding.
2) You will be automatically be considered for a UTAPs grant as long as you've applied for OSAP, thus, no need to apply.
3) Even if you do move out, you will only get additional funding from OSAP if U of T is >40km away from your home or you are an independent student, I believe.

[Cquence]

A few things:
1) Like someone already mentioned, you can't simply request more funding.
2) You will be automatically be considered for a UTAPs grant as long as you've applied for OSAP, thus, no need to apply.
3) Even if you do move out, you will only get additional funding from OSAP if U of T is >40km away from your home or you are an independent student, I believe.

Then what's this thing about reassessment or reappeal i read somewhere else on this thread?
I don't understand why OSAP gave me less money, my parents are not contributing and i didnt work this summer.

[licious]

Then what's this thing about reassessment or reappeal i read somewhere else on this thread?
I don't understand why OSAP gave me less money, my parents are not contributing and i didnt work this summer.

You can try to appeal. I figure it's worth a try if you think you really need more. I don't know how you would go about appealing, but be aware that you'll probably have to convince them that you really need the money (i.e. "I'd like more money" won't suffice).

Maybe you were assessed a lower amount because your parents make a significant amount and the assumption is that they will help you. Or maybe you have some RESPs or assets you are expected to use.

All I can say is this: as an undergraduate who is living within 40km of the institution they are attending, it will be extremely challenging to get anything >$7000, meaning that anything you get will be a loan. This means that you'll have to pay everything back in a few years at a rather high interest rate. I can't imagine why you would want to get a larger loan than you absolutely need.

[Cquence]

You can try to appeal. I figure it's worth a try if you think you really need more. I don't know how you would go about appealing, but be aware that you'll probably have to convince them that you really need the money (i.e. "I'd like more money" won't suffice).

Maybe you were assessed a lower amount because your parents make a significant amount and the assumption is that they will help you. Or maybe you have some RESPs or assets you are expected to use.

All I can say is this: as an undergraduate who is living within 40km of the institution they are attending, it will be extremely challenging to get anything >$7000, meaning that anything you get will be a loan. This means that you'll have to pay everything back in a few years at a rather high interest rate. I can't imagine why you would want to get a larger loan than you absolutely need.

Okay. Thanks for your help. :)
Would you also happen to know how the re-appealing process works? I'm thinking of re-appealing since I do not have enough money to pay for tuition. [I'm not getting any RESP either]

Also, what do you think are the chances of me getting any UTAPS assistance? [I'm assuming you're a U of T student?]

One of my friends is getting over 7000 dollars and he goes to UofT scarborough living from home....so there might be a chance. :confused:
but that probably depends on parent's income i guess.

[licious]

Okay. Thanks for your help. :)
Would you also happen to know how the re-appealing process works? I'm thinking of re-appealing since I do not have enough money to pay for tuition. [I'm not getting any RESP either]

Also, what do you think are the chances of me getting any UTAPS assistance? [I'm assuming you're a U of T student?]

One of my friends is getting over 7000 dollars and he goes to UofT scarborough living from home....so there might be a chance. :confused:
but that probably depends on parent's income i guess.

Well, like I said, I don't know anything about appealing, although I just did a random Google search and found this:
http://osap.gov.on.ca/eng/PDF/0405/OSAP%20Appeal%20Brochure%202004-E.pdf
Page 2 provides the steps involved in appealing an assessment amount. I really don't know how up to date or applicable it is for your case, though.

About UTAPs, I was always under the impression that the purpose of the UTAPs grant was to provide funding for students needing aid that exceeded the maximum OSAP amount. In your case, your need was assessed to be about $5k and OSAP is already providing that. If you can convince them that you do need a lot more, you would probably be more likely to get a UTAPs grant. Good luck.

[BBQPorkBun]

You can try to appeal. I figure it's worth a try if you think you really need more. I don't know how you would go about appealing, but be aware that you'll probably have to convince them that you really need the money (i.e. "I'd like more money" won't suffice).

Maybe you were assessed a lower amount because your parents make a significant amount and the assumption is that they will help you. Or maybe you have some RESPs or assets you are expected to use.

All I can say is this: as an undergraduate who is living within 40km of the institution they are attending, it will be extremely challenging to get anything >$7000, meaning that anything you get will be a loan. This means that you'll have to pay everything back in a few years at a rather high interest rate. I can't imagine why you would want to get a larger loan than you absolutely need.

You would want the loan because its interest free until years later.

[BBQPorkBun]

Okay. Thanks for your help. :)
Would you also happen to know how the re-appealing process works? I'm thinking of re-appealing since I do not have enough money to pay for tuition. [I'm not getting any RESP either]

Also, what do you think are the chances of me getting any UTAPS assistance? [I'm assuming you're a U of T student?]

One of my friends is getting over 7000 dollars and he goes to UofT scarborough living from home....so there might be a chance. :confused:
but that probably depends on parent's income i guess.

you won't get anything from appealing unless u have some sort of special circumstances they don't know about from looking at your application. 'not enough' is not a reason, nobody has enough.

don't expect anything from UTAPS

advice: get a job

[licious]

You would want the loan because its interest free until years later.

Fair enough. Btw, thanks for answering all of these questions for the past 100+ pages. I love this thread :)

[BBQPorkBun]

Fair enough. Btw, thanks for answering all of these questions for the past 100+ pages. I love this thread :)

np, glad i can contribute a bit back

[fidouser]

Thanks for the reply's.

And to clarify something else, right now for my OSAP application, only my current year’s income is considered, not my income from last year. Because they assume my income will not likely be the same as it was last year since I’m a student. However, for my parents it is last year’s income that is considered because they assume it stays the same every year. Is this correct? If so, when I apply next year, will my earnings for my co-op terms this year negatively affect my entitlement? Will they only consider the income I’ll be making next year, or assume I should have saved up from this year?

id throw all those assumptions out the window, and yes it will affect you negatively. with you working for a year, depending on income you might not get anything.


BBQ,

You are advising people who have worked and recieved less OSAP in one year to not work the next year... doesn't this contradict what you had told me? Why would my 2008 income be considered when applying for 2009/2010 OSAP? Is that really how it works? On my 2008/2009 application, it only asked me questions about my 2008 income.

[BBQPorkBun]

BBQ,

You are advising people who have worked and recieved less OSAP in one year to not work the next year... doesn't this contradict what you had told me? Why would my 2008 income be considered when applying for 2009/2010 OSAP? Is that really how it works? On my 2008/2009 application, it only asked me questions about my 2008 income.

i don't see the contradiction. co-op is not the same as a part time job during the school year so im not sure what you are comparing. income figures are what they are, and with something like co-op, its predictable income and reasonably assured. osap considers it, doesn't consider it, doesn't change your application. would i recommend someone not do co-op to get more osap, no because co-op has more value than just financial most of the time and its part of your program. would i recommend someone not kill themselves to make 6k in the summer/school year as a grocery bagger, probably.

[geestring]

is it normal that I sent in my app in june and supporting docs in july and still not have a quote?

I'm going to give the financial office a call.

[BBQPorkBun]

My circumstance...

Both my parents passed away a few years ago, and I received insurance money for that. But right now I live in ontario housing. I want to leave this place because it's dangerous, and the insurance money should be for that. I got a summer job this year, but other than that, my income is less than 6000 a year. I put the insurance money as assets and got an estimate of a $0 loan. :cry:.



So... jeez. I'm almost positive I have to put that money as assets (because technically it is), but I can't spend that money. If I had already bought a place to live, then I wouldn't have to add that as assets, but that's not the case.

Gah, my osap application has already been submitted too and I can't change it.

So is there anything I can do about this? or no?
Thanks.

I am sorry to hear that.

Well really bottom line is you don't need the money. You can choose to buy a place or you can also choose not to buy and rent, and use the money to go to school with no issues, this is how osap sees it. keep your money liquid and available, you are at a time where you need money and don't assume osap will come through for you.

[Cquence]

[random question] does OSAP have access to how much money you have in your bank account?

[nfnx]

My circumstance...

Both my parents passed away a few years ago, and I received insurance money for that. But right now I live in ontario housing. I want to leave this place because it's dangerous, and the insurance money should be for that. I got a summer job this year, but other than that, my income is less than 6000 a year. I put the insurance money as assets and got an estimate of a $0 loan. :cry:.



So... jeez. I'm almost positive I have to put that money as assets (because technically it is), but I can't spend that money. If I had already bought a place to live, then I wouldn't have to add that as assets, but that's not the case.

Gah, my osap application has already been submitted too and I can't change it.

So is there anything I can do about this? or no?
Thanks.

when you get the assessment of 0, appeal it immediately.
you have to write a little paper as to why you want to but i dont think you'll have a problem with that.

mention how living in that area will severely strain your ability to focus on studides and it is in your plans to move out as soon as you can.




also, for all new osapers, keep your assessment papers and all that mail stuff, cause 4 years later (5 in my case), you'll see a lump sum and theres no way of really knowing if you got all that money.

just keep it for peace of mind at the very least.

[habsfan93]

I have a question that maybe someone here can answer...

I am just finishing my Master's degree. I received a little over 10k from OSAP for the year (my academic study period was listed as being from Sept 1 07 to Aug 31 08). I received my OSAP payments in Sept and Jan, just like I always did when I was in undergrad. I was only actually in school from Sept - April, and this summer I have been in co-op essentially (officially an internship).

Does OSAP consider two semesters of classes and then co-op over the summer as a 3-term academic year?? I ask, because if they do, it means that I won't get the Ontario Student Opportunity Grant, as they reduce your loan to 7k for 2-term years and 10.5k for 3-term years.

I am trying to figure this out because I am done now at the end of the month, and have gotten the letter from OSAP that starting on September 1st, they are going to start charging interest on my loans. If I get to keep 3k of my 10k loan, then I can actually pay back everything to them now and will (with the exception of the 3k), but if they want the whole 10k back, then I am going to be short and will have to pay some interest :(

[BBQPorkBun]

when you get the assessment of 0, appeal it immediately.
you have to write a little paper as to why you want to but i dont think you'll have a problem with that.

mention how living in that area will severely strain your ability to focus on studides and it is in your plans to move out as soon as you can.




also, for all new osapers, keep your assessment papers and all that mail stuff, cause 4 years later (5 in my case), you'll see a lump sum and theres no way of really knowing if you got all that money.

just keep it for peace of mind at the very least.

he doesn't need the money even after moving out because he can rent so i don't know how he's going to explain the not being able to use the assets part.

there is a way, all your transactions are kept with codes and dates, disbursements, by whom, what amounts, grants, payments. its all on your file, you can call in and ask for an adhoc report that will show your whole osap history free of charge.

[BBQPorkBun]

I have a question that maybe someone here can answer...

I am just finishing my Master's degree. I received a little over 10k from OSAP for the year (my academic study period was listed as being from Sept 1 07 to Aug 31 08). I received my OSAP payments in Sept and Jan, just like I always did when I was in undergrad. I was only actually in school from Sept - April, and this summer I have been in co-op essentially (officially an internship).

Does OSAP consider two semesters of classes and then co-op over the summer as a 3-term academic year?? I ask, because if they do, it means that I won't get the Ontario Student Opportunity Grant, as they reduce your loan to 7k for 2-term years and 10.5k for 3-term years.

I am trying to figure this out because I am done now at the end of the month, and have gotten the letter from OSAP that starting on September 1st, they are going to start charging interest on my loans. If I get to keep 3k of my 10k loan, then I can actually pay back everything to them now and will (with the exception of the 3k), but if they want the whole 10k back, then I am going to be short and will have to pay some interest :(

Its a good question and u got your facts correct. it really should be 2 term and you can get that changed, but the interest will probably all be back dated. then you'll have to bring attention to the grant people that you were suppose to get that grant.

[Midevilshadow]

when you get the assessment of 0, appeal it immediately.
you have to write a little paper as to why you want to but i dont think you'll have a problem with that.

mention how living in that area will severely strain your ability to focus on studides and it is in your plans to move out as soon as you can.




also, for all new osapers, keep your assessment papers and all that mail stuff, cause 4 years later (5 in my case), you'll see a lump sum and theres no way of really knowing if you got all that money.

just keep it for peace of mind at the very least.

Thanks, I will try that, but I do think I will have a tough time explaining why I need the money.

[mingyang]

hey BBQPorkBun,

Currently I live with my parents, but I will be moving out to a new place closer to my University in 2 weeks and I will also be paying for the rent.

What should I bring to financial office to prove that I'm renting the place
-Rent Statement from the landlord?
-Application form? agreement form?
-Do I have to change the address for my G1/Health Card etc?

How much more do you think I will be getting in loan when moving away from parents?

Thanks in advance.

[BBQPorkBun]

hey BBQPorkBun,

Currently I live with my parents, but I will be moving out to a new place closer to my University in 2 weeks and I will also be paying for the rent.

What should I bring to financial office to prove that I'm renting the place
-Rent Statement from the landlord?
-Application form? agreement form?
-Do I have to change the address for my G1/Health Card etc?

How much more do you think I will be getting in loan when moving away from parents?

Thanks in advance.

they will tell you when you change your app, probably all of the above
no change in address
no idea

[help_questions]

BBQ - in a previous post, you suggest that new osapers should keep all their assessment papers.....I don't believe I have got anything from them. I applied online, and sent in my supporting documentation and signature sheets....I haven't got any money yet....should I have any paper documents at this stage?

[zmike]

I have a question, back in june I reported to OSAP on the app that my summer earning was $0 but in early August I got a summer job and I am going to make about $1000 1 week into the the school year. Do I have to report to OSAP about my earnings? if so how? Will I lose my loan and grant money? what if I don't?

Thanks in advance

[killoverme]

I have a question, back in june I reported to OSAP on the app that my summer earning was $0 but in early August I got a summer job and I am going to make about $1000 1 week into the the school year. Do I have to report to OSAP about my earnings? if so how? Will I lose my loan and grant money? what if I don't?

Thanks in advance

when u go to school to pick up your osap they will give you a form asking if the amounts were correct or have changed and write it the amount you have earned in there

[illusyve]

Firstly, thanks for the advice. :)

Secondly, I applied for OSAP earlier in the summer and received ~$4300 in loans and ~$1300 in grants. From what I read, the grants go towards paying off the loan right?

As well, I'm also considering doing 2-3 shifts in Part-Time Retail (min wage) during the school year. How would that affect my OSAP funding? Would it be wise?

[El_Diablo]

Got the QEII scholarship but I was just looking at the 'important information' and it said that the amount issued will not exceed the actual tuition costs + recognized compulsory fees. Do these fees include books and commuting fees? I under estimated the travel costs for a two way trip on my OSAP application, is there any way to change this now?

[wbastien]

Hey I thought I posted this earlier but I guess I forgot to click post. I went on to check OSAP because I heard the Queen Elizabeth scholarships were out. So my original estimate was around $10,250, my new estimate is $8,100; however, it shows $3500 under the Queen Elizabeth column. Is this released the same time as the first portion of my OSAP at the beginning of semester 1? Thanks BBQ.

[DSS]

I'm going to school in England.
For my 2nd year I decided to try OSAP for the first time, they gave me $6300 - my tuition and living, etc... comes up to $30,000 - any way to get more than $6300? I applied for OSAP 4 years after I graduated from High School so it didn't ask me for any information regarding my parent's incomes.

Thanks!

[i have a cisco switch]

My mother will not be filing her 2007 tax return for at least another year, she has a tendency to do this, and when I brought it to her attention that I need it for my OSAP, her response was "oh well".

How should I proceed?

[BBQPorkBun]

BBQ - in a previous post, you suggest that new osapers should keep all their assessment papers.....I don't believe I have got anything from them. I applied online, and sent in my supporting documentation and signature sheets....I haven't got any money yet....should I have any paper documents at this stage?

Your gonna get more info from OSAP/financial aid in regard to your status than from me, give them a call.

[BBQPorkBun]

Firstly, thanks for the advice. :)

Secondly, I applied for OSAP earlier in the summer and received ~$4300 in loans and ~$1300 in grants. From what I read, the grants go towards paying off the loan right?

As well, I'm also considering doing 2-3 shifts in Part-Time Retail (min wage) during the school year. How would that affect my OSAP funding? Would it be wise?

Grants is like free money.
Sure, just don't make too much. Work experience is good regardless of what you do later anyways.

[BBQPorkBun]

Got the QEII scholarship but I was just looking at the 'important information' and it said that the amount issued will not exceed the actual tuition costs + recognized compulsory fees. Do these fees include books and commuting fees? I under estimated the travel costs for a two way trip on my OSAP application, is there any way to change this now?

no, they will not include those costs.

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey I thought I posted this earlier but I guess I forgot to click post. I went on to check OSAP because I heard the Queen Elizabeth scholarships were out. So my original estimate was around $10,250, my new estimate is $8,100; however, it shows $3500 under the Queen Elizabeth column. Is this released the same time as the first portion of my OSAP at the beginning of semester 1? Thanks BBQ.

I can't tell just from your description. i thought its pretty self explanatory on the website though. you can pm me a screenshot if you like.

[BBQPorkBun]

I'm going to school in England.
For my 2nd year I decided to try OSAP for the first time, they gave me $6300 - my tuition and living, etc... comes up to $30,000 - any way to get more than $6300? I applied for OSAP 4 years after I graduated from High School so it didn't ask me for any information regarding my parent's incomes.

Thanks!

nope. realistically how did you expect to pay for it? you decided to try to apply in second year, that makes me think you didn't really have to.

[BBQPorkBun]

My mother will not be filing her 2007 tax return for at least another year, she has a tendency to do this, and when I brought it to her attention that I need it for my OSAP, her response was "oh well".

How should I proceed?

how much does she make a year? put that gross number down. look at a paystub if you have to.

when they chk, maybe they will notice she didn't file ask you about it. its in both your best interest to do it, hope she knows shes paying interest on amounts she would owe.

[Yahel]

Hi BBQ,

I'm about to apply to OSAP for my second time (3rd year of studies, paid first year in cash).

Rather than bother you with my life story, I will stick to just facts.

- First year of studies was in 2004, paid in cash
- Withdrew after first year and worked for 2 years, i.e 2005 2006.
- In 2007 Applied for OSAP and received $1900 funding for 2007/2008 Academic year.

Initially I was turned down funding as my income was approx 35,000 in 2006 as well as 21,000 to date (prior to summer 07). At the time I was unsure of continuing full-time work come september '07 and so I listed my income after school starts as $0.

Fortunately....or unfortunately? I was able to drop to part-time employment in semptember and continue full-time studies.

I received a letter shortly after filing my taxes in 2008 from OSAP stating that my income was not reported correctly. Obviously as I had continued part-time employment. The options were to not reply and they would assume that I knew I had incorrectly reported my income. Or, reply stating where the additional income came from.

What do you suggest I do keeping in mind I am in need of funding this year as well? My income (even at part time) is not enough to support me as well as my tuition.

My income since '07 Sept is part-time hours ranging from 12-15,000/year.

[Manolo]

Hey I have a question regarding my total funding issued for osap.

I went to my financial aids office just this past week to clarify my ontario residency status, this was holding back osap issuing my funding. So I finally got things cleard up, at the osap office, the lady told me the amount I would be issued for the entire school year, it was $3252.60.

anways today I went online to recheck my funding on the website. Under Total Funding issued it says $1960. Is this only for the first semester or something? or does it take a little bit longer to give me my total academic year loan?

[BBQPorkBun]

Hi BBQ,

I'm about to apply to OSAP for my second time (3rd year of studies, paid first year in cash).

Rather than bother you with my life story, I will stick to just facts.

- First year of studies was in 2004, paid in cash
- Withdrew after first year and worked for 2 years, i.e 2005 2006.
- In 2007 Applied for OSAP and received $1900 funding for 2007/2008 Academic year.

Initially I was turned down funding as my income was approx 35,000 in 2006 as well as 21,000 to date (prior to summer 07). At the time I was unsure of continuing full-time work come september '07 and so I listed my income after school starts as $0.

Fortunately....or unfortunately? I was able to drop to part-time employment in semptember and continue full-time studies.

I received a letter shortly after filing my taxes in 2008 from OSAP stating that my income was not reported correctly. Obviously as I had continued part-time employment. The options were to not reply and they would assume that I knew I had incorrectly reported my income. Or, reply stating where the additional income came from.

What do you suggest I do keeping in mind I am in need of funding this year as well? My income (even at part time) is not enough to support me as well as my tuition.

My income since '07 Sept is part-time hours ranging from 12-15,000/year.

wait, this is the non life story version? =p

I guess this will be a mix of osap advice and personal advice. i don't see the point of studying part time, not only do you delay your degree and probably delaying your income increasing, but whatever osap you have been given has to be paid back right away. you don't even get an interest free period.

you can now apply as an independant. if you made alot of income up until now, i hope you saved it all because they are going to consider that. go to school full time, take more courses if you can handle it and finish it off quickly. don't get caught up trying to make short term cash.

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey I have a question regarding my total funding issued for osap.

I went to my financial aids office just this past week to clarify my ontario residency status, this was holding back osap issuing my funding. So I finally got things cleard up, at the osap office, the lady told me the amount I would be issued for the entire school year, it was $3252.60.

anways today I went online to recheck my funding on the website. Under Total Funding issued it says $1960. Is this only for the first semester or something? or does it take a little bit longer to give me my total academic year loan?

go with what the lady says

[the_cure]

Just a quick update. Turns out they had a db error with my forms which said my income's more than it was (By $70,000 a year, haha) so now I'm receiving max. Thanks again pork and all you others who helped. Best thread ever.

[onexeyed]

wait, this is the non life story version? =p

I guess this will be a mix of osap advice and personal advice. i don't see the point of studying part time, not only do you delay your degree and probably delaying your income increasing, but whatever osap you have been given has to be paid back right away. you don't even get an interest free period.

you can now apply as an independant. if you made alot of income up until now, i hope you saved it all because they are going to consider that. go to school full time, take more courses if you can handle it and finish it off quickly. don't get caught up trying to make short term cash.

I agree. I don't see the point of part-time studies unless you have commitments like trying to raise a family. I have friend who will be in university for at least another two years before she can graduate - she's been in school for 4 years so far.

[BBQPorkBun]

Just a quick update. Turns out they had a db error with my forms which said my income's more than it was (By $70,000 a year, haha) so now I'm receiving max. Thanks again pork and all you others who helped. Best thread ever.

...pork...hm...

[maebach]

Im thoroughly confused here. My dad and I were filling the osap online form and it said to enter Pension plan info (lines 308/310) and employment insurance premiums (line 312). As we're looking on his income tax return form, there are no lines such as 312/308/310. What do we do?

[CSK'sMom]

Im thoroughly confused here. My dad and I were filling the osap online form and it said to enter Pension plan info (lines 308/310) and employment insurance premiums (line 312). As we're looking on his income tax return form, there are no lines such as 312/308/310. What do we do?

Look at the schedule 1 for the federal tax calculations. 308 is the CPP contributions, 310 is CPP on self employment or other income and 312 is EI premiums. If he had any employment income he had these deductions at the source. :)

[maebach]

Look at the schedule 1 for the federal tax calculations. 308 is the CPP contributions, 310 is CPP on self employment or other income and 312 is EI premiums. If he had any employment income he had these deductions at the source. :)

We've been using a 'notice of assessment' sheet from the Canada Revenue Agency for our income tax return. This Schedule 1 sheet was for Federal tax calculations?

[CSK'sMom]

Yes it is maebach. You need the copy of the income tax return (should keep a copy of the return for 7 years!) as it has all the info. The assessment doesn't tell you what you need to know. You might be able to get the info off his T-4's as well as he should have kept a copy of those with his copy of the tax returns. If he has neither you are going to have call the CRA to get the info. Don't try to fudge it because the info will be verified by OSAP with the CRA almost immediately after applying....

[Yahel]

wait, this is the non life story version? =p

I guess this will be a mix of osap advice and personal advice. i don't see the point of studying part time, not only do you delay your degree and probably delaying your income increasing, but whatever osap you have been given has to be paid back right away. you don't even get an interest free period.

you can now apply as an independant. if you made alot of income up until now, i hope you saved it all because they are going to consider that. go to school full time, take more courses if you can handle it and finish it off quickly. don't get caught up trying to make short term cash.

Hi BBQ:

I beleive you may have misunderstood my initial post.

I will be returning to full-time studies in September 2008 and continuing to work part-time with an annual income of $15000/year.

What did you mean as an independant?

Also, my initial question was with regard to a letter i received stating my income for '07 was higher than what I had reported on my 07 application.

How will that affect this years application?

Thanks!

[maebach]

I filled out the estimator today and it said 7100 they'd give me. After submitting my form it said the estimate is now 3200. I went back and looked at the summary and I messed up the RRSP and RESP stuff. I tried cancelling it but it said I need to contact my financial institution. So, does that mean I tell WLU not to accept the OSAP letter? Do I call the OSAP office? It gives us a number for people outside Ontario but not in Ontario.

[BBQPorkBun]

Yes it is maebach. You need the copy of the income tax return (should keep a copy of the return for 7 years!) as it has all the info. The assessment doesn't tell you what you need to know. You might be able to get the info off his T-4's as well as he should have kept a copy of those with his copy of the tax returns. If he has neither you are going to have call the CRA to get the info. Don't try to fudge it because the info will be verified by OSAP with the CRA almost immediately after applying....

thx

[BBQPorkBun]

I filled out the estimator today and it said 7100 they'd give me. After submitting my form it said the estimate is now 3200. I went back and looked at the summary and I messed up the RRSP and RESP stuff. I tried cancelling it but it said I need to contact my financial institution. So, does that mean I tell WLU not to accept the OSAP letter? Do I call the OSAP office? It gives us a number for people outside Ontario but not in Ontario.

just contact financial aid office your error and go from there

[maebach]

just contact financial aid office your error and go from there

Alright. I'll call them tommorrow. Thanks alot BBQPork and CSK'smom. I'll update after I talk to WLU office.

[BBQPorkBun]

Hi BBQ:

I beleive you may have misunderstood my initial post.

I will be returning to full-time studies in September 2008 and continuing to work part-time with an annual income of $15000/year.

What did you mean as an independant?

Also, my initial question was with regard to a letter i received stating my income for '07 was higher than what I had reported on my 07 application.

How will that affect this years application?

Thanks!

means you are applying and your parents income is not considered a factor

not likely. you may actually end up worse off financially making that much in a year because you miss all the grants plus no int free loan plus you pay taxes on that income which would in turn use up your educational credits on a low income tax bracket. but to each their own.

[trashmouth12]

OSAP is down for me. Is the site working for anyone else?

[Shadow Rider]

So I'm going on exchange in the fall and had my school forward me my OSAP forms early.

I'm wondering when I can expect it to transfer to my account.

I received the forms last Tuesday the 12th and signed it off at the post office, its the 20th now. From memory I thought OSAP gets deposited (I have it set up to direct deposit) within a week. It hasn't arrived yet.

On the form it says
Disbursement Date (not negociable before this date): Sept 2, 2008.
Period of Study End date (not negotiable after this date) April 2009

And my school also signed off the "confirmation of enrolment" as "Sept 2, 2008"

Does this mean that I won't receive the direct deposit until Sept 2nd?

[BBQPorkBun]

So I'm going on exchange in the fall and had my school forward me my OSAP forms early.

I'm wondering when I can expect it to transfer to my account.

I received the forms last Tuesday the 12th and signed it off at the post office, its the 20th now. From memory I thought OSAP gets deposited (I have it set up to direct deposit) within a week. It hasn't arrived yet.

On the form it says
Disbursement Date (not negociable before this date): Sept 2, 2008.
Period of Study End date (not negotiable after this date) April 2009

And my school also signed off the "confirmation of enrolment" as "Sept 2, 2008"

Does this mean that I won't receive the direct deposit until Sept 2nd?

yup

[Shadow Rider]

yup

Ah ok thanks, well fingers crossed that nothing goes wrong. I really don't want to deal with missing loans across the sea.

[DeltasInTheSky]

So when I go to check status, it says:


Checklist
Click on the link(s) for things that must be done:

* Student must provide supporting documentation
* Student must complete Confirmation of Enrolment form


I've sent in the supporting documents. I think the CoE is something I sign at school once it starts.

So, I click on the hyperlink STUDENT MUST PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION. It has:

Date Documentation required Implications
Aug 13, 2008 Your completed declaration and signature page. Your funding cannot be released until the supporting documentation is received and approved.
Aug 13, 2008 Your parents completed declaration and signature pages. Your funding cannot be released until the supporting documentation is received and approved.


So basically, am I good to go?

Thanks guys.

[BBQPorkBun]

So when I go to check status, it says:


Checklist
Click on the link(s) for things that must be done:

* Student must provide supporting documentation
* Student must complete Confirmation of Enrolment form


I've sent in the supporting documents. I think the CoE is something I sign at school once it starts.

