1. Leanne Ruiz Manager, Student Services Fall Orientation 2014
OT / PT Orientation Session from the Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships (SFAS)
Leanne Ruiz
Manager, Student Services
Fall Orientation 2014

2. The OSAP Process THE APPLICATION
APPLY: Submit a completed OSAP application online at Complete the ‘New User Registration’ and confirm your new Student Profile.
SIGNATURE PAGES: New OSAP applicants submit signature pages and supporting documentation to the Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships. Returning students, who completed a 13/14 OSAP application, do not need to print or submit signature pages for a 14/15 OSAP application.
MSFAA: Take your Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA) to a designated Canada Post outlet. Don’t forget your ID and banking information
PAYMENT AGREEMENT: Confirm your payment agreement and become fully registered
OSAP STATUS: Check your OSAP status regularly at

3. The OSAP Process YOUR FUNDING
APP CHANGES: Make any necessary changes to your OSAP application (course load, income etc.)
CHECK At the beginning of each term, check your OSAP account for notification that McMaster has confirmed your enrolment and when to expect an installment of OSAP funding
BANK ACCOUNT: Check your personal bank account for the deposit(s) of funding from the provincial and/or federal government for the fall term
PAYMENT: Make a payment to McMaster University by Sept 15
INCOME UPDATE: Complete the Income Update online in November
BANK ACCOUNT: In January, check your personal bank account for the deposit(s) of funding from the provincial and/or federal government for the winter term
PAYMENT: Pay the remaining balance on the McMaster student account before January 15

4. OSAP Income Update
Early November, student will be asked to complete an Income Update online as part of the OSAP process
It is the student’s opportunity to report any income changes prior to income verification
Income verification is completed by OSAP in the June to compare your OSAP application to your income tax

5. Continuation of Interest Free Status
The CIFS form is available on the SFAS website at
This form is to keep previous OSAP loans in a non-repayment, interest free status
This form is used when:
A student previously had OSAP, is enrolled full-time for but not receiving OSAP
A student previously had OSAP and their OSAP is delayed
A student previously had OSAP and is on a coop term for 14-15

6. Out-of-Province Students
The SFAS Office completes government aid forms for McMaster students from other provinces:
Student Aid application forms (i.e. Appendix 3, Program Information Forms, Confirmation of Enrollment, Schedule 2/Form B)
Students can apply for Continuation of Interest Free Status for previous federal and/or provincial loans via the National Student Loans Service Centre portal at
Interest-free status for federal and provincial loans is confirmed electronically for students from all provinces except PEI and Manitoba. Students from these two provinces must bring a paper form B, printed from their province’s website, to be completed by the Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships

7. McMaster General Bursary Program
Bursary Applications: Available to fully registered OTPT students online via MUGSI at from September 15th to January 9th. To apply, log on to MUGSI, click on ‘Financial Aid’ and then click on the ‘Bursary Application Form’ from the APPS list.
Eligibility: Students MUST first have:
RECEIVED government student aid through their home province for the current year
provided any required bursary supporting documentation
met published bursary application deadline dates
demonstrated financial need in excess of government student loan funding

8. TD Line of Credit
OTPT students who have exhausted their own resources and government student loan support may wish to investigate a student line of credit at a financial institution.  As the financial institution chosen by McMaster University to offer Student Lines of Credit, TD Canada Trust can help you finance your professional or graduate school studies.
The TD Canada Trust Student Line of Credit is designed to provide the flexibility required by students in professional and graduate schools. Benefits include an available credit limit that you can use to cover all or part of your educational and living expenses or any other expenses, at a competitive variable interest rate. Payment options are flexible, with no prepayment penalties, and there are no set-up, monthly or annual fees.
To discuss your options or learn more about the TD Canada Trust Student Line of Credit, visit any TD Canada Trust branch, call or visit our website at TD Canada Trust is open longer to serve you better at branches throughout the community.

9. Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships (SFAS)
Gilmour Hall, Room 120
(905) ext
Online at