The Student's Guide to OSAP Affidavits - Updated for 2022-2023 Academic Year

Good news! The 2022-2023 OSAP application opened in May 2022. This blog post provides a helpful overview of OSAP and OSAP affidavits, including OSAP affidavits of common law status and OSAP affidavits for sole support parents.

What is OSAP?

The Ontario Student Assistance Program, or OSAP, provides student loans and grants to post-secondary students, and for many an OSAP loan is essential for getting through the academic year.

OSAP can help you pay for tuition, books, student fees, living expenses (for full-time students) and child care (for students with children).

OSAP is available to Ontario residents who are attending OSAP-approved schools and

• Canadian citizens
• Permanent residents, or
• Protected persons

The amount of OSAP you are entitled to depends on your:

• Education expenses
• Course load
• Personal financial situation

For more information on OSAP, visit Learn about OSAP, or review the 2022-2023 OSAP Application.

How do I apply for OSAP?

Applying for OSAP is pretty straightforward. First, you register online for an OSAP account. Second, you complete the online application.

Make sure that you submit your OSAP application by the deadline. For full-time students and part-time students with study periods of 21 weeks or more, your OSAP application is due no later than 60 days before the end of your study period. For part-time students with study periods of 20 weeks or less, your application is due no later than 40 days before the end of your study period. For OSAP, the study period is usually the normal school year for your program.

Third, you complete the Master Student Financial Assistant Agreement, if required. You may also need to complete the signature and declaration forms, and provide additional documents, like an OSAP affidavit.

For more information on how to apply for OSAP, visit the Government of Ontario’s How to apply for OSAP.

What is an OSAP affidavit, and do I need one?

An affidavit is a sworn document that is signed before a lawyer, a commissioner of oaths) or a notary public, swearing or affirming that the contents of the affidavit are true.

An OSAP affidavit is a type of affidavit that you may need to provide to OSAP as part of your OSAP application. Generally, OSAP may require an affidavit if you are unable to provide official documentation to prove something about yourself. For example, you may need an OSAP affidavit to show:

• You are living in a common law relationship
• You are a sole support parent
• Your marital status (including divorced, separated or widowed)
• Your Indigenous identity
• Your income
• Your spouse’s income
• Your parent’s income

Here are some of the most common types of OSAP affidavits:

• OSAP Affidavit of Common Law Status: You must provide an affidavit signed by you and your common law partner to confirm:
  • You have lived together in a conjugal relationship outside of marriage continuously for a period of not less than three years, or
  • You have lived together for less than years in a relationship of some permanent and are the natural or adoptive parents of a child.
  • If you are widowed, you must also provide a copy of your spouse’s death certificate.

  If you aren’t sure if you need to provide an OSAP affidavit, we recommend that you contact your financial aid office or the National Student Loans Service Centre.

  Can Notarize.ca help me with my OSAP affidavit?

  Yes, we definitely can!

  OSAP affidavits can be notarized virtually. Notarize.ca makes it easy to notarize your affidavits online in minutes. This is how it works:

  • Create your secure Notarize.ca account and book your appointment
  • Meet with your notary professional by video conference
  • Electronically sign your cohabitation agreement and download the notarized document

  Ready to get started? Book your online notary appointment today!