So, I click on the hyperlink STUDENT MUST PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION. It has:

Date Documentation required Implications
Aug 13, 2008 Your completed declaration and signature page. Your funding cannot be released until the supporting documentation is received and approved.
Aug 13, 2008 Your parents completed declaration and signature pages. Your funding cannot be released until the supporting documentation is received and approved.


So basically, am I good to go?

Thanks guys.

seems like it. the COE they will just send in when you sign stuff to pick up your osap stuff. otherwise theres a form you fill out in financial aid, get it signed and send in.

[VaderX]

Just a clarification question here. I hear if an OSAP recipient gets over 7000 in loan a year, the amount over 7000 is forgiven. Is that 7000+ given between Jan-Dec or given during school year (Sept-May)?

[Joker12]

I applied for the Millennium Bursary for my 3rd year into university.

my parents make a very low income and i am a DEPENDENT student...

Through OSAP this year I received 8k in loans but NO grants...

Meaning these fields were blank:Ontario Grants, Canada Study Grant, Canada Access Grants, Scholarships and Bursaries , Ontario Distance Grants

Anyone know why I wasn't approved for this grant/bursary?

or any other bursary's/grants for that matter.

[sweet_angel1400]

I applied for the Millennium Bursary for my 3rd year into university.

my parents make a very low income and i am a DEPENDENT student...

Through OSAP this year I received 8k in loans but NO grants...

Meaning these fields were blank:Ontario Grants, Canada Study Grant, Canada Access Grants, Scholarships and Bursaries , Ontario Distance Grants

Anyone know why I wasn't approved for this grant/bursary?

or any other bursary's/grants for that matter.

I have a friend who works at the University financial services for OSAP and from what I understand, your funding is significantly reduced when you enter 3rd year. Many of the grants you received earlier, you wouldn't qualify for because you are going into 3rd year (some grants are only for 1st and 2nd year students). I have friends who are in similar situation and there is really not much you can do. Also, remember that OSAP assumes that you work during the summer and earn at least $2000 I believe.

Take a look here:
https://osap.gov.on.ca/eng/not_secure/plan_grants_full_newapp_1234.htm
(3rd year students don't qualify for most of those grants)

[sweet_angel1400]

Just a clarification question here. I hear if an OSAP recipient gets over 7000 in loan a year, the amount over 7000 is forgiven. Is that 7000+ given between Jan-Dec or given during school year (Sept-May)?

School year is Sept to May.

[Joker12]

I have a friend who works at the University financial services for OSAP and from what I understand, your funding is significantly reduced when you enter 3rd year. Many of the grants you received earlier, you wouldn't qualify for because you are going into 3rd year (some grants are only for 1st and 2nd year students). I have friends who are in similar situation and there is really not much you can do. Also, remember that OSAP assumes that you work during the summer and earn at least $2000 I believe.

Take a look here:
https://osap.gov.on.ca/eng/not_secure/plan_grants_full_newapp_1234.htm
(3rd year students don't qualify for most of those grants)

Thanks for the heads up...

However, I dont know if this is applicable but technically this is my first year in University... I was a direct transfer student from a college. So I took 3 years of college then i graduated, and now i am enrolled into first year university. COllege tuition is much cheaper then university, which is why i am applying for the OSAP money, praying i will be getting grants and bursary's.

[BBQPorkBun]

Thanks for the heads up...

However, I dont know if this is applicable but technically this is my first year in University... I was a direct transfer student from a college. So I took 3 years of college then i graduated, and now i am enrolled into first year university. COllege tuition is much cheaper then university, which is why i am applying for the OSAP money, praying i will be getting grants and bursary's.

The Ontario student opportunity grant should still apply regardless of what year. The only thing I can think of is that its just not applied yet but I would definitely dig deeper if I were you. Make an appointment with financial aid and to try to get some answers, then go from there.

[porsche22]

Got a question...

I got a letter saying that i'll have to pay intrest starting sept 1, however i just finished school this semester..(end of aug) i called to ask, but her acscent was so thick, but they told me that my principle will start being charged intrest and after the 6mnths i'll have to pay all that intrest.

I thought that there was a grace period of non intrest after i graduate. Did i just misunderstand the lady?

Thanks for the help!

[mjl]

My wife and I make good money over $100k, my daughter lives at home and makes close to $12000. She applied to osap for the hell of it and was offered a loan and a grant of almost 7000. Is this possible? I thought you had to be in a tight spot to get osap. She filled the application on line and only received a letter in the mail telling her of the amount she should get.

[JaneSmith]

Got a question...

I got a letter saying that i'll have to pay intrest starting sept 1, however i just finished school this semester..(end of aug) i called to ask, but her acscent was so thick, but they told me that my principle will start being charged intrest and after the 6mnths i'll have to pay all that intrest.

I thought that there was a grace period of non intrest after i graduate. Did i just misunderstand the lady?

Thanks for the help!

You have 6 months grace period after graduating where you don't have to make any payments, but interest starts accruing immediately. You have the option of paying your 6 months worth of interest as a lump sum when you start making your payments (I think).

[destiny4filled]

Hey I was just wondering, if I made less than I've predicted for the summer portion on OSAP, (predicted 2000 but made about 500), would that effect my OSAP? Would they decrease my eligibility for OSAP? What about QEII?

Thanks in Advance for your generous help.

[BBQPorkBun]

You have 6 months grace period after graduating where you don't have to make any payments, but interest starts accruing immediately. You have the option of paying your 6 months worth of interest as a lump sum when you start making your payments (I think).

yup, or adding it to the total of the loan. paying it off first will get you a bit back on your taxes while adding it will get you nothing back.

no 6 month free ride, if u have a lump sum saved up, throw it in now.

[BBQPorkBun]

My wife and I make good money over $100k, my daughter lives at home and makes close to $12000. She applied to osap for the hell of it and was offered a loan and a grant of almost 7000. Is this possible? I thought you had to be in a tight spot to get osap. She filled the application on line and only received a letter in the mail telling her of the amount she should get.

sure, something could have been filled out incorrectly. could have said no assets when there is or applied as an independent. who knows. did you look things over before signing?

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey I was just wondering, if I made less than I've predicted for the summer portion on OSAP, (predicted 2000 but made about 500), would that effect my OSAP? Would they decrease my eligibility for OSAP? What about QEII?

Thanks in Advance for your generous help.

no, it wouldn't negatively affect you but you are sorta shooting yourself in the food by predicting 2k in the first place, could have gotten more.

[destiny4filled]

no, it wouldn't negatively affect you but you are sorta shooting yourself in the food by predicting 2k in the first place, could have gotten more.

haha :cheesygri
yes i've realized that after flipping through about 30 pages @_@ soooo much information. Too bad I only found this thread AFTER i applied for OSAP.

Thanks for providing this awesome thread!

[sunnyd71]

I am receiving the Canada Access Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities for this year Sept - April.

Due to my disability, I take a reduced course load and go to school year round. My 4th year of studies will be from Sept 2008 - April 2009. My 5th and final year is May 2009 - Dec 2009.

Since I can only receive one Canada Access Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities per loan year, will I be eligible as a new grant from May - Dec?

Thanks.

[NiftyScent]

This has probably been answered before but...

On OSAP, it says there's a discrepancy between what I put for my parents income and the information received from the CRA. However, I put down the exact numbers from the income tax.

How do I go about resolving this? Am I going to jail? :lol:

[Crystal Ice]

quick question, i made 12,640 last year because i worked throughout the yr and was only a part-time student, doing 3 courses each semester.

now this year I;m taking 5 and 5 so 10, which is a full course load.

OSAP is only giving me 2800 and change, stating i made too much money. But all the money i made through the year went to expenses such as rent, groceries, bills...etc. also last yr i did not get a lot of funding from osap since i was only taking half a course load.

i was told to send them a letter explaining how i pay for my daily living costs. in the letter i explained that i need more funding from them because the money that i made the previous year was to cover living costs that i had at the time. i also explained that as of now i pay for my daily living costs through my job, but i will not be able to continue to do that since i will not have time to do so while attending university, since its going to be my fourth and final year.

so does anyone know if they will increase my funding or what, i have not heard back form them yet.

thanks

[BBQPorkBun]

I am receiving the Canada Access Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities for this year Sept - April.

Due to my disability, I take a reduced course load and go to school year round. My 4th year of studies will be from Sept 2008 - April 2009. My 5th and final year is May 2009 - Dec 2009.

Since I can only receive one Canada Access Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities per loan year, will I be eligible as a new grant from May - Dec?

Thanks.

yes, you should

[BBQPorkBun]

This has probably been answered before but...

On OSAP, it says there's a discrepancy between what I put for my parents income and the information received from the CRA. However, I put down the exact numbers from the income tax.

How do I go about resolving this? Am I going to jail? :lol:

find out what the discrepancy is then call them to correct it.
send them proof if you have to.

[strangeepiphany]

This has probably been answered before but...

On OSAP, it says there's a discrepancy between what I put for my parents income and the information received from the CRA. However, I put down the exact numbers from the income tax.

How do I go about resolving this? Am I going to jail? :lol:

Happened to me too. I didn't do anything though, and after a while, my current status changed to say that my file has been updated and my funding recalculated, even though nothing changed. :confused:

You should do what BBQPorkBun says though, just in case.

[BBQPorkBun]

quick question, i made 12,640 last year because i worked throughout the yr and was only a part-time student, doing 3 courses each semester.

now this year I;m taking 5 and 5 so 10, which is a full course load.

OSAP is only giving me 2800 and change, stating i made too much money. But all the money i made through the year went to expenses such as rent, groceries, bills...etc. also last yr i did not get a lot of funding from osap since i was only taking half a course load.

i was told to send them a letter explaining how i pay for my daily living costs. in the letter i explained that i need more funding from them because the money that i made the previous year was to cover living costs that i had at the time. i also explained that as of now i pay for my daily living costs through my job, but i will not be able to continue to do that since i will not have time to do so while attending university, since its going to be my fourth and final year.

so does anyone know if they will increase my funding or what, i have not heard back form them yet.

thanks

what did you put down for assets and parents income (still relevant if your a dependant, and even worse if your parents home is less than 40km from your school) these all factors contribute to what you got.

is this just a letter or a formal appeal?

[xxchrno]

question~ can i still change some info on my app even if its already sent? by accident i missed the resp question and click no, when i do have a resp >_<. i forgot about it and sent it... can i still change it? will i get in trouble by the gov't by not giving them the info?

thanks!

[Canada_7]

Ugh...Western's financial office is so slow. Some weeks ago I checked my OSAP application and found out that there was discrepency regarding my father and mother's income (after reviewing the application, for the tax return part, two lines for both my father and mother had been mixed up) and also my social insurance # did not match the name I put (I applied with my English name but my SIN card only has my Chinese name). My dad sent in the documents required to clear those up quite a few weeks ago and there STILL hasn't been any update for my application. My dad's called NUMEROUS times and he's been told it's been received. If it's been received, how come they're not doing ANYTHING with it?

[Cquence]

okay quick question
I already completed the OSAP application and i put that i was going to live at home
but i found a place closer to UNI, so i need more money
do i let the financial office know or do i have to write a letter to osap?

[BBQPorkBun]

question~ can i still change some info on my app even if its already sent? by accident i missed the resp question and click no, when i do have a resp >_<. i forgot about it and sent it... can i still change it? will i get in trouble by the gov't by not giving them the info?

thanks!

yes you can change it, go to financial aid

[BBQPorkBun]

Ugh...Western's financial office is so slow. Some weeks ago I checked my OSAP application and found out that there was discrepency regarding my father and mother's income (after reviewing the application, for the tax return part, two lines for both my father and mother had been mixed up) and also my social insurance # did not match the name I put (I applied with my English name but my SIN card only has my Chinese name). My dad sent in the documents required to clear those up quite a few weeks ago and there STILL hasn't been any update for my application. My dad's called NUMEROUS times and he's been told it's been received. If it's been received, how come they're not doing ANYTHING with it?

Patience grasshopper.

OSAPs the bottleneck really, not financial aid office. If you've checked that they received it, then thats a good sign, worse thing to do is to assume they have what you sent them.

[BBQPorkBun]

okay quick question
I already completed the OSAP application and i put that i was going to live at home
but i found a place closer to UNI, so i need more money
do i let the financial office know or do i have to write a letter to osap?

if your home is less than 40 km away from the school, then you don't need to do anything, because you won't get getting anymore.

[xxchrno]

yes you can change it, go to financial aid

what do you mean go to financial aid? does that mean i have to call the financial aid office of the school im going to?

thanks

[kimbot]

I got a letter a month ago from OSAP stating that I underreported my income last year (I predicted like $7000 based on not working from Aug-Dec, but I ended up working during those months). My actual income was around $12000, I think.

How badly will this affect my osap loan this year? I've been out of high school for 5 years now and I'll be living on my own, and I pretty much need to rely on osap since I haven't worked much this year. I received the maximum loan last year (11900?).

[Crystal Ice]

what did you put down for assets and parents income (still relevant if your a dependant, and even worse if your parents home is less than 40km from your school) these all factors contribute to what you got.

is this just a letter or a formal appeal?

just a letter because they told me to send one, im a dependent and i go uni in pei, haha so more the 40km away...and when i put in my parents income it erased it all saying that i was a dependent and did not need to input it. for assets i put in pretty nothing, since i dont really have any at the moment, either than what i make at my current job

[angela333]

I'm sure this post will get a few laughs... :|

So my spouse had everything submitted to OSAP, just needed to mail in his signature pages, when his mother called to say she had just paid his tuition with her credit card.

She has nothing to do with his schooling, and we applied as common-law spouses, so her info was not included, nor were we expecting her to pay this.

We are at a loss for actions (and words). Is there anything we can do? Can they waive the tuition and give us only the cost-of-living expenses? I'm hoping if we write a letter to include with the signature pages, and then call to set up an appointment with someone to hand them in and discuss, maybe we can work something out?

I doubt anyone has been stupid enough to have this happen to them, but if anyone can shed some light, I would be SO greatful!! We have a 2.5 year old, and NEED this money, as he was our breadwinner, I'm only working PT + school.>:(

HELP!

[BBQPorkBun]

what do you mean go to financial aid? does that mean i have to call the financial aid office of the school im going to?

thanks

yes

[BBQPorkBun]

I got a letter a month ago from OSAP stating that I underreported my income last year (I predicted like $7000 based on not working from Aug-Dec, but I ended up working during those months). My actual income was around $12000, I think.

How badly will this affect my osap loan this year? I've been out of high school for 5 years now and I'll be living on my own, and I pretty much need to rely on osap since I haven't worked much this year. I received the maximum loan last year (11900?).

it will greatly affect your osap, how much, no idea, all you can do is wait and see

[BBQPorkBun]

just a letter because they told me to send one, im a dependent and i go uni in pei, haha so more the 40km away...and when i put in my parents income it erased it all saying that i was a dependent and did not need to input it. for assets i put in pretty nothing, since i dont really have any at the moment, either than what i make at my current job

only independant's parents income is not necessary, i think you mixed up your terms.

ok, well they will reassess your loan and lets hope you get what you need

[Crystal Ice]

hahah, ya i meant INdependent, this is my fifth year out of high school...and i'm hoping they reassess me and send a better amount

[BBQPorkBun]

I'm sure this post will get a few laughs... :|

So my spouse had everything submitted to OSAP, just needed to mail in his signature pages, when his mother called to say she had just paid his tuition with her credit card.

She has nothing to do with his schooling, and we applied as common-law spouses, so her info was not included, nor were we expecting her to pay this.

We are at a loss for actions (and words). Is there anything we can do? Can they waive the tuition and give us only the cost-of-living expenses? I'm hoping if we write a letter to include with the signature pages, and then call to set up an appointment with someone to hand them in and discuss, maybe we can work something out?

I doubt anyone has been stupid enough to have this happen to them, but if anyone can shed some light, I would be SO greatful!! We have a 2.5 year old, and NEED this money, as he was our breadwinner, I'm only working PT + school.>:(

HELP!

Reverse the transaction?

Thing is osap does not really consider whether the debt was paid yet. its not like if the tuition is paid, osap gets a beeping indicator that says tuition paid. So even if your husband paid it all with his credit card. the tuition is technically paid but he still has that debt that he's looking to pay off with osap funding and is more a cashflow issue. This can be seen as something similar where your spouse owes his mother the tuition amount.

I strongly don't think it will affect anything.

[BBQPorkBun]

hahah, ya i meant INdependent, this is my fifth year out of high school...and i'm hoping they reassess me and send a better amount

most likely you will, good luck

[JaneSmith]

If only everybody were this honest!
I think in your case you should just receive the osap amount that was determined for you already, and consider your mother-in-laws payment, a nice bonus. Take the amount of osap that you would have paid towards tuition and put it aside, so that when you have to start paying your loan back you have a head start.

oops..i quoted the wrong post, sorry.

Reverse the transaction?

Thing is osap does not really consider whether the debt was paid yet. its not like if the tuition is paid, osap gets a beeping indicator that says tuition paid. So even if your husband paid it all with his credit card. the tuition is technically paid but he still has that debt that he's looking to pay off with osap funding and is more a cashflow issue. This can be seen as something similar where your spouse owes his mother the tuition amount.

I strongly don't think it will affect anything.

[Professor Iris]

I'm sure this post will get a few laughs... :|

So my spouse had everything submitted to OSAP, just needed to mail in his signature pages, when his mother called to say she had just paid his tuition with her credit card.

She has nothing to do with his schooling, and we applied as common-law spouses, so her info was not included, nor were we expecting her to pay this.

We are at a loss for actions (and words). Is there anything we can do? Can they waive the tuition and give us only the cost-of-living expenses? I'm hoping if we write a letter to include with the signature pages, and then call to set up an appointment with someone to hand them in and discuss, maybe we can work something out?

I doubt anyone has been stupid enough to have this happen to them, but if anyone can shed some light, I would be SO greatful!! We have a 2.5 year old, and NEED this money, as he was our breadwinner, I'm only working PT + school.>:(

HELP!

I wouldn't worry about it, I've had my tuition paid sometimes before I got my osap and it hasn't mattered at all. You could be worried about processing it and borrowed until you got osap, or someone could have wanted points or something from using their credit card. osap doesn't know what you spend your money on and the university just wants to get paid.

[Professor Iris]

I got a letter a month ago from OSAP stating that I underreported my income last year (I predicted like $7000 based on not working from Aug-Dec, but I ended up working during those months). My actual income was around $12000, I think.

How badly will this affect my osap loan this year? I've been out of high school for 5 years now and I'll be living on my own, and I pretty much need to rely on osap since I haven't worked much this year. I received the maximum loan last year (11900?).

I've had the exact same thing and it hasn't affected my osap this year. I made sure to make a much better estimate this year, but they go back and recalculate what it should have been. If they only would have given you $6000 last year, you won't get the grant for anything over $7000 because you weren't supposed to get that money, so it might affect you this year, and it might affect you when you go to pay it back, just apply and see and look carefully, you have to dig a little bit to see what the old and the new assessment amounts are for the same year.

[geestring]

has anyone here not get a response yet?

I applied in june and sent "supporting documents" last week.
I'd assume the financial office is really backed up. I can't even call to confirm that they've gotten the letter because their phone is always busy.

I probably won't get anything by the tuition deadline. And it seems Ryerson has a policy of not bumping up the deadline to pay.

[emoci]

has anyone here not get a response yet?

I applied in june and sent "supporting documents" last week.
I'd assume the financial office is really backed up. I can't even call to confirm that they've gotten the letter because their phone is always busy.

I probably won't get anything by the tuition deadline. And it seems Ryerson has a policy of not bumping up the deadline to pay.

You usually want to send in the Supporting Docs ASAP after your application ...

Eg. Mine were on the mail June 10th, and confirmed sums were up by July 28th or so

Ask Ryerson about Deferring to OSAP or if there is a minimum you can pay to register ... they're always busy though, may need to show up in person ...

[geestring]

yea i sent one in july because I saw on the website that I needed it.

However, in early august they sent me a letter saying that I needed it.
I then proceeded to write a more detailed letter. I'm wondering if it was sufficient enough.
Am I suppose to prove my daily living expenses by showing them scans of receipts and things? Don't know how to prove I'm broke.

I'll head down tomorrow and go to their office.

[emoci]

I'm sure this post will get a few laughs... :|

So my spouse had everything submitted to OSAP, just needed to mail in his signature pages, when his mother called to say she had just paid his tuition with her credit card.

She has nothing to do with his schooling, and we applied as common-law spouses, so her info was not included, nor were we expecting her to pay this.

We are at a loss for actions (and words). Is there anything we can do? Can they waive the tuition and give us only the cost-of-living expenses? I'm hoping if we write a letter to include with the signature pages, and then call to set up an appointment with someone to hand them in and discuss, maybe we can work something out?

I doubt anyone has been stupid enough to have this happen to them, but if anyone can shed some light, I would be SO greatful!! We have a 2.5 year old, and NEED this money, as he was our breadwinner, I'm only working PT + school.>:(

HELP!

Nothing bad will happen.

It means that when he goes to pickup OSAP, he'll get all the cash from OSAP directly deposited to his bank acct. since everything with the University/College is paid off. All OSAP checks against are Tax Returns such that reported amounts to OSAP and CCRA match ...

I've been doing the exact same thing for the last 4 years since UofT wants at least a minimum in by Aug 29th, whereas OSAP amount is only negotiable after start of classes

That said though, this may not be a bad thing, if the signature pages are not yet in the mail, the final OSAP amount will probably not be finalized until after classes start (so you'd have found yourself in a bit of a pickle)

[BBQPorkBun]

yea i sent one in july because I saw on the website that I needed it.

However, in early august they sent me a letter saying that I needed it.
I then proceeded to write a more detailed letter. I'm wondering if it was sufficient enough.
Am I suppose to prove my daily living expenses by showing them scans of receipts and things? Don't know how to prove I'm broke.

I'll head down tomorrow and go to their office.

bank statement

[emoci]

yea i sent one in july because I saw on the website that I needed it.

However, in early august they sent me a letter saying that I needed it.
I then proceeded to write a more detailed letter. I'm wondering if it was sufficient enough.
Am I suppose to prove my daily living expenses by showing them scans of receipts and things? Don't know how to prove I'm broke.

I'll head down tomorrow and go to their office.

In the letter are they just asking you for the signature pages (one from you, one from your parents signing)?

Or are they asking you to verify income...as well?

Most likely what happened was:
-You sent supporting documents (signature pages) in late July
-Before they actually received your supporting documents from above they send you a reminder in early August (so the letter was mailed to you before they received the original supporting documents likely)

I doubt it has anything to do with income verification...

Go to the same Gym where the OneCard is being issued, my brother picked up his OSAP documents there today so there is someone there to talk to, even if just to tell you where to go next ...

[wellysm]

I have a lil prob with osap myself,
I just applied to it a few days ago (because just a few days ago i was able to pick my courses for univ...and i thought i needed to do that before osap!)

And basically at the very end they told me im only allowed to get aproc $4000 for the year.

Now the prob is my friends parents make more than ours and he got way more. and for the past year or so, my mom hasnt been working because shes got into a serious accident.

I was told not to lie of my app so i told them i made aprox 7000$ myself this year (jan - june) but i spent almost all of it on traveling..etc

so do you think thats the reason they're offering me such a low grant?

btw, my 1st semester came up to 3000$ - tuition, 1600 - housing, prob 500-1000 - books, and another atleast 1000- food and others

so basically thats almost 6500/semester. or about 12-13 grands for the year


help!!!

[osapasap]

I have been reading for days about osap rules and whatnot..

my questions is ... how much income varience is acceptable before osap will take away portions of grants or the actual loans?

i have been assessed as high need .. given a little over 12,000 and my income that i reported will be off by roughly 1500

??? what do you guys think?

[CSK'sMom]

has anyone here not get a response yet?

I applied in june and sent "supporting documents" last week.
I'd assume the financial office is really backed up. I can't even call to confirm that they've gotten the letter because their phone is always busy.

I probably won't get anything by the tuition deadline. And it seems Ryerson has a policy of not bumping up the deadline to pay.


You're probably going to actually go to the fin. aid office. I know our son's school sent out emails saying that if all your supporting documents weren't in by Aug 15th the OSAP papers wouldn't be available till at least the 2nd week of school. Our son didn't actually apply for his OSAP till the 1st of August and we dropped off his supporting documents at his school the next day. CRA verifications showed on the website the next day and within a week his supporting documents were approved for his grant. He picked up his loan and grant papers yesterday.

[emoci]

I have a lil prob with osap myself,
I just applied to it a few days ago (because just a few days ago i was able to pick my courses for univ...and i thought i needed to do that before osap!)

And basically at the very end they told me im only allowed to get aproc $4000 for the year.

Now the prob is my friends parents make more than ours and he got way more. and for the past year or so, my mom hasnt been working because shes got into a serious accident.

I was told not to lie of my app so i told them i made aprox 7000$ myself this year (jan - june) but i spent almost all of it on traveling..etc

so do you think thats the reason they're offering me such a low grant?

btw, my 1st semester came up to 3000$ - tuition, 1600 - housing, prob 500-1000 - books, and another atleast 1000- food and others

so basically thats almost 6500/semester. or about 12-13 grands for the year


help!!!


Go back on the website and and review your application, are you sure you filled it correctly? You may have to call them up to arrange to have your filing re-updated

Important Things to update:
-Income Jan-Jun (this usually does not greatly affect your amount for OSAP, if making a good amount of money over the year, and provided it's your first year on OSAP, you want to report a good chunk in this part vs the the other two parts)
-Pre-Study Period, Jun-Aug : This is an important amount to declare (it affects your OSAP)
-For the Year 2008: This includes the 2 amounts above plus the Period Sep-Dec (what you will be making Sep-Dec also affects your amount)
-Your Study Period: This includes Sep-Dec 2008, and Jan-April 2009, so it has a part overlaping with the year above.

-Your Parents Income (both parents if married)
-Make sure you reported that you're living away from home, I assume this is the case since you mention housing costs (this raises your entitlement)
-The cost of a return trip home if significant

Run a test here with your amounts http://accesswindow.osap.gov.on.ca/cgi-bin/lansaweb?procfun+AWPROC0607+D050607+OSP+ENG to get an estimate

You can do these updates at the Financial Aid office once you start school (you'll have your first chance at updates when you pickup your papers, you can also write to the Financial Aid office with updates on the information above, and explain your costs for tuition and housing)... however your biggest problem is that OSAP will not have a decision on your final amount for a while after classes start considering you've just applied ... so make arrangements to pay at least min. payments ...

At this point, as poster above says, you're much better off talking to someone face to face to get this taken care off quickly

Remember for next time, get OSAP done in late May, early June, you don't need to have classes picked to apply for OSAP...

[emoci]

I have been reading for days about osap rules and whatnot..

my questions is ... how much income varience is acceptable before osap will take away portions of grants or the actual loans?

i have been assessed as high need .. given a little over 12,000 and my income that i reported will be off by roughly 1500

??? what do you guys think?

I think you'll be ok overall ...

If you haven't already picked up your documents, you'll have a chance to update your amounts when you pick them up.

Remember what really matters is your Pre-Study and Study Period income ...

If it was me, I'd raise:
Jan to Jun by 1100 (provided this is your first year with OSAP)
Jun to Aug by 250
The whole year by 1500

Other than that, as an example a 2500 scholarship from Ryerson lowered my brothers loan by about 480 ... (didn't touch his grant)

There is nothing set in stone with this stuff, but try to be as transparent as you can without going overboard

This is a good place to run some what ifs: http://accesswindow.osap.gov.on.ca/cgi-bin/lansaweb?procfun+AWPROC0607+D050607+OSP+ENG

(Oh from personal experience :cheesygri you're gonna have to pay some of this money back, so don't spend on anything more than you need to ... it looks like fun in the first year, but get closer to the 3rd-4th year and a $25000 loan starts dawning on you :cheesygri )

[DeltasInTheSky]

I'm a little worried, I sent my supporting docs out on August 28th...as of this day, OSAP still says:

* Student must provide supporting documentation


I HAVE BEEN CALLING MY FINANCIAL AID office, non-stop for the past 3 days...but for ****'s sake (pardon my language)...they tell me to wait...and then hang-up on me.

I was eligible for my fees-deferral...so, what's going on?

[geestring]

I'm a little worried, I sent my supporting docs out on August 28th...as of this day, OSAP still says:

* Student must provide supporting documentation


I HAVE BEEN CALLING MY FINANCIAL AID office, non-stop for the past 3 days...but for ****'s sake (pardon my language)...they tell me to wait...and then hang-up on me.

I was eligible for my fees-deferral...so, what's going on?

probably same issue as me.

