OT / PT Orientation Session from the Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships (SFAS)

1. OT / PT Orientation Sessionfrom theOffice of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships (SFAS) Leanne Ruiz Manager, Student Services Fall Orientation 2014

2. The OSAP ProcessTHE APPLICATION • APPLY: Submit a completed 2014-2015 OSAP application online at https://osap.gov.on.ca. 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 https://osap.gov.on.ca

3. The OSAP ProcessYOUR FUNDING • APP CHANGES: Make any necessary changes to your OSAP application (course load, income etc.) • CHECK EMAIL: At the beginning of each term, check your OSAP email 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 beforeJanuary 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 http://sfas.mcmaster.ca • 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 14-15 but not receiving OSAP • A student previously had OSAP and their 14-15 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 www.canlearn.ca • 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 https://adweb.cis.mcmaster.ca/cis/ahtml/login.htmfrom 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 1-888-660-5958 or visit our website at http://www.tdcanadatrust.com/student. 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) 525-9140 ext. 24319 Online at http://sfas.mcmaster.ca