OSAP & Exchange Students

OSAP ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS ON EXCHANGE INFORMATION

If you will be studying on a University of Windsor International Exchange Program AND you will be applying for OSAP assistance, you will need the following information:

OSAP ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS ON EXCHANGE INFORMATION SHEET
OSAP ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS ON EXCHANGE FORM

* Your OSAP ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS ON EXCHANGE FORM must reach the Student Awards & Financial Aid Office at least 6 weeks prior to the start of your studies abroad.

OSAP Application Instrucations
Receiving OSAP Funding
Other Important Information
Minimum Course Load Requirement
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Making Changes
International Travel Bursary
Contact Information

OSAP ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS ON EXCHANGE INFORMATION

If you will be studying on a University of Windsor International Exchange Program AND you will be applying for OSAP assistance, the following information is VERY IMPORTANT.

OSAP Application Instructions:
When you are applying on-line for OSAP assistance, be sure to select the University of Windsor as your post-secondary institution.  When you are selecting your program of studies, be sure to select “Exchange Student”.  This is an identifier to our office that your intention is to participate in an International Exchange Program.  When you submit your Signature and Declaration pages to our office, the following ADDITIONAL information MUST be submitted :

1. A completed OSAP ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS ON EXCHANGE FORM;

2. A copy of your confirmation/approval letter either from the institution that you will be attending or from the Student Exchange Office which specifies your study period START DATE and END DATE (your end date should allow for your exam schedule, not just the last day of classes (if the study period start & end dates are not on the letter of acceptance you MUST have the Exchange Program Coordinator at the Student Exchange Office complete this information on the bottom of your Student on Exchange Form

3. All required OSAP documents listed at the end of your online OSAP application. For your personalized list of required documents, log on to your OSAP account on the OSAP website and go to the "View App Details" section.

4. You must take your Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MFSAA) with the identification listed below to a designated Canada Post Outlet or if you can’t go to a designated Canada Post outlet because you are not in Canada, mail your MSFAA and proof of identity to: National Student Loans Service Centre, PO Box 4030, Mississauga, ON L5A 4M4.

Receiving your OSAP Funding

The process of picking up and signing loan documents before each term of study is ending.  Canada and Ontario are implementing a lifetime loan agreement that will cover you for all the time you are in full-time postsecondary studies; this lifetime loan agreement is called the Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement, or MSFAA.

With the new MSFAA you can print out your lifetime loan agreement anytime after you submit your online OSAP application, submit the signed agreement and present your identification to any participating Canada Post outlet in your area.  This only needs to be done ONCE, and will be in place throughout your time as a full-time postsecondary student.

Your funding will be deposited directly into your account once your school confirms your enrolment.  For your second term funding, the Ministry only asks that you confirm your estimated income on your online OSAP account.  You will be sent an email reminder sometime in October.

Follow these 4 easy steps to get your OSAP funding.  For more information visit the “Getting OSAP” section on the OSAP website.

Step 1: Submit Your Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA)
Print, complete, and sign your MSFAA.  After you submit your online OSAP Application for Full-Time Students, print your MSFAA. You can also ask the Ministry to mail it to you, but we recommend that you print it yourself.
Take your MSFAA to a designated Canada Post Outlet immediately.  You must present the following two pieces of documentation to prove your identity:

1. Proof of your Social Insurance Number (SIN):
• your Social Insurance card, or
• an official Government of Canada document that contains your Social Insurance Number (e.g., a Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment, a Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions, or a Confirmation of Social Insurance Number from Service Canada).

2. One piece of valid photo ID issued in Canada by the federal, provincial or territorial government (a legible photocopy of the front and back is acceptable). Examples of acceptable ID: Canadian passport, permanent resident or citizenship card, Ontario photo card, valid driver's licence or provincial health card with photo.  Student ID cards are not acceptable forms of photo ID.

Note for Students Studying Outside of Canada: If you can’t go to a designated Canada Post outlet (or NSLSC kiosk) because you’re not in Canada, mail your MSFAA and a copy of your proof of identity to: National Student Loans Service Centre, PO Box 4030, Mississauga, ON L5A 4M4.

Step 2: Submit All Required OSAP Documents
All required documents listed at the end of your online OSAP application must be submitted to your Financial Aid Office before any funding can be disbursed to you.  For your personalized list of required documents, log on to your OSAP account on the OSAP website and go to the “View App Details” section.

Step 3: School Confirms Your Enrolment
The University of Windsor must confirm your enrolment before your funding can be disbursed to you. This confirmation will happen for each disbursement.  For most students, this will happen at the start of their studies (e.g., September) and then again halfway through their study period (e.g., January). For information about your disbursements and funding, log on to your OSAP account on the OSAP website and go to the “Check Status” section.

Step 4: Confirm Your Income
You must confirm your income before the release of your second disbursement, which is generally halfway through your study period (e.g., January). Instructions will be sent to you about a month before your second disbursement.
 
Other Important Information
 

Continuation of Interest Free Status:
If you have received OSAP funding in past semesters, but do not require OSAP funding while you are on exchange, you will want to put your loans into Interest Free Status.
You will have to complete and mail or fax to our office, the following:
• a Schedule 2/Continuation of Interest Free Status Form;
• A copy of your OSAP ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS ON EXCHANGE FORM which specifies your study period START DATE and END DATE (your end date should allow for your exam schedule, not just the last day of classes).

Minimum Course Load Requirement

You must take 60% of a full course load (40% for students with permanent disabilities) in order to be eligible for both OSAP funding and interest-free status. If you withdraw or drop below 60% of a full course load (below 40% for students with permanent disabilities) at any time, you WILL be reassessed and risk the chance of being overpaid in OSAP assistance. An overpayment can affect your future eligibility for OSAP assistance if it is not repaid.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

All OSAP recipients must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress to continue to be eligible for OSAP funding. Satisfactory Academic Progress is defined as successful completion of at least 60% of a full course load towards a specific degree or certificate. AUDIT courses are NOT eligible for OSAP.

Need to Make a Change?

It is your responsibility to inform the Student Awards & Financial Aid Office, in writing, of any changes in your academic, financial or marital status.

International Travel Bursary:
 

As an exchange student, you may apply for the University of Windsor’s International Travel Bursary. To do so, log on to the Student Information System, click on Awards Information and follow the links from there.

Important Contact Information

NATIONAL STUDENT LOAN SERVICE CENTRE
PUBLIC INSTITUTION DIVISION
P.O. Box 4030
Mississauga, ON
L5A 4M4

The global toll-free number for the NSLSC: 800-2-225-2501 plus country code.

OSAP
Website: http://osap.gov.on.ca

CASHIER’S OFFICE
Website: www.uwindsor.ca/cashiers
Phone: 519-253-3000, ext. 3307, 3308, 3309

REGISTRAR’S OFFICE
Website: www.uwindsor.ca/registrar
Phone: 519-253-3000, ext. 3315

STUDENT AWARDS AND FINANCIAL AID
Email: award1@uwindsor.ca
Phone: 519-253-3000, ext. 3300 ( 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
Mailing address: 401 Sunset Ave.
Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4

Specific Questions Regarding Your OSAP Application:

Students with last names starting with A - Gh:
Patricia Cousins - 519-253-3000 Ext. 3301
Email: cousins@uwindsor.ca

Students with last names starting with Gi - Ng:
Janis Shepley - 519-253-3000 Ext. 3303
Email: janis@uwindsor.ca

Students with last names starting with Ni- Z:
Kathy Bedard - 519-253-3000 Ext. 3304
Email: kathyb@uwindsor.ca