I'm going to the office to sort everything out. I bet their mail is all disorganized.

[emoci]

I'm a little worried, I sent my supporting docs out on August 28th...as of this day, OSAP still says:

* Student must provide supporting documentation


I HAVE BEEN CALLING MY FINANCIAL AID office, non-stop for the past 3 days...but for ****'s sake (pardon my language)...they tell me to wait...and then hang-up on me.

I was eligible for my fees-deferral...so, what's going on?

You mean July 28th?

I'd make a trip in person to the College Registrar (I am assume UofT from your FS threads) with a copy of your supporting documents. But if you've done the deferral already it may just be a waiting game

[DeltasInTheSky]

You mean July 28th?

I'd make a trip in person to the College Registrar (I am assume UofT from your FS threads) with a copy of your supporting documents. But if you've done the deferral already it may just be a waiting game

Oh, my mistake. You're entirely right, yeah my guess is to wait it out...cause chances are I'd have got the deferral on the basis of them seeing my supporting documents.

[emoci]

Oh, my mistake. You're entirely right, yeah my guess is to wait it out...cause chances are I'd have got the deferral on the basis of them seeing my supporting documents.

You may have to wait it out, that said, I'd show up in person at the Registrar's office for a quick face to face (it can't hurt)

[emoci]

Hey BBQ, before I ask my question, let me just say thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge about OSAP. I wish I'd found this forum earlier, it gave me so much insight on how exactly OSAP works.

My issue is that I ran into a little extra cash in the beginning of 2007 which i deposited into one of those rbc interest accounts. i however, did not report this to osap, not really considering the connection between the two at the time. anyway, it is now the end of august 2008 and i know rbc submits the interest i earn to cra during the tax season. i still have not received any type of problematic letter from osap asking to explain this discrepancy between what i told osap and what cra has. does that mean i'm probably out of the water at this point??? i ask becuz i have been told OSAP tends to already have finished all their investigating by the end of July.

Sorry for the long question, hope to hear from you soon.

I'll let BBQ answer this...but you're overthinking this... the only thing that affects your income is the extra interest (officially CCRA income for previous tax year is verified in the fall), but I doubt you made enough interest to have a huge effect

[BBQPorkBun]

I have a lil prob with osap myself,
I just applied to it a few days ago (because just a few days ago i was able to pick my courses for univ...and i thought i needed to do that before osap!)

And basically at the very end they told me im only allowed to get aproc $4000 for the year.

Now the prob is my friends parents make more than ours and he got way more. and for the past year or so, my mom hasnt been working because shes got into a serious accident.

I was told not to lie of my app so i told them i made aprox 7000$ myself this year (jan - june) but i spent almost all of it on traveling..etc

so do you think thats the reason they're offering me such a low grant?

btw, my 1st semester came up to 3000$ - tuition, 1600 - housing, prob 500-1000 - books, and another atleast 1000- food and others

so basically thats almost 6500/semester. or about 12-13 grands for the year


help!!!

So im guessing this is your first time applying for osap since you are applying now, which means you didn't need it last year. And at a period in your life when you are in need of money, you spent everything you made. I think you are in good shape and don't have any worries =)

I feel like that guy on House, but anyways, doesn't matter what u think ur friends parents make, irrelevant. Its a loan, not a grant. Theres always some factor(s) that pulls your loan down and it can be parents income or something else. Unless you made a big mistake on your application, you got what you got.

[BBQPorkBun]

I have been reading for days about osap rules and whatnot..

my questions is ... how much income varience is acceptable before osap will take away portions of grants or the actual loans?

i have been assessed as high need .. given a little over 12,000 and my income that i reported will be off by roughly 1500

??? what do you guys think?

you are fine, they always assume you make 1-2k anyways

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey BBQ, before I ask my question, let me just say thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge about OSAP. I wish I'd found this forum earlier, it gave me so much insight on how exactly OSAP works.

My issue is that I ran into a little extra cash in the beginning of 2007 which i deposited into one of those rbc interest accounts. i however, did not report this to osap, not really considering the connection between the two at the time. anyway, it is now the end of august 2008 and i know rbc submits the interest i earn to cra during the tax season. i still have not received any type of problematic letter from osap asking to explain this discrepancy between what i told osap and what cra has. does that mean i'm probably out of the water at this point??? i ask becuz i have been told OSAP tends to already have finished all their investigating by the end of July.

Sorry for the long question, hope to hear from you soon.

you're welcome

your interest income is immaterial, even if its hundreds of dollars which i doubt. don't worry about it.

[Professor Iris]

I have a lil prob with osap myself,
I just applied to it a few days ago (because just a few days ago i was able to pick my courses for univ...and i thought i needed to do that before osap!)

And basically at the very end they told me im only allowed to get aproc $4000 for the year.

Now the prob is my friends parents make more than ours and he got way more. and for the past year or so, my mom hasnt been working because shes got into a serious accident.

I was told not to lie of my app so i told them i made aprox 7000$ myself this year (jan - june) but i spent almost all of it on traveling..etc

so do you think thats the reason they're offering me such a low grant?

btw, my 1st semester came up to 3000$ - tuition, 1600 - housing, prob 500-1000 - books, and another atleast 1000- food and others

so basically thats almost 6500/semester. or about 12-13 grands for the year


help!!!

What BBQPorkbun says is right, however there is an appeal process if you have a parent who's last years taxes are not at all reflective of what they will be making this year. You can try this appeal, based on your mom not working, however for a single dependent student max is $11900.

[BBQPorkBun]

What BBQPorkbun says is right, however there is an appeal process if you have a parent who's last years taxes are not at all reflective of what they will be making this year. You can try this appeal, based on your mom not working, however for a single dependent student max is $11900.

Agreed, try it out. be prepared to provide documentation.

[mingyuan]

I wish I could see this earlier, but at least it will help me with next year

[BBQPorkBun]

wow, that's a relief, thanks BBQ. My friends were scaring me, telling me that if i make interest from money in the bank, OSAP will start wondering why i didnt report this money as assets, i'm guessing that's not true based on what you've said?

They would see it, its just not significant enough to mean anything. would cost them more money to come ask you about it.

[geestring]

i guess i was dumb not going to the osap office without my actual sin card.

I had my sin number though and an id. But they still refused to help me.

Even though someone could call their office and supply a sin and a name.

[DeltasInTheSky]

:|

The OSAP office thought the supporting docs I mailed were photocopied...
I just printed what they had off the site, and got my parents to sign them...in a black pen. Wow, now I have to go to the Registrar and hand in a physical copy.

[geestring]

what supporting documents do you have to bring?
just the signed forms right?

[porsche22]

Thanks for the info!

But what is this interest free form i keep hearing from hearing that i should fill out? They said i can only fill it out after my 6mnths. IS that how it works?

yup, or adding it to the total of the loan. paying it off first will get you a bit back on your taxes while adding it will get you nothing back.

no 6 month free ride, if u have a lump sum saved up, throw it in now.

[Professor Iris]

Thanks for the info!

But what is this interest free form i keep hearing from hearing that i should fill out? They said i can only fill it out after my 6mnths. IS that how it works?

When you are done school and paying back your loan, if your income is below a certain level (that level depends on the amount of loan and monthly payments) you can receive interest relief for six months at a time I believe, during which they pay your interest. If you look on the osap site you can actually find the chart and determine what those numbers are. It is a little bit hard to find, or at least it was for me. You can't apply until six months after you graduate or finish school.

[Supra_KL]

need a bit of help.

I'm just about to finish my OSAP form and got a question for you guys.

I remembered from last year, you put in your parents 2006 income and OSAP would calculate how much $ you would get according to your parents income and your total assets. Well...

Last year, I received about $4K in loans when both of my parents were working ($75K Total) and had about >$1K in my savings. I had to cough up $1K to pay for books and the rest of my tuition.

But this year, my mother got laid off and the total family income is now $25K + Employment Insurance. So, now the OSAP form asks me for my parents 2007 income, which is definitely not a correct representation of my parent's current income. I'm afraid that I'll be receiving the same amount of OSAP loans as last year (provided that I have $>1K in assets/savings).

So.. what should I do?

note: I do have 6K in savings, but will be allocating 3-5K of it to my mom's savings account to help out the family / save for a trip to Hong Kong next summer. So in reality my current assets could vary from 1k - 3k.

[Professor Iris]

need a bit of help.

I'm just about to finish my OSAP form and got a question for you guys.

I remembered from last year, you put in your parents 2006 income and OSAP would calculate how much $ you would get according to your parents income and your total assets. Well...

Last year, I received about $4K in loans when both of my parents were working ($75K Total) and had about >$1K in my savings. I had to cough up $1K to pay for books and the rest of my tuition.

But this year, my mother got laid off and the total family income is now $25K + Employment Insurance. So, now the OSAP form asks me for my parents 2007 income, which is definitely not a correct representation of my parent's current income. I'm afraid that I'll be receiving the same amount of OSAP loans as last year (provided that I have $>1K in assets/savings).

So.. what should I do?

note: I do have 6K in savings, but will be allocating 3-5K of it to my mom's savings account to help out the family / save for a trip to Hong Kong next summer. So in reality my current assets could vary from 1k - 3k.

There is an appeal form for you to fill out for this type of situation.

[BBQPorkBun]

need a bit of help.

I'm just about to finish my OSAP form and got a question for you guys.

I remembered from last year, you put in your parents 2006 income and OSAP would calculate how much $ you would get according to your parents income and your total assets. Well...

Last year, I received about $4K in loans when both of my parents were working ($75K Total) and had about >$1K in my savings. I had to cough up $1K to pay for books and the rest of my tuition.

But this year, my mother got laid off and the total family income is now $25K + Employment Insurance. So, now the OSAP form asks me for my parents 2007 income, which is definitely not a correct representation of my parent's current income. I'm afraid that I'll be receiving the same amount of OSAP loans as last year (provided that I have $>1K in assets/savings).

So.. what should I do?

note: I do have 6K in savings, but will be allocating 3-5K of it to my mom's savings account to help out the family / save for a trip to Hong Kong next summer. So in reality my current assets could vary from 1k - 3k.

why don't you go to Hawaii too and 'in reality' have 0k in assets
Or go to Japan too and have -3k

osap is not here to support you or your family's trips
in summary, you don't need the money.

your solution is not to go to hk and/or get a job

[BBQPorkBun]

There is an appeal form for you to fill out for this type of situation.

I respectfully ask you to refrain from advising appeals to any frivolous case that comes along. You are not doing OSAP or students with real appeals any favors by generating a backlog with this kind of nonsense.

[Supra_KL]

why don't you go to Hawaii too and 'in reality' have 0k in assets
Or go to Japan too and have -3k

osap is not here to support you or your family's trips
in summary, you don't need the money.

your solution is not to go to hk and/or get a job


"chasu bow" you're probably thinking "oh another cheapskate"...

1) going to HK to get my Hong Kong Identity Card + Right to abode, not vacation.

http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/faq_roaihksar.htm

(e) A person under 21 years of age born in Hong Kong to a parent who is a permanent resident of the HKSAR in category (d) before or after the establishment of the HKSAR if at the time of his birth or at any later time before he attains 21 years of age, one of his parents has the right of abode (ROA) in Hong Kong.

I am 20, turning 21 in July 2009. I plan on moving back to HK with my relatives where I will (eventually) work and inherit property. if I don't do it now, i'd have to live in HK for 7 years, continually renewing my visa. (Only my mother and myself are going)

2) I did work from grade 11 to now, saving up for school...

3) It's not fun living in a house with 4 people (parents, myself and 17 yr old), on $25K + EI. My mother is out of work from a company she gave 19 years to and struggles to find work. Its been 4-5 months where we've been cutting back and it's time for me to help out, i've got some extra cash, I might as well help out the family. So then I can take on more loans which I will eventually pay back.

[Professor Iris]

I respectfully ask you to refrain from advising appeals to any frivolous case that comes along. You are not doing OSAP or students with real appeals any favors by generating a backlog with this kind of nonsense.

I apologize, and I didn't mean to advise that they do so, just that there is an application to get assessed based upon your parents current income if it is much different now than what their taxes say, I know that lots of people don't know about it and that it has been needed in some cases and justified.

[porsche22]

hmmm so that means no matter what.. i have to pay 6 mnths of interest before i can do anything??? i'm planning to travel a bit.. but this intrest is going to suck with no job to pay it off right away...

When you are done school and paying back your loan, if your income is below a certain level (that level depends on the amount of loan and monthly payments) you can receive interest relief for six months at a time I believe, during which they pay your interest. If you look on the osap site you can actually find the chart and determine what those numbers are. It is a little bit hard to find, or at least it was for me. You can't apply until six months after you graduate or finish school.

[ClemixMedia]

i just checked the status and they said im in a good position which i dont need osap so they wont give me any at all.. i got it for the last 2 years... is it because im financing a new car and they thought well... i have the money for a car so i should have the money for school as well?

[henrycao8]

need help: i forgot about a few signatures pages and had passed the QEII deadline. Anything I can do to make them reconsider me now?

[CSK'sMom]

i just checked the status and they said im in a good position which i dont need osap so they wont give me any at all.. i got it for the last 2 years... is it because im financing a new car and they thought well... i have the money for a car so i should have the money for school as well?


Would that be a new car or a new to you old clunker? The car is probably what's affecting the lower OSAP as it's considered an asset. It all depends on the value of the car...

[kimbot]

This is more of a Ryerson question but...

I sent in my supporting documents about 2 weeks ago but my status still states that I need to mail those documents in. Is this delay normal? Can I drop off the documents in person at my school's (Ryerson) financial aid office rather than mailing it in? I tried asking/calling Ryerson but the lineups were huge and there was no one I could find to ask.

[BBQPorkBun]

"chasu bow" you're probably thinking "oh another cheapskate"...

1) going to HK to get my Hong Kong Identity Card + Right to abode, not vacation.

http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/faq_roaihksar.htm



I am 20, turning 21 in July 2009. I plan on moving back to HK with my relatives where I will (eventually) work and inherit property. if I don't do it now, i'd have to live in HK for 7 years, continually renewing my visa. (Only my mother and myself are going)

2) I did work from grade 11 to now, saving up for school...

3) It's not fun living in a house with 4 people (parents, myself and 17 yr old), on $25K + EI. My mother is out of work from a company she gave 19 years to and struggles to find work. Its been 4-5 months where we've been cutting back and it's time for me to help out, i've got some extra cash, I might as well help out the family. So then I can take on more loans which I will eventually pay back.

osap is not for this

[BBQPorkBun]

hmmm so that means no matter what.. i have to pay 6 mnths of interest before i can do anything??? i'm planning to travel a bit.. but this intrest is going to suck with no job to pay it off right away...

yes, you can't get away from it, must pay that initial 6 months interest

[BBQPorkBun]

need help: i forgot about a few signatures pages and had passed the QEII deadline. Anything I can do to make them reconsider me now?

send them in now, its not too late. send via faster registered mail is reccomended

[ClemixMedia]

Would that be a new car or a new to you old clunker? The car is probably what's affecting the lower OSAP as it's considered an asset. It all depends on the value of the car...


its a brand new car straight from the dealership... is there anyway i can get my osap...

[FrodoX]

its a brand new car straight from the dealership... is there anyway i can get my osap...

under 5000$ they do not deduct any money

over that... every 1$ ... thats what they take out from osap

[CSK'sMom]

its a brand new car straight from the dealership... is there anyway i can get my osap...

under 5000$ they do not deduct any money

over that... every 1$ ... thats what they take out from osap

Yep, if you can afford a brand new car you can afford to put yourself through school. You are expected to help yourself in regards to paying for school with OSAP, it's not a free ride...

[henrycao8]

send them in now, its not too late. send via faster registered mail is reccomended

i did, but on my osap page, it still says i am not eligible for this scholarship, hmm

[BBQPorkBun]

i did, but on my osap page, it still says i am not eligible for this scholarship, hmm

oh sorry, i thought this was for osap in general. oh well too late.

[crono06]

so once I'm done school I have to pay at least 6 months interest before I can make any payments?

[maebach]

My application is still processing :| Its been over 2 weeks now, is that normal?

[joe_j]

My application is still processing :| Its been over 2 weeks now, is that normal?

Which school?

[i have a cisco switch]

so once I'm done school I have to pay at least 6 months interest before I can make any payments?
You can pay at any time.

[BBQPorkBun]

so once I'm done school I have to pay at least 6 months interest before I can make any payments?

you can make payments anytime, even before your school year ends if you want. that will lessen the 6 month interest.

[mojook]

ok i have a question for everyone. i had 2 osap overpayments, which i found out about last year so i did not get osap. this is my last year. the first one was for 2000 (not payable) and the second was for 2,982. If I pay back one of the overpayments, as I cannot afford to pay back (payable) the second, will i be eligible for osap this year? I still have up to at least next month to apply.
Also, what does payable and not payable mean?

thanx for the help

[crono06]

I also have another question. When I go on the OSAP site, it tells me that I need to go to my financial office to do some proof of enrollment papers, but I don't recall doing that last year. I attend school at York btw if that makes any difference.
The only thing that I did last year was apply, hand in my signature papers, then I went to York to meet some advisor person, show him some ID and I was done. I then did summer school, and it was even easier, I applied, sent in my signatures, and they mailed the documents to my house.

[pointofnoreturn]

In my case, it is usually the Financial Aid office that notifies you (often by emailing you or posting a notice on your online student account) when the loans are ready. You will go to their office and sign the papers that is necessary for you to sign. After that, it should take about 1-2 weeks (working days?) for the loans to show up, depending on how you arranged for it (direct deposit or mailing of a check).

Hope that answers your question.

[BBQPorkBun]

ok i have a question for everyone. i had 2 osap overpayments, which i found out about last year so i did not get osap. this is my last year. the first one was for 2000 (not payable) and the second was for 2,982. If I pay back one of the overpayments, as I cannot afford to pay back (payable) the second, will i be eligible for osap this year? I still have up to at least next month to apply.
Also, what does payable and not payable mean?

thanx for the help

payable means you have to pay it back. pay back the second one and you may have a chance.

[BBQPorkBun]

I also have another question. When I go on the OSAP site, it tells me that I need to go to my financial office to do some proof of enrollment papers, but I don't recall doing that last year. I attend school at York btw if that makes any difference.
The only thing that I did last year was apply, hand in my signature papers, then I went to York to meet some advisor person, show him some ID and I was done. I then did summer school, and it was even easier, I applied, sent in my signatures, and they mailed the documents to my house.

Just do it.

sometimes things get lost, documents required changes, proof changes. do as you are advised.

[maebach]

Which school?

wlu

[soggychicken]

Hi BBQ, I'm hoping you can help me out here.

When I applied for OSAP last year, I put in an estimated income of $0. I ended up getting a work-study job starting in October and made a bit of cash. Having a couple more years of school left, I don't want to be cut off from any future funding. I also got a letter saying I will qualify for the OSOG after my income is verified which is making me worried.

In this year's OSAP application, it asked for income from Jan 08 to Sept 08. While I did put in that truthfully (around $5000), I realize that it doesn't ask for income earned from Sept 07 to Dec 07. What I am saying is that there is around $1400 that OSAP doesn't know about because I never had a chance to put it in last year's or this year's application.

My Question:

Should I bother declaring this income. If yes, should I write a letter updating them on the entire income from my job (Sept 07 - Apr 08) or just the gap between last year's app and this year's app (Sept 07 - Dec 07).


ps. I am no longer a dependent... in case that affects things.

[tnguyenviet]

Okay what the hell.
My application before was for Business Mgt. at Ryerson Uni. in which the tuition costs less than the ITM program.

I updated my info and said I am now in the ITM program.

Osap is now giving me 1000 less.

How does this work? ITM cost alot more than Business Mgt....

Could I get this reverted or what?

[crono06]

HELLO TONY!
Anyways, try going to your financial aid office. I don't think there's any way for you to change this kind of stuff online... I may be wrong though, wait for other people to verify.

[BBQPorkBun]

Hi BBQ, I'm hoping you can help me out here.

When I applied for OSAP last year, I put in an estimated income of $0. I ended up getting a work-study job starting in October and made a bit of cash. Having a couple more years of school left, I don't want to be cut off from any future funding. I also got a letter saying I will qualify for the OSOG after my income is verified which is making me worried.

In this year's OSAP application, it asked for income from Jan 08 to Sept 08. While I did put in that truthfully (around $5000), I realize that it doesn't ask for income earned from Sept 07 to Dec 07. What I am saying is that there is around $1400 that OSAP doesn't know about because I never had a chance to put it in last year's or this year's application.

My Question:

Should I bother declaring this income. If yes, should I write a letter updating them on the entire income from my job (Sept 07 - Apr 08) or just the gap between last year's app and this year's app (Sept 07 - Dec 07).


ps. I am no longer a dependent... in case that affects things.

do nothing, if they don't ask for it, don't open a can of worms

[BBQPorkBun]

Okay what the hell.
My application before was for Business Mgt. at Ryerson Uni. in which the tuition costs less than the ITM program.

I updated my info and said I am now in the ITM program.

Osap is now giving me 1000 less.

How does this work? ITM cost alot more than Business Mgt....

Could I get this reverted or what?

triggered a reassessment, could have been another factor that reduced the overall amount

[Jokez Guy]

Im currently on OSAP probation

Basically was at UTM did not have high enough marks for my programs had mid 60s, reason behind this was Grandpa Passed away, 3 Of my friends passed away, Cousin passed away, and Uncle passed away in my 2 years of Uni i was ther was very depressing for me. So now i trasnfered out of University to College and now there being a pain in the ass and put me on probation every week they asking me to send a new letter in etc. Anyone ever been in similar situation as me and got there OSAP or they just denied you at the end. I sent in some death certificates as well lets see what they say, i explained to my University what happened and they said its okay etc they wont put me on probation.

[help_questions]

Hey BBQ.

Of the loan money that was to be released to me on September 3, some was allocated to my school for tuition, and some was recently deposited into my account. The problem is that the 2 amounts do not add up to what I am scheduled to receive on September 3, and I am wondering why...

I plan to call the financial aid office on Monday, but am wondering if this is how it should be....

Not sure if I am supposed to get two deposits (one from provincial, on from federal), or if something is really wrong here.

Any input would be great.

[Dianna]

Hey BBQ

Im new to this blogging thing and i think the advice your giving is great wish i knew about this before i submitted my application.

i've just applied for osap and submitted my signature forms last week, but im afraid i wont get any $ cause i applied as a common law partner. My boyfriend has a car worth $37000, but that is his car not mine. if i explain that to the financial aid office do you think they will take that into consideration? the car was also co-signed by his mom and she is also listed on the insurance so i think she is part owner too.

[CSK'sMom]

Hey BBQ.

Of the loan money that was to be released to me on September 3, some was allocated to my school for tuition, and some was recently deposited into my account. The problem is that the 2 amounts do not add up to what I am scheduled to receive on September 3, and I am wondering why...

I plan to call the financial aid office on Monday, but am wondering if this is how it should be....

Not sure if I am supposed to get two deposits (one from provincial, on from federal), or if something is really wrong here.

Any input would be great.

How is your actual funding broken down on the OSAP site? I can tell you that our son's OSAP was deposited yesterday as 2 seperate deposits. One if the student loan amount (less his outstanding tuition which was paid directly to his school) and one is the access grant money... Check in section 3 of your loan forms to see if you directed the NSLS to remit the tuition directly to the school.

[help_questions]

How is your actual funding broken down on the OSAP site? I can tell you that our son's OSAP was deposited yesterday as 2 seperate deposits. One if the student loan amount (less his outstanding tuition which was paid directly to his school) and one is the access grant money... Check in section 3 of your loan forms to see if you directed the NSLS to remit the tuition directly to the school.

Thanks for responding. In regards to how my funding is broken out, the only funding that it says is "Released to Date" comes from the Canada-Ontario Integrated Student Loan. I did direct tuition to be paid directly, and according to my student account, that was done correctly. There was also one deposit to my back account. The total of this deposit + the money paid towards my tuition do not add up to what the OSAP site says is "Released to Date", and I am therefore confused........

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey BBQ.

Of the loan money that was to be released to me on September 3, some was allocated to my school for tuition, and some was recently deposited into my account. The problem is that the 2 amounts do not add up to what I am scheduled to receive on September 3, and I am wondering why...

I plan to call the financial aid office on Monday, but am wondering if this is how it should be....

Not sure if I am supposed to get two deposits (one from provincial, on from federal), or if something is really wrong here.

Any input would be great.

you can also call the NSLSC even on a sunday i believe and ask cuz they will have a record of your disbursements and what you were suppose to get and what got sent where. they should add up

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey BBQ

Im new to this blogging thing and i think the advice your giving is great wish i knew about this before i submitted my application.

i've just applied for osap and submitted my signature forms last week, but im afraid i wont get any $ cause i applied as a common law partner. My boyfriend has a car worth $37000, but that is his car not mine. if i explain that to the financial aid office do you think they will take that into consideration? the car was also co-signed by his mom and she is also listed on the insurance so i think she is part owner too.

Thanks. I dunno much about this blogging business either. I just call this posting something on a thread on a forum? is that right young people?

anyways, it probably will affect things. whats the explanation, i can't go to school because my partner needs to pay for a nice car? its gonna be hard to pull that off. if you don't get any, he can always sell it off. depends what you as a couple put as priority. but wait and see what happens first.

[smolek]

BBQ just wanted to say thanks for all the advice before I posted my question.

Lets say I make 2000 dollars this semester, and put it in a savings account...

Will this affect my application more negatively then if I were to leave this 2000 in my chequing account?

I am declaring the income to OSAP and if I did set-up the savings account would declare it too, but my question is would I be eligible for less with the income + savings account (where I would deposit that income) than with just the income? (i.e. would they look at it as "this guy made 2000 + a 2000 savings account" if that 2000 dollars in the savings account is the same 2000 dollars I made?)

[emoci]

BBQ just wanted to say thanks for all the advice before I posted my question.

Lets say I make 2000 dollars this semester, and put it in a savings account...

Will this affect my application more negatively then if I were to leave this 2000 in my chequing account?

I am declaring the income to OSAP and if I did set-up the savings account would declare it too, but my question is would I be eligible for less with the income + savings account (where I would deposit that income) than with just the income? (i.e. would they look at it as "this guy made 2000 + a 2000 savings account" if that 2000 dollars in the savings account is the same 2000 dollars I made?)


All that matters is $2000 made, they do not check where you put it in Chequing/Saving/Paid Down some tuition... etc...

All they do at some point next year, is they check what you reported to them, versus what you reported for Income Taxes....as long as the total numbers are in the same range you should be fine...

[BBQPorkBun]

All that matters is $2000 made, they do not check where you put it in Chequing/Saving/Paid Down some tuition... etc...

All they do at some point next year, is they check what you reported to them, versus what you reported for Income Taxes....as long as the total numbers are in the same range you should be fine...

he's asking whether declaring assets and income is double counting and hence go against eligible osap

[epy]

hey thanks for great thread. if u dont mind answering this question:

How much student loan assistance did you receive during this period?


... does this include bursary or just the loan?



thank you

[BBQPorkBun]

BBQ just wanted to say thanks for all the advice before I posted my question.

Lets say I make 2000 dollars this semester, and put it in a savings account...

Will this affect my application more negatively then if I were to leave this 2000 in my chequing account?

I am declaring the income to OSAP and if I did set-up the savings account would declare it too, but my question is would I be eligible for less with the income + savings account (where I would deposit that income) than with just the income? (i.e. would they look at it as "this guy made 2000 + a 2000 savings account" if that 2000 dollars in the savings account is the same 2000 dollars I made?)

no its fine, declare both things, they are independent of each other. and the amount is small enough not to really affect anything. the application is meant to be a snapshot of where you are. you made in the past 2k, but u only have 2k now in the bank. declaring 2k income does not mean you will make 2 k in the future.

chequing or savings, doesn't matter. asset is an asset.

[sassymiss]

Thanks BBQPorkBun for all your advice!

Just a quick question, I had reported that my total income to the period prior my fall term would be around $1200 however, I ended up making over $3000. I know I would have to report this to avoid being put on probation, but is this discrepancy enough to qualify me for a tuition reassessment? And who would I report this to and what procedure would it take (i.e.filling out a form)? Thanks again!

[help_questions]

i've got my OSAP funding (the first installment).

I am wondering if any bursaries that I get will result in my OSAP being reduced, or reassessed?

Thanks in advance.

[pointofnoreturn]

A question... this hasn't happened to be before but I just wanted someone's opinion.

I signed the loan papers at the Finance Aid and Awards office on 8/21 and arranged for a direct deposit of my fall loans into my checking account. It is now 9/8 and there's no sign of any OSAP money. Last year, I forgot my checkbook so I had my loan mailed to me in the form of a check but that only took 2 weeks for it to arrive.

