OSAP Appeal Information
A student may request that their OSAP assessment or bursary eligibility be reviewed because they have a special situation which is not recognized in the standard OSAP or bursary assessment of financial need.
The following appeal outlines and forms will assist you in determining if your situation falls within an allowable review. If you have determined that your situation falls within one or more of the allowable reviews below, print off the cover page, attach all letters and supporting documentation and submit your package to the Student Awards & Financial Aid Office for review.
Program Maximums
Federal and provincial regulations and policy stipulate the maximum amount of funding provided through Canada – Ontario Integrated Student Loans, Canada Student Grants (CSG), and Ontario Access Grants.
Citizenship
Federal and provincial regulations and policy stipulate that recipients of Canada – Ontario Integrated Student Loans, Canada Student Grants (CSG), and Ontario Access Grants must be Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents, or Protected Persons within the meaning of subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada).
Independence Criteria
Federal and provincial regulations stipulate independence criteria that must be met in order for a student to be considered independent of parental support. Students who are unable to access a parental contribution because of a family breakdown may have a review considered through the Family Breakdown Review process. Students who are unable to access a parental contribution due to a court ordered custodian/guardianship agreement may have a review considered through the Legal Guardianship Review process. A dependent student’s status cannot be changed to independent within the assessed study period even if the student meets the independent criteria during an approved study period or reinstatement period. The student will be considered independent at the start of a subsequent OSAP application study period.
Deadline Dates
Deadlines for submission of reviews have been set and are clearly outlined in the information the student receives with the OSAP application. The deadlines are strictly enforced.
Funding Distribution
There is no review available for a student to request a different method of funding distribution.
Please be sure that all letters are legible, signed and dated and that your identifying information, such as your student number is clearly noted. Letters form third parties must include contact information for the person who is corroborating the situation and making a recommendation. Requests for an OSAP Review must be received BEFORE the final 8 weeks of your study period in order to be eligible for review. Appeal decision generally take 4 to 6 weeks (a minimum of 8 weeks if the appeal must be forwarded to the Ministry for a decision).
Appeal Forms
- Academic Progress (.pdf)
- Adjust Local Travel in Study Period Review - 23/24 (.pdf)
- Ajust Local Travel in Study Period Review - 24/25 (.pdf)
- Adjusted Living Allowance - 23/24 (.pdf)
- Adjusted Living Allowance - 24/25 (.pdf)
- Asset Contribution - Savings (.pdf)
- Bankruptcy Related Events (.pdf)
- Extraordinary Expenses Review-Parents
- Parent/Spouse Working in US & Filing/Paying Taxes in Canada & US (.pdf)
- Joint Custody & Kinship Service (.pdf)
- Legal Guardianship (.pdf)
- Review Outline Specific for Students Experiencing Problems in the Parental Home (.pdf)
Income Contribution Adjustments
- Student Fixed Contribution Review - 23/24 (.pdf)
- Student Fixed Contribution Review - 24/25 (.pdf)
- Job Search Form (.pdf)
Lower Estimate Income for the Current Year
- Parental Contribution - 23/24 (.pdf)
- Parental Contribution - 24/25 (.pdf)
- Spousal Contribution - 23/24 (.pdf)
- Spousal Contribution - 24/25 (.pdf)
- Student Contribution - 23/24 (.pdf)
- Student Contribution - 24/25 (.pdf)
Parental Contribution Issues
- Family Relationship Issues (.pdf)
- Step Parent Issues (.pdf)
- Switching Contributing Parent (.pdf)
- Separated/Divorced/Deceased (.pdf)
Other Restriction Issues
Bursary / Additional Need-Based Financial Support
- Appeal for Bursary / Need-Based Bursary Assistance - Students experiencing extenuating financial hardship may request early consideration for need-based bursary assistance or a review of their need-based bursary assistance assessment. Once you have completed the UWinAward Consideration Request and uploaded the required profile templates, contact the Student Awards & Financial Aid Office to discuss the Financial Hardship Appeal Process.
Exemptions for Non-Employment Income/Assets
The following non-employment income sources and assets can be exempt from the OSAP assessment:
- Indian Residential School (IRS) Payments
- Hepatitis C Compensation Payments
- Pain and Suffering Awards (WSIB)
- Locked-In Retirement Savings (LIRA, LIF, LRIF)
- Pension Splitting Adjustments
- Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) Withdrawals
- Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) Withdrawals for Crown Wards
