2ndChance Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Hi guys, Long time lurker, first time poster. So my story goes, I've been out of full-time school for about almost two years now. I only completed 2.5-3 out of 4 years of my undergrad degree before giving up because my GPA was just flat out terrible and because both my parents lost their jobs. However, recently I've been really wanting to start fresh (a new degree at a new school) after reading all the success stories of people who came back from the depths of academic hell. Finding out about the special acceptance policies of Western, Queen's, Dalhousie, NOSM, and Ottawa are really giving me some hope. And just like most of you I think I share a similar dream. I do plan to continue working while studying. I feel that I'm much more mature now than I was before. I'm under the age of 25 (I don't know where I got that number, but I recall hearing it somewhere that it mattered). I currently reside with my parents but I will have to move out to attend this school. So my question is this: since neither I nor my parents can afford to put me through another 4 years of university, will OSAP cover me at all or does my bad academic past prevent me from receiving OSAP and getting a... second chance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorelan Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Hi there! Have you had osap before? My understanding is that they won't care that much as long as you haven't defaulted on a prior osap loan so you shouldn't have too much trouble. The financial aid office at your new school by the way can REALLY help with this sort of stuff - both in terms of info and working within the system Best of luck by the way! Hi guys, Long time lurker, first time poster. So my story goes, I've been out of full-time school for about almost two years now. I only completed 2.5-3 out of 4 years of my undergrad degree before giving up because my GPA was just flat out terrible and because both my parents lost their jobs. However, recently I've been really wanting to start fresh (a new degree at a new school) after reading all the success stories of people who came back from the depths of academic hell. Finding out about the special acceptance policies of Western, Queen's, Dalhousie, NOSM, and Ottawa are really giving me some hope. And just like most of you I think I share a similar dream. I do plan to continue working while studying. I feel that I'm much more mature now than I was before. I'm under the age of 25 (I don't know where I got that number, but I recall hearing it somewhere that it mattered). I currently reside with my parents but I will have to move out to attend this school. So my question is this: since neither I nor my parents can afford to put me through another 4 years of university, will OSAP cover me at all or does my bad academic past prevent me from receiving OSAP and getting a... second chance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2ndChance Posted July 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Oh shoot! I knew I forgot to mention something important. No, I have never used any Government loans (OSAP) or bank loans to pay for school. Sadly, my parents and I wasted our own money and a RESP on me. And thank you very very much! I was just filling out the OSAP form and it asks if you've attended Post-secondary before and some details year by year (ie full-time, course load, pass or not, etc). I know this has been discussed before and it's rather shady but does really omitting this info hurt? I'm just afraid afraid they'll axe me. =/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Some thoughts: - Have you played around with the OSAP calculator? It seems somewhat helpful. - Any assets? If so, deal with them before you apply to OSAP. - If you do apply for OSAP and don't get it, appeal it. - If you still don't get OSAP, you could probably get a student LOC through one of the major banks (if you have a co-signer). They are much more generous than OSAP; but, the catch is you accumulate interest as a student. With the interest rate as low as it is, it's not a huge deal at the moment, but this will change as our economy recovers. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorelan Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Oh shoot! I knew I forgot to mention something important. No, I have never used any Government loans (OSAP) or bank loans to pay for school. Sadly, my parents and I wasted our own money and a RESP on me. And thank you very very much! I was just filling out the OSAP form and it asks if you've attended Post-secondary before and some details year by year (ie full-time, course load, pass or not, etc). I know this has been discussed before and it's rather shady but does really omitting this info hurt? I'm just afraid afraid they'll axe me. =/ Don't lie. It's the government, usually they find a way to nail you Particularly here as I really don't think it will be a problem. You didn't fail out of your program, and while your GPA is low for med school that doesn't actually mean you were a bad student (2.5-3 GPA is pretty typical). You also didn't default on any loans (which is what they REALLY care about). Your situation is not what they are screening for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quester Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 sorry to hijack the thread, but what happens when you have variance in your income from past year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorelan Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 sorry to hijack the thread, but what happens when you have variance in your income from past year? variance? Sorry for being clueless, but I am not sure what you are referring too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayven Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 Don't lie. It's the government, usually they find a way to nail you Particularly here as I really don't think it will be a problem. You didn't fail out of your program, and while your GPA is low for med school that doesn't actually mean you were a bad student (2.5-3 GPA is pretty typical). You also didn't default on any loans (which is what they REALLY care about). Your situation is not what they are screening for. That brings up a good question though. What if you did bomb school the first time around? Do you think OSAP would still fund you even if you've never used OSAP before? I can understand the OP's concerns. Maybe OSAP wouldn't think he or she would be worth the investment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quester Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 variance? Sorry for being clueless, but I am not sure what you are referring too Yeah, I got a letter stating that there is a variance in my income. So basically, the estimated income in OSAP and the actual income from CRA did not match. I'm not too sure what the consequences would be.