Should I be worried?

[mayluvz]

made 21 k last year, filled out the income verificiaiton form, overpaid $8000 according to OSAP, no response yet, any chance I will get more osap??

[BBQPorkBun]

Thanks BBQPorkBun for all your advice!

Just a quick question, I had reported that my total income to the period prior my fall term would be around $1200 however, I ended up making over $3000. I know I would have to report this to avoid being put on probation, but is this discrepancy enough to qualify me for a tuition reassessment? And who would I report this to and what procedure would it take (i.e.filling out a form)? Thanks again!

its a small diff, i wouldn't worry about it. but if you are concerned about it, you can report it to the NSLSC for a reassement, google their #. i believe also you have an opportunity to declare what income you made when you pick up your osap in sept.

[BBQPorkBun]

i've got my OSAP funding (the first installment).

I am wondering if any bursaries that I get will result in my OSAP being reduced, or reassessed?

Thanks in advance.

it would, not automatically though, you'd have to tell them for it to happen.

[BBQPorkBun]

A question... this hasn't happened to be before but I just wanted someone's opinion.

I signed the loan papers at the Finance Aid and Awards office on 8/21 and arranged for a direct deposit of my fall loans into my checking account. It is now 9/8 and there's no sign of any OSAP money. Last year, I forgot my checkbook so I had my loan mailed to me in the form of a check but that only took 2 weeks for it to arrive.

Should I be worried?

call the nslsc and find out, they open till like 11:30 eastern

[BBQPorkBun]

made 21 k last year, filled out the income verificiaiton form, overpaid $8000 according to OSAP, no response yet, any chance I will get more osap??

nope, dun get why you would need it

[deeplove]

its a small diff, i wouldn't worry about it. but if you are concerned about it, you can report it to the NSLSC for a reassement, google their #. i believe also you have an opportunity to declare what income you made when you pick up your osap in sept.

yep, when you go to pick up the osap they make you confirm your income. so if it has changed, just write it in.

[jogns]

hi, i had a discrepancy with my osap application (i put in march instead of may as my date of birth...), i was out of town so when i got back 2 weeks ago...i went down to the financial aids office and gave them a photocopy of a piece of ID as they required. it was been about a week and a half and osap still is claiming that i need to clear this up....

how long does it take for the aids office to resolve a problem....because this is a small one...they just need to do a quick update of my application......and should i go down there again and talk to them again???

[BBQPorkBun]

yep, when you go to pick up the osap they make you confirm your income. so if it has changed, just write it in.

Thx

[BBQPorkBun]

hi, i had a discrepancy with my osap application (i put in march instead of may as my date of birth...), i was out of town so when i got back 2 weeks ago...i went down to the financial aids office and gave them a photocopy of a piece of ID as they required. it was been about a week and a half and osap still is claiming that i need to clear this up....

how long does it take for the aids office to resolve a problem....because this is a small one...they just need to do a quick update of my application......and should i go down there again and talk to them again???

sometimes it takes a while, something like DOB is one of the key things they use to verify the person so they should really do their due diligence.

you can check with the nslsc with the status, with admin stuff like this, i advise staying on top of things making sure people get what u send them.

[onexeyed]

yep, when you go to pick up the osap they make you confirm your income. so if it has changed, just write it in.

If you don't remember the new income off the top of your head when picking up OSAP, you can fill out a form at your financial aid's office and submit the new income numbers. You might or might not be reassessed with the new numbers.

[jogns]

sometimes it takes a while, something like DOB is one of the key things they use to verify the person so they should really do their due diligence.

you can check with the nslsc with the status, with admin stuff like this, i advise staying on top of things making sure people get what u send them.

the problem is that i need them to clear this up so i can send them a promissary note....which is already late and i am going to have to pay around $200 late fees if i need to send them a check....and after the 15th its near $300....

so....yeah....i really don't know what the hold up is...all it takes is changing the month....nothing too fancy...:evil: ...but whatever...what can you do..

[CSK'sMom]

A quick question BBQ.. Our son already got his loan and grant for this semester but filled out the paperwork on Tuesday to change from a 1 year program to a 2 year co-op program. The school told him that it would change his OSAP and he would hear from them. Now my question is will he now qualify for and recieve the Ontario Access grant for this year as you must be in a 2 or more year program to get this. On his OSAP page it says that assessment for that grant doesn't happen till late fall. :confused:

[BBQPorkBun]

the problem is that i need them to clear this up so i can send them a promissary note....which is already late and i am going to have to pay around $200 late fees if i need to send them a check....and after the 15th its near $300....

so....yeah....i really don't know what the hold up is...all it takes is changing the month....nothing too fancy...:evil: ...but whatever...what can you do..

did u call and find out the status?

if its ridiculous like that, ask to escalate the call and have someone deal with it asap.

[BBQPorkBun]

A quick question BBQ.. Our son already got his loan and grant for this semester but filled out the paperwork on Tuesday to change from a 1 year program to a 2 year co-op program. The school told him that it would change his OSAP and he would hear from them. Now my question is will he now qualify for and recieve the Ontario Access grant for this year as you must be in a 2 or more year program to get this. On his OSAP page it says that assessment for that grant doesn't happen till late fall. :confused:

depends the structure of the 2 yr program. if within the 2 years, the 1st yr is all in classroom learning, then its likely things will stay the same. if he does his coop in his second term, thats another story.

To be eligible for an Ontario Access Grant, you must:

* Meet all eligibility requirements to be considered for a Canada-Ontario Student Loan.
* Be enrolled in a second-year postsecondary program.
* Have been out of high school for four years or less as of the 1st day of your current period of study;
* The program is an undergraduate, “first-entry” program (second entry programs like Law or Medicine, or graduate programs are not eligible);
* The program is two or more years in length, and at an institution approved for purposes of the Ontario Student Loan;
* Your parents’ 2007 net income (from Line 236 of the Income Tax form) was at or below these income ceilings.

I interpret the bold as you must be in second year, so you wouldn't get it this year anyways.

[jogns]

did u call and find out the status?

if its ridiculous like that, ask to escalate the call and have someone deal with it asap.

just called, they said that since it is attached to my signature forms...it will take some time to process as they are still processing the declaration papers of the second week of august.

they said i can use the estimate that osap gave me in my promissary note....so i am going to go down and give them that piece of information....and hopefully my real funding will be close to the osap one because i barely covered the 5700.0 tuition fee.

[CSK'sMom]

depends the structure of the 2 yr program. if within the 2 years, the 1st yr is all in classroom learning, then its likely things will stay the same. if he does his coop in his second term, thats another story.

To be eligible for an Ontario Access Grant, you must:

* Meet all eligibility requirements to be considered for a Canada-Ontario Student Loan.
* Be enrolled in a second-year postsecondary program.
* Have been out of high school for four years or less as of the 1st day of your current period of study;
* The program is an undergraduate, “first-entry” program (second entry programs like Law or Medicine, or graduate programs are not eligible);
* The program is two or more years in length, and at an institution approved for purposes of the Ontario Student Loan;
* Your parents’ 2007 net income (from Line 236 of the Income Tax form) was at or below these income ceilings.

I interpret the bold as you must be in second year, so you wouldn't get it this year anyways.

It's actually the Millenium-Ontario Access grant for first year students BBQ, sorry for the confusion. He applied for and got his OSAP for the 1 year Chef Training program and has now changed to the 2 year Chef Management program. The co-op term is basically summer break (April to Oct). All 1st yr Chef Management students do the Chef Training program in their first year so the change doesn't change anything academically at this point.

[Ryvius]

I signed the osap forms on sept 4th at UTSC, but my osap status still say "Student must complete Confirmation of Enrolment form" as of the 11th today, does it usually take that long for them to update the profiles? I need some money for textbooks. Anyone from UTSC signed the forms at around the same time and received their loan already? I remember getting it within a week in my account last time.

[havoks]

I've put off posting in this thread for a while because I always figured I can find the answers myself by calling the necessary people but they aren't any help at all.

I'm in a co-op program so while I am in school this fall term, I won't be in school for winter. The implication is that my osap funding will only be for one term. However, still only a part of my funds have been released and while I understand that the grant will be given to me in a form of a cheque, I don't understand when I will be getting the other part of my loan (the "ontario student loan").

This is important because I won't be able to pay the remaining balance on my tuition until all the funding is released.

In summary, I'm entitled to the "Canada-Ontario Integrated Student Loan" and "Ontario Access Grant." I understand that the grant will be given to me in the form of a cheque later on. Only the "Canada Student Loan" has been released, while the "Ontario Student Loan" is still to be released... and I am basically wondering, when can/will I get the Ontario student loan.

[The Master]

Hey BBQ i dunno if you or maybe someone else can help me but I am just about to graduate in Dec. and my friend already graduated this june. We both received the same funding and had almost the same income.

My friend said that the government paid down her loans to 7000 for each year but when i check mine the only thing I got was the OSOG for a total of 1000 for two years....

My question is why did my friend get more than me? or do I still have to wait until I graduate?

[BBQPorkBun]

It's actually the Millenium-Ontario Access grant for first year students BBQ, sorry for the confusion. He applied for and got his OSAP for the 1 year Chef Training program and has now changed to the 2 year Chef Management program. The co-op term is basically summer break (April to Oct). All 1st yr Chef Management students do the Chef Training program in their first year so the change doesn't change anything academically at this point.

then i wouldn't expect anything to change. theres no justification to give you any less than what you already got.

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey BBQ, I switched programs from biology to commerce. i'm now entering my third year. on the osap application form i put in i am entering my second year of the commerce program which is what i am doing right now. my status says it's on hold and it's asking for this as the supporting documenation:

The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (the Ministry), requires that all Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) applicants maintain satisfactory academic progress in courses for which financial assistance has been provided. has been provided.
Students are expected to progress through different years of a program of study. In addition to unsatisfactory grades, multiple program switches, course drops, withdrawals, multiple repeats of a program and/or multiple program attempts may be considered as unsatisfactory academic progress by the ministry.

When processing student applications, the ministry performs checks at the time of initial processing, in order to identify indicators of unsatisfactory academic progress. Your current OSAP application has been compared to your OSAP application history and one or more of the following situations exists:


You are applying for the second time to a one-year program, or
You have indicated that you are entering the same year of a program of studythat you indicated on previous applications (e.g. applying for year 2 of a program for the third time), or
You have applied to three or more different postsecondary institutions over the past several years.
In order to be considered for further assistance, you must provide your financial aid office with the following documentation:

a letter of explanation including your academic goals,
documentation that supports any extenuating circumstances (e.g. medical documentation),
a copy of your transcripts from previous institutions for the past two yearsof study (if applicable).
Please note that your application cannot be processed until the above information has been received by your financial aid office. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact the financial aid office at your postsecondary institution.


I'm really confused on what to do and I really need to get this funding to get the remainder of my extremely high and now deregulated program tuition paid off. What should I do???

explain why you are switching in a letter and include ur past transcripts

[BBQPorkBun]

I signed the osap forms on sept 4th at UTSC, but my osap status still say "Student must complete Confirmation of Enrolment form" as of the 11th today, does it usually take that long for them to update the profiles? I need some money for textbooks. Anyone from UTSC signed the forms at around the same time and received their loan already? I remember getting it within a week in my account last time.

do u know for sure that u completed such a form?
if so, just wait, yes its slow, txt books can wait, always a photocopier

[Bskll]

hey BBQ, got a quick question for ya.

for my 2008-2009 application, it gives me this messsage:

The verification of income with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has been completed and there is a discrepancy between the income provided on your OSAP application and the income information received from CRA.

Please return to the Application Status Summary Page to check your current status and/or funding.

i went back to the application status summary page and there is nothing for me to do.:?: :?:

should i call school's financial office and find out?

[BBQPorkBun]

I've put off posting in this thread for a while because I always figured I can find the answers myself by calling the necessary people but they aren't any help at all.

I'm in a co-op program so while I am in school this fall term, I won't be in school for winter. The implication is that my osap funding will only be for one term. However, still only a part of my funds have been released and while I understand that the grant will be given to me in a form of a cheque, I don't understand when I will be getting the other part of my loan (the "ontario student loan").

This is important because I won't be able to pay the remaining balance on my tuition until all the funding is released.

In summary, I'm entitled to the "Canada-Ontario Integrated Student Loan" and "Ontario Access Grant." I understand that the grant will be given to me in the form of a cheque later on. Only the "Canada Student Loan" has been released, while the "Ontario Student Loan" is still to be released... and I am basically wondering, when can/will I get the Ontario student loan.

Doesn't the website say what goes out when? Did u try calling the nslsc? they should have access to a disbursement schedule

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey BBQ i dunno if you or maybe someone else can help me but I am just about to graduate in Dec. and my friend already graduated this june. We both received the same funding and had almost the same income.

My friend said that the government paid down her loans to 7000 for each year but when i check mine the only thing I got was the OSOG for a total of 1000 for two years....

My question is why did my friend get more than me? or do I still have to wait until I graduate?

don't compare to others, the rule is if you get more than 7k in a 8 month school yr, any amounts over that is a grant. so if thats happened to you, you will get it.

[BBQPorkBun]

hey BBQ, got a quick question for ya.

for my 2008-2009 application, it gives me this messsage:



i went back to the application status summary page and there is nothing for me to do.:?: :?:

should i call school's financial office and find out?

you don't have to do anything, im guessing the discrepancy is small

[Bskll]

THanks BBQ, you're awesome:D

[rscrole]

you don't have to do anything, im guessing the discrepancy is small

Hi :)

I was wondering if you could help me out.

I got about 13K in scholarships for first year, and my OSAP was only about 7K. The last week before August I submitted my income sheet saying that I had 13K in scholarships, rather than the $0 I initially reported. I got a letter yesterday and they didnt make any changes.

Am I alright? I would've thought that that would cause an increase.

Thanks

[Sass_829]

Is it possible that my OSAP money might be deposited on the weekend in my bank account or do weekends not count? Thanks ;)

[pointofnoreturn]

Is it possible that my OSAP money might be deposited on the weekend in my bank account or do weekends not count? Thanks ;)

I was supposed to have my OSAP loans deposited in my checking account but for some reason, they mailed it to me. I signed the loans on 8/21 and received the checks on 9/10. I wouldn't be surprised if they did the same to you.

[jason_3108]

one question..
i made more money than i expected in the summer ($1500 --> $2600)
the osap ppl told me that the amount of my fall loan/grants would not change.
i am just wondering how much they are gonna take off from my winter loan/grant..
thxx

[havoks]

Doesn't the website say what goes out when? Did u try calling the nslsc? they should have access to a disbursement schedule

The website says to be released September 1st -- not helpful at all.

I haven't called the nslsc, only my school's financial aid office, so I guess I'll try the nslsc.

[maebach]

My loan is ready to picked up now, but Im wondering what I should take. I have a void cheque, SIN number, drivers licence and all the OSAP paperwork. Is that sufficient? Or am I missing something? Im using a void cheque from my parents so the money goes to them. Do I need a note as well to prove that they are allowing me to give them their void cheque?

[BBQPorkBun]

one question..
i made more money than i expected in the summer ($1500 --> $2600)
the osap ppl told me that the amount of my fall loan/grants would not change.
i am just wondering how much they are gonna take off from my winter loan/grant..
thxx

my guess would be no change

[BBQPorkBun]

hey BBQ, thanks for the quick reply, just wondering how long do you think it would take for my funding to be released if i submitted all this info to my university today?

no idea, few days is my best guess. depends on alot of factors

[BBQPorkBun]

My loan is ready to picked up now, but Im wondering what I should take. I have a void cheque, SIN number, drivers licence and all the OSAP paperwork. Is that sufficient? Or am I missing something? Im using a void cheque from my parents so the money goes to them. Do I need a note as well to prove that they are allowing me to give them their void cheque?

highly advise to get your own separate acct. if u have one, put it in ur acct first then transfer.

its good for protection, in case.

[jason_3108]

my guess would be no change

no change even though there is 1000 over the estimate?? good news
thx anyway

[ahmadsjan]

if i said that iam an independent person and that i dont live with my parents.. would they ask me for a proof that i live elsewhere? what kind of proof would they usually ask?

[danman227460]

I go to york and I only took 24 credits worth of class out of a possible 30, would that still count as full time?

[jackwest]

1740 posts.

Does anyone else think that this thread may be symptomatic of OSAPs poor service?

[danman227460]

1740 posts.

Does anyone else think that this thread may be symptomatic of OSAPs poor service?

I don't think it is a poor service but the amount of applications they have to process. If you look at the population of Ontario and how many universities we have within 100 KM of Toronto, you realize that there is over 200 000 students or more. You do realize that not every single student has enough money or saved enough to go OSAP free. Look at York University, the student population is estimated to be 50 000. How many of those do you think relies on OSAP? Factor in the UFT ( all three campuses) and Ryerson, how many students do you think there is in the GTA alone who uses OSAP?

Also this thread is to help people get answers or how to fill out OSAP so they get the maximum amount possible, they don't falsify any information and give them any tips on paying of OSAP or other general inquiries.

I know OSAP isn't a poor service. I went to Trent, smaller campus thus that is why I was able to get mine so quick. I realize since now I am at York, with a bigger student population, it will take some time for me to get mine processed. How long? Hopefully not too long.

[1jVu]

little help.
im not eligible for osap
my dad makes 60k, my mom makes 35k, i would make 3500 during school year period. i will be receieving zero if i applied (according to online calculator)

i know there are ways of going around this such as 'living away from home' but.. lets just say i use my friends address and 'live there' would it affect his parents taxes and so on? someone help me on how i can go about doing this and actually receieving money for my tuition.

my tuition is about 3.2k a year not excluding textbooks etc.

thanks guys. pm me if you can help me directly, it'll be greatly appreciated.

[asdisme]

I go to york and I only took 24 credits worth of class out of a possible 30, would that still count as full time?



Yep, 18 credits and up is considered full-time, so no worries!

[asdisme]

sorry for the double post.

On my OSAP I input that I was taking 100% course load, but as of now I only have 80%. Should I goto my financial service centre and tell them that or what?

(first year OSAP loaner)


Thanks!!

[jeeva86]

Is money in your savings account considered an asset? I think it is, but at the same time, this money will be counted twice because it is cash that came from my income.

[skyblue12]

sorry for the double post.

On my OSAP I input that I was taking 100% course load, but as of now I only have 80%. Should I goto my financial service centre and tell them that or what?

(first year OSAP loaner)


Thanks!!

ya go to your admissions office and tell them, they will reasses your osap funding

[danman227460]

sorry for the double post.

On my OSAP I input that I was taking 100% course load, but as of now I only have 80%. Should I goto my financial service centre and tell them that or what?

(first year OSAP loaner)


Thanks!!

I can answer that. I took a full semester once and dropped a course, my funding didn't change. As long as OSAP sees you are a full time student, they will give you the maximum you are allowed.

I also asked them about that and they said it didn't matter, as long as I was still a full time student. Though if my answer is not satisfying, you can always get your estimate reaccessed by the office.

[asdisme]

ya go to your admissions office and tell them, they will reasses your osap funding

I can answer that. I took a full semester once and dropped a course, my funding didn't change. As long as OSAP sees you are a full time student, they will give you the maximum you are allowed.

I also asked them about that and they said it didn't matter, as long as I was still a full time student. Though if my answer is not satisfying, you can always get your estimate reaccessed by the office.

thanks

Oh okay, I was just wondering since lets say I didn't tell them, will I get in trouble for some sort of "lie"? Also if the fundings do change... will they dramatically change or just the cost of the 2 courses?

[danman227460]

thanks

Oh okay, I was just wondering since lets say I didn't tell them, will I get in trouble for some sort of "lie"? Also if the fundings do change... will they dramatically change or just the cost of the 2 courses?

It depends on when you drop the courses. As long as you are considered full time when school starts, your funds assessed and you pay for your school, it shouldn't change anything. It would only change if you wrote down 100% course load which is full time and you only end up taking enough to qualify to be part time then your loan estimate would change.

That was why I asked if 80% would still be considered full time because if I was considered part time, my loan estimate would change.

[asdisme]

It depends on when you drop the courses. As long as you are considered full time when school starts, your funds assessed and you pay for your school, it shouldn't change anything. It would only change if you wrote down 100% course load which is full time and you only end up taking enough to qualify to be part time then your loan estimate would change.

That was why I asked if 80% would still be considered full time because if I was considered part time, my loan estimate would change.


ok great thanks for the answer!!

[blazing24]

What do I have to bring to pick up my OSAP?

[OpportunityChaos]

What do I have to bring to pick up my OSAP?


-SIN card
-Valid ID government like a drivers liscense
-Void Cheque, if you want to deposit some of your OSAP into your bank.

[NiftyScent]

Okay, I have a question.

At first, I was given ~$1450 for the Fall term. I filled out the confirmation of enrollment form and the ~$1450 has already been deducted from my tuition balance at school.

Now, I log into OSAP and it looks like I will/should be getting $1854 this term. This is awkward that my loan went up even though when I filled out my confirmation of enrollment form, I stated that I will be receiving another +~$750 from my RESP.

So, when will I be receiving the other $400 that I should be getting this term?

[jusane]

I have a stupid problem :P

i go to york, and for this semester ill be getting ~$4000 in osap loan funds. I only had to pay around ~$3000 for the minimum payment.

But during my osap doc pickup appointment, without thinking (not an excuse but when the dude asked if i wanted to pay all of it, i thought, yeah what i needed to pay, the min. balance...stoopid), i told them to send all the $4000 to york, instead of just the minimum balance i needed to pay by the deadline of sept 10.


is there even a chance to get that ~$1000 of osap loan money back from York?
If so, who would I contact??

Thanks!~

[unleashed]

Hey, I just got a question regarding the online application that I filled out this year. I started a new application for the 2008-2009 year and filled it out but forgot to update my mailing and home address until after I submitted the application. I moved and so my question is, does osap funding change depending on how far the distance traveled between the school and home is?.


-Thanks again, all your input is greatly appreciated.-

[danman227460]

Hey, I just got a question regarding the online application that I filled out this year. I started a new application for the 2008-2009 year and filled it out but forgot to update my mailing and home address until after I submitted the application. I moved and so my question is, does osap funding change depending on how far the distance traveled between the school and home is?.


-Thanks again, all your input is greatly appreciated.-

It does. How far are you? I believe if you live over 100 KM, you will get some extra money. Otherwise, they assume you are within commuting distance unless you state you are renting. There is a place to indicate that on your application.

[BBQPorkBun]

It depends on when you drop the courses. As long as you are considered full time when school starts, your funds assessed and you pay for your school, it shouldn't change anything. It would only change if you wrote down 100% course load which is full time and you only end up taking enough to qualify to be part time then your loan estimate would change.

That was why I asked if 80% would still be considered full time because if I was considered part time, my loan estimate would change.

Not necessarily, whether you are full time vs part time status only affects when you start paying your loans. however, if you were 100% and then changed it to 60% (still full time), you will definitely not get the same amount of funding. Any course load change from the application should get a reassessment. If it doesn't change, great (could be that other factors that keeps your amount up). If not, don't be suprise.

[BBQPorkBun]

Okay, I have a question.

At first, I was given ~$1450 for the Fall term. I filled out the confirmation of enrollment form and the ~$1450 has already been deducted from my tuition balance at school.

Now, I log into OSAP and it looks like I will/should be getting $1854 this term. This is awkward that my loan went up even though when I filled out my confirmation of enrollment form, I stated that I will be receiving another +~$750 from my RESP.

So, when will I be receiving the other $400 that I should be getting this term?

call NSLSC

[BBQPorkBun]

I have a stupid problem :P

i go to york, and for this semester ill be getting ~$4000 in osap loan funds. I only had to pay around ~$3000 for the minimum payment.

But during my osap doc pickup appointment, without thinking (not an excuse but when the dude asked if i wanted to pay all of it, i thought, yeah what i needed to pay, the min. balance...stoopid), i told them to send all the $4000 to york, instead of just the minimum balance i needed to pay by the deadline of sept 10.


is there even a chance to get that ~$1000 of osap loan money back from York?
If so, who would I contact??

Thanks!~

You contact york now and attempt to to get them to cut you a cheque or something. OSAP is out of the picture now.

[BBQPorkBun]

It does. How far are you? I believe if you live over 100 KM, you will get some extra money. Otherwise, they assume you are within commuting distance unless you state you are renting. There is a place to indicate that on your application.

If you are living at home, doesn't matter the distance, funding will change very little. If you aren't, funding will only change if your home is more than 40km from your school.

[l3aka]

little help.
im not eligible for osap
my dad makes 60k, my mom makes 35k, i would make 3500 during school year period. i will be receieving zero if i applied (according to online calculator)

i know there are ways of going around this such as 'living away from home' but.. lets just say i use my friends address and 'live there' would it affect his parents taxes and so on? someone help me on how i can go about doing this and actually receieving money for my tuition.

my tuition is about 3.2k a year not excluding textbooks etc.

thanks guys. pm me if you can help me directly, it'll be greatly appreciated.


bump, i need to know this as well as i am in the same situation

[BBQPorkBun]

if i said that iam an independent person and that i dont live with my parents.. would they ask me for a proof that i live elsewhere? what kind of proof would they usually ask?

yes. rental lease/agreement. bank records. letter from your landlord. high school diploma to prove you've been out of school for 4 yrs.

[BBQPorkBun]

little help.
im not eligible for osap
my dad makes 60k, my mom makes 35k, i would make 3500 during school year period. i will be receieving zero if i applied (according to online calculator)

i know there are ways of going around this such as 'living away from home' but.. lets just say i use my friends address and 'live there' would it affect his parents taxes and so on? someone help me on how i can go about doing this and actually receieving money for my tuition.

my tuition is about 3.2k a year not excluding textbooks etc.

thanks guys. pm me if you can help me directly, it'll be greatly appreciated.

the gov't would expect your parents to have rental income and pay taxes on that. and also expect you to submit rental receipts when you do your taxes.

its fraud btw

[1jVu]

the gov't would expect your parents to have rental income and pay taxes on that. and also expect you to submit rental receipts when you do your taxes.

its fraud btw

not my parents. the 'renters'
what im really asking is im not eligible cause my parents make enough money so that i dont get any amount. just wondering if theres any other way for me to be approved

[jusane]

You contact york now and attempt to to get them to cut you a cheque or something. OSAP is out of the picture now.

Hey BBQPorkBun, thanks for the reply. ill try that out.

[onexeyed]

little help.
im not eligible for osap
my dad makes 60k, my mom makes 35k, i would make 3500 during school year period. i will be receieving zero if i applied (according to online calculator)

i know there are ways of going around this such as 'living away from home' but.. lets just say i use my friends address and 'live there' would it affect his parents taxes and so on? someone help me on how i can go about doing this and actually receieving money for my tuition.

my tuition is about 3.2k a year not excluding textbooks etc.

thanks guys. pm me if you can help me directly, it'll be greatly appreciated.

Well putting down someone elses address is illegal and fraud. First of all, you probably will get caught because your tax audits/information/mailing address/etc. can all be traced these days unlike 20 years ago when lots of people were doing that.

You could potentially be never get a loan from OSAP again (which they take very seriously and happens to people a lot). I wouldn't try to cheat the system because it can also affect other aspects of your life too like getting credit, etc.

Or you could get a job, work about 15-20 hrs. a week like at a call center, and save for next year and pay off the $3,200. Or try applying to school scholarships/bursaries. A lot of scholarship deadlines are in October.

[1jVu]

Well putting down someone elses address is illegal and fraud. First of all, you probably will get caught because your tax audits/information/mailing address/etc. can all be traced these days unlike 20 years ago when lots of people were doing that.

You could potentially be never get a loan from OSAP again (which they take very seriously and happens to people a lot). I wouldn't try to cheat the system because it can also affect other aspects of your life too like getting credit, etc.

Or you could get a job, work about 15-20 hrs. a week like at a call center, and save for next year and pay off the $3,200. Or try applying to school scholarships/bursaries. A lot of scholarship deadlines are in October.

sorry about all the fraud and all that stuff, im not trying to cheat anybody here, what i was really trying to ask for is there a way to go around the system for me to be approved or eligible for osap. my parents are not going to pay for my school tuition as i need the loan but im not approved when i enter all those digits (annual income for family and myself) into the application.

[ahmadsjan]

yes. rental lease/agreement. bank records. letter from your landlord. high school diploma to prove you've been out of school for 4 yrs.

Ok. The thing is. Me and 4 other guys share the rent and the appartment. The rental agreement doesnt include my name on it. Does it have to include my name? Also, because this is not a permanent place that i live in, my bank cards and drivers licence and health card have my parents address on them. I visit them every now and then and they keep all the letters for me. Now, the question is: Will OSAP understand my situation? or do i have to change my address on every card that I have or else i might be penalized for not doing so??? and does the rental agreement have to include my name?
Thank you in advance for replying!

