First in your family to go to college or university?

The 7 rules nobody tells you

1. 1. How student aid actually worksGrants, loans, scholarships, bursaries and work-study. What you pay back and what you don't.
2. 2. Talking to the financial aid officeWhat to ask, what to bring, and what an OSAP "funding review" is.
3. 3. Office hours: what they are and how to use themWhat they are and how to use them, even if you don't have a question.
4. 4. Picking your first-year coursesYour course load can change your aid.
5. 5. Dropping or withdrawing from a courseRead this before you drop anything.
6. 6. Keeping your aid next yearYou apply again each year, and your grades and course load count.
7. 7. The aid paperwork decoderThe words on your aid letter, explained.

Three people at your school who are paid to help you

You don’t have to figure this out alone. These offices exist for students like you. Using them is free.

The financial aid office

Questions about your aid, your documents, bursaries and what happens if something changes.

Your academic advisor

Which courses to take, how many, and what your program needs.

The accessibility office

Help if you have a disability or health condition that affects your studies.

Names differ by school. Search your school's website for "financial aid", "academic advising" and "accessibility".

For your family

Your parents may want to help but not know where to start. Send them our page for parents