Who is eligible for government student loans?
One of the primary sources of post-secondary financial assistance is OSAP – the Ontario Student Assistance Program.
Protected persons and refugees are those who have been legally recognized by the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) or Immigration Refugees Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Protected Persons can include convention refugees, humanitarian-protected persons abroad, and persons in need of protection.
Refugee claimants (individuals still in the process of having their refugee status determined by the IRB or IRCC) are not eligible for OSAP. If you are a refugee claimant, refer to the scholarships listed below and visit your institution's financial aid office. They can help direct you to different funding options, such as scholarships and bursaries within the institution which you may be eligible for.
Also see this article by Settlement.Org: I am a refugee claimant. Can I study?
Am I eligible?
Yes! If you are a protected person or a convention refugee, you can apply for OSAP. However, there are certain documents which you must have before applying.
These are:
- A valid copy of your temporary Social Insurance Number (SIN) card. You must apply for a temporary SIN card if you don’t already have one. Once you have applied, you will be given a temporary SIN, which begins with a 9. Once you become a permanent resident, you can apply for your permanent SIN. For help applying for a SIN card, submit a Service Canada e-service request form.
- A valid copy of one of the following documents:
- Verification of Status
- Notice of Decision issued by the Immigration and Refugee Board
- Protected Persons Status Document (issued before January 1, 2013)
- Refugee Travel Document
For a full list of required documents, check the 2023-24 OSAP Application for Full-Time Students.
For further information on eligibility and specific details about OSAP, check out these related articles: “What is OSAP?” and “How do I apply for OSAP?”
What other financial assistance am I eligible for?
It’s advisable to make an appointment with your settlement/school counsellor to discuss other options for financial assistance, as there are charities, foundations and private companies that offer scholarships for youth to pursue their post-secondary education. However, be sure to read their eligibility requirements carefully – some of them are specifically for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
For a list of scholarships, see our article: How can I use scholarships to pay for school?