[BBQPorkBun]

Ok. The thing is. Me and 4 other guys share the rent and the appartment. The rental agreement doesnt include my name on it. Does it have to include my name? Also, because this is not a permanent place that i live in, my bank cards and drivers licence and health card have my parents address on them. I visit them every now and then and they keep all the letters for me. Now, the question is: Will OSAP understand my situation? or do i have to change my address on every card that I have or else i might be penalized for not doing so??? and does the rental agreement have to include my name?
Thank you in advance for replying!

your bank cards and licenses and stuff don't have to have your rented address, it is temporary after all. but not having your name on a rental agreement wouldn't prove you live there now would it? you have to prove it somehow.

[confused student]

Ok. The thing is. Me and 4 other guys share the rent and the appartment. The rental agreement doesnt include my name on it. Does it have to include my name? Also, because this is not a permanent place that i live in, my bank cards and drivers licence and health card have my parents address on them. I visit them every now and then and they keep all the letters for me. Now, the question is: Will OSAP understand my situation? or do i have to change my address on every card that I have or else i might be penalized for not doing so??? and does the rental agreement have to include my name?
Thank you in advance for replying!
Legally you need to change your DL within six days of moving.

[BBQPorkBun]

not my parents. the 'renters'
what im really asking is im not eligible cause my parents make enough money so that i dont get any amount. just wondering if theres any other way for me to be approved

sorry yes 'renters'. how did you expect to pay for it? If you worked through the summer I don't think it would be too bad since your tuition is not that high. if you thought osap or your parents would step in, too bad it didn't work out. you parents should really step in.

[CSK'sMom]

Ok. The thing is. Me and 4 other guys share the rent and the appartment. The rental agreement doesnt include my name on it. Does it have to include my name? Also, because this is not a permanent place that i live in, my bank cards and drivers licence and health card have my parents address on them. I visit them every now and then and they keep all the letters for me. Now, the question is: Will OSAP understand my situation? or do i have to change my address on every card that I have or else i might be penalized for not doing so??? and does the rental agreement have to include my name?
Thank you in advance for replying!

The critical question(s) that you haven't answered ... Have you been out of highschool for a minimum of 4 years? The other question is the distance from your permanent residence (your parents house) to your school? If it's 40km or under and you haven't been out of highschool for 4 years nothing is going to change from reading here BBQ's previous answers...

[help_questions]

I am wondering what will happen to my OSAP funding if I decide to drop a full-year course in January. If I drop the class, I will loose all the money for the course (no partial refund), and I will still be considered a full-time (I will have 90% course load at that point).

Will this change/reduce my scheduled OSAP money for this academic year, or do anything to my future loans?

Thanks in advance BBQ!

[jwei]

Told osap I wasn't going to work during school, however my job has actually decided to work around my schedule and I still might decide to work 1 day a week....Gonna affect my osap funding alot come January or just a little?

Also, how does OSAP check your income and stuff? Through CRA?

Do they go so far that they look at your bank account?

Thanks

[1jVu]

sorry yes 'renters'. how did you expect to pay for it? If you worked through the summer I don't think it would be too bad since your tuition is not that high. if you thought osap or your parents would step in, too bad it didn't work out. you parents should really step in.

parents wont step in, but like i said there has to be some way around it? like me living alone or so?

[BBQPorkBun]

I am wondering what will happen to my OSAP funding if I decide to drop a full-year course in January. If I drop the class, I will loose all the money for the course (no partial refund), and I will still be considered a full-time (I will have 90% course load at that point).

Will this change/reduce my scheduled OSAP money for this academic year, or do anything to my future loans?

Thanks in advance BBQ!

It probably will, but as i said before, there may be factors that hold up your value and they may not change anything, but chances are they will.

Advise: don't drop the course, stop wasting money and just work harder.

[BBQPorkBun]

Told osap I wasn't going to work during school, however my job has actually decided to work around my schedule and I still might decide to work 1 day a week....Gonna affect my osap funding alot come January or just a little?

Also, how does OSAP check your income and stuff? Through CRA?

Do they go so far that they look at your bank account?

Thanks

depends how much you plan to make
yes, CRA
they can if you get flagged and may be audited

[BBQPorkBun]

parents wont step in, but like i said there has to be some way around it? like me living alone or so?

you actually living alone will not help, pretend to live alone, well like i said, fraud. nothing to go around.

[jwei]

depends how much you plan to make
yes, CRA
they can if you get flagged and may be audited

I'll probably endup making at most $700?

[jjj123]

I am having a bit of a problem, and wonder if anyone can answer this for me...

I am on Osap, and living on my own as a single independent (out of high school for more than 4 years). My new landlord wants me to pay in cash and not give me any rent receipts, presumably so that he does not have to claim it on his taxes. I initially agreed to this as he offered a rent discount for the cash payment, but now I am starting to worry about the implications for osap. I talked to him about this, but it has reached the point where I don't think he is going to rent it to me unless I pay cash. I offered to pay more to recieve the rent receipts, but he did not seem interested.

The best he could do was give me a receipt for a 'few months'.

I like the place, and I'm moving there in a couple weeks so I don't really want to have to look for another place. But, if the experts here think this all is a bad idea, then I will look for a new apartment.

So, will osap be asking for these receipts? and if so for what months? I will not be able to claim it on my tax return as I have no proof. Plus that would implicate my landlord.

Is there any way cash withdrawls can be receipted?

Any help is much appreciated.

[vanessie]

I'm hoping to move on campus next year for my last year at Uni. I'll qualify to apply for OSAP on my own since I'll be 4-years removed from HS. I did this assessment thing on the OSAP website and I filled in some info and it said I should qualify for a significant amount.
Questions:

Does receiving other bursaries from OSAP affect how much money you can get? (I might apply for Explore next summer)

If I get a part time job during the school year while I receive OSAP, do they reduce or pull my funding entirely?

[professionaldude]

HI! BBQPorkBun I want to ask how does the appeal process work? My financial office people are not helping me much so, If I got restricted how do i tell them that it wasn't my fault. Do i have to send them in writing to National Loan services or is there anything online though OSAP website?
thx

[ahmadsjan]

The critical question(s) that you haven't answered ... Have you been out of highschool for a minimum of 4 years? The other question is the distance from your permanent residence (your parents house) to your school? If it's 40km or under and you haven't been out of highschool for 4 years nothing is going to change from reading here BBQ's previous answers...

No, I have been out of high school for only three years now.. and unfortunately my parents house is a little less than 40km away from school....what difference would this make anyways? I cannot be considered as being independent unless iam more than 4 years out of high school? why is that? So you are saying that there is no reason in living on campus and spending that extra money on food and rent and I should go back and try to live with my parents and travel to school everyday?

[BBQPorkBun]

I'll probably endup making at most $700?

thats not significant, don't worry

[BBQPorkBun]

I am having a bit of a problem, and wonder if anyone can answer this for me...

I am on Osap, and living on my own as a single independent (out of high school for more than 4 years). My new landlord wants me to pay in cash and not give me any rent receipts, presumably so that he does not have to claim it on his taxes. I initially agreed to this as he offered a rent discount for the cash payment, but now I am starting to worry about the implications for osap. I talked to him about this, but it has reached the point where I don't think he is going to rent it to me unless I pay cash. I offered to pay more to recieve the rent receipts, but he did not seem interested.

The best he could do was give me a receipt for a 'few months'.

I like the place, and I'm moving there in a couple weeks so I don't really want to have to look for another place. But, if the experts here think this all is a bad idea, then I will look for a new apartment.

So, will osap be asking for these receipts? and if so for what months? I will not be able to claim it on my tax return as I have no proof. Plus that would implicate my landlord.

Is there any way cash withdrawls can be receipted?

Any help is much appreciated.

Go with the initially agreed amount (the lower cash one), and take the receipts for a 'few months'. And then what you do is every month around the same time (near end of the month) withdraw the exact amount of rent. not more not less. and that is proof enough. also getting some of your bills mailed there would help too.

i would claim the rent on my taxes too, you don't need to do any favors for him.

[BBQPorkBun]

I'm hoping to move on campus next year for my last year at Uni. I'll qualify to apply for OSAP on my own since I'll be 4-years removed from HS. I did this assessment thing on the OSAP website and I filled in some info and it said I should qualify for a significant amount.
Questions:

Does receiving other bursaries from OSAP affect how much money you can get? (I might apply for Explore next summer)

If I get a part time job during the school year while I receive OSAP, do they reduce or pull my funding entirely?

OSAP doesn't give bursaries.
No idea what 'Explore' is.
It will reduce your osap depending on how much you make.

[BBQPorkBun]

HI! BBQPorkBun I want to ask how does the appeal process work? My financial office people are not helping me much so, If I got restricted how do i tell them that it wasn't my fault. Do i have to send them in writing to National Loan services or is there anything online though OSAP website?
thx

appeal process is used to get them to reconsider the amount you get from special circumstances.

im not sure what you mean by 'restricted'. sounds like a bigger issue than just not getting enough osap

[BBQPorkBun]

No, I have been out of high school for only three years now.. and unfortunately my parents house is a little less than 40km away from school....what difference would this make anyways? I cannot be considered as being independent unless iam more than 4 years out of high school? why is that? So you are saying that there is no reason in living on campus and spending that extra money on food and rent and I should go back and try to live with my parents and travel to school everyday?

yes

[confused student]

OSAP doesn't give bursaries.
No idea what 'Explore' is.
It will reduce your osap depending on how much you make.

http://www.jexplore.ca/english/index.html

OSAP offers a program for students to get money for it.

[jwei]

Thanks again BBQPorkBun

[vanessie]

OSAP doesn't give bursaries.
No idea what 'Explore' is.
It will reduce your osap depending on how much you make.

Explore is a bursary offered by OSAP for French and English speaking students to travel to a university to learn the opposite language.

edit: from OSAP's website

Explore is worth $2,000. It assists students interested in learning their second language through the five-week intensive Explore language-learning course.

[jjj123]

Go with the initially agreed amount (the lower cash one), and take the receipts for a 'few months'. And then what you do is every month around the same time (near end of the month) withdraw the exact amount of rent. not more not less. and that is proof enough. also getting some of your bills mailed there would help too.

i would claim the rent on my taxes too, you don't need to do any favors for him.

Thanks so much BBQPorkBun. All that makes sense, so armed with your advice, I called my landlord. He was most adament about me not claiming it on my taxes, even after I explained my entire situation with him. He didn't even want me to tell osap if they asked. He said I agreed to this originally, even though I really only did in principle and I said I may change my mind. I know he is being unreasonable, but I feel that not complying at this point may just leave me out of an apartment and a battle to get my deposit back. Also, if I just go ahead and claim it on my taxes anyway, and he therefore gets audited, I know he will get extremely upset, and since I live in his basement its not something I'm looking for.

So, if I don't claim it on taxes, will this trigger a review from osap? If the answer is maybe, does not claiming it make it significantly more likely? Obviously if it does I will do whatever I can to prove it, including whatever reciepts and letters I can get and hopefully a lease document. But an osap audit is not something I'm looking for with the risk that they will not accept my withdrawl receipts as enough proof.

Conversely, if I do claim it on my taxes, will I automatically get audited by the CRA as my landlord never claimed it as income? Will osap follow with their own in this case, especially if the cra does not accept my proof? Really, I am not worried about the cra but rather having my funding taken away. I will forego any tax credits if necessary to make sure this doesn't happen.

Sorry for the long post, just starting to get very stressed about all this, and any information you have would be amazing. I really wish I chose a different place.

[BBQPorkBun]

Thanks so much BBQPorkBun. All that makes sense, so armed with your advice, I called my landlord. He was most adament about me not claiming it on my taxes, even after I explained my entire situation with him. He didn't even want me to tell osap if they asked. He said I agreed to this originally, even though I really only did in principle and I said I may change my mind. I know he is being unreasonable, but I feel that not complying at this point may just leave me out of an apartment and a battle to get my deposit back. Also, if I just go ahead and claim it on my taxes anyway, and he therefore gets audited, I know he will get extremely upset, and since I live in his basement its not something I'm looking for.

So, if I don't claim it on taxes, will this trigger a review from osap? If the answer is maybe, does not claiming it make it significantly more likely? Obviously if it does I will do whatever I can to prove it, including whatever reciepts and letters I can get and hopefully a lease document. But an osap audit is not something I'm looking for with the risk that they will not accept my withdrawl receipts as enough proof.

Conversely, if I do claim it on my taxes, will I automatically get audited by the CRA as my landlord never claimed it as income? Will osap follow with their own in this case, especially if the cra does not accept my proof? Really, I am not worried about the cra but rather having my funding taken away. I will forego any tax credits if necessary to make sure this doesn't happen.

Sorry for the long post, just starting to get very stressed about all this, and any information you have would be amazing. I really wish I chose a different place.

By you not claiming rent won't trigger anything, not with osap. by you claiming rent, there may be a very small chance you may trigger something.

If you are willing to forego credits, don't claim it then. but in case osap asks you for proof via random audit or something, make sure you have enough proof. A few months worth of receipts, a consistent withdraw schedule and mail coming to that address is proof enough. if they ask you why you didn't claim rent on your return say you forgot or didn't know.

[jjj123]

By you not claiming rent won't trigger anything, not with osap. by you claiming rent, there may be a very small chance you may trigger something.

If you are willing to forego credits, don't claim it then. but in case osap asks you for proof via random audit or something, make sure you have enough proof. A few months worth of receipts, a consistent withdraw schedule and mail coming to that address is proof enough. if they ask you why you didn't claim rent on your return say you forgot or didn't know.

This sounds reasonable, I think this is going to be my course of action. Unless of course my landlord finally changes his tune, but I doubt that will happen. Thanks again BBQPorkBun!

[cathyxxx]

Im currently awaiting enrollment to Seneca for May 09 for accounting.Im more or less likely going to head towards OSAP i have a few questions concerns.My mom barely makes 20k a year and she is a single parent.Im wondering if i can get bursaries with my OSAP due to insufficient funds my mom makes.For example tuition fees + additional 200-400dollars a month that i wont have to pay back at all.If anyone knows what im talking about and can give me guidance on my chances of getting such that would be greatly appreciated.As when im going to school i do not want to have to worry about other expenses etc , as my mother already has problems financially and I understand that she will be unable to support me through college.

[1jVu]

is there an actual option on the osap application that allows you to state you are an independent student living at home?

cause theres one on the online calculator and basically it allows me to select a choice that im at home but my parents arent going to assist me financially. thanks bbq

[BBQPorkBun]

is there an actual option on the osap application that allows you to state you are an independent student living at home?

cause theres one on the online calculator and basically it allows me to select a choice that im at home but my parents arent going to assist me financially. thanks bbq

Im not sure if its an actual option, or they can just tell by your highschool grad date already. either way theres something in there that tells them what your status is

[cathyxxx]

bbq can you help me with my post please :(

[CSK'sMom]

Im currently awaiting enrollment to Seneca for May 09 for accounting.Im more or less likely going to head towards OSAP i have a few questions concerns.My mom barely makes 20k a year and she is a single parent.Im wondering if i can get bursaries with my OSAP due to insufficient funds my mom makes.For example tuition fees + additional 200-400dollars a month that i wont have to pay back at all.If anyone knows what im talking about and can give me guidance on my chances of getting such that would be greatly appreciated.As when im going to school i do not want to have to worry about other expenses etc , as my mother already has problems financially and I understand that she will be unable to support me through college.

Cathy, have you punched all your numbers into the OSAP calculator yet? If you haven't that is a good place to start to get an idea of what you will qualify for. Please be aware though that the chances of getting enough money to pay for everything is pretty slim. You are expected to contribute to your education costs. You may very well have to pick up a part time job to get that $200-$400 a month....

[poedua]

Im currently awaiting enrollment to Seneca for May 09 for accounting.Im more or less likely going to head towards OSAP i have a few questions concerns.My mom barely makes 20k a year and she is a single parent.Im wondering if i can get bursaries with my OSAP due to insufficient funds my mom makes.For example tuition fees + additional 200-400dollars a month that i wont have to pay back at all.If anyone knows what im talking about and can give me guidance on my chances of getting such that would be greatly appreciated.As when im going to school i do not want to have to worry about other expenses etc , as my mother already has problems financially and I understand that she will be unable to support me through college.

I assume you are in school full-time now.

How much money do you think you yourself can save between now and May 09 ?

[crono06]

Question about the $150 grant for textbooks. I have filled out my OSAP application already, and when it shows my estimated amount of what I should be getting, there's no mention of that $150. Should I just do the application for the textbooks? Or what for my payments?

Also, according to York, it's going to be about another 5-6 weeks before I see any changes to my application status. So should I wait until then to apply for the textbook grant, or see if it's included?

[cathyxxx]

I've calculated my cost on the OSAP calculator and OSAP estimated the loan i would receive would only be a mere 2100 , which probably will only be able to cover just tuition barely.I'm guessing ill have to go with a student loan at the bank.Very unfortunate :(

[crono06]

PT job? Christmas season is coming up so it shouldn't be too hard to land one. I do understand that some people have to focus on their studies though, and don't really have time to work.

[CSK'sMom]

Question about the $150 grant for textbooks. I have filled out my OSAP application already, and when it shows my estimated amount of what I should be getting, there's no mention of that $150. Should I just do the application for the textbooks? Or what for my payments?

Also, according to York, it's going to be about another 5-6 weeks before I see any changes to my application status. So should I wait until then to apply for the textbook grant, or see if it's included?

If you applied for OSAP the T&Tgrant application is considered along with your OSAP application. Also, the T&T grant has not been processsed yet for this school year, not until late Sept at least. You can check the status of it by signing into OSAP but on the second page click on OTTG instead of OSAP. ;)

[CSK'sMom]

I've calculated my cost on the OSAP calculator and OSAP estimated the loan i would receive would only be a mere 2100 , which probably will only be able to cover just tuition barely.I'm guessing ill have to go with a student loan at the bank.Very unfortunate :(

Something doesn't sound right. Are you 100% sure you put in all the correct numbers and answered all the questions correctly? Be aware that if you have savings (ie assets) you are expected to use them. You are also expected to use RESP money as well if it applies. You really need to understand that OSAP expects you to contribute and that generally means a job in some way. Generally speaking, just an FYI, a bank student loan needs a co-signer and usually only applies to things like med or law school...

[cathyxxx]

PT job? Christmas season is coming up so it shouldn't be too hard to land one. I do understand that some people have to focus on their studies though, and don't really have time to work.

I would fall in that category , and even with a part-time job i can barely save for anything as I'm helping my mom pay for bills and food already.If I am lucky I might be able to save 100 a month , but entering college more or less likely i will have to pay 700 of my tuition fee for and possibly anywhere from 500-800 additional fees for text books , that doesn't really leave me much for bus fair a decent lunch money.My family is already struggling as is , I currently walk to school and we are still having financial problems.This sucks really bad.I guess ill be going to the bank to discuss getting a 10k-15k student loan :(.

[cathyxxx]

Something doesn't sound right. Are you 100% sure you put in all the correct numbers and answered all the questions correctly? Be aware that if you have savings (ie assets) you are expected to use them. You are also expected to use RESP money as well if it applies. You really need to understand that OSAP expects you to contribute and that generally means a job in some way. Generally speaking, just an FYI, a bank student loan needs a co-signer and usually only applies to things like med or law school...

Yeah I'm pretty sure I've done it correctly to my understanding.

[help_questions]

Thanks so much BBQPorkBun. All that makes sense, so armed with your advice, I called my landlord. He was most adament about me not claiming it on my taxes, even after I explained my entire situation with him. He didn't even want me to tell osap if they asked. He said I agreed to this originally, even though I really only did in principle and I said I may change my mind. I know he is being unreasonable, but I feel that not complying at this point may just leave me out of an apartment and a battle to get my deposit back. Also, if I just go ahead and claim it on my taxes anyway, and he therefore gets audited, I know he will get extremely upset, and since I live in his basement its not something I'm looking for.

So, if I don't claim it on taxes, will this trigger a review from osap? If the answer is maybe, does not claiming it make it significantly more likely? Obviously if it does I will do whatever I can to prove it, including whatever reciepts and letters I can get and hopefully a lease document. But an osap audit is not something I'm looking for with the risk that they will not accept my withdrawl receipts as enough proof.

Conversely, if I do claim it on my taxes, will I automatically get audited by the CRA as my landlord never claimed it as income? Will osap follow with their own in this case, especially if the cra does not accept my proof? Really, I am not worried about the cra but rather having my funding taken away. I will forego any tax credits if necessary to make sure this doesn't happen.

Sorry for the long post, just starting to get very stressed about all this, and any information you have would be amazing. I really wish I chose a different place.

not sure if someone else has said this yet, but lets go with your first scenario. lets say you claim it on your taxes and he gets audited....so what...you've got enough time to find a new place....you can finish the school year, and move into a new place before this landlord even finds out he is getting audited.

basically from what I have read about OSAP, don't screw with them if you want future funding. In short, be absolutely honest with OSAP, no matter what the cost or consequences (for the landlord, or anyone else)....if you need future funding, then don't do anything to screw that up.

For the record, I believe his getting you to agree not to claim the rent is so that he can avoid being taxed on the rent income is illegal, as it is tax evasion. whats he really going to do? what can he do?

[CSK'sMom]

Yeah I'm pretty sure I've done it correctly to my understanding.

Cathy, what program and what campus? From a quick look at Seneca accounting programs for May 09 it looks like quite a few are continuing ed courses and summer terms of programs already in progress. When was the last time you attended highschool?

[cathyxxx]

Cathy, what program and what campus? From a quick look at Seneca accounting programs for May 09 it looks like quite a few are continuing ed courses and summer terms of programs already in progress. When was the last time you attended highschool?

Last spring /summer 08 was when i graduated highschool.I wanted to take time off before deciding what career path I wanted to take , I've applied to accounting and accounting and finance.Waiting for enrollment.I've disgust things with my mother and she thinks the best route would be taking a student line of credit and just paying the monthly interest monthly , a 10k loan would put me at around 40-50a month of interest which can easily be paid monthly just from my part time job alone , although I will be losing money to interest.Campus is Newham for Jan 09.

[CSK'sMom]

Last spring /summer 08 was when i graduated highschool.I wanted to take time off before deciding what career path I wanted to take , I've applied to accounting and accounting and finance.Waiting for enrollment.I've disgust things with my mother and she thinks the best route would be taking a student line of credit and just paying the monthly interest monthly , a 10k loan would put me at around 40-50a month of interest which can easily be paid monthly just from my part time job alone , although I will be losing money to interest.Campus is Newham for Jan 09.


I seriously think you have entered your info incorrectly into the OSAP caluculator Cathy. If I enter the Jan start of accounting and finance (sem 1&2) with you as an only child , claiming $1k in pre study income and $1k in study income, your Mom single with an income of $20k and you living at home the whole time I get a very different estimate. :confused:

I get just over $7500 for study costs. $1094 in provincial loan, $2170 in federal loan, $1060 in provincial grants and $1060 in federal grants for total funding of $5384...

As I said, bank student loans only apply for professional schools like medical and law school. You will not qualify for a bank student loan. :|

[cathyxxx]

I seriously think you have entered your info incorrectly into the OSAP caluculator Cathy. If I enter the Jan start of accounting and finance (sem 1&2) with you as an only child , claiming $1k in pre study income and $1k in study income, your Mom single with an income of $20k and you living at home the whole time I get a very different estimate. :confused:

I get just over $7500 for study costs. $1094 in provincial loan, $2170 in federal loan, $1060 in provincial grants and $1060 in federal grants for total funding of $5384...

As I said, bank student loans only apply for professional schools like medical and law school. You will not qualify for a bank student loan. :|

I spoke to the bank about it about a month 3-4 months ago and the person I spoke to said they can give me a student line of credit etc.She told me I would need a co-signer though.She was informed I would go to college , so I'll have to check back , as she did tell me when the time was right and I made up my mind on what career path i wanted to choose that she would be more than happy to set me up with a student loan / line of credit.~_~

Im not sure how you are getting 7k to be honest ,Im almost certain Ive entered the following information correctly.Weird...Only time i get 7k is when I put I will not be living with my parent/s.

[draze]

i'm really confused about this OSAP thing.....

but tell me is this good?
i put in 0 income and finished school at may 2008 here
http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp114/step_draze/osap.jpg

[CSK'sMom]

Im not sure how you are getting 7k to be honest ,Im almost certain Ive entered the following information correctly.Weird...Only time i get 7k is when I put I will not be living with my parent/s.

Are you sure you entered the right program from the box? It shows many, many other options that are continueing ed or just one semester or even other years of the program. I put living at home the whole time, both pre study and during study. I really think you are entering something wrong as the questions can be tricky if you aren't paying close attention...

[CSK'sMom]

i'm really confused about this OSAP thing.....

but tell me is this good?
i put in 0 income and finished school at may 2008 here


What's the problem or confusion? :confused:

[poedua]

Last spring /summer 08 was when i graduated highschool..Campus is Newham for Jan 09.

Given you've graduated from high school, are you working full time until you begin school again in '09 - be it Jan or May ?

[draze]

1)single high school student, with no dependent children.
2)no permanent dis
3)last time attended school :May 2008.....actually it's going to be may 2009 cuz i'm finishing school this year.
4)never taken post secondary full-time studies
5)will not be living with parents
6)both incomes are 0, car is 0, retirement plan 0, investments 0
7)parents are maried
8)2 dependent children, 2 in OSAP
9) parent 1 income 35000, parent 2 income 25000
get the exact same values.


What my confusion is?
Well, first off as i understand OSAP is a loan for a student for his education that you have to give back....what i dont understand is that who you give it back to? how? monthly? for how long? is there percentage on it growing?

second is that chart that i posted up, how much money i get for my education? how much i have to pay back? why is it like that?

p.s. just trying to understand how system works....since i'm new to country and the education system plus i wanna shortcuts.

[draze]

btw, the program is 4 year bachelors of Automotive in Georgian College:
Start date: Sep 02, 2008
End date: Apr 17, 2009
Number of terms: 2
Total years in program: 4
Level of Study: Bachelor's Degree
Total weeks of study: 33
Co-op program: Study Term


what i don't get too, is why is there 2 terms....?!

[BBQPorkBun]

I would fall in that category , and even with a part-time job i can barely save for anything as I'm helping my mom pay for bills and food already.If I am lucky I might be able to save 100 a month , but entering college more or less likely i will have to pay 700 of my tuition fee for and possibly anywhere from 500-800 additional fees for text books , that doesn't really leave me much for bus fair a decent lunch money.My family is already struggling as is , I currently walk to school and we are still having financial problems.This sucks really bad.I guess ill be going to the bank to discuss getting a 10k-15k student loan :(.

Hey there, when i saw your initial post i just thought, well nobody wants to worry about their expenses during school, and get a job.

its tough you gotta help you mom out, but osap isn't really there to help with the circumstances surrounding you, its meant to just help you with schooling. your estimate sounds about right.

other tips, brown bag your lunch. photocopy your text books (its not illegal if its for the purpose of learning, its illegal for distribution/profit)

[BBQPorkBun]

PT job? Christmas season is coming up so it shouldn't be too hard to land one. I do understand that some people have to focus on their studies though, and don't really have time to work.

You gotta do what you gotta do. instead of getting a B's, get C's and get a job.

[BBQPorkBun]

1)single high school student, with no dependent children.
2)no permanent dis
3)last time attended school :May 2008.....actually it's going to be may 2009 cuz i'm finishing school this year.
4)never taken post secondary full-time studies
5)will not be living with parents
6)both incomes are 0, car is 0, retirement plan 0, investments 0
7)parents are maried
8)2 dependent children, 2 in OSAP
9) parent 1 income 35000, parent 2 income 25000
get the exact same values.


What my confusion is?
Well, first off as i understand OSAP is a loan for a student for his education that you have to give back....what i dont understand is that who you give it back to? how? monthly? for how long? is there percentage on it growing?

second is that chart that i posted up, how much money i get for my education? how much i have to pay back? why is it like that?

p.s. just trying to understand how system works....since i'm new to country and the education system plus i wanna shortcuts.

who to give it back to? whoever loaned you the money, the gov't
how long? for as long as u owe money
percentage? prime +1 to 2.5 after grad or stop school
what do you get? 10k
what do u pay back? 7k
why is osap like that? why isn't it like that?
you wanna shortcuts? dunno what ur talking about.
why is there 2 terms? cuz there are 2

I suggest you google osap and just read all you can about how the system works. it will answer alot of your questions. frankly i don't know how you can get osap being new to the country.

[cathyxxx]

Given you've graduated from high school, are you working full time until you begin school again in '09 - be it Jan or May ?

