OSAP for Micro-credentials
Micro-credentials are short training programs offered by colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes in Ontario. They help learners quickly build in-demand skills for today’s job market. If you’re enrolled in a ministry-approved micro-credential program, you may qualify for OSAP grants and loans.
2025-26 Status
- OSAP for Micro-credentials applications are open.
- Visit the OSAP website for a list of approved micro-credentials.
- Make sure you’re registered in an approved program, before applying for OSAP.
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
Note: You must be registered in an OSAP approved micro-credential program before any OSAP funding will be released to you.
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.
Applications must be submitted by the end of your micro-credential study period.
All required supporting documentation must be received no later than five (5) days after the end of the study period.
Requests for reviews and all required supporting documentation must be received no later than five (5) days after the end of the study period.
After Applying
OSAP funding is released only after your OSAP application has been assessed, your information and required documents have been verified and approved, and the University of Toronto has confirmed your enrolment.
The University Registrar’s Office processes and verifies all OSAP for Micro-credentials applications and releases any eligible funding. Students receive their funding in one installment directly from OSAP, usually within 5 days after their enrolment is confirmed. Students are responsible for paying their fees directly to the school.
Keeping Your Loans Interest-Free
Students who previously received OSAP for Micro-credentials and return to school must place their Micro-credential Student Loans into interest-free status by submitting a Continuation of Interest-Free Status (CIFS) Micro-credentials Application.
Students who previously received Part-Time OSAP and return to school must place their Part-Time Student Loans 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.
- Are currently enrolled in, or within 15 days of starting a micro-credential or part-time program that is approved for OSAP purposes.
For full eligibility details and instructions, including how to keep OSAP for Part-Time Student Loans interest-free, visit the “Forms” section at www.ontario.ca/osap and look for the Continuation of Interest-Free Status Micro-credentials Application.
Note: Students (full‑time or part‑time) with outstanding Micro‑credential Student Loans do not need to submit a CIFS Micro‑credentials Application if they are submitting an OSAP Application for Part‑Time Students or an OSAP Application for Full‑Time Students. In these cases, their Micro‑credential Student Loans are automatically placed into interest‑free status.
Students who previously received Part-Time OSAP and are continuing their studies part-time, but not applying for new Part-Time OSAP funding, must complete a Schedule 2 Application to keep their loans in interest-free status.
Part-time students can submit a Schedule 2 application online through the NSLSC portal.
How to submit a Schedule 2 through the NSLSC Portal
- Log in to your NSLSC account.
- From My Dashboard, select Confirm My Enrolment in the My Account drop-down menu.
- In most cases, submitting a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) through the portal will automatically request interest-free and payment-free status for both your federal (Government of Canada) and provincial (Government of Ontario) loans.
- Ensure the following fields are correct:
- School Attending: University of Toronto
- Student ID: Your U of T student number
Repayment of OSAP
While a student is enrolled in a micro‑credential, full‑time, or part‑time program and has an OSAP application confirmed, their Micro‑credential Student Loans are placed into interest‑free status. This means no payments are required and interest does not accrue during this period.
The grace period for Micro‑credential Student Loans begins once a student completes or withdraws from their studies (micro‑credential, full‑time, or part‑time) and lasts for six months. During the grace period, students are not required to make payments; however, interest does accrue on Micro‑credential Student Loans.
Repayment begins on the first day of the seventh month after the student completes or withdraws from studies. At that point, students must make payments on their loans plus any interest that accumulated during the grace period.
The interest rate on Micro‑credential Student Loans is prime + 1%.
If a student also has OSAP loans from full‑time or part‑time studies, those loans do not qualify for interest‑free status while the student is enrolled in a micro‑credential and remain repayable during that time.