All Osgoode students are encouraged to apply for federal and provincial student loans. To ensure that your government funding is in place before you arrive in September, students should apply as early as possible (late spring/early summer). Sorting out your government funding early is crucial for financial planning, budgeting and for your peace of mind because the first few weeks of law school are a whirlwind of activities. It is especially important to have your government funding in place if you are to meet the bursary deadline and receive your bursary in a timely fashion.
For more information on student loans, visit the CanLearn Site.
Federal Student Loans
You are automatically considered for federal student loans when you apply for a student loan in your home province. This combined plan offers loan assistance to students who are permanent residents of Canada, satisfy provincial residency requirements, and demonstrate financial need. To be eligible a student must be registered in at least 60% of a full course load of at least 12 weeks in duration (40% for students with disabilities).
Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
The current maximum funding available through OSAP each academic year is about $14,000 for a single student with no dependants, and about $20,000 for students who are married, in a common law relationship or a sole support parent. Students may be eligible for additional bursaries.
Students should complete the online OSAP application, which is available in February, as soon as possible. Ontario students must complete the online application no later than June 30 in order for York University to defer your tuition fees until the receipt of OSAP funding or October 10, whichever comes first.
Once you have completed your online application, you must send your signature pages directly to York’s Office of Student Financial Services. You should continually check the status of your application on the OSAP website to confirm your final amount and also to learn if any additional documentation is needed.
Complete Ontario Student Loan information can be found here.
Please note: York University, not Osgoode Student Financial Services, handles all OSAP related inquiries. If you have any questions, contact York Financial Services at 416-872-9675.
More information can be found here.
Ontario Special Bursary Plan (OSBP): The OSBP helps students from low family incomes (often those in receipt of assistance through the Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program) participate in post secondary education on a part-time basis. More information can be found on this program here.
Out of Province Students
York University does not defer tuition for out of province students. The first half of your tuition fees is due on August 10 for first year students, and on September 10 for upper years.
Links to all other Provincial and Territorial loan websites will be found under here.
Online Document Tracker
York's Online Document Tracker informs you whether your government funds have been received at York, where to pick them up, and what identification you need. For your convenience, the Online Document Tracker also allows you to set up a document pick-up appointment online so that waiting time is minimal.