I'm currently taking a few courses at school and working part time atm only making about 400a month , giving my mother about 300 to help her with the work load.I guess I am doing something wrong then , once Im enrolled into a school ill speak to guidance about this as this is very confusing to me.

[greatman07]

I am done with my graduation in end of August. My online status for OSOG grant states in red that "You currently have no grant information on file".

About two months back it used to read as "The OSOG grant information will be updated in fall, after verifying the income etc...

I am confused whether they have decided my OSOG or not....
I fulfill all the requirements for OSOG...

Is it the normal procedure?

Thanks in advance.....

[poedua]

I'm currently taking a few courses at school and working part time atm only making about 400a month , giving my mother about 300 to help her with the work load.I guess I am doing something wrong then , once Im enrolled into a school ill speak to guidance about this as this is very confusing to me.

I'm not clear on how relevant those courses are in your ability to go on to college.

So, if you ' have to ' take them, you have to take them I suppose - and you can't work full time plus - i.e 40 - 50 hours a week to try and save some money.

That said even, with taking a couple of courses part-time, you still might be able to put in a least 28 hours a week of work part time...and in doing so, net at least $800+ a month instead of $400.

[jason_3108]

questions.
i just received my first half of osap, i study at utsc so i have to manually pay the tuition from my bank account. therefore, do i need to pay off the whole year tuition now or wait for the second part of osap to arrive? are they going to charge interest if i do that? or should i just pay a portion of the tuition?

if i hv to pay for the whole year tuition now, my account will be drained..
6500 tuition = (4500 osap + 2000 summer earning and saving)....

[killoverme]

questions.
i just received my first half of osap, i study at utsc so i have to manually pay the tuition from my bank account. therefore, do i need to pay off the whole year tuition now or wait for the second part of osap to arrive? are they going to charge interest if i do that? or should i just pay a portion of the tuition?

if i hv to pay for the whole year tuition now, my account will be drained..
6500 tuition = (4500 osap + 2000 summer earning and saving)....

pay for it now. you will be charged interest.

the interest if you pay by winter will be around $100-200.

its your choice keep 2000 for use and lose 100-200 or have no money (borrow from parents (some spending cash) and not lose 100-200

[BBQPorkBun]

questions.
i just received my first half of osap, i study at utsc so i have to manually pay the tuition from my bank account. therefore, do i need to pay off the whole year tuition now or wait for the second part of osap to arrive? are they going to charge interest if i do that? or should i just pay a portion of the tuition?

if i hv to pay for the whole year tuition now, my account will be drained..
6500 tuition = (4500 osap + 2000 summer earning and saving)....

ask your school

[cinnamon_heart]

hi

I have been receiving OSAP for the past 4 years and have always had my mother include her income information with the as I am living at home.

However, they did not ask for a form from my mother this year. I was wondering if me turning 22 this year has anything to do with it(am I no longer a dependant?) As well, the application said something about doing a credit check, which I do not remember reading in the past (I suppose because my mom was sort of a cosigner....).

I think I have bad credit(I have not defaulted on any loans or have any outstanding payments, but this past year I have been a little late on my bills) Will I be unable to recieve funding?

thanks

[BBQPorkBun]

hi

I have been receiving OSAP for the past 4 years and have always had my mother include her income information with the as I am living at home.

However, they did not ask for a form from my mother this year. I was wondering if me turning 22 this year has anything to do with it(am I no longer a dependant?) As well, the application said something about doing a credit check, which I do not remember reading in the past (I suppose because my mom was sort of a cosigner....).

I think I have bad credit(I have not defaulted on any loans or have any outstanding payments, but this past year I have been a little late on my bills) Will I be unable to recieve funding?

thanks

They still ask for parents income if you are not living at home
You are not a dependant anymore
Your mom is not a consigner
Late bills is a relatively small hit on credit if any, I would be suprised if you are unable to get funding. If it makes you feel better, get a credit report and look at your score.

[vanessie]

Another question, sorry..I'm looking around and not finding a definitive answer.

Can I apply for Summer school OSAP if it's my first time receiving it?

[BBQPorkBun]

Another question, sorry..I'm looking around and not finding a definitive answer.

Can I apply for Summer school OSAP if it's my first time receiving it?

yes

[Hype1]

So it's been 5 months since I've graduated university in April and I still haven't found a job in my field. My OSAP repayment schedule is right around the corner and I've come to the conclusion that I'll need to find any job right now, to start making payments.

Compared to most people I don't owe a lot of money, I only borrowed $6650 for my last year. However I don't like owing money and hope to pay this thing off as soon as I find a job.

You suggested that people should pay the accumulated interest at the end of November with a lump sum. For people in my case who don't have the money and who owe little, is it wise to simply add the sum to the total amount? I don't think I have any other choice but if not any suggestions?

Out of curiosity, what would my accumulated interest amount be?

When should I apply for interest relief?

OSAP still hasn't contact me about repayment arrangements, do I apply for interest relief before or after I plan to call them?

Once I get a job can I still make payments while on interest relief?

If you have any other tips or suggestions for my situation I'd appreciate your help, thanks.

[BBQPorkBun]

for the income verification part of OSAP, how does it determine this? I remember it asking on the application, but I can remember the time span. Because I've made some extra cash since the semester has started will this have an affect on my 2nd semester funding?

It can if its a large amount. small differences won't do anything. if its cash don't worry about it.

[BBQPorkBun]

So it's been 5 months since I've graduated university in April and I still haven't found a job in my field. My OSAP repayment schedule is right around the corner and I've come to the conclusion that I'll need to find any job right now, to start making payments.

Compared to most people I don't owe a lot of money, I only borrowed $6650 for my last year. However I don't like owing money and hope to pay this thing off as soon as I find a job.

You suggested that people should pay the accumulated interest at the end of November with a lump sum. For people in my case who don't have the money and who owe little, is it wise to simply add the sum to the total amount? I don't think I have any other choice but if not any suggestions?

Out of curiosity, what would my accumulated interest amount be?

When should I apply for interest relief?

OSAP still hasn't contact me about repayment arrangements, do I apply for interest relief before or after I plan to call them?

Once I get a job can I still make payments while on interest relief?

If you have any other tips or suggestions for my situation I'd appreciate your help, thanks.

You don't have many choices

Approx $210

beginning of nov.

no, you need to sign consolidation agreement before apply for IR

yes, u can make pmts, will go towards principle

its a really small monthly amount, you may not get IR cuz of that. you can always go on interest only pmts like a LOC. stop freaking out.

[cookiegarden]

Sorry guys I'm not sure if this was already posted in the thread here, but I looked around and haven't seen a similar post, I was wondering if you guys could please help me this is my situation.

I am currently enrolled in a University program that happens to end in Dec, the program is structured this way I cannot change it. My current OSAP loans runs from Sept- Aug of every yr.. Therefore I was wondering if OSAP will allow me to borrow money for Sept-Dec even though its technically only 1semester. Thanks

[BBQPorkBun]

Sorry guys I'm not sure if this was already posted in the thread here, but I looked around and haven't seen a similar post, I was wondering if you guys could please help me this is my situation.

I am currently enrolled in a University program that happens to end in Dec, the program is structured this way I cannot change it. My current OSAP loans runs from Sept- Aug of every yr.. Therefore I was wondering if OSAP will allow me to borrow money for Sept-Dec even though its technically only 1semester. Thanks

yes, go apply

[Cinatas]

This isn't necessarily about OSAP itself but rather, collecting payments.

I don't have a driver's license, health card with a photo, or any other government issued photo ID. What can I do to prove my identity and get my loans?

[BBQPorkBun]

This isn't necessarily about OSAP itself but rather, collecting payments.

I don't have a driver's license, health card with a photo, or any other government issued photo ID. What can I do to prove my identity and get my loans?

birth certificate, should be fine.

time to apply for some ID

[conbrio4]

If you go on to do your Masters or PhD and you have OSAP loans, do you have to pay them off while you are doing your graduate studies? In other words, does OSAP defer loan payment until you hold an "actual" job, like in academia or industry? What about post-doctorates and OSAP?

Are there any other special considerations you should take if you have OSAP loans and plan to go onto graduate studies?

Thanks.

[makethings]

I'm in grad school now and I don't have to pay back my OSAP loans yet. If you are not taking another OSAP loan for grad studies, then all you have to do is submit a continuation of interest-free status form after you are registered in your grad program.

[Tiggy08]

My husband is applying to Law school for 2009. He was the sole financial supporter of the family as I decided to stay home with our 2 pre-schoolers. We do have a good amount in RRSP and some in saving but need to replace our very old minivan. What I was wondering was will we be penalized for saving for our retirement and not receive OSAP? More importantly scholarships and bursaries as his GPA is 3.9 and LSAT score 168?

[Chuck Chorus]

Hi guys.

Got a question concerning overdue OSAP payments.

Basically my Cousin has defaulted for over the past few months now.
He has been in financial strains due to personal issues.

Now the thing is, he is wondering if this would effect him in being hired for Gov employment.

He wants to know what kind of Gov jobs are very strict on credit checks while doing their ERC (Enhanced Reliability Check) and...
whether or not OSAP depts are a big issue or not.

Anybody???

[JBlue]

HI. I have a question about applyng for OSAP.

Currently I am NOT working.

I am trying to get MAX amount from OSAP.

When living @ home. Is it better to state I contribute to some bills @ home (Parents) like rent/food. Maybe a small amount $600/month (even though I dont have a job)

OR

Is it better to state my parents do NOT require me to pay anything? and I do not work.

They ask for a letter from my parents but I am not sure what they want.

thx

[BBQPorkBun]

If you go on to do your Masters or PhD and you have OSAP loans, do you have to pay them off while you are doing your graduate studies? In other words, does OSAP defer loan payment until you hold an "actual" job, like in academia or industry? What about post-doctorates and OSAP?

Are there any other special considerations you should take if you have OSAP loans and plan to go onto graduate studies?

Thanks.

You are on non repayment status until you stop going to school full time, graduate studies is still school and you can get osap for that.

However, they don't 'defer' it until you get a job, its until you finish full time studies.

[BBQPorkBun]

My husband is applying to Law school for 2009. He was the sole financial supporter of the family as I decided to stay home with our 2 pre-schoolers. We do have a good amount in RRSP and some in saving but need to replace our very old minivan. What I was wondering was will we be penalized for saving for our retirement and not receive OSAP? More importantly scholarships and bursaries as his GPA is 3.9 and LSAT score 168?

Well, lets not call it a penalty, fact of the matter is you have money/assets and they expect you to use what you have before they come into the picture. no better time to take out rrsps than when ur at a low tax bracket. You as a family obviously did not decide that he go back to school and rely on student loans to raise a family of four right?

Scholarships and bursaries is not osap, thats with your school, so the scores don't mean anything.

[BBQPorkBun]

Hi guys.

Got a question concerning overdue OSAP payments.

Basically my Cousin has defaulted for over the past few months now.
He has been in financial strains due to personal issues.

Now the thing is, he is wondering if this would effect him in being hired for Gov employment.

He wants to know what kind of Gov jobs are very strict on credit checks while doing their ERC (Enhanced Reliability Check) and...
whether or not OSAP depts are a big issue or not.

Anybody???

The solution is to get his messed cleaned up. Apply for IR, borrow money to get back into good standing if he has to. Not look for jobs that is not strict on credit checks.

[BBQPorkBun]

HI. I have a question about applyng for OSAP.

Currently I am NOT working.

I am trying to get MAX amount from OSAP.

When living @ home. Is it better to state I contribute to some bills @ home (Parents) like rent/food. Maybe a small amount $600/month (even though I dont have a job)

OR

Is it better to state my parents do NOT require me to pay anything? and I do not work.

They ask for a letter from my parents but I am not sure what they want.

thx

well with option 1, its either fraud for you or tax evasion for your parents cuz they obviously are not going to pay taxes on this made up rent

with option 2, thats the truth, so id go with that. and with that option won't get max osap.

[jogns]

after some of my problems with documentation got resolved, my osap funding was released....

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/9171/83748068tu1.jpg

does this mean that my total funding for the term is 1164+624+2196= 3984 ??

that is very low as i have to pay $5642 just for tuition....i don't have 1600 dollars laying around....is there anything i can do to get more....? my parents are currently not working as my father is in his second year of a masters program...he started last spring and my mother hasn't worked in a year due to her pregnancy and the birth of my sister.....

[BBQPorkBun]

after some of my problems with documentation got resolved, my osap funding was released....

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/9171/83748068tu1.jpg

does this mean that my total funding for the term is 1164+624+2196= 3984 ??

that is very low as i have to pay $5642 just for tuition....i don't have 1600 dollars laying around....is there anything i can do to get more....? my parents are currently not working as my father is in his second year of a masters program...he started last spring and my mother hasn't worked in a year due to her pregnancy and the birth of my sister.....

yes, thats your funding.

OSAP is not here to assist you to pay the whole amount. did you work during the summer? that could have helped.

how does your family expect to support themselves by the way?

hope you can defer part the tuition until the second term, and then get a job would be the solution. worse case, a student line of credit.

[jogns]

yes, thats your funding.

OSAP is not here to assist you to pay the whole amount. did you work during the summer? that could have helped.

how does your family expect to support themselves by the way?

hope you can defer part the tuition until the second term, and then get a job would be the solution. worse case, a student line of credit.

i had to do summer school, had a mix up with the school and they needed me to do a group one credit which i thought i did. my dad is getting student loans and that is how my family is hanging in...my mother is getting child support as i have three younger siblings.

my work term is next term....so what do i need to do to defer it to that...that would allow me to work and pay it off....can you give me some information?

[BBQPorkBun]

i had to do summer school, had a mix up with the school and they needed me to do a group one credit which i thought i did. my dad is getting student loans and that is how my family is hanging in...my mother is getting child support as i have three younger siblings.

my work term is next term....so what do i need to do to defer it to that...that would allow me to work and pay it off....can you give me some information?

no idea if u can, go ask your school

im wasn't suggesting work next term, i was saying work now.

[grk101]

the NSLSC is a joke.

they are good at collection money from you, but when you ask them what options you have after 60 months and used up interest relief they tell you " you have no options but to start replayment"

what a bunch of morons.

I then got some cash and decided to take full time classes and this was after my first payment made to them after 5 years out of being a school.

So i tell them i am in school then i enter the grace period.. then i call up to see if i can get interest relief till i find a job again and i am all out.

and then they tell me " well you could apply for debt reduction ". i was like oh whats this.. and then i guess i am not eligible cause i went back to school, luckily this conversation was taped on the advice on council that deals with student loans, and i will be fighting for their neglect of misinformation.

I have been eliglbe for debt reduction for so long, but apperantly they dont like to tell you everything .

[BBQPorkBun]

the NSLSC is a joke.

they are good at collection money from you, but when you ask them what options you have after 60 months and used up interest relief they tell you " you have no options but to start replayment"

what a bunch of morons.

I then got some cash and decided to take full time classes and this was after my first payment made to them after 5 years out of being a school.

So i tell them i am in school then i enter the grace period.. then i call up to see if i can get interest relief till i find a job again and i am all out.

and then they tell me " well you could apply for debt reduction ". i was like oh whats this.. and then i guess i am not eligible cause i went back to school, luckily this conversation was taped on the advice on council that deals with student loans, and i will be fighting for their neglect of misinformation.

I have been eliglbe for debt reduction for so long, but apperantly they dont like to tell you everything .

This info's on the website.

Might I suggest instead of scamming the system, that you concentrate your efforts on finding a job so that you would not need IR

[licious]

the NSLSC is a joke.

they are good at collection money from you, but when you ask them what options you have after 60 months and used up interest relief they tell you " you have no options but to start replayment"

what a bunch of morons.
....
and then they tell me " well you could apply for debt reduction ". i was like oh whats this.. and then i guess i am not eligible cause i went back to school, luckily this conversation was taped on the advice on council that deals with student loans, and i will be fighting for their neglect of misinformation.

I have been eliglbe for debt reduction for so long, but apperantly they dont like to tell you everything .

Oh gosh, you've been out of school for 5 years, so that makes you 27? Don't you think that it's time to start accepting some responsibility for your own actions instead of blaming the NSLSC for not spoon feeding you information that you could have easily found on your own?

[grk101]

This info's on the website.

Might I suggest instead of scamming the system, that you concentrate your efforts on finding a job so that you would not need IR

Might I suggest that you think before you open your mouth?

Oh should I suggest that before you start stating of people accusing the system why they would rant?

I haven't been able to work because i have been in therapy for 5 years trying to get better from a car accident .. So instead of writting my whole story i wrote my rant..

I am following the rules to the T, and they told me to apply for disability as some injuries will probably keep out of work for a while, but i said No i dont want to apply for disability CAUSE i actually want to pay my loan back but i need some help.

Therefore before you JUMP your gun and accuse people of scamming Maybe you should keep your mouth shut Until the person actually states his/hers problems .. Can you try that?

[grk101]

Oh gosh, you've been out of school for 5 years, so that makes you 27? Don't you think that it's time to start accepting some responsibility for your own actions instead of blaming the NSLSC for not spoon feeding you information that you could have easily found on your own?

Another person that again jumps that gun and opens their stupid mouth without knowning the full story, I would of found a job of a cab driver didn't slam into my car

- that I actually Never got to finish school because of that - so they have been telling me to use up my interest relief .

so instead of being a moron like BBQ why dont you give information to people that actually help or send t a private message as to why they need help or what the situation is? HAVE you actually tried to be human in your life????? or are you one of those idiots that go around judging people? You make fun of sick people dont u? gauranteed ur like that

( opps did i just judge you without knowing you or your story? Yep I just did )

You seem like it.


Lesson of the day - for you and BBQ - find out what the issue is, - learn how to speak - and find out what the issue is.

If you can't do that, they dont tell people they are trying to scam a system or to get off their derreires and get a job

Lesson learned yet? or do you need mock more people that might actually need Help?

Notice: I said i got some cash .. why would i go back to school and not pay my loan .. something to think about.. (cash was accident benefits trying to get me back into school to finish )

so now move along.


EDIT: these forums are for helping people, not putting people down or calling them a scammers etc, you've been here long enough and have enough posts

[BBQPorkBun]

Another person that again jumps that gun and opens their stupid mouth without knowning the full story, I would of found a job of a cab driver didn't slam into my car

- that I actually Never got to finish school because of that - so they have been telling me to use up my interest relief .

so instead of being a moron like BBQ why dont you give information to people that actually help or send t a private message as to why they need help or what the situation is? HAVE you actually tried to be human in your life????? or are you one of those idiots that go around judging people? You make fun of sick people dont u? gauranteed ur like that

( opps did i just judge you without knowing you or your story? Yep I just did )

You seem like it.


Lesson of the day - for you and BBQ - find out what the issue is, - learn how to speak - and find out what the issue is.

If you can't do that, they dont tell people they are trying to scam a system or to get off their derreires and get a job

Lesson learned yet? or do you need mock more people that might actually need Help?

Notice: I said i got some cash .. why would i go back to school and not pay my loan .. something to think about.. (cash was accident benefits trying to get me back into school to finish )

so now move along.


EDIT: these forums are for helping people, not putting people down or calling them a scammers etc, you've been here long enough and have enough posts

Yes, forums for helping people, hence, please rant elsewhere.

[*annie*]

This thread specifically states "tips/advice/questions" (no "rant here all you want"). You have a question?, we try to answer as long as you're clear, specific, and give sufficient details.

BBQ - you do a great job answering our questions and giving tips and advice. You're the greatest!!!

[CSK'sMom]

Didn't see any rules of the forum not to complain.

If you have problems reading it was more of complaining to get some path of direction that i might not be aware... isn't this what the point is..

if you can't offer some good advice then don't quote me nor reply to me. SIMPLE isn't it?

If fact its very simple, so what is your deal judgemental person?

or do you have problems reading what was being said.

I am not sure who made you "boss" of what people can post or not post, and the way they post it or ask for help?

Is there a procedure? did you get offended because i ranted it.. it is a open forum isn't not?

Now move along................ if you can't offer advice then don't offer your opinion at all, like i said, it is very simple.

Most users don't come on these forums to get Judged By Individuals like you, either we come for advice or to complain and rank, which is usually a general thing of forums.

As Annie said, read the damn thread title. This thread is not for ranting, neither is this forum or any other forum on this site. If you don't understand the rules, they are clearly posted at the top of each forum. I highly suggest you read them. ;) By the way, this is BBQ's thread, do not derail it or thread cap it which would be against the rules and reportable. :cheesygri

By the way BBQ, great thread as usual with lots of relavent questions asked and answered. :cheesygri

[robman_rob]

if you graduated with 60k OSAP debt, how would you go about paying that off?

[BBQPorkBun]

if you graduated with 60k OSAP debt, how would you go about paying that off?

if u have a decent job, just keep throwing money at it. get a LOC with a better rate if you can.

if you not, apply for IR, accumulate a lump sum and collect interest on it. once u don't qualify for IR anymore, throw the whole lump sum on it.

[asdisme]

if you graduated with 60k OSAP debt, how would you go about paying that off?

DAMNNN 60k OSAP debt? The program you were in expensive?

[mself084]

hi BBQ. Great thread!

My girlfriend graduated at the end of April with about $6500 in debt to repay. She started working about 4 weeks ago...with repayment coming up, is she eligible for interest relief? Or is the combination of a (relatively) small amount plus employment enough to negate the relief? She'll be calling next week to work out a repayment plan. Thanks.

[robman_rob]

if u have a decent job, just keep throwing money at it. get a LOC with a better rate if you can.

if you not, apply for IR, accumulate a lump sum and collect interest on it. once u don't qualify for IR anymore, throw the whole lump sum on it.

IR = interest relief?

And since it seems like you, BBQ are the one to ask, maybe you can help me with this question. I see that if you get over 10.5k / year, OSAP may reduce the amount to 10.5k for that year. How can I ask OSAP nicely to reduce my debt? Or is this an automated process?

Reference:

Ontario Student Opportunity Grant

· The Ontario Student Opportunity Grant (OSOG) limits students’ loan debt to $7,000 for a two-term academic year and $10,500 for a three-term academic year.

· To be eligible for OSOG you must:

o Be entitled to a student loan that exceeds the above limits;

o Be enrolled as a full-time student;

o Complete your academic year; and

o Have all income reported to OSAP – student, parent and, or spouse (if applicable) - verified with income reported to the Canada Revenue Agency.

· The grant is not paid directly to you but is sent to the National Student Loans Service Centre and used to pay down your student loan.


From :

http://accesswindow.osap.gov.on.ca/cgi-bin/lansaweb?procfun+AWPROC0607+D900607+OSP+eng

and specifically:

http://accesswindow.osap.gov.on.ca/aw/ENG/not_secure/awc_define.htm#osag

Sorry if this has been asked before.

[BBQPorkBun]

hi BBQ. Great thread!

My girlfriend graduated at the end of April with about $6500 in debt to repay. She started working about 4 weeks ago...with repayment coming up, is she eligible for interest relief? Or is the combination of a (relatively) small amount plus employment enough to negate the relief? She'll be calling next week to work out a repayment plan. Thanks.

yeah, you won't get IR, you can hardly explain not being able to pay like 25 bucks a month with a job (im exaggerating but its a very small amount)

you can't call in and work out a repayment plan, she is in grace period and won't get into payment plans till after the grace period. however interest is accumulating so start paying off the loan.

[BBQPorkBun]

IR = interest relief?

And since it seems like you, BBQ are the one to ask, maybe you can help me with this question. I see that if you get over 10.5k / year, OSAP may reduce the amount to 10.5k for that year. How can I ask OSAP nicely to reduce my debt? Or is this an automated process?

Reference:

Ontario Student Opportunity Grant

· The Ontario Student Opportunity Grant (OSOG) limits students’ loan debt to $7,000 for a two-term academic year and $10,500 for a three-term academic year.

· To be eligible for OSOG you must:

o Be entitled to a student loan that exceeds the above limits;

o Be enrolled as a full-time student;

o Complete your academic year; and

o Have all income reported to OSAP – student, parent and, or spouse (if applicable) - verified with income reported to the Canada Revenue Agency.

· The grant is not paid directly to you but is sent to the National Student Loans Service Centre and used to pay down your student loan.


From :

http://accesswindow.osap.gov.on.ca/cgi-bin/lansaweb?procfun+AWPROC0607+D900607+OSP+eng

and specifically:

http://accesswindow.osap.gov.on.ca/aw/ENG/not_secure/awc_define.htm#osag

Sorry if this has been asked before.

its automated

[robman_rob]

its automated

thank you very much.

[mself084]

yeah, you won't get IR, you can hardly explain not being able to pay like 25 bucks a month with a job (im exaggerating but its a very small amount)

you can't call in and work out a repayment plan, she is in grace period and won't get into payment plans till after the grace period. however interest is accumulating so start paying off the loan.

thanks man - she called last night and found out the same thing. we're on $100/month right now and hopefully pay off the balance when we get tax returns in the spring.

[lame23]

Hi,

I decided to take a year off from my program at ryerson, I was just wondering wether will I be obliged to pay the osap (start doing monthly payments) since im taking some time off from school which is more than six months? and also is there anyway to pay osap now (e.g. different amounts during my year off like 200$ in one month and then 400$ next month) and how? TIA

[mr jbb]

is there a grid to see how much money you can make without loosing loan money. basically agrid saying if you make so much youll get so much?

[BBQPorkBun]

Hi,

I decided to take a year off from my program at ryerson, I was just wondering wether will I be obliged to pay the osap (start doing monthly payments) since im taking some time off from school which is more than six months? and also is there anyway to pay osap now (e.g. different amounts during my year off like 200$ in one month and then 400$ next month) and how? TIA

You will be paying 6 months after you left, interest accumulates right after you left. yes, u can pay osap anytime u like. if they have ur banking info, can do preauthorized or one time payments, u can just tell them over the phone. u can mail them chk or money order. u can go in person in mississauga.

[BBQPorkBun]

is there a grid to see how much money you can make without loosing loan money. basically agrid saying if you make so much youll get so much?

no, cuz then there would be people who would look at it such as urself =p

[lame23]

You will be paying 6 months after you left, interest accumulates right after you left. yes, u can pay osap anytime u like. if they have ur banking info, can do preauthorized or one time payments, u can just tell them over the phone. u can mail them chk or money order. u can go in person in mississauga.

Thank you! so i guess i need to apply for interest relief since im planning to back to school in 2009....and another question, if i apply for interest relief, i would not be charged any interest from the day i get approved right? and i would not have to pay back this interest? sorry i just want to clarify that the interest relief will not be charged back to me or added on the main osap loan after the period of the interest relief or will this be charged back to me after i graduated from school? (is it whatever the amount of interest relief+ main loan=total owing, after graduation or is it just going to be my main loan after graduation even after the Interest relief). Sorry that this is really confusing, i hope u guys understand

[BBQPorkBun]

Thank you! so i guess i need to apply for interest relief since im planning to back to school in 2009....and another question, if i apply for interest relief, i would not be charged any interest from the day i get approved right? and i would not have to pay back this interest? sorry i just want to clarify that the interest relief will not be charged back to me or added on the main osap loan after the period of the interest relief or will this be charged back to me after i graduated from school? (is it whatever the amount of interest relief+ main loan=total owing, after graduation or is it just going to be my main loan after graduation even after the Interest relief). Sorry that this is really confusing, i hope u guys understand

You are not looking for IR. You will just go back onto full time student (non repayment) status.

[Rathma]

Is OSAP the only way to get a loan as a student?

I have my tuition this year all paid off and stuff but the problem is now I don't have any money for anything else.

[nsX-]

Quick question on OSAP.I will be going to Seneca for Accounting.I will not be living with my family and the OSAP calculator says I will receive roughly 10-11k.My only concern is my program has Co-op as an optional feature.If I were to take Co-op I would have 3 semesters in my first year Jan-Apr , May-Aug , and Sept-Dec.The money I receive from OSAP is most likely for a 2 term semester.Is this correct ?Or should I just not do Co-op and get the 2 term semesters?Thanks ~

[lame23]

You are not looking for IR. You will just go back onto full time student (non repayment) status.

but i will be off school for a year....so should i still apply for the IR? or should I just leave it be?

[Professor Iris]

but i will be off school for a year....so should i still apply for the IR? or should I just leave it be?

You can't apply for IR until the grace period is up, so after your first 6 months of interest accumulating you could apply. If you qualify they pay the interest for those payments while you are on IR, however those first 6 months you still have interest on no matter what unless you pay off all of your osap as soon as you graduate.

[BBQPorkBun]

Is OSAP the only way to get a loan as a student?

I have my tuition this year all paid off and stuff but the problem is now I don't have any money for anything else.

Line of credit, bank loans for students. or work of course.

