I submitted my OSAP application very early this year (around June 10th in full) and indicated that I would be living at home.

However due to some unforeseen circumstances, my mum wanted me to consider the option of moving closer to campus.

It's much too late for residence so I'd have to look at something off campus.

My greatest concern is the financial aspect. We're a low income family and there's no real way I can meet rent, utilities and food all by myself or even if adults chipped in.


Is there anything I can do (I do plan on speaking to the SFAS on Monday) with respect to obtaining OSAP funding?

I already received my funding summary and I was just wondering.

As always your time and feedback are both greatly appreciated

You can always try to get on the residence waiting list, if you want that as an option. But most of all, it's best to contact OSAP as soon as possible to change your funding summary and take that into consideration.

When you pick up your OSAP in September you can make changes to it. However, if you live close to the university and don't have much money maybe it's best if you commute? Or find really cheap housing? I don't know your financial state. Nevertheless, you CAN make changes to your OSAP app in September they'll just reduce the amount or increase it second term. To be honest though, usually funding doesn't change much

I spelled commuting wrong
It's not "come - mutting "

I know the OSOG (Ontario Student Opportunity Grant) reduces debt over $7500 for an academic year of 2 terms to $7500. What if you were granted about $13k (for example) for residence and everything?

May I ask where you're commuting from? It might be cheaper to do that than pay like 4000 dollars for a room for 8 months. Maybe talk to your mom first and consider your own feelings about if you want to live closer or not. Contact OSAP or even Mac for some definitive answers. Good luck. :]

Originally Posted by goodnews.inc

I know the OSOG (Ontario Student Opportunity Grant) reduces debt over $7500 for an academic year of 2 terms to $7500. What if you were granted about $13k (for example) for residence and everything?

Basically it means that you only have to pay OSAP a maximum of 7500$. If they give you more than 7500$, all the money above 7500$ is a grant (meaning free money). So if you receive 13000$ from OSAP then you only 7500$ is loaned and 5500$ is a grant.

May I ask where you're commuting from? It might be cheaper to do that than pay like 4000 dollars for a room for 8 months. Maybe talk to your mom first and consider your own feelings about if you want to live closer or not. Contact OSAP or even Mac for some definitive answers. Good luck. :]

Whoa... 4000$ for 8 months? that's 500$ a month...

Some places can be like that, especially when you're paying for utilities and food. It'd be worse in an apartment.

Originally Posted by feonateresa

Some places can be like that, especially when you're paying for utilities and food.

Hmmm, I still think that's a bit high for Hamilton... You can definitively find a place for much cheaper.

Originally Posted by jhan523

Hmmm, I still think that's a bit high for Hamilton... You can definitively find a place for much cheaper.

That's true. Finding a cheap room isn't so hard, you just have to start looking... like right away, since it's already July. Apartments in Hamilton are not expensive, downtown that is. Once you get into the Westdale/Ainslie Wood area, it gets very pricey - something I'll have to painfully deal with this year .

I'm commuting from Mississauga
Go Bus tickets will cost me $1496 for 8 months.

Originally Posted by goodnews.inc

I'm commuting from Mississauga
Go Bus tickets will cost me $1496 for 8 months.

Money wise it'll be cheaper, but you also have to take into account all the commuting time.

1 hour and 30 minutes per day.
Probably 2 hours and 15 minutes in the winter.

Originally Posted by goodnews.inc

Go Bus tickets will cost me $1496 for 8 months.

You can actually subtract about $200 from that amount because you wont be needing the monthly passes during the exam months (Dec and April). I commuted from Mississauga last year and spent about $1250 on commuting.

If I applied for OSAP again...then

A. Am I still considered for the QE Scholarship?
B. I think I'd use my extra money (allotted for food and whatnot) for commuting expenses. Except for laundry. My "apartment" would only be used for proximity purpose. (Laundry I'd definitely do. Browser isn't letting me go back up and edit). and I meant to say purposes*. It would be lifeless and dull, just the way I like it
LMfao no but you know what I mean

C. If I applied for residence...would I get the "worst" pick?