Dropping or withdrawing from a course: what happens to your student aid

Your aid gets looked at again. If your course load or anything on your application changes, OSAP reassesses it, and you may get less than you expected. Contact your financial aid office, ahead of time if possible.Source:Ontario, when we reassess an application (opens in a new tab)

You might owe money back. If you take fewer courses than planned, you can end up with an overpayment (more loan, grant or bursary than you should have had). You may have to repay it to get more student aid, and some grant overpayments are converted into a loan.Source:Ontario, OSAP definitions (opens in a new tab);Ontario, why your grant could become repayable (opens in a new tab)

The 30-day rule for grants. All or part of your OSAP grant can be converted into a loan if you withdraw or stop taking the minimum course load in the first 30 days and don't return full-time within 5 months in the same academic year.Source:Ontario, why your grant could become repayable (opens in a new tab)

It can affect future OSAP. If you withdraw from full-time studies or drop below the required full-time course load, you could be placed on academic probation or restricted from getting more full-time OSAP.Source:Ontario, how to maintain eligibility (opens in a new tab)

If it wasn't your fault. If you withdrew because of an exceptional circumstance outside your control (for example, a catastrophic medical or family emergency), you can ask your financial aid office about a review of the conversion.Source:Ontario, why your grant could become repayable (opens in a new tab)

Loan repayment. You have six months (a "grace period") after you graduate or leave full-time studies before you have to start repaying your OSAP loan.Source:Ontario, OSAP definitions (opens in a new tab)

Loans need half-time. To get a Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loan you must be enrolled at least half-time.Source:StudentAid.gov, subsidized and unsubsidized loans (opens in a new tab)

Pell can go down. Your Pell Grant amount depends partly on whether you're a full-time or part-time student, and switching from full-time to part-time can reduce it.Source:StudentAid.gov, Pell Grants (opens in a new tab);StudentAid.gov, grants (opens in a new tab)

Withdrawing from all your classes. If you withdraw before the end of a term, your school works out how much of your federal aid you earned. Aid you didn't earn has to be returned, and you might have to repay part of a grant. Your school will tell you if you owe anything. The official name for this is "Return of Title IV funds".Source:StudentAid.gov, grants (opens in a new tab);FSA Handbook 2026-27 (written for schools) (opens in a new tab)

Loan repayment can start. After you graduate, leave school or drop below half-time enrollment, you have a six-month grace period before you must start repaying Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, and you'll need to complete exit counseling.Source:StudentAid.gov, subsidized and unsubsidized loans (opens in a new tab)

Your school decides how many credits count as half-time. Federal aid rules are changing. Check StudentAid.gov for the latest.

Each school uses these words its own way. Some drops leave no mark. Some leave a "W" on your transcript. The dates matter. Check your school's academic calendar.

Talk to the financial aid office. Before the term starts, there may still be time to change your meal plan, housing or number of classes.Source:StudentAid.gov, what if my financial aid isn't enough? (opens in a new tab)

• Talk to your academic advisor about your program.
• Find the drop or withdrawal date in your school's academic calendar.
• Ask about housing and meal-plan effects.