Financial Assistance Frequently Asked Questions

The 2025-2026 OSAP application is open; if you are enrolling in studies this winter, please visit the OSAP website (opens new window) to learn more and apply.

Learn more about how to submit your OSAP application using our video tutorial:

Students who forget their Ontario Access Number (OAN) and/or password have two self-service options to quickly retrieve the information needed:

• Through OSAP's online Forgot OAN and/or password web form (opens new window).
• By email (provided that you have completed the email validation process).
   

Please try to use one of the two self-serve options above first.

However, if this is not possible (e.g., you can’t remember the answers to your questions; you did not provide or validate your email address online), you also have the option to reset your OSAP login information in person (an appointment is not necessary) at the Registrar's Office (Fennell campus). Office hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday. You must bring a valid Government photo ID and proof of your SIN (SIN card or verification of SIN form).

Students who are a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, or Protected enrolled in an OSAP-approved program can be considered for OSAP support. There are many other factors and eligibility criteria that must be met before OSAP funding can be approved. If you are a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, or Protected Person, please visit the OSAP and Financial Assistance (opens new window) websites for more information. Please note that funding is not guaranteed, and if you are assessed for support through OSAP, funding may not be enough to cover all the expenses that you incur during our study period.

An OSAP application can be submitted on the OSAP website (opens new window). If this is your first time applying for OSAP, you will be required to create a profile/account before submitting your OSAP application. Applications typically take 6 to 8 weeks to process; therefore, it is recommended to apply as early as possible to avoid funding delays.

There are resources available on the Financial Assistance website to support students through the submission of their OSAP application. The “How to Apply for Full-time OSAP” (opens new window) web page breaks things down into 4 steps and has a video guide that outlines the process of applying.

Please note that one-on-one support to complete OSAP applications is not available; however, if you are stuck and have a question, the Financial Assistance team is happy to assist you. Visit our Contact Us web page to get in touch with us.

OSAP funding is assessed one academic year at a time. This means students must submit a new OSAP application for every academic year in which they plan to study.

If you entered your full program start and end dates when you applied, your current OSAP application may be updated to match the study period dates for this academic year.

If you will be continuing your studies into the next academic year, you will need to submit a new OSAP application once the Ministry releases it.

Note: Some full-time programs are set up on a semester basis to align with program delivery. This means that a new OSAP application is required every semester that you are enrolled in studies. If you see that your OSAP application has been updated to reflect one semester study period dates, that is normal, and you will be required to reapply again for your next semester of full-time studies.

Yes. If your current OSAP application is for one semester and you will be continuing your studies into the next semester, a new OSAP application can be submitted via your OSAP account online.

The Part-time Ontario Student Assistance Program (PT-OSAP) (opens new window) is available to students who are enrolling in an OSAP-approved program taking 20% - 59% of a full-course load or 20%-39% if you are a student with a confirmed permanent disability.

Students with a confirmed permanent disability on their OSAP account can apply for full-time OSAP if they are registered between 40% and 100% course load.

Continuing Education students can apply for CE Bursaries here: Financial Assistance Options: Continuing Education Students (opens new window).

The MSFAA is a legal agreement between you, your province/territory, and the Canada Student Loans Program about borrowing and repaying your provincial/territorial and federal student loans. The MSFAA is submitted electronically through the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC). Additional information on how to complete your online MSFAA can be found on the Submitting OSAP Documents (opens new window) and How to Apply for Full-time OSAP (Step 2) (opens new window) webpages.

Students who experience issues when trying to complete and submit their MSFAA should contact the National Student Loans Service Centre directly for assistance. (1-888-815-4514)

The required documents (Print/Upload) page on your OSAP application online includes a list of the documents that are required, as well as the available documents that can be submitted. You can also view the 25-26 OSAP Documents Guide (PDF) that is found on the Submitting OSAP Documents (opens new window) web page.

If you are experiencing difficulties submitting your OSAP documents, please visit the Submitting OSAP Documents (opens new window) web page for information and troubleshooting support.

A self-serve scanner is also available outside the Registrar's Office (Fennell campus) that you can use to scan your OSAP documents. The scanner is by the bank of self-serve computers; the scanner is connected to the computer on the far right. There is a guide on the desk that can walk you through the process of using the scanner. There is also a QR code on the desk that will take you to a digital copy of the scanner guide.

Please note that all documents should be submitted electronically via your OSAP account online.

Please use the optional upload button found on the “Required Documents” (Print/Upload) page of your online OSAP application. Additional OSAP document troubleshooting and submission information can be found on our Submitting OSAP Documents (opens new window) webpage.

