Keep your aid next year

Canada (OSAP): An OSAP application is for one academic year (August 1 to July 31). The date your study period starts decides which year's application you use.Source:Ontario, OSAP definitions (opens in a new tab)

United States (FAFSA): When you fill out the FAFSA form, you apply for one year. To get aid the next year, you submit that year's FAFSA form.Source:StudentAid.gov, staying eligible (opens in a new tab)

To stay eligible for full-time OSAP, you must pass at least 60% of a full course load (as your school defines it) in each term or study period you're funded. Students with a verified permanent or persistent or prolonged disability must pass 40%, and students at Ontario private institutions must pass 100%. Part-time students must pass 100% of their funded courses.

A first failure means academic probation; further failures mean 1, 3 and 5 years without funding, then no funding until your loans are repaid.

You can get full-time OSAP for your program's length plus one study period.Source:Ontario, OSAP definitions (opens in a new tab);Ontario, how to maintain eligibility (opens in a new tab)

OSAP for private institutions is paused for 2025-26 and 2026-27; see ontario.ca.Source:Ontario, after you apply for OSAP (opens in a new tab)

Struggling for reasons you can't control? If personal circumstances beyond your control (for example, serious injury or a family crisis) stop you meeting academic progress rules, you can submit a review to your financial aid office, with documents. Struggling academically for reasons beyond your control is also one of the reasons for an OSAP funding review. Talk to your financial aid office.Source:Ontario, how to maintain eligibility (opens in a new tab);Ontario, request a funding review (opens in a new tab)

To keep getting federal aid you must make satisfactory academic progress (SAP): good enough grades and enough completed classes to graduate on time. Each school has its own SAP policy; check its website or ask the financial aid office.

Your school's SAP policy tells you whether you're allowed to appeal a decision that you haven't made progress. Common reasons include a death in the family, your illness or injury, or other special circumstances, and the policy also says how to regain eligibility.Source:StudentAid.gov, staying eligible (opens in a new tab)

Federal aid rules are changing. Check StudentAid.gov for the latest.

OSAP: Answer document and income requests quickly. If your or your family's income can't be verified within one year of the start of your studies, your Ontario Student Grant can become a loan.Source:Ontario, after you apply for OSAP (opens in a new tab)

FAFSA: If you're selected for verification, give your school the documents it asks for by the school's deadline, or you won't be able to get federal student aid. Being selected doesn't mean you did anything wrong.Source:StudentAid.gov, review and correct (opens in a new tab)

Sign your MSFAA (once, usually), and know that your school confirms your enrolment before each OSAP payment. See our MSFAA and NSLSC guideSource:Canada.ca, loan agreement (opens in a new tab);Ontario, after you apply for OSAP: get your money (opens in a new tab)