How to Get OSAP Student Loans for Universities and Colleges Outside Canada

Ontario students attending university outside the country may still be eligible for OSAP! Here's how.

If you're an Ontario resident considering attending school in another country, chances are pretty good that you can still receive funding from the Ontario Student Assistance Plan (OSAP)!

OSAP is Ontario's public student loan and grant program, meant to assist students in financial need with the funds required to complete higher education.

Most students who receive OSAP attend college or university in Ontario, which is easy enough, or in another part of Canada. Most Canadian schools are already set up to accept OSAP, so you shouldn't have much trouble there.

If you're looking at post-secondary education abroad, though, you may have to request your new institution be added to OSAP's list of schools that are covered for the student loan program.

How to find out if your school is approved for OSAP

OSAP makes it easy to find out if your school is approved. The OSAP site has a simple search bar to check whether your school is already set up for OSAP. Just select the year you're starting, type the school name, and search.

Try the OSAP school search tool here.

What to do if the school you want to attend doesn't appear on OSAP's list

If you're looking at a school outside Ontario, that doesn't show up on OSAP's list of pre-approved colleges and universities, you're not necessarily out of luck.

You can request OSAP add your new institution to its list! The process is pretty simple, but it will take time, so don't sleep on your opportunity. Here's how to do it.

OSAP's Request for Institution and Program Approval form

OSAP offers a single form, with a few different sections, which you can fill out, and send to your new school to complete. When OSAP receives all sections of the completed form, they'll consider adding the institution to their list of approved schools.

How to fill out the Request for Institution and Program Approval form for OSAP

As a student, you need only complete the first two sections of the Request for Institution and Program Approval form, which you can download here from the OSAP site.

Be sure to read the form carefully! Don't sign anything you haven't read.

Section A is about you, the student — contact info and basic details about the school and the program you intend to pursue there.

Section B is even easier — it's just a signature acknowledging you've followed the form's instructions. You have read the instructions, right?

Sections C through H make up the rest of the form, and they're meant for the institution you're attending to fill out. If you're not sure who to send the form to at your new school, be sure to get in touch with a recruitment advisor or employee with the registrar's office who can help you find the right address.

The school will share information on its accreditations, programs, requirements, and more. OSAP may require substantiating documentation, as well, and must confirm your enrolment status before OSAP funds can be disbursed.

When your school is done, they will send their completed paperwork back to you, the student. You'll then need to submit everything as a single package to the OSAP office in charge of institutional approvals:

Student Financial Assistance Branch
Attn.: Institution Approvals
PO Box 4500, 189 Red River Road, 4th Floor
Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 6G9

Timelines and deadlines to complete required forms

OSAP must have all completed forms in their possession "no later than 120 days" (about 4 months) "before the end of your study period." So, you have time, but you'll probably be so busy with school that you don't want to sleep on this project!

Once the good folks at OSAP have the required materials, it can take them 6 to 8 weeks to review it all and come to a decision.

Should I apply for OSAP even if my school isn't already approved?

Yes! If you want to receive OSAP, but the school you're attending is not already approved, you still must apply for OSAP funding by the regular application deadline. The OSAP application is currently open, and the application period closes 60 days before the end of your study period, though all documents must be received by 40 days out from the end of your studies.

So, even if you're not 100% sure your school will be approved for OSAP, you should still apply for OSAP just in case.

Still looking for the right school abroad? Check out SchoolFinder to find undergrad and grad options in the USA, UK, Europe, and beyond.