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorelan Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 Yeah, I got a letter stating that there is a variance in my income. So basically, the estimated income in OSAP and the actual income from CRA did not match. I'm not too sure what the consequences would be.... ahhhh, ok, that just means that if you were paid more than you estimated you would then your subsequent funding will be reduced "appropriately". I have had some friends burned that way. I suppose it can work out the other way around as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 Yeah, I got a letter stating that there is a variance in my income. So basically, the estimated income in OSAP and the actual income from CRA did not match. I'm not too sure what the consequences would be.... OSAP will likely deduct something from the amount they give you. I've had friends tell me about this; explaining how frustrating it is to work and then get less OSAP support. Hope everything works out okay! Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quester Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 OSAP will likely deduct something from the amount they give you. I've had friends tell me about this; explaining how frustrating it is to work and then get less OSAP support. Hope everything works out okay! Good luck! So they'll deduct the amount of loan from this year, right? It's just that I've heard that I might have to pay them back the extra loan they gave me last year immediately, or else I might not even get a loan AT ALL this year. The frustrating part of my case is that my stupid accountant included the scholarships, bursaries, etc, as my INCOME, when apparently, starting 2008 the CRA does not require us to do so. So basically, OSAP thinks that I've actually made an income during the year, when I haven't even done so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayven Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 Variance in income is a given. The more money you make, the more money your parents make (if you're a dependent), or the more assets you have then the less OSAP you'll receive. It's a little weird because I think they expect you to put up some money for your own schooling but at the same time if you make too much then they'll effectively "punish" you. But back to the OP's question, do you think bombing a previous undergrad (paid with your own money and no OSAP) would reflect badly when asking the government to fund you? Seems like they would reject you if that were the case logically speaking. But then again, do they only look at if you've defaulted on loans before or ever taken OSAP before? Hmmmmmm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 Variance in income is a given. The more money you make, the more money your parents make (if you're a dependent), or the more assets you have then the less OSAP you'll receive. It's a little weird because I think they expect you to put up some money for your own schooling but at the same time if you make too much then they'll effectively "punish" you. OSAP is frustrating. For undergrad, I didn't even bother applying because I knew I wouldn't qualify. Too bad; I would've appreciated the interest free student loan. Annoying, as I didn't get any financial assistance from outside sources. I guess I'm being 'punished' for being financially responsible - ugh! OSAP would be very handy if/when I get into med school. I'm going to have to figure out some minor details before then, haha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorelan Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 Variance in income is a given. The more money you make, the more money your parents make (if you're a dependent), or the more assets you have then the less OSAP you'll receive. It's a little weird because I think they expect you to put up some money for your own schooling but at the same time if you make too much then they'll effectively "punish" you. But back to the OP's question, do you think bombing a previous undergrad (paid with your own money and no OSAP) would reflect badly when asking the government to fund you? Seems like they would reject you if that were the case logically speaking. But then again, do they only look at if you've defaulted on loans before or ever taken OSAP before? Hmmmmmm yeah but he/she didn't bomb it. A GPA of 2.5-3 is not a bad average. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayven Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 But for future reference.. what if? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waterluv Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 Hey, since you've been out of high school for longer than 4 years, you are not considered dependant on your parents so it's only your own income/assets that will be factored in for OSAP calculation. If you don't own stuff/with something close to zero income, you should be able to get the full amount/ year (something like 14000). Go through the application and talk to school financial ppl, usually there's some kind of bursary to help out students. Even if you don't initially get anything, make an appointment with a financial counsellor and talk to them... you may get some more aids, even only few hundred dollars. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayven Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 I see. Hmm. I'm still really wondering if bad (I mean really bad) academic past would be a reason to deny you OSAP though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 I see. Hmm. I'm still really wondering if bad (I mean really bad) academic past would be a reason to deny you OSAP though. You sound quite worried! Perhaps a call to your student financial aid office or OSAP directly will ease your mind? If you don't want to identify yourself, you could call anonymously. Best wishes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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