Micro-credentials OSAP

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Quick links: What is OSAP | Full-time OSAP | Part-time OSAP | Micro-credentials OSAP | Co-op work term and spring term OSAP | Continuation of Interest Free Status (CIFS) | OSAP repayment | OSAP deadlines and important dates | OSAP forms | Awards & Financial Aid for Undergraduates - home

Important: 2024-25 courses have not yet been approved by the Ministry. Applications will be reviewed and processed once courses for 2024-25 are finalized.

Micro-credentials OSAP

Micro-credentials are rapid online, and sometimes on-the-job, training programs. They are designed, often with input from business sectors, to provide opportunities for those in the workforce to enhance or upgrade skills.  

Confirm that the Waterloo micro-credential course you want to take is OSAP-approved.  

Step 1: complete and submit an online OSAP application. Submit one OSAP application for each micro-credential course.

  • Log in to your OSAP account using your Ontario Access Number (OAN) and password. 
    • First-time applicants will need to create an account, a personal profile, and be assigned an Ontario Access Number (OAN).  
  • Select start a new micro-credential application.

Step 2: Upload required documentation

  • Once the application has been submitted, review the list of required documentation. 
  • Complete all required documentation and upload directly to your application by logging into your OSAP account. 

To upload documents to OSAP: 

  1. Log in to your OSAP account and go to “My Apps” 
  2. Under “Submitted Applications”, go to “View Documents and Print/Upload” 
  3. Go to each of the document’s names for a description of what you’re required to upload 
  4. Complete and date/sign your document(s) and take a clear scan or photo of the page(s) 
  5. Upload each document as a PDF 

Step 3: Confirmation of Enrolment

You can check your application status by logging into your account on the OSAP website and going to “My Apps” 

  1. Enroll and pay for the micro-credential course before your application can be confirmed and your OSAP funding released to you. 
  2. Once your application is complete and your course has started, we will confirm your enrolment and your OSAP funding will be issued to your bank account. 

Other micro-credentials information

Deadlines

Application: Your application must be received by your school’s financial aid office no later than the last day of your study period. 

Supporting documentation: Supporting documentation must be received no later than 5 days after the end of your study period. 

Repayment and Interest Free Status

While a student is in studies (micro-credential, full-time, part-time) and has their OSAP application confirmed, their micro-credential student loan will be placed into interest-free status. This means that no payments are required, and interest does not accrue. 

The student’s grace period for their micro-credential student loan is the six-month period after they complete or withdraw from studies (micro-credential, full-time or part-time). During the grace period, students are not required to make loan or interest payments. However, interest will accrue on their micro-credential student loan during this time.  

The interest rate on micro-credential student loans is prime plus 1%. If the student has OSAP loans from full-time or part-time studies, these loans are not eligible for interest-free status and remain repayable while the student is enrolled in a micro-credential.  

If you have questions about repayment, please contact the National Student Loans Service Centre for OSAP Micro-credentials program at 1-888-869-2896.