Your OSAP Responsibilities
Your OSAP loans are an important part of your financial life. While you’re a student we encourage you to learn financial literacy skills so you’re prepared when the time comes to repay your loan. Check out the many helpful resources on Mohawk’s Mo’ Money website.
Everything you need to know about your OSAP loan and/or grant can be found on the OSAP website. It’s the most comprehensive and up to date resource you need. While there, be sure to familiarize yourself with information about eligibility and status, the interest-free period, repayment, and more.
Upon receiving any OSAP loan aid, you assume the following responsibilities:
- To read and follow all the terms and conditions in the Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA) form.
- Agree to use this loan aid first to pay your tuition and fees to Mohawk College, then to cover other educational and living expenses related to your studies
- To make appropriate repayment arrangements with your lender when you cease full-time studies.
- To promptly notify Mohawk College Financial Assistance if you:
Reduce your course load from full-time to part-time – if you have dropped below a 60% course load (or 40% for students with confirmed permanent disabilities), you will need to submit a brand new part-time OSAP application as your full-time application cannot be converted to a part-time application. If you have dropped courses but are still above the 60% threshold, no further action is required from you.
Increase your course load from part-time to full-time – if you have applied for part-time OSAP and are taking a course load greater than 59% you will need to submit a brand new full-time OSAP application as your part-time application cannot be converted to a full-time application.
Change your program of study – for students who applied for and received OSAP funding in their first semester and are now changing programs or retaking the same semester, you will need to submit a brand new OSAP application for your current semester.
Fail to progress academically – you will need to complete and submit your Acknowledgement of Academic Probation and if you are continuing your studies in the next semester (in the same academic year), you will also need to submit a brand new OSAP application.
Withdraw from your studies – you will need to submit your withdrawal online through MyMohawk (Registration – Request to Withdraw). Mohawk will update your OSAP application and will return any credit(s) on your student account back to the NSLSC on your behalf.
Experience a change in marital status – Contact Mohawk College Financial Assistance for support.
Experience a change in your personal or familial financial situation - Contact Mohawk College Financial Assistance for support.
The Ontario and federal governments take these responsibilities very seriously, and so should you. If you fail to meet loan obligations the possible consequences include:
- Reassessment and reduction of your OSAP entitlement
- Refusal of future student loan assistance
- Poor credit rating
- Additional interest charges
- Collection proceedings
- Legal action
- Loss of income tax refunds.
Loans vs grants
OSAP offers student loans with favourable interest terms, but depending on financial need, they also offer OSAP grants. Grants do not have to be repaid and can help relieve financial stress. (If you’re trying to avoid extra debt – you can still apply for an OSAP grant!).
Eligibility
Your eligibility is based on citizenship, where you live, family income, and more. Take time to understand how these requirements affect you.
Ensure your application is complete
Ensure that your OSAP application and required documents are submitted by the appropriate deadlines. Applications and documents received past the deadlines will not be accepted. Students are responsible for ensuring requirements are completed and for monitoring the status of their applications.
OSAP funding may not be enough to cover your tuition
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure their tuition is paid on or before the deferral deadline regardless of their OSAP status/release date. For more information about tuition and fee deadlines: Financial Assistance Important Dates | Mohawk College. You can check/monitor the outstanding balance on your student account via your MyMohawk under the ‘Finances’ tab.
Report a change to your status
If there are changes to your program, the number of courses you take, your income, or anything else that might affect your OSAP loan or grant amount, you must report the change to OSAP, not to Mohawk College.
Maintaining Academic progress
In addition to the minimum academic requirements, students are expected to progress through the successive years of their program of study.
Frequent or multiple program switches, dropping from a full course load to a part-time course load, withdrawing from a program, repeating a program and/or taking multiple programs at the same level of study may be considered lack of progress and lack of academic direction on the part of a student which could affect your OSAP funding.
The chart below lists the impacts of not meeting the government's minimum required academic progress while receiving OSAP:
| FAILING TO MEET ACADEMIC PROGRESS STANDARDS FOR... | MEANS YOU... | REMEDY: |
|---|---|---|
| 1 period of study | Are placed on OSAP probation for 12 months (1 year) but remain eligible for OSAP funding. | Succeed in all following academic periods to maintain OSAP eligibility. |
| 2 periods of study | Lose your OSAP eligibility for a minimum of 12 months (1 year). | Maintain outstanding student loans in good standing with the lending institution during the 12-month period. |
| 3 periods of study | Lose your OSAP eligibility for a minimum of 36 months (3 years). | Maintain outstanding student loans in good standing with the lending institution during the 36-month period. |
| 4 periods of study | Lose your OSAP eligibility for a minimum of 60 months (5 years). | Maintain outstanding student loans in good standing with the lending institution during the 60-month period. |
| 5 periods of study | Lose OSAP eligibility. | Must repay all outstanding student loans prior to obtaining new loans. |
Stay interest-free
To avoid unnecessary interest, be sure you understand your student status and payment obligations. If your study plans change or you drop a course and lose your full-time student status, your eligibility for OSAP may change and require prompt or additional repayment. Visit the OSAP website to learn about retaining your interest-free status.
Repaying your OSAP loan
You must start paying back your OSAP loans six months after the end of your study period.
- During this six-month period, the federal portion of the loan is interest-free.
- The provincial portion starts accruing interest immediately at the end of the study period.
You can save interest payments if you are able to start your repayment right away. Review everything you need about loan repayment.
Defaulted OSAP loans
A loan in default can interfere with your eligibility for further financing and may result in penalties. If, for any reason, your student loan should fall into default, learn about your options.
Repayment assistance
Under some circumstances, you may be eligible for repayment assistance. (Based on family income, employment income, etc.) Read more on the National Student Loans Servicing Centre website.