OSAP documents can take 6 to 8 weeks to be reviewed, and in some cases, when Ministry review is required, document reviews can take up to 12 weeks.

All documents are reviewed in the order of date received, and expedited reviews cannot be considered.

Please continue to monitor your OSAP application online for updates.

When documents are denied, a message will be sent to your OSAP Message Centre (accessed through your OSAP account online) or to your email with information and next steps.

Please note that communications sent to your OSAP Message Centre may take up to 24 hours to become visible on your OSAP account online. If your document was denied today, you may not receive a message until tomorrow.

Log in to your OSAP account (opens new window) to see updates on your file.

You will find out if there are any holds, errors, outstanding documents/requirements, or if the Ministry requires any additional information from you before they can process your application. Your status will be updated throughout the assessment process; therefore, we recommend that students regularly monitor their OSAP account online for updates. While logged in, don’t forget to check your OSAP Message Center for information and updates.

Once your status is ‘confirmed’, the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) will be given your funding information, and they will start to process the payments to Mohawk College for your tuition (if applicable) and your bank account.

No, you will be required to make your deposit on or before the deposit due date, even if you are expecting to receive OSAP funding. OSAP does not pay the initial tuition deposit for you.

You can check your account status and balance on MyMohawk. Sign on to the MyMohawk portal (opens new window), then select:

• "Payments and Statements" tab
• Under "My Statements" click on “Account Summary”

Yes. Students who pay their tuition in full at the time of registration will receive the full amount of their OSAP funding installment to their bank account, provided that there is no balance owing on their student account. If there is a balance owing on their student account, OSAP funding will be directed to Mohawk College first to clear the balance, and any remaining funding will be sent to their bank account.

The Financial Assistance website provides information that outlines the steps and documentation required when making updates to your OSAP. Please visit the How to report changes to OSAP application information (opens new window) web page.

With the increase in federal grant funding, some students may be funded in excess of their non-educational costs.

Since the value of Canada Student Grants, including the Skills Boost Top-Up Grant, are flat amounts that can exceed the assessed need, some ODSP recipients may receive grants in excess of their direct educational costs. As a result, a portion of the grant(s) may be considered a “living allowance” by the ODSP caseworker.

The Ministry cannot make further adjustments to your OSAP assistance when this occurs; however, if you are also receiving a loan, you may want to accept the grant portion only, if you have not already done so, to minimize the impact of your Full-Time OSAP assistance on your ODSP income support.

Students are advised to talk to their ODSP caseworker to determine whether an adjustment will be required to the amount of their ODSP income support. You will be required to provide your ODSP caseworker with a copy of your OSAP Assessment Summary form. This form can be found on your OSAP account online.

There are several reasons why a student may not have received their funding yet. If you have not received your funding, it is likely that one of the situations below applies to you:

• If you recently applied for OSAP, your application is being reviewed. It can take 6-8 weeks for the Ministry to review and verify your information.
• You have not submitted your MSFAA or supporting documents. Your application will be on hold until the MSFAA and supporting documents have been processed by the Ministry.
• There may be errors in your application. Check your OSAP application status online on the OSAP website (opens new window).
• You may have requested/made changes to your application after it was submitted, such as income, course load, living arrangements, or transportation costs. When changes are requested, the Ministry has to review your application again to assess your OSAP.
• If your application recently moved into the confirmation of enrollment stage, the college will receive your file, and it can take 3 business days for the college to confirm your enrollment. It can take 5-10 business days for the funds to be deposited in your account. (The confirmation of enrollment process does not begin until the first week of classes)

If it has been 10 days since Financial Assistance has confirmed your enrollment and you have not received your OSAP funding, call the National Student Loans Student Centre at 1-888-815-4514.

Your Federal and Provincial funds are deposited separately. These deposits can arrive a few days apart.

If your OSAP funding for the semester has been released, there may be some impacts to your OSAP funding and future eligibility. For more information, please visit our OSAP impacts to withdrawing (opens new window) web page.

If no OSAP funding has been released on your OSAP application, you can close your OSAP application via your OSAP account online (opens new window).

If you have made changes to your registration and/or withdrawn from studies and are eligible for a tuition refund, pursuant to Ministry regulations, any tuition or fee refund will be returned to the National Student Loans Service Centre.

You can update your bank information by logging into your National Student Loans Service Centre account (opens new window). Click ‘My Account’ and select ‘Financial Institution Information’. If you need help, go to Additional Resources (opens new window) to review a step-by-step process on how to update your banking information.