Ontario students can apply for a government student loan and grants through the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). When you apply for funding, you will automatically be considered for both types of funding to help you pay for your education and related costs such as: tuition, books and equipment, living expenses, and child care.
Applying for OSAP
We recommend applying before the end of June 30.
As it can take 6-8 weeks to process your application, applying early means that you can:
- qualify for a fee deferral
- resolve potential issues and minimize delays in receiving your funding when classes begin
Did your circumstances change during the school year? The deadline to apply for Fall-Winter funding is February 23, 2026.
Stay Updated on Your Application
Check your OSAP Message Centre inbox for messages from the UTM Financial Aid team and/or the Ministry of Colleges and Universities directly.
Application Guide
Want to avoid common mistakes? Follow along with our easy 5 step guide:
Login to OSAP
Use your OSAP Access Number (OAN) and password.
First time applying? Create your account using your social insurance number.
Step 1
Choose "University of Toronto" from the drop-down menu.
Step 2
Enter your U of T student number. If there's a typo in your student number, it can put your application on hold or cause delays.
Are you a new student? Your U of T applicant number is listed on your offer of admission letter or on JOIN.
Step 3
Confirm your program, year of study, and type of degree.
- In the program search bar: type Mississauga
Select Bachelor of Arts/Science (Mississauga: Erindale
or
One of the three options if you're a second year student in a deregulated program: Commerce; Management; Computer Science (this includes students in Bioinformatics, CCIT, DEM and VCC students. OSAP has grouped these programs together as they share the same program costs)
- For most students, the program month start date is September
- Enter your year of study (based on the number of credits you've completed)
- Level of study: Bachelor's Degree
- Click Submit
Step 4
Confirm your intended course load for the upcoming year
Your course load refers to the number of courses you are enrolled in for the upcoming year.
In this section, you'll be asked to declare your course load as a percentage. Use the table below as a reference:
| Course load percentage | Fall-Winter Credits | Credits per term |
| 100% | 5.0 | 2.5 |
| 80% | 4.0 | 2.0 |
| 60% | 3.0 | 1.5 |
| 40% | 2.0 | 1.0 |
| 20% | 1.0 | 0.5 |
To qualify for OSAP as a full-time student, your course load must be:
- at least 60% (minimum 1.5 credits each term)
or - at least 40% (minimum 1.0 credit each term) if you have submitted the OSAP Disability Verficiation Form with your physican or health care professional.
Changes to your course load during the academic year can be declared to the university and OSAP by submitting the Financial Aid Change Form. This document can be uploaded to your OSAP application under the "Required Documents" section of your account. It's important to keep your loan in good standing by completing the minimum number of credits and making good academic progress.
Step 5
Upload required documents to your OSAP account by March 15, 2026
Supporting documents are an important part of completing your application. Returning students may not need to submit any documents.
Examples of supporting documents may include:
- Consent, Declaration and Signature Pages.
- Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MFSAA) for first time applicants (if you've been away from your studies for more than 2 years)
Students on OSAP Probation
If you have been placed on OSAP academic probation, this means that the minimum number of required credits in your previous study period were not completed. While you are on probation, you can still apply for, and be eligible to receive funding. Once you pass your courses, the academic probation restriction may be removed from your OSAP file. Unsuccessful academic progress may result in being restricted from OSAP funding for a minimum of 12 months.
Note: OSAP probation is not the same as being on academic probation with U of T.
Non-Degree Students
Non-degree students are not eligible for OSAP unless they intend to take a course that is a requirement for entry for post-graduate studies, and has not been previously completed. Students in this situation can provide documentation from the admissions office of the graduate school they are planning to attend to confirm the specific pre-requisite requirements for entry into their program.