[BBQPorkBun]

Quick question on OSAP.I will be going to Seneca for Accounting.I will not be living with my family and the OSAP calculator says I will receive roughly 10-11k.My only concern is my program has Co-op as an optional feature.If I were to take Co-op I would have 3 semesters in my first year Jan-Apr , May-Aug , and Sept-Dec.The money I receive from OSAP is most likely for a 2 term semester.Is this correct ?Or should I just not do Co-op and get the 2 term semesters?Thanks ~

Go for coop, its valuable for you long term. you will be reassessed if necessary but coop is good for your experience.

[Rathma]

Line of credit, bank loans for students. or work of course.

Dumb question but I don't know anything about loans. If I take say, a $2000 dollar loan.... If I pay it back in time will I only be paying back $2000? Or do they automatically charge you interest once you take it out?

The dilemma i'm in is that my parents can easily spot me the money but i'd rather them think I can afford this on my own right now. I don't know if it's worth taking out a loan in my case or not.

[nsX-]

Dumb question but I don't know anything about loans. If I take say, a $2000 dollar loan.... If I pay it back in time will I only be paying back $2000? Or do they automatically charge you interest once you take it out?

The dilemma i'm in is that my parents can easily spot me the money but i'd rather them think I can afford this on my own right now. I don't know if it's worth taking out a loan in my case or not.

The bank will charge you interest only on the line of credit or loan given.Once you are done with school ,you have to pay back the loan + interest.A ten thousand dollar line of credit for example , you would pay the bank 40-45 a month as soon as you get the money.Hope that helps.

[killoverme]

Dumb question but I don't know anything about loans. If I take say, a $2000 dollar loan.... If I pay it back in time will I only be paying back $2000? Or do they automatically charge you interest once you take it out?

The dilemma i'm in is that my parents can easily spot me the money but i'd rather them think I can afford this on my own right now. I don't know if it's worth taking out a loan in my case or not.

i'd take the money from my parents and pay them back as they wont charge you interest (as nsx said, they do charge right after you have the money) OSAP does this after you graduate.

[Rathma]

How much extra money would I be paying on a $2000 dollar loan generally?

It's complicated and I can't exactly get the money from my parents right now.

[BBQPorkBun]

How much extra money would I be paying on a $2000 dollar loan generally?

It's complicated and I can't exactly get the money from my parents right now.

about 27 cents a day if your LOC was at prime. someone can chk my math.

[nsX-]

How much extra money would I be paying on a $2000 dollar loan generally?

It's complicated and I can't exactly get the money from my parents right now.

2000 dollars at 5.5 interest rate would make you pay 9bucks a month throughout the year.

[nsX-]

BBQ I have one more question for my OSAP application.My drivers license is registered to my mothers address.I'm planning on living with my girlfriend while being enrolled in school.Is my drivers license going to be a problem if it is showing my address for my mothers ? Since I'm applying under my girlfriends house?I have all my mail being forwarded to my girlfriends house , I am a bit lazy to go to change my license , but if it's going to be a problem with my application I'll get it fixed.thanks~

[BBQPorkBun]

BBQ I have one more question for my OSAP application.My drivers license is registered to my mothers address.I'm planning on living with my girlfriend while being enrolled in school.Is my drivers license going to be a problem if it is showing my address for my mothers ? Since I'm applying under my girlfriends house?I have all my mail being forwarded to my girlfriends house , I am a bit lazy to go to change my license , but if it's going to be a problem with my application I'll get it fixed.thanks~

Should be no issue, just use your social insurance, health card or passport.

Generally its better to stick with your real permanent address, or else ur just opening urself up to potential problems.

[nsX-]

Should be no issue, just use your social insurance, health card or passport.

Generally its better to stick with your real permanent address, or else ur just opening urself up to potential problems.

Yeah ,I'm planning on staying at my girlfriends house for the whole time I'm doing my schooling.Most likely I will visit my mom here and there once a week or so just to keep in touch.

[confused student]

BBQ I have one more question for my OSAP application.My drivers license is registered to my mothers address.I'm planning on living with my girlfriend while being enrolled in school.Is my drivers license going to be a problem if it is showing my address for my mothers ? Since I'm applying under my girlfriends house?I have all my mail being forwarded to my girlfriends house , I am a bit lazy to go to change my license , but if it's going to be a problem with my application I'll get it fixed.thanks~

http://www.gov.on.ca/ont/portal/!ut/p/.cmd/cs/.ce/7_0_A/.s/7_0_252/_s.7_0_A/7_0_252/_l/en?docid=STEL02_040172

[nsX-]

Ugh hopefully this will be my last question to ask , When should I apply for OSAP?Do I wait untill I get my schedule?Or should I just apply right now?Also I just changed my drivers license to my new address.

[emoci]

Ugh hopefully this will be my last question to ask , When should I apply for OSAP?Do I wait untill I get my schedule?Or should I just apply right now?Also I just changed my drivers license to my new address.

Apply as soon as you know what school you're going to (don't wait for picking courses).

That said the earliest you can apply for 2009-2010 for example is in May 2009, that application is not available before then.

If you're starting in January get your application done as soon as possible. The money you get does not depend on the courses you pick but rather your overall courseload (difference between part-time and full-time)

[Difference Maker]

Hi, I have a question regarding OSAP.

I lives in Richmond Hill and plan to enroll in a school in downtown Toronto. I don't want to live in residence, instead I want to rent a room (cheaper than residence). My question: Will Osap consider those extra expenses that I will incur by living away? Also, if they ask for proof that I live away during the school year, what kind of proof do I need? One more thing, in total my parents make $45K together (hope that is usefull information).

Thank you so much for your replies :D

[BBQPorkBun]

Hi, I have a question regarding OSAP.

I lives in Richmond Hill and plan to enroll in a school in downtown Toronto. I don't want to live in residence, instead I want to rent a room (cheaper than residence). My question: Will Osap consider those extra expenses that I will incur by living away? Also, if they ask for proof that I live away during the school year, what kind of proof do I need? One more thing, in total my parents make $45K together (hope that is usefull information).

Thank you so much for your replies :D

They will consider your living away expenses if your home is 40km or more away from your school.

Rent reciepts. lease agreement.

[kingkao]

OSAP has given me about $2K now. The released to date amount is like $5K and to be released on Jan. 1, 2009 is $3K. My current entitlement is $9K. How can I get all $9K and when?
The table in the check status / summary is kind of confusing.

[nsX-]

I have a problem now.After filling out my OSAP application they have stated I will only receive 4.3k.I will not be living with my mother and have stated that in the application.My mother does live with in 40kms of the school though so I'm guessing that is the problem.How should I go about to fixing this or explaining this to get more OSAP funds.As the OSAP calculator estimated I would receive roughly 10k.This is a tad confusing...Help please~:(

[BBQPorkBun]

OSAP has given me about $2K now. The released to date amount is like $5K and to be released on Jan. 1, 2009 is $3K. My current entitlement is $9K. How can I get all $9K and when?
The table in the check status / summary is kind of confusing.

hard to tell if u are reading it right by the numbers thrown out there without anything adding up. post of pm a screenshot if u like

[BBQPorkBun]

I have a problem now.After filling out my OSAP application they have stated I will only receive 4.3k.I will not be living with my mother and have stated that in the application.My mother does live with in 40kms of the school though so I'm guessing that is the problem.How should I go about to fixing this or explaining this to get more OSAP funds.As the OSAP calculator estimated I would receive roughly 10k.This is a tad confusing...Help please~:(

Don't rely on the estimator

you can appeal, but without special circumstances, 'not enough' won't be a good reason. the way they see it is you can live at home.

[nsX-]

Don't rely on the estimator

you can appeal, but without special circumstances, 'not enough' won't be a good reason. the way they see it is you can live at home.

Understood , but technically 40kms from the school is pretty much anything with in the GTA.Only schools that aren't in the GTA or Toronto are in reach with in 40kms.I'm currently paying $200 dollars a month at my girlfriends house for rent along with other living expenses.I understand that I cant just say "It's not enough , I want XX" , but in my situation I think it should be alot more , I will definitely appeal if the funds are what OSAP calculated after I submitted my application.The only way I can possibly think of that sum they calculated is , unless they divided the funds per semester , seeing as the funds the calculator estimated was 9.8kfor the whole year ,is it a possibility the OSAP estimation they gave me after I send in my application was per term?

[robman_rob]

Hello BBQ,

I have another question. I recieved a letter from the National Student Loans Service Center. On it it states my balance and a bunch of other information.

It also states "Be sure to check your provincial website for possible grants for which you may be eligible to help reduce this amount."

I live in Ontario, and the only thing that I know is the Ontario student opportunity grant, which you said is automated. Is there another grant you know of and can share with us? I called NSLSC and the person didn't know of anything else either. He gave me a non toll free number to reach the government (OSAP) :(
Thank you very much.

[BBQPorkBun]

Understood , but technically 40kms from the school is pretty much anything with in the GTA.Only schools that aren't in the GTA or Toronto are in reach with in 40kms.I'm currently paying $200 dollars a month at my girlfriends house for rent along with other living expenses.I understand that I cant just say "It's not enough , I want XX" , but in my situation I think it should be alot more , I will definitely appeal if the funds are what OSAP calculated after I submitted my application.The only way I can possibly think of that sum they calculated is , unless they divided the funds per semester , seeing as the funds the calculator estimated was 9.8kfor the whole year ,is it a possibility the OSAP estimation they gave me after I send in my application was per term?

I just don't rely on the calculator. it just does not include so many factors. I wouldn't use that as motivation/reason to appeal.

[BBQPorkBun]

Hello BBQ,

I have another question. I recieved a letter from the National Student Loans Service Center. On it it states my balance and a bunch of other information.

It also states "Be sure to check your provincial website for possible grants for which you may be eligible to help reduce this amount."

I live in Ontario, and the only thing that I know is the Ontario student opportunity grant, which you said is automated. Is there another grant you know of and can share with us? I called NSLSC and the person didn't know of anything else either. He gave me a non toll free number to reach the government (OSAP) :(
Thank you very much.

All the grants that the gov't would give you happens automatically pretty much.

[kingkao]

hard to tell if u are reading it right by the numbers thrown out there without anything adding up. post of pm a screenshot if u like

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w31/kingkao/osap.jpg

So I got the 2000 something already and guessing I am getting the $3000 later. But what about the rest?

Thanks BBQPorkBun.

[Professor Iris]

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w31/kingkao/osap.jpg

So I got the 2000 something already and guessing I am getting the $3000 later. But what about the rest?

Thanks BBQPorkBun.

this looks like you should have gotten $5000 something, and the rest, the January part in January. OSOGs doesn't go to you, it is assessed next year and is paid directly to your debt. Did you have some of that $5000 taken off to pay for tuition? I believe that unless your tuition, at least the first installment is paid, that amount gets taken off and given to the university.

[CSK'sMom]

No, according to that you've already recieved $5863 and in Jan the $3908 will be released to you.

Why do you keep saying you've only recieved $2000 odd dollars? The OSOG (Ontario Student Oppourtunity Grant) amount listed ($2770) is the amount that your loans will be reduced by as loans are capped at $7k per year. Did you sign on your OSAP papers to have your tuition directly paid to the school by chance? If you did you won't see that money in cheque form or direct deposit, it was paid directly to the school for your tuition...

[kingkao]

this looks like you should have gotten $5000 something, and the rest, the January part in January. OSOGs doesn't go to you, it is assessed next year and is paid directly to your debt. Did you have some of that $5000 taken off to pay for tuition? I believe that unless your tuition, at least the first installment is paid, that amount gets taken off and given to the university.

Because on my Certificate of Loan it says student loan: $2,596 which is how much I have been given thus far, this term. This is my first time filling out OSAP.

[CSK'sMom]

But did you sign (the middle section of the loan document IIRC) to have your tuition paid directly to the school king? And how much was your tuition?

[nsX-]

So yesterday I accepted my offer to my college along with sending my online application to OSAP.I just received in the mail the letter of acceptance to my college and it is asking for an amount to be paid before Oct 29.Should I pay my tuition right now?Or should I wait untill OSAP comes?Or do I wait untill Jan 09 when I start school to send payment?

[Professor Iris]

So yesterday I accepted my offer to my college along with sending my online application to OSAP.I just received in the mail the letter of acceptance to my college and it is asking for an amount to be paid before Oct 29.Should I pay my tuition right now?Or should I wait untill OSAP comes?Or do I wait untill Jan 09 when I start school to send payment?

Well, if the school says that you have to pay the end of October, there will probably be effects if you don't pay until January, usually either not letting you register for classes, or late fees. If you can pay your tuition now you can, you will just get all of your osap put right into your bank account after you finish your paperwork. Lots of schools have different dates that fees are due for those on osap though, for instance at my school fees are due in August, but as long as you go and do your osap paperwork before like the 10th of September you don't have to pay late fees.

[BBQPorkBun]

Because on my Certificate of Loan it says student loan: $2,596 which is how much I have been given thus far, this term. This is my first time filling out OSAP.

Do you still owe the school money or not, if not or its a small amount, well thats where your money went.

[kingkao]

Do you still owe the school money or not, if not or its a small amount, well thats where your money went.

Tuition was already paid at that time. Tuition was like $3,300. I paid that on September 1st. Just got the OSAP money on Oct. 6th. So yeah, tuition was paid a long time ago.

[Hype1]

So I've added the NSLSC on my list of payees through online banking. I dropped $1 in their account on Thursday, I wanted to make sure the info provided was correct. I checked canlearn again today and I don't see a difference in my loan amount, just the daily added interest. I believe the daily interest is $1.12, should I add $5 instead to see a significant difference. I'll call them Monday to see if they have any records of the dollar I paid. Just wondering what are your thoughts on this...

[nsX-]

So I plan on paying for my tuition this week.I will be borrowing the funds from my brother to pay for it.My OSAP application was sent and I will have to wait for the letter they sent me, before I can get funds.My question is will OSAP just forward the funds to my account after for my tuition?Or will they end up sending the money to my school for tuition as well?

[emoci]

So I plan on paying for my tuition this week.I will be borrowing the funds from my brother to pay for it.My OSAP application was sent and I will have to wait for the letter they sent me, before I can get funds.My question is will OSAP just forward the funds to my account after for my tuition?Or will they end up sending the money to my school for tuition as well?

-You end up picking up a negotiable document from your financial office.
-When you pickup school checks to see if there is outstanding tuition. What's left over goes to you (in your case everything would go to you)
-You fill up your bank info and sign
-You then turn around and drop the document off at specific loan centers (a bunch of Post Offices act as these)
-Within 5-10 business days you should see the money in your bank account

Keep in mind that OSAP usually divides the loan into two payments/parts, one before January and one after (you repeat the process above in both cases)

Don't wait for a letter to come in the mail, check online once in a while, if the there is released amounts you should be able to pick the document up at the schools financial office ...

BTW, don't forget the textbook credit everybody (I say this because I was under the impression it would automatically be considered... but it seems you need to make that one click). When loging into OSAP, when presented with the choices, OSAP TTG OGS etc., choose TTG and press Next... it's a one click thing for a $150 cheque (even those not applying for OSAP can get this I believe).

[nsX-]

-You end up picking up a negotiable document from your financial office.
-When you pickup school checks to see if there is outstanding tuition. What's left over goes to you (in your case everything would go to you)
-You fill up your bank info and sign
-You then turn around and drop the document off at specific loan centers (a bunch of Post Offices act as these)
-Within 5-10 business days you should see the money in your bank account

Keep in mind that OSAP usually divides the loan into two payments/parts, one before January and one after (you repeat the process above in both cases)

Don't wait for a letter to come in the mail, check online once in a while, if the there is released amounts you should be able to pick the document up at the schools financial office ...

BTW, don't forget the textbook credit everybody (I say this because I was under the impression it would automatically be considered... but it seems you need to make that one click). When loging into OSAP, when presented with the choices, OSAP TTG OGS etc., choose TTG and press Next... it's a one click thing for a $150 cheque (even those not applying for OSAP can get this I believe).

Thanks for the info.I saw the TTG option when I filled out my OSAP application and it said when you apply for OSAP the TTG will be included and that you don't need to fill out that one.I'm still waiting for documentation to be sent to me to fill out , on the final process of my OSAP.I don't have a printer to print out the document and sign it , so I'll just have to wait I guess.On my OSAP profile I requested that I get an email as well as receive documentation through the mail , I have yet to receive any email from them.Does it usually take more than 2 days before they send me an email?

I'm also wondering about financial aid from the school and what that's all about ,along with the qualifications for that.Me being a single dependent student paying rent etc.What type of extra tuition or grants can I expect from my financial aid assistance if I was to be approved?Thanks~

[steva]

i'm nah sure if this question has been answered..buh i need help..i made quite a bit of money over the summer..had family problems so gave a lot of my money to grandma..i dont live with my parents..live with my aunt..but osap is not giving me much because i made too much over the summer and my parents make money as well..buh they dont give me anything..

so basically:
-osap thinks i have lots of money from the summer..but i dont have anything
- osap thinks my parents help me..i dont get any support and live with my aunt but they dont care about that unless i acutally get police or court order saying i dont assoicate with my parentz because of some problem (i dont want to do this because i hope my parents get along soon enuff..buh rite now we are having probglems and dont really tlk..what can i do?)

[BBQPorkBun]

So I've added the NSLSC on my list of payees through online banking. I dropped $1 in their account on Thursday, I wanted to make sure the info provided was correct. I checked canlearn again today and I don't see a difference in my loan amount, just the daily added interest. I believe the daily interest is $1.12, should I add $5 instead to see a significant difference. I'll call them Monday to see if they have any records of the dollar I paid. Just wondering what are your thoughts on this...

setting up pre authorized payments may be easier, then theres no maintenance month to month

[BBQPorkBun]

Tuition was already paid at that time. Tuition was like $3,300. I paid that on September 1st. Just got the OSAP money on Oct. 6th. So yeah, tuition was paid a long time ago.

Call NSLSC, first to confirm what ur suppose to get, second to see where it was disbursed to if you didn't get all of it.

[BBQPorkBun]

i'm nah sure if this question has been answered..buh i need help..i made quite a bit of money over the summer..had family problems so gave a lot of my money to grandma..i dont live with my parents..live with my aunt..but osap is not giving me much because i made too much over the summer and my parents make money as well..buh they dont give me anything..

so basically:
-osap thinks i have lots of money from the summer..but i dont have anything
- osap thinks my parents help me..i dont get any support and live with my aunt but they dont care about that unless i acutally get police or court order saying i dont assoicate with my parentz because of some problem (i dont want to do this because i hope my parents get along soon enuff..buh rite now we are having probglems and dont really tlk..what can i do?)

not much really. you made that money, u should be using it for school. osaps not here to help with your family issues. if your grandma has any assets, sell it and pay u back cuz you need it. otherwise get a line of credit or a bank loan.

[wbastien]

Hi BBQPorkBun:
Received my OSAP payment back in September, it paid my tuition and then I received like $1500 in my bank account. I already paid for my books with the money I made from the summer so pretty much still have the $1500. What should I do with it? If OSAP sees that I don't use it, will they readjust my claim or what? Thanks, Will.

[BBQPorkBun]

Hi BBQPorkBun:
Received my OSAP payment back in September, it paid my tuition and then I received like $1500 in my bank account. I already paid for my books with the money I made from the summer so pretty much still have the $1500. What should I do with it? If OSAP sees that I don't use it, will they readjust my claim or what? Thanks, Will.

no, just collect interest on it, keep it for emergencies

[LOVEISDEAD]

My "Capitalized Interest" is around $900 so if I were to get approved for interest relief, this amount is paid by the government?

[cutcopypaste]

Alright I need some advice or just to vent and a word of warning to others. I graduated undergrad in 2007, took a year off and I am now back at college. I applied to OSAP again and of course was happy that while I was a full-time student I wouldn't have to accrue anymore interest and hopefully make a nice lump sum payment when I graduate. What I didn't realize is that if I didn't fill out a interest T#whatever sheet before starting school I would have to pay interest until they receive that form.
So I couldn't pick up my OSAP right away because there were some issues with it, some of which were completely beyond my control (administration not forwarding things to one another properly) and I sorta assumed that since I was in school and had applied to OSAP that would automatically put me in interest free status. But not so. Not so at all. My automatic debit kicked in at the end of september and I kicked myself for not dealing with it sooner, then went to wait for 45 minutes to talk to someone in the financial aid office at my school (fanshawe college). I put in that form and they'd forward it.. saying if I had physically picked up my loan it would have cancelled the interest at that point. whatever. i lost 150 dollars but it's my fault i guess for not memorizing all the fine print on my loan documents or something? whoooo.
So today I call the NLSC (service? hahaha). They tell me that they got the form from my college on the 15th of October confirming that I have been a student as of September 2nd (And as far as i can tell therefore eligible for interest free status that whole time) . And they inform me that they will NOT put me on interest free status until I pay for the interest that accumulated between my last payment and October 15th. It makes no difference that I have OBVIOUSLY been a student since sept 2nd? "no" wow. I am so livid, and I was going to complain or see what options I had for some recourse and then I realize.. wait.. I owe them lots of money, so I basically am their b1tch. They have me by the balls and they can do whatever they want to me whether it's "fair" or "honest" or god forbid humanistic.

So a good life lesson for the naive youth, then... the capitalist system is by its very nature a total effing arshole that has no desire to help anybody at all ever for any reason if they can possibly avoid it. Oh good.

So now my two concerns a) can I do anything about this? if the answer is no, as I suspect, then b) can I get back at 'em somehow? get one over on them? abuse the system? because they have no morals and do not deserve any respect.. also make me feel like feces, but let's not make this personal.

sigh :(

[nsX-]

So I just payed for my tuition with a loan from my brother and gave my school my OSAP documents with my signature along with my mothers.I spoke to the person at the financial aid and she told me that I probably will not receive OSAP funds for my first term / semester in January when I start school.She said OSAP would probably just end up only giving me tuition for summer only.

Reason I paid my tuition in full was ,due to me applying for college late and I did not want to pay any late fees.Maybe I just misunderstood what she said or she thought that my application was for May-Aug semester as oppose to Jan-Apr?

[BBQPorkBun]

My "Capitalized Interest" is around $900 so if I were to get approved for interest relief, this amount is paid by the government?

nope, you gotta pay that, can't get around grace period interest. pay it off to get a bit back on your return. capitalizing will get u nothing but let them add it to your loan and hence paying even more interest

[BBQPorkBun]

Alright I need some advice or just to vent and a word of warning to others. I graduated undergrad in 2007, took a year off and I am now back at college. I applied to OSAP again and of course was happy that while I was a full-time student I wouldn't have to accrue anymore interest and hopefully make a nice lump sum payment when I graduate. What I didn't realize is that if I didn't fill out a interest T#whatever sheet before starting school I would have to pay interest until they receive that form.
So I couldn't pick up my OSAP right away because there were some issues with it, some of which were completely beyond my control (administration not forwarding things to one another properly) and I sorta assumed that since I was in school and had applied to OSAP that would automatically put me in interest free status. But not so. Not so at all. My automatic debit kicked in at the end of september and I kicked myself for not dealing with it sooner, then went to wait for 45 minutes to talk to someone in the financial aid office at my school (fanshawe college). I put in that form and they'd forward it.. saying if I had physically picked up my loan it would have cancelled the interest at that point. whatever. i lost 150 dollars but it's my fault i guess for not memorizing all the fine print on my loan documents or something? whoooo.
So today I call the NLSC (service? hahaha). They tell me that they got the form from my college on the 15th of October confirming that I have been a student as of September 2nd (And as far as i can tell therefore eligible for interest free status that whole time) . And they inform me that they will NOT put me on interest free status until I pay for the interest that accumulated between my last payment and October 15th. It makes no difference that I have OBVIOUSLY been a student since sept 2nd? "no" wow. I am so livid, and I was going to complain or see what options I had for some recourse and then I realize.. wait.. I owe them lots of money, so I basically am their b1tch. They have me by the balls and they can do whatever they want to me whether it's "fair" or "honest" or god forbid humanistic.

So a good life lesson for the naive youth, then... the capitalist system is by its very nature a total effing arshole that has no desire to help anybody at all ever for any reason if they can possibly avoid it. Oh good.

So now my two concerns a) can I do anything about this? if the answer is no, as I suspect, then b) can I get back at 'em somehow? get one over on them? abuse the system? because they have no morals and do not deserve any respect.. also make me feel like feces, but let's not make this personal.

sigh :(

Go Western! woohoo.

No.

[cutcopypaste]

Go Western! woohoo.

No.

Actually I went to Mac first. Fanshawe's administration is very bad in comparison.. they were gonna strike earlier this year because they wanted more money and I thought.. maybe work a bit harder first! eeegah. So there's no way I can get any of this interest back huh.

[BBQPorkBun]

Actually I went to Mac first. Fanshawe's administration is very bad in comparison.. they were gonna strike earlier this year because they wanted more money and I thought.. maybe work a bit harder first! eeegah. So there's no way I can get any of this interest back huh.

No, its really ur responsibility to ensure the NSLSC has you with the right status. Given the potential number of incompetent people you may cross paths with during this process means u have to keep an eagle eye on things. Id just take a copy of the COE and fax it/register mail it to the NSLSC then call to make sure someone presses that button to change the status.

[_protege_]

I thought OSAP had a federal and provincial portion.

For some reason, when I got my consolidation forms from the NSLC, the FULL portion of my loan was based on prime + 2.5 (7.25%).

Anyone know why this is the case?

[BBQPorkBun]

I thought OSAP had a federal and provincial portion.

For some reason, when I got my consolidation forms from the NSLC, the FULL portion of my loan was based on prime + 2.5 (7.25%).

Anyone know why this is the case?

I think in Ontario they only have 'integrated' loans now, which is 2.5% over prime. not sure of other provinces.

[lionheart222]

Hey guys,

Last year I received a total loan of about 1800, with about 1100 available in the fall term with the rest to be released in the winter term. But the thing is I may have forgotten to pick up the amount in the winter term. My question is is there a way to find out if I picked it up or not?

Thanks

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey guys,

Last year I received a total loan of about 1800, with about 1100 available in the fall term with the rest to be released in the winter term. But the thing is I may have forgotten to pick up the amount in the winter term. My question is is there a way to find out if I picked it up or not?

Thanks

call them, google nslsc

[iamaferret]

hi BBQPorkBun, I have a question:

What if I want to buy life insurance? (or any kind of insurance for that matter). Does OSAP take this into account? If so, is there like a limit for the insurance? (Im sorry, my wording is kinda dumb, hopefully u get what I mean)

Thank you.

[iamaferret]

BTW, don't forget the textbook credit everybody (I say this because I was under the impression it would automatically be considered... but it seems you need to make that one click). When loging into OSAP, when presented with the choices, OSAP TTG OGS etc., choose TTG and press Next... it's a one click thing for a $150 cheque (even those not applying for OSAP can get this I believe).

just want to clarify,
- Those who didnt apply for OSAP have to fill a form or application or something
- Those who had OSAP will be granted automatically
- I received that $150, I dont remember whether I did the "click" as you mentioned or not.

[Professor Iris]

Yes, I got the textbook grant, and as I applied for osap was automatically considered for it, and didn't have to do anything at all but get my cheque in the mail.

[rilhouse]

BBQPorkBun, I've been making extra payments above my monthly required payments and I'm just noticing that the extra payment is being deducted interest.

Should I being charged interest on an extra payment? How does this make sense?

Thanks.

[BBQPorkBun]

hi BBQPorkBun, I have a question:

What if I want to buy life insurance? (or any kind of insurance for that matter). Does OSAP take this into account? If so, is there like a limit for the insurance? (Im sorry, my wording is kinda dumb, hopefully u get what I mean)

Thank you.

No, they don't take that into consideration. though its not too expensive at your age.

[BBQPorkBun]

BBQPorkBun, I've been making extra payments above my monthly required payments and I'm just noticing that the extra payment is being deducted interest.

Should I being charged interest on an extra payment? How does this make sense?

Thanks.

no, but any extra payments u do, it will reduce the accumulated daily interest first before going toward the principle. i think ur just reading it incorrectly.

[trini_gyalie]

if you lie, you receive more.

[demha88]

If my father works in another country, am I still required to fill in his financial information?

[BBQPorkBun]

If my father works in another country, am I still required to fill in his financial information?

If he files taxes here then for sure. If not, well I'll leave that up to you.

[dragon513]

I am in UW Engineering and never received bursaries or grant for BC Student Loan Service. My parents make not enough to pay my tuition and whatnots. However I see people who have richer parents get bursaries amounting $4000~ all the time. Even the loan I get from the government is barely enough for my tuition (not living expenses). Would you have any idea on why I am not receiving any?

[mitchandness]

My loan is $13,000 that I had from 3 years at George Brown College.

