Academic Progress Requirements
There are two aspects to academic progress where OSAP is concerned: the first is to complete the academic term for which you have received assistance as a full time student, and the second is to make progress towards your degree (passing a minimum of 3 credits per academic year).
Remain a Full-Time Student
In order to be eligible for OSAP you must be a full time student. To be considered full time, you must be registered in a minimum course load of 60%* (or 3 half credit courses) in each session (no averaging is allowed). The funding you receive is based on your course load, therefore it is important to advise us if you have any change in course load (up or down) from what you originally entered on your application.
Part time students are not eligible for OSAP. You are considered to be a part-time student when you drop courses and your course load is less than 60%*. This status change has to be reported to the Ministry and will result in OSAP Academic Probation and possibly an overpayment for the study period.
Should this happen twice, you will lose your eligibility to OSAP for 12 months.
When your status changes from full time to part time, your loans become repayable 6 months from the date you cease to be a full time student.
*Students with a disability are considered full time when registered in a minimum course load of 40% (2 half credit courses).
You must inform our office so that we can update your file. If you are planning on dropping courses or withdrawing, please speak to us to ensure you understand any possible OSAP implications.
Make Progress Towards Your Degree
OSAP does not require you to obtain a minimum grade in any course, however you are required to obtain the credits for the minimum full-time course load (see above). This is not the same as the requirements to stay in good standing with the Registrar.
In order to be considered to be making progress towards your degree you must pass at least 3 credits in an 8 month academic year or 1.5 credits in a 4 month academic term (i.e. Summer). If you fail to meet this requirement once, you will receive a warning (OSAP calls it probation). You continue to be eligible for assistance, however you must provide an explanation each time you apply for OSAP. If it happens a second time, you will lose your eligibility to OSAP for 12 months.
Generally speaking, students are expected to complete their degree in 4 years (at 100% course load). Although there is flexibility to accommodate one additional year of assistance, OSAP may view further extensions as a lack of academic progress. Here are a few types of situations which are considered lack of academic progress: frequent or multiple switches, drops, withdrawals and/or repeats of programs that are funded by OSAP.
OSAP Academic Probation
This is not the same as being placed on probation by the Registrar. You can be placed on OSAP Academic Probation when you fail to meet OSAP's Academic Progress requirements. In summary, you failed either to:
- Pass the minimum course load (see above); OR
- Complete the study period for which you received assistance as a full time student.
If this happens, OSAP will place a "red flag" on your file.
If one "red flag" is placed on your file, we recommend, you:
- be extra cautious about dropping courses
- seek academic counseling from the Academic Advising & Career Centre
This red flag is permanent and to be eligible for OSAP in future study periods, you must submit a letter explaining what happened and what steps you have taken to ensure it doesn't happen again.
If a second "red flag" is placed on your file, you will be restricted from receiving OSAP funding for12 months. Speak to a Financial Aid Advisor to see if you qualify for an appeal.
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