In order to maximize your resources and minimize your debt load, you must take full responsibility for your financial situation while you are a student at Osgoode. While it is expected that many students will accumulate educational debt both before and during their years of study, Osgoode's goal is to have viable financial programs accessible and in place to assist in keeping your debt load at a minimum. Most programs give priority to students who clearly demonstrate financial need.  

Important information regarding tuition rates, tax forms and deductions, and financial planning for students going on exchange, is provided below.

To find out more information related to financial assistance including government assistance, student lines of credit, Osgoode’s bursary program scholarships, external funding, emergency funding as well as social justice funding and internships, please visit How To Fund Law School.

To learn more about managing your money including sample budgets and Money Penny’s Finance Tracker, see Will I Have Enough Money.

Please ensure that you are aware of all relevant deadlines throughout the year. We strongly recommend that you familiarize yourself with the material contained in our Fees and Financial Information Guide.

Tuition Fees

The following table provides the 2011-12 tuition schedule for the JD, JD/MBA, JD/MES and JD/MA - Phil.

All students must pay the $450 registration fee to their Student Account by August 10 in order to complete their registration for the current academic year. It is best that the payment is made separately from others. Failure to pay the registration fee will mean you will not be enrolled in your courses. Also, for students receiving government loans, you will not receive your funding until you pay your registration fees.

Tuition and ancillary fees are due in two parts: the first half is due September 10, and the second half is due at the beginning of January.

For students receiving Upper Year scholarships, your tuition will be reduced by the scholarship amount. You are responsible for paying the balance by the deadlines.

Students pay approximately $400 annually in health and dental plan fees. Please contact the Legal and Literary Society Office, or email healthplan@osgoode.yorku.ca for additional information.

Tax Forms and Deductions

All tax forms provided by the University (T2202A, T4A) are available through your Passport York account.

Common Deductions and Tax Credits for Students:

1.  Tuition Fees
   You may claim tuition fees paid during the year (this amount will be on your T2202A). 
2. Textbook Credit
   You may claim a $65/month textbook tax credit for each month you are considered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to be enrolled full-time, and a $20/month textbook tax credit for each month you are considered by the CRA to be enrolled part-time. 
3. Property Tax Credit
   Most students living on their own may claim a portion of their rent. See this link. 
4. Tax Credit for Public Transit Passes
   The CRA now offers a tax credit for the cost of buying a monthly or longer public transit pass (i.e. TTC Metropass, YRT pass, GO Transit pass, etc.). Weekly passes may be claimed if they are purchased for 4 or more consecutive weeks. It is important to retain your passes and receipts. 
5. Interest Paid on Student Loans
   Depending on your circumstances, it may be possible to claim a tax credit for the interest you paid on government funded student loans. Check the CRA guidelines to see if this applies to you.
6. Moving Expenses
   If you moved in order to attend Osgoode, you may be able to claim some of the cost against any income from scholarships, bursaries, etc. Please review the moving expense criteria.

The above list of tax tips relevant to students is by no means comprehensive. Each deduction and credit is contingent upon specific eligibility criteria set out by the CRA. Please ensure you review and comply with all tax rules.

The government requires that you retain all relevant documentation for at least 7 years after you file your tax return. Remember to keep all tax forms and relevant receipts.

For additional information and tax saving tips, please see:

• Canada Revenue Agency Student Info Page
• "Students and Income Tax" (publication by the CRA)
• Certified General Accountants' Tax Tips for Students
  
  
  

Students Planning to Study Abroad

OSAP

York requires all students who are going on exchange and applying for OSAP to complete the Exchange - OSAP Supplemental Information Form. Return the completed form to York’s Student Financial Service Office at the Bennett Centre to be eligible to receive your OSAP funding.

The dates of your study period for your OSAP application must reflect the academic schedule at the host institution, not Osgoode’s term dates. Students may need to complete separate OSAP applications for terms at Osgoode and terms on exchange, if fees are being paid to the other institution.

If you will not be here to pick up your OSAP funds, and wish to have another person (parents, friends) do so on your behalf, you must authorize a designated party to complete the paperwork for you. The steps are:

1. Complete the Third Party Access Permission Form – this allows staff to release the appropriate student loan forms to your designated party.
2. If you are authorizing your designate to sign the loan documents on your behalf, you must complete two Power of Attorney Forms:
   • The Ontario Power of Attorney form for your Ontario Student Loan
   • The HRSDC Power of Attorney for the Canada Student Loan portion of your entitlement

If you are from another province, you need to present the same documents. Instead of filling the Ontario Power of Attorney form, submit your province's Power of Attorney form. Please visit CanLearn and your province's student loan website for more details.

Bursaries

Students who are on exchange in the fall or winter semesters and are paying tuition fees to Osgoode are eligible for Osgoode Bursaries.

For students studying on an exchange in the fall semester, Osgoode’s Student Financial Services Office will contact you in early August and invite you to submit your bursary application prior to your exchange departure.

Letter of Permission and summer program students who pay tuition to their host institution are not eligible for Osgoode bursaries for that period.