I have a part time job making no more that $600 a month, and still haven't found a full time job since i graduated, will i get approved for interest relief?

[BBQPorkBun]

I am in UW Engineering and never received bursaries or grant for BC Student Loan Service. My parents make not enough to pay my tuition and whatnots. However I see people who have richer parents get bursaries amounting $4000~ all the time. Even the loan I get from the government is barely enough for my tuition (not living expenses). Would you have any idea on why I am not receiving any?

its of little use to observe others and assume this and that. all you need to be concerned with is your own situation. if its low, well its due to income or assets high, or they don't consider you living away from home.

[BBQPorkBun]

My loan is $13,000 that I had from 3 years at George Brown College.

I have a part time job making no more that $600 a month, and still haven't found a full time job since i graduated, will i get approved for interest relief?

most likely

[sukidasuika]

Hey BBQPorkBun,

I'm currently a full-time student at a university but I want to do some university distance ed courses from out of ontario (Athabasca). Athabasca is covered by OSAP but how do I "let OSAP know" that I'm at 2 universities technically?

[El_Diablo]

Hi! I applied for OSAP and picked up my loan in the beginning of the year. Only until recently, I discovered that I was awarded another two scholarships approx. 4K. Before this, my tuition was already paid for in full so this is actually seen as credit on my student account. They say that I will be refunded the money but how will this affect my OSAP for next year? Do I have to report this as income now and would OSAP see my current loan as an overpayment making me ineligible for next year?

[BBQPorkBun]

Hey BBQPorkBun,

I'm currently a full-time student at a university but I want to do some university distance ed courses from out of ontario (Athabasca). Athabasca is covered by OSAP but how do I "let OSAP know" that I'm at 2 universities technically?

if you are already full time at one university, doesn't matter if they know the other one exists

[BBQPorkBun]

Hi! I applied for OSAP and picked up my loan in the beginning of the year. Only until recently, I discovered that I was awarded another two scholarships approx. 4K. Before this, my tuition was already paid for in full so this is actually seen as credit on my student account. They say that I will be refunded the money but how will this affect my OSAP for next year? Do I have to report this as income now and would OSAP see my current loan as an overpayment making me ineligible for next year?

yes you are suppose to report it (not as income, but as a asset really, you don't report scholarships on your taxes as income). they will reassess your loan and see what you are then suppose to get. you may have to pay them back a portion but it won't make you ineligible next year.

[sunnyd71]

if you are already full time at one university, doesn't matter if they know the other one exists

Thanks BBQ for all the help.

I'm in a similar situation. My regular institution added the two 20% course loads and said I'm at 40% for OSAP. (Full-time for me)

They told me that there is no reason to tell OSAP that I'm on a 80% course load next semester and just leave it at 40%.

My Question: As long as I am at full-time does it make a difference whether I am at 40% or 80%? i.e., will I get more funding at 80%?

[BBQPorkBun]

Thanks BBQ for all the help.

I'm in a similar situation. My regular institution added the two 20% course loads and said I'm at 40% for OSAP. (Full-time for me)

They told me that there is no reason to tell OSAP that I'm on a 80% course load next semester and just leave it at 40%.

My Question: As long as I am at full-time does it make a difference whether I am at 40% or 80%? i.e., will I get more funding at 80%?

yes, you would qualify for more funding at different percentages

[pakwan]

I am going back to school this January as a full-time student after a 2-year break. Right now, I am paying monthly to pay off my $8000 OSAP loan for about a year now. I am thinking of continuing to pay the fees monthly and not to apply for the loan again.

Is that possible? Should I still let them know that I will be going back to school?

Thanks

[Professor Iris]

I am going back to school this January as a full-time student after a 2-year break. Right now, I am paying monthly to pay off my $8000 OSAP loan for about a year now. I am thinking of continuing to pay the fees monthly and not to apply for the loan again.

Is that possible? Should I still let them know that I will be going back to school?

Thanks

You don't have to apply for the loan again, but I would complete the form telling them that you are enrolled full time so that you get interest free status again, and you can still make payments then.

[Hype1]

I'm filling out my interest relief application online and they've asked me to provide proof of gross monthly income and proof of monthly payment. Well I have no income and my payments don't start till the end of this month. I explained how I'm meeting my living expenses in the message box, as requested. However there's nothing explaining what you should do if your monthly income is 0.00

Basically there's no message indicating that you don't have to provide proof of income if your income is 0.00

Am I to send something anyways?
What do I do?

Thanks.

[BBQPorkBun]

I am going back to school this January as a full-time student after a 2-year break. Right now, I am paying monthly to pay off my $8000 OSAP loan for about a year now. I am thinking of continuing to pay the fees monthly and not to apply for the loan again.

Is that possible? Should I still let them know that I will be going back to school?

Thanks

Professor is correct, tell them anyways and not pay any interest. if you are on pre-authorized payments, then they may stop, so you can still pay the loan through different methods like send them a cheque for example.

[BBQPorkBun]

I'm filling out my interest relief application online and they've asked me to provide proof of gross monthly income and proof of monthly payment. Well I have no income and my payments don't start till the end of this month. I explained how I'm meeting my living expenses in the message box, as requested. However there's nothing explaining what you should do if your monthly income is 0.00

Basically there's no message indicating that you don't have to provide proof of income if your income is 0.00

Am I to send something anyways?
What do I do?

Thanks.

The message box should be enough. When we did it in the old days we had to write a formal letter saying how we are surviving, is that still on the form these days im not sure. But msg box or not, as long as u explain you have 0 and surviving because of this and that, you'll be fine.

[pakwan]

You don't have to apply for the loan again, but I would complete the form telling them that you are enrolled full time so that you get interest free status again, and you can still make payments then.


Professor is correct, tell them anyways and not pay any interest. if you are on pre-authorized payments, then they may stop, so you can still pay the loan through different methods like send them a cheque for example.

Thank you both for the advice. Where do I get the form? Is it available online?

[robman_rob]

hello BBQPORK,

When your study period ends, interest starts accumulating, after 6 months you can apply for interest relief. Does interest relief cover interest from months 1-6, or starts paying the interest from month 7 to 12?

[gogoranger]

First of all, thanks for this awesome thread bro!! lol Anyway, what would be the best way to get max loan because I won't be getting a CENT from anyone at all. Just to give you some background.

I'm 21 and out of school for 3-4 years(graduated in 05) and I don't have a job
My dad makes around 55k and my mom about 15k and have 3 other siblings

I want to get as much because it will be difficult to travel outside Toronto (school at oakville) and might even consider moving out. But if I move out right now, that means I have to get a job to pay the rent and that will affect my loan because of the income, right? So should I just wait and finish one year of study and then move out? And BBQ, I heard that if you're out of school for at least 4 years, OSAP will not consider your parents income anymore? Remember that I graduated in June 05 and start school this Jan 09, will that be clocked as 4 years or till Sep 09. I don't know if I'm making any sense but all I want is not to get a job at the moment, so I chose school.
Thanks bro!

[Mysteek]

I work 16 hours a week making $9 an hour. I'm saving $120 per paycheck towards university and have approximately $2000 saved up so far. But I've heard that I may not be eligible for OSAP if I personally make too much, even if my parents are living on little to no income at all and I have two dependents and I'll be living 3 hours away from home.

I called my nearest financial aid office and told them about my situation--they said if I make over 1k per semester I may not be eligible. That sounds really weird.. so I just want to get this clarified.

So my question is--is there a safe limit to how much I can make before osap gets affected? if osap does get affected, by how much will my loan be decreased? I sure hope I'm putting enough towards post-secondary if there is a low self income limit I'm exceeding it. Thanks for any assistance.

[BBQPorkBun]

Thank you both for the advice. Where do I get the form? Is it available online?

send them a confirmation of enrollement, financial aid office

[BBQPorkBun]

hello BBQPORK,

When your study period ends, interest starts accumulating, after 6 months you can apply for interest relief. Does interest relief cover interest from months 1-6, or starts paying the interest from month 7 to 12?

covers 7-12, you can't get away from paying the grace period interest, i tried.

[BBQPorkBun]

First of all, thanks for this awesome thread bro!! lol Anyway, what would be the best way to get max loan because I won't be getting a CENT from anyone at all. Just to give you some background.

I'm 21 and out of school for 3-4 years(graduated in 05) and I don't have a job
My dad makes around 55k and my mom about 15k and have 3 other siblings

I want to get as much because it will be difficult to travel outside Toronto (school at oakville) and might even consider moving out. But if I move out right now, that means I have to get a job to pay the rent and that will affect my loan because of the income, right? So should I just wait and finish one year of study and then move out? And BBQ, I heard that if you're out of school for at least 4 years, OSAP will not consider your parents income anymore? Remember that I graduated in June 05 and start school this Jan 09, will that be clocked as 4 years or till Sep 09. I don't know if I'm making any sense but all I want is not to get a job at the moment, so I chose school.
Thanks bro!

you may have to get a job because osaps not there to cover everything.
to get more osap, the two major factors are that you are applying as an independant (out school 4 yrs) and that you are more than 40 km from your school (assuming you are moving out).

you should still work, a bit of income and pocket money will not affect anything, most likely scenario is you will have to anyways.

[BBQPorkBun]

I work 16 hours a week making $9 an hour. I'm saving $120 per paycheck towards university and have approximately $2000 saved up so far. But I've heard that I may not be eligible for OSAP if I personally make too much, even if my parents are living on little to no income at all and I have two dependents and I'll be living 3 hours away from home.

I called my nearest financial aid office and told them about my situation--they said if I make over 1k per semester I may not be eligible. That sounds really weird.. so I just want to get this clarified.

So my question is--is there a safe limit to how much I can make before osap gets affected? if osap does get affected, by how much will my loan be decreased? I sure hope I'm putting enough towards post-secondary if there is a low self income limit I'm exceeding it. Thanks for any assistance.

you are fine, and nowhere near any income penalty threshold.
the person you asked gave you the wrong answer (i wanted to say is a complete moron but i'll be nice)

[km190103]

does anyone know how much money OSAP gives if you are studying outside the province? i mean if i live on res. and everything. right now i'm getting about $7k living at home.

[makethings]

Is it possible to make OSAP repayments charge to your credit card?
(because I want to collect rewards points and I never had the chance to pay my tuition with CC)

[BBQPorkBun]

Is it possible to make OSAP repayments charge to your credit card?
(because I want to collect rewards points and I never had the chance to pay my tuition with CC)

nope. can't exchange one form of debt for another. also that means the gov't has to pay amex or visa or whoever a fee.

[robman_rob]

Hello BBQPorkBun,

I had one of those at Dim Sum today :) Yummy.
Would you recommend I pay as much money as I have as soon as interest starts accumulating? As I can not pay it all off, I then plan to apply for interest relief after 6 months. By this method I can lessen the amount of interest accumulated months 0-6. Is this an optimal plan, or will it affect the interest relief application? I don't know if the government will think I have $ when I used it all to make a dent into my debt.

[JaneSmith]

I transferred some of my osap debt to a credit card at a lower interest rate. Keep in mind though that montly payments via a credit card will be significantly higher than what you pay back osap monthly

Is it possible to make OSAP repayments charge to your credit card?
(because I want to collect rewards points and I never had the chance to pay my tuition with CC)

[BBQPorkBun]

Hello BBQPorkBun,

I had one of those at Dim Sum today :) Yummy.
Would you recommend I pay as much money as I have as soon as interest starts accumulating? As I can not pay it all off, I then plan to apply for interest relief after 6 months. By this method I can lessen the amount of interest accumulated months 0-6. Is this an optimal plan, or will it affect the interest relief application? I don't know if the government will think I have $ when I used it all to make a dent into my debt.

I think your plan is the optimal way to go, it won't affect your IR application later on. Id advise the same.

[BBQPorkBun]

I transferred some of my osap debt to a credit card at a lower interest rate. Keep in mind though that montly payments via a credit card will be significantly higher than what you pay back osap monthly

Don't know why you would do that because cash taken out on credit card is charged interest immediately at an extremely high rate (generally). and you do not get points for it.

[Mysteek]

you are fine, and nowhere near any income penalty threshold.
the person you asked gave you the wrong answer (i wanted to say is a complete moron but i'll be nice)

Thanks for the response. That's a much better answer than what everyone else kept telling me: ''it depends.''

However, your very first post in this thread stated that, for example, if I made 4k I'll get 6k (why not make 0k and get 10k in loans and any amount over 7k will be in the form of a grant). I'd rather not have to work and hinder my grades (semester II will be very hard for me) and I'd definitely rather not worry about post secondary funds until the summer.

[BBQPorkBun]

Thanks for the response. That's a much better answer than what everyone else kept telling me: ''it depends.''

However, your very first post in this thread stated that, for example, if I made 4k I'll get 6k (why not make 0k and get 10k in loans and any amount over 7k will be in the form of a grant). I'd rather not have to work and hinder my grades (semester II will be very hard for me) and I'd definitely rather not worry about post secondary funds until the summer.

Then don't and focus on your grades. What you told me you made earlier is still fairly minimum.

[danman227460]

Thanks for the response. That's a much better answer than what everyone else kept telling me: ''it depends.''

However, your very first post in this thread stated that, for example, if I made 4k I'll get 6k (why not make 0k and get 10k in loans and any amount over 7k will be in the form of a grant). I'd rather not have to work and hinder my grades (semester II will be very hard for me) and I'd definitely rather not worry about post secondary funds until the summer.

You actually do not get that much. Your loan amount all depends on many factors like your university location, commute and if you are renting or not. I know. I went to Trent, 2 hours away from Mississauga, not working, and rented a place and got the maximum. This year I am at York and am not even getting close to that. I am only getting 7 K. I am not working and I am living at home.

So unless you are far away from your home and renting a place, you have to work to supplement it. The downside, the more you make, the less they give you. Now if you are really focused on getting good grades, and don't want to work, you could survive on 7K.

[robman_rob]

BBQ,

when repaying you loans, how do you know which part of the loan you are paying off first? I know there is fed/pro parts and one is higher interest and should be paid off first.

[Professor Iris]

BBQ,

when repaying you loans, how do you know which part of the loan you are paying off first? I know there is fed/pro parts and one is higher interest and should be paid off first.

I'm sure that BBQPorkbun will reply shortly, this is back from when the banks did the loans, it is now an integrated student loan, meaning you can't see which portion is which really, or pay off one or another, it is a single interest rate.

[BBQPorkBun]

BBQ,

when repaying you loans, how do you know which part of the loan you are paying off first? I know there is fed/pro parts and one is higher interest and should be paid off first.

Iris is correct, you can't distinguish the two now which is to the students disadvantage.

[robman_rob]

thank you Iris and BBQPork, I am sure you guys answer repeated questions all the time, but it is wonderful you still do.

[lame23]

I currently have about 14,000 in osap loan and I have taken a year off from school and will change my program, lets say I was able to pay this off in 3 months (own money+ borrwoing money from family friends), will this effect my eligibility for osap next year (sept 2009) and/or the amount of loan they will give me? TIA

[cutcopypaste]

I'm diabetic so I get the Canada Access Grant or whatever it's called.. normally $2000 a year.
This year I'm back at college after a year off after completing University, living at home (but in a separate apt and paying a bit of rent) and I also am working part time at a call center. I calculated that I'd likely earn around $7000 between september and the end of the study period.. so they've given me a total of 1239 with supposedly 496 coming next term, but as a loan not a grant. so it looks like i clearly lost out on some money by working.. i guess them's the breaks. But if I work less and redeclare my income will I get more of the grant?
Just want to figure out how to best approach this. Also I didn't get any of the technology grant thingie.. I'm guessing because my income is too high?

[Nyte]

Does anyone know how long it takes before an online bill payment shows up on the NSLSC website?

[BBQPorkBun]

I currently have about 14,000 in osap loan and I have taken a year off from school and will change my program, lets say I was able to pay this off in 3 months (own money+ borrwoing money from family friends), will this effect my eligibility for osap next year (sept 2009) and/or the amount of loan they will give me? TIA

no. but depending on how much school you have left, i would probably just pay the interest for the one year (or half year by going on interest relief after the grace period) and then go on interest free status again.

[BBQPorkBun]

I'm diabetic so I get the Canada Access Grant or whatever it's called.. normally $2000 a year.
This year I'm back at college after a year off after completing University, living at home (but in a separate apt and paying a bit of rent) and I also am working part time at a call center. I calculated that I'd likely earn around $7000 between september and the end of the study period.. so they've given me a total of 1239 with supposedly 496 coming next term, but as a loan not a grant. so it looks like i clearly lost out on some money by working.. i guess them's the breaks. But if I work less and redeclare my income will I get more of the grant?
Just want to figure out how to best approach this. Also I didn't get any of the technology grant thingie.. I'm guessing because my income is too high?

i take it that you've given them a high estimate. usually not a good move because, whats the point? you don't know if u will make that money for sure, so why make it look like its a done deal. and yes because of that you are getting a small loan. I can't say what you'll get after you 're-declare' (which looks bad on your part now, you're gonna have to provide detailed documentation of this, probably even quit) but for sure the less you make, generally the more u'll get from osap.

having said all that it doesn't seem like you need the money anyways, if its for the possibility of a grant, up to you if you want to take that chance. its messy now that you want to change that income figure.

[aman110]

i am going to study through Athabasca university... which is an online university in alberta... so it will be long distance... would i be eligible to get osap for part time studies... i will be on mat leave... also if i dont share my husband's income or have my name on car..... would i still have to declare it??
a portion of my OSAP went to collections becuz i was unaware of the payment time... but now that portion has been paid in full and i am still making payment for the canada portion.... would i have any difficulty for getting approved for a second time?? if i were to contact osap regarding this and i haven't enrolled in any classes yet... can they help me with it???

[Professor Iris]

i am going to study through Athabasca university... which is an online university in alberta... so it will be long distance... would i be eligible to get osap for part time studies... i will be on mat leave... also if i dont share my husband's income or have my name on car..... would i still have to declare it??
a portion of my OSAP went to collections becuz i was unaware of the payment time... but now that portion has been paid in full and i am still making payment for the canada portion.... would i have any difficulty for getting approved for a second time?? if i were to contact osap regarding this and i haven't enrolled in any classes yet... can they help me with it???

They expect that you share income with your husband, his info has to go on the application.

[BBQPorkBun]

i am going to study through Athabasca university... which is an online university in alberta... so it will be long distance... would i be eligible to get osap for part time studies... i will be on mat leave... also if i dont share my husband's income or have my name on car..... would i still have to declare it??
a portion of my OSAP went to collections becuz i was unaware of the payment time... but now that portion has been paid in full and i am still making payment for the canada portion.... would i have any difficulty for getting approved for a second time?? if i were to contact osap regarding this and i haven't enrolled in any classes yet... can they help me with it???

you would be eligible until you got to that part to do with collections, that factor alone my not let you get loans from anywhere.

if you do get the loan, keep in mind you will be paying interest on it right away and you'll be paying it back as part of your current debt only larger.

its a household income, unless you live separately and don't file taxes together, you can't get away from that

contacting osap will have no impact

[aman110]

you would be eligible until you got to that part to do with collections, that factor alone my not let you get loans from anywhere.

if you do get the loan, keep in mind you will be paying interest on it right away and you'll be paying it back as part of your current debt only larger.

its a household income, unless you live separately and don't file taxes together, you can't get away from that

contacting osap will have no impact

so basicaly i have no hope?? i wont be able to go ahead with my degree as i wont have any money. but i have paid the collection portion in full.. does that make no difference??

[lame23]

no. but depending on how much school you have left, i would probably just pay the interest for the one year (or half year by going on interest relief after the grace period) and then go on interest free status again.

Thanks! I just want to clarify that I will be going into a completely different program..does osap loan differs if one is going into 2nd year in a 4 year program compared to somebody like me who have done 2 years and now going into first year of a new program? thanks

[cutcopypaste]

i take it that you've given them a high estimate. usually not a good move because, whats the point? you don't know if u will make that money for sure, so why make it look like its a done deal. and yes because of that you are getting a small loan. I can't say what you'll get after you 're-declare' (which looks bad on your part now, you're gonna have to provide detailed documentation of this, probably even quit) but for sure the less you make, generally the more u'll get from osap.

having said all that it doesn't seem like you need the money anyways, if its for the possibility of a grant, up to you if you want to take that chance. its messy now that you want to change that income figure.

Yeah, figured as much. Though wouldn't it be equally messy if I end up underestimating and have to redeclare a higher amount at the end of the study period? That's what I was kinda worried about.. or do they generally not even bother to look into it and expect students not to update how much they earn? Should I have just said I'd be earning some vague much lower amount and left it at that? Really the whole 'knowing how much you'll earn during the study period' thing is pretty much impossible unless you're unemployed.. but what's the best thing to do?

I don't want to just not work.. because overall I'll make more money working and won't have loans to pay back, but giving up grant money is an unfortunate circumstance (giving up loan money not so much in my situation)

[BBQPorkBun]

so basicaly i have no hope?? i wont be able to go ahead with my degree as i wont have any money. but i have paid the collection portion in full.. does that make no difference??

no harm in trying, but impact on your credit is impact on your credit
you can always work till you have money, our have your significant other's support

[BBQPorkBun]

Thanks! I just want to clarify that I will be going into a completely different program..does osap loan differs if one is going into 2nd year in a 4 year program compared to somebody like me who have done 2 years and now going into first year of a new program? thanks

no diff, every year is just based on cost of program, where you are living etc. you can go to school for 10 years if you want.

[BBQPorkBun]

Yeah, figured as much. Though wouldn't it be equally messy if I end up underestimating and have to redeclare a higher amount at the end of the study period? That's what I was kinda worried about.. or do they generally not even bother to look into it and expect students not to update how much they earn? Should I have just said I'd be earning some vague much lower amount and left it at that? Really the whole 'knowing how much you'll earn during the study period' thing is pretty much impossible unless you're unemployed.. but what's the best thing to do?

I don't want to just not work.. because overall I'll make more money working and won't have loans to pay back, but giving up grant money is an unfortunate circumstance (giving up loan money not so much in my situation)

then really, you don't need a grant or a loan. oh well, someone else who does need it will get it.

[cutcopypaste]

anyone can get a job... I DO have 30k dollars of debt to deal with from my last trip to OSAP. I also have to spend something like $300 a month in medical supplies which wouldn't be covered through school insurance and OSAP doesn't consider that...
Not to whine.. but I'm pretty sure a whole lot of other people getting grants and osap need it equally or less than I do.

[CSK'sMom]

anyone can get a job... I DO have 30k dollars of debt to deal with from my last trip to OSAP. I also have to spend something like $300 a month in medical supplies which wouldn't be covered through school insurance and OSAP doesn't consider that...
Not to whine.. but I'm pretty sure a whole lot of other people getting grants and osap need it equally or less than I do.


Cut, OSAP does provide grants and bursaries to those with permanent disabilities, etc. There is the Bursary for Students with Disabilities and The Canada Access Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities. The CA grant can be applied for with your OSAP application and the Bursary is a seperate application as you know. You have to apply for the CA grant each year from what we've been told. Are you 100% sure you applied for it this year by ticking the correct box during the application? There is also Ontario's Assistive Devices Program to help with medical supply costs in case you didn't know. It covers up to 75% of the cost of meters and testing supplies for those who do not have private coverage.
Here's the link to the ADP diabetes fact sheet... http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/adp/diabetic.html

[lee8510]

Is there a way to differentiate OSAP payments between Federal and Ontario portions on the website? I noticed on your initial post that you said the interest on the Federal portion is higher than the provincial portion.

Is this still the case?

How would I structure my payments to max out the Federal portion each month?

[tictac11]

hi there, a quick question to confirm. If I'm just taking 3/5 that's 60% of the course load, I'm still considered as full time student right? And that osap won't deduct the $ even the school gives me the refund? Because I don't think i can handle all 5 heavy courses and still get a good GPA, so need to drop 1 or 2 to compromise. Thank you in advance.

[moly]

Hello, and thank you to all contributors to this great thread.
I read 100 pages, however, was unable to find anything related to my question, which is the following:
My son is in his second year. He reported his pe-study income $8,500+ $4,250 study income from his work as a residence don (which is considered taxable benefit) for September-December 2008. His OSAP assessement is $6000 in loans and $2300 in grants now.
Now there is a good chance that he will sign a contract for donship for Jan-Apr 2009. Does he need to inform about this job now or after he actually finish it?
How this can affect his loans?

[BBQPorkBun]

Is there a way to differentiate OSAP payments between Federal and Ontario portions on the website? I noticed on your initial post that you said the interest on the Federal portion is higher than the provincial portion.

Is this still the case?

How would I structure my payments to max out the Federal portion each month?

Depends if your loan is structured that way, if you have an integrated loan then tough luck. call and ask what you have, if its recent, most likely integrated

[BBQPorkBun]

hi there, a quick question to confirm. If I'm just taking 3/5 that's 60% of the course load, I'm still considered as full time student right? And that osap won't deduct the $ even the school gives me the refund? Because I don't think i can handle all 5 heavy courses and still get a good GPA, so need to drop 1 or 2 to compromise. Thank you in advance.

yes, you are full time

[BBQPorkBun]

Hello, and thank you to all contributors to this great thread.
I read 100 pages, however, was unable to find anything related to my question, which is the following:
My son is in his second year. He reported his pe-study income $8,500+ $4,250 study income from his work as a residence don (which is considered taxable benefit) for September-December 2008. His OSAP assessement is $6000 in loans and $2300 in grants now.
Now there is a good chance that he will sign a contract for donship for Jan-Apr 2009. Does he need to inform about this job now or after he actually finish it?
How this can affect his loans?

don't inform them until he's earned the money. worse case he just gives back the difference in what he should have got. affect is less money from osap, grant will be first to go.

[moly]

don't inform them until he's earned the money. worse case he just gives back the difference in what he should have got. affect is less money from osap, grant will be first to go.

Thank you very much, BBQPorkBun!
Another question. Starting this summer he will have the alternate study structure: 1 semester co-op, next -school and so on...He thinks that there is no sense for applying for OSAP in 2009-2010 school year because he will, probably, receive nothing. However, at least he will not be reassessed for the 2008-2009 and will be able to use the given money. Right? His goal is to not sink too deeply in debt by gradution.
Thank you in advance.

[bumblebie]

Greetings Guru BBQPorkBun.
After going through every single page of OSAP advice here and on their website, and with a little help from CSK'sMom on another thread, I figured I learned everything I needed to know about OSAP...
Until I started to fill the application form - Now I am stumped: Where do I apply first, OSAP or College? (ontariocolleges.ca is down this weekend and OSAP needs to know the student number issued to me by my postsecondary institution).
TIA

[CSK'sMom]

College first bumblebie. Typically most can't/don't apply for OSAP until they have an acceptance into a program. Part of the application will ask what institution and what program you will be attending...

[unce]

Hi. I just recently graduated during the summer. I didn't get a job until September, and my repayment starts in December. They are asking for 450 a month and I don't think I can afford to pay that...esp since I live on my own. My parents make very little money, and I have to help them out at times, but I don't live with them. Is there a section I can indicate that? I just got the form for application for interest relief.

My salary is 35000 a year - am I eligible for interest relief? Also would they take into account of my living expenses? (rent, food etc)

Thank you for starting this thread it's helpful.

[bumblebie]

College first bumblebie. Typically most can't/don't apply for OSAP until they have an acceptance into a program. Part of the application will ask what institution and what program you will be attending...


Thanks again CSK'sMom. You help people all over the forum; you really do have wings (fins)!

[BBQPorkBun]

Thank you very much, BBQPorkBun!
Another question. Starting this summer he will have the alternate study structure: 1 semester co-op, next -school and so on...He thinks that there is no sense for applying for OSAP in 2009-2010 school year because he will, probably, receive nothing. However, at least he will not be reassessed for the 2008-2009 and will be able to use the given money. Right? His goal is to not sink too deeply in debt by gradution.
Thank you in advance.

It never hurts to apply.

He'll know later in life that this is probably the best debt a person will ever get in his/her life. Where else do you get an interest free loan? Worse case he gets the money even if he doesn't need it, make some money off interest or something then pay it back when interest is about to be calculated just before grad.

[BBQPorkBun]

Hi. I just recently graduated during the summer. I didn't get a job until September, and my repayment starts in December. They are asking for 450 a month and I don't think I can afford to pay that...esp since I live on my own. My parents make very little money, and I have to help them out at times, but I don't live with them. Is there a section I can indicate that? I just got the form for application for interest relief.

My salary is 35000 a year - am I eligible for interest relief? Also would they take into account of my living expenses? (rent, food etc)

Thank you for starting this thread it's helpful.

You might get it based on your salary and high monthly payment but thats all they are going to consider. its not their issue if you choose to live on your own or your family needs financial help