Micro-credentials
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is now offering funding opportunities for micro-credential courses and programs at Ontario colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes.
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.
Applying for OSAP funding for Waterloo micro-credential courses
For students taking an OSAP-approved micro-credential, submit one OSAP application for each micro-credential course.
Applications for OSAP for Micro-credential assistance cannot overlap with another micro-credential study period (funding for multiple courses cannot be applied for concurrently).
- Confirm that the Waterloo micro-credential course you want to take is OSAP-approved.
- Submit an “OSAP for Micro-credentials Application” online at ontario.ca/page/osap-ontario-student-assistance-program.
- Submit your (and your spouse’s/parent’s, if applicable) signed Consents, Declarations, and Signature pages, along with any supporting documentation. These documents can be uploaded to your online application.
- Your application will be processed to ensure that all information is complete and valid. Some of the information that you provide (e.g. name and income) will be verified with third parties. To stay up-to-date on the latest status of your OSAP account, you can check online at ontario.ca/page/osap-ontario-student-assistance-program.
- Enrol and pay for the micro-credential course before your application can be confirmed and your OSAP funding released to you.
- Once your application is complete and your course has started, we will confirm your enrolment and your OSAP funding will be issued to you by direct deposit.
Advise the SAFA office if you decide not to enrol or withdraw before finishing the application or if you have any questions.
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
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.
Repayment of a micro-credential student loan begins on the first day of the seventh month after the student completes or withdrawals from studies. The student must begin repayment of their loans plus any accrued interest from the grace period once their loan repayment starts.
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.
