OSAP Academic Probation and Restriction

As a student receiving funding from OSAP, the Financial Aid office monitors your academic progress regularly to ensure that you are meeting OSAP's requirements. 

When this process is done, you will fall under one of three statuses with OSAP:

1. Good Standing

2. Academic Probation

3. Academic Restriction

This process is not the same as Trent University’s process for academic standing.  This means that you may be placed on academic probation with OSAP but still remain in good standing with the University.

To remain in good standing with OSAP, you must meet the following criteria:

You may be placed on academic probation or academic restriction if any of the following happen:

Definitions:

Academic Probation:

If you have been placed on Academic Probation with OSAP you will have been notified by OSAP through your OSAP Message Centre.  You will remain on academic probation for one full academic year.

While on probation, you are still eligible to receive OSAP funding and there are no changes to the amount of money you are be eligible to receive as a result of your probation.  You will be required to complete an Acknowledgment of Academic Probation Form with OSAP.  This form will be required for your next OSAP period and will appear as part of your Required Documents in the OSAP Application.  Please complete the form and upload ALL 3 pages of the document.  

If you are successful during your probationary period and meet the criteria listed above for good standing, your probation will be removed and your status will be returned to Academic Good Standing with OSAP.  If you are unsuccessful during your probationary period and do not meet the criteria listed above, your probation may be upgraded to an Academic Restriction.

Academic Restriction:

If you have been placed on Academic Restriction with OSAP, this means that you failed to meet the academic requirements while on Academic Probation.  Your first Academic Restriction with OSAP is for one full calendar year and during this time you are ineligible for OSAP funding.  If you continue to study full time while restricted, you are still eligible to apply for Interest Free Status so that you are not required to make payments on your OSAP loans. 

Periods of Study +1:

The "Periods of Study +1" policy states that students may apply for full-time OSAP for the number of periods of study required for the completion of their program plus one additional study period.

This policy does not apply to the part-time OSAP program or for students who have a registered disability with OSAP. If you have been notified that you have reached your maximum study periods for your program and are in the process of registering your disability with OSAP, please contact our office. 

For example, students who are in an honours undergraduate degree are expected to complete their program in 4 years. Under the Periods of Study +1 policy, students can apply for full time OSAP funding for up to 5 years to complete a 4 year degree.

Once you have reached your periods of study +1, you are no longer eligible for full-time funding for that program and you will be placed on Academic probation. This policy is enforced by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities and cannot be appealed.  

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Can I appeal my academic status with OSAP?

If factors beyond your control impeded your academic progress, you may submit a request for review of your academic status. You must clearly demonstrate in a letter of appeal what occurred during the study period that contributed to you failing to meet OSAP requirements.  Only extenuating circumstances beyond your control are considered, such as a serious medical issue, disability, or family crisis. Supporting documentation, such as letters from doctors, academic advisors or third part professionals must be attached. Appeals without proper documentation will not be accepted.

Please review the "Academic Restriction Appeal" document on our OSAP Forms page to see what is required and use it as a guide to submitting your appeal: OSAP Forms Page

All files must be in PDF format, and uploaded to the "review" section of your OSAP portal. If you are unable to upload all files to your OSAP, you can submit PDF files through the Alternate Document - OSAP forms found under FINANCES on your myTrent.

Appeal decisions are generally made within 4-6 weeks.