OSAP for Micro-credentials
Micro-credentials are rapid training programs offered by colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes across Ontario that can help students acquire the skills that employers need. The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) for Micro-credentials provides eligible students with Ontario grant and loan assistance for ministry-approved, quality-assured micro-credential programs.
To find a list of approved micro-credentials offered at the University of Toronto, visit the approved micro-credentials list on the OSAP website.
Eligibility
OSAP for Micro-credentials is available for eligible students taking a ministry-approved micro-credential that is less than 12 weeks.
To be eligible for OSAP for Micro-credentials, a student must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a protected person; and, be a resident of Ontario.
Ontario residency requirements for the purposes of OSAP for Micro-credentials are consistent with Full-Time OSAP residency criteria.
- You do not meet the Ontario residency requirement
- Your family income threshold is above the income threshold to qualify for funding (i.e., $80,000 for a family of one person; $100,000 for a family of two or more people)
- You are restricted from OSAP for Micro-credentials (e.g., have defaulted on a previous OSAP loan, you have a failed credit check on file, you have a bursary over-payment)
The amount of OSAP for Micro-credentials funding a student may receive is based on several factors, including:
- Financial need
- Household income: (single independent student with income of $80,000 or less, dependent/married students with income of $100,000 or less)
- Family size
- Micro-credential program hours
Applying for OSAP for Micro-credentials
Step 1: Confirm that the University of Toronto micro-credential you want to take is OSAP-approved.
Step 2: Log in to your OSAP account. If this is your first time applying, you will need to create an OSAP account.
Step 3: From the options listed, select and complete the OSAP for Micro-credentials Application. You can only receive OSAP for Micro-credentials funding for one course at a time.
Step 4: Once you have completed your application, you will receive communication through your OSAP account, which will guide you in completing a supplementary form on the Service Portal.
The form requires the following information:
- Full Name
- Date of Birth
- Name of Program
- Program Study Period – start and end dates
This must be completed by the end of the study period.
Step 5: Your division will confirm the information that you have submitted is correct and confirm your registration status.
Step 6: The University Registrar’s Office will update the OSAP for Micro-credentials Application with the information provided by both you and your division and process your confirmation of enrolment.
Step 7: If you have not already done so, enrol and pay for the micro-credential course you would like to take.
Note: You must be registered in an OSAP approved micro-credential program before OSAP funding will be issued/released.
Applications must be submitted by the end of the student’s current study period.
All required supporting documentation must be received no later than five (5) days after the end of the student’s current study period.
Requests for reviews and all required supporting documentation must be received no later than five (5) days after the end of the student’s current study period.
After Applying
OSAP for Micro-credentials funding is received after the OSAP application has been reviewed, information has been verified, required supporting documentation has been approved, and the University of Toronto has confirmed your enrolment.
The University Registrar’s Office will process and verify all OSAP for Micro-credentials applications and release any eligible funding. Students receive the funding in one installment directly from OSAP, typically within 5 days after enrollment is confirmed. Students are responsible for paying fees directly to the school.
Keeping your loans interest-free
Students with previous OSAP for Micro-credentials funding who return to school must ensure their Micro-credential Student Loans are placed into interest-free status by completing a Continuation of Interest-Free Status Micro-credentials Application.
Students with previous Part-Time OSAP funding who return to school must ensure their Part-Time Student Loans are placed into interest free status by completing a Schedule 2 Application through the NSLSC Portal.
Students in a Micro-credential program or a part-time program should use the Continuation of Interest-Free Status Micro-credentials Application if they:
- Have outstanding Micro-credential Student Loans issued through OSAP.
- Are not submitting an OSAP Application for Micro-credentials or an OSAP Application for Part-time Students for their current study period.
- All aspects of the student’s study period will be considered for interest-free status, as long as their Micro-credential or part-time program is approved for OSAP purposes. For part-time programs, this includes co-op work terms and work placements.
- Are currently enrolled in, or are within 15 days of starting a Micro-credential or part-time program that is approved for OSAP purposes.
- See the Continuation of Interest-Free Status Micro-credentials Application available via the “Forms” section of www.ontario.ca/osap for more information regarding eligibility, processing requirements and instructions, including instructions for OSAP for Part-Time Student Loans in interest-free status.
Note: Part-time or full-time students with outstanding Micro-credential Student Loans who are submitting an OSAP Application for Part-time Students or OSAP Application for Full-Time Students are not required to submit a Continuation of Interest Free Status for Micro-credentials Application because their Micro-credential Student Loans will automatically be placed into interest-free status.
Students who received Part-Time OSAP funding in the past and are continuing studies Part-time but not applying for further part-time OSAP, should complete a Schedule 2 Application to ensure their loans are placed into interest-free status.
Part-time students can submit a Schedule 2 application online through the NSLSC portal.
Steps to submit a Schedule 2 request on the NSLSC portal:
- Log into the NSLSC portal.
- From ‘My Dashboard’, choose the ‘Confirm My Enrolment’ option from the ‘My Account’ drop-down menu. Unless noted below, submitting a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) on the NSLSC portal will serve as a request to put both federal/Government of Canada and provincial loans into interest-free and payment-free status.
- Ensure the school attending field = University of Toronto, and Student ID field = U of T student number.
Repayment of OSAP
While a student is in studies (micro-credential, full-time, part-time) and has their OSAP application confirmed, their Micro-credential Student Loans will be placed into interest-free status. This means no payments are required and interest does not accrue.
The student’s grace period for their Micro-credential Student Loans is the six-month period after they complete or withdraw from studies (micro-credential, full-time or part-time). During the grace period, students are not required to make loan or interest payments. However, interest accrues on their Micro-credential Student Loans during this time.
Repayment of Micro-credential Student Loans begins on the first day of the seventh month after the student completes or withdrawals from studies. The student must begin repayment of their loans plus any accrued interest from the grace period once their loan repayment starts.
The interest rate on Micro-credential Student Loans is prime plus 1%. If the student has OSAP loans from full-time or part-time studies, these loans are not eligible for interest-free status and remain repayable while the student is enrolled in a micro-credential.