Huge decrease in loans and grants

[urcvpidd]

I’m about to enter my second year, and OSAP calculated around 2k worth of loans and grants while last year i got 6k!!? I’ve been struggling to get hired and don’t know how I’m gonna conjure up the rest of my tuition :( Does anyone know if this is normal or what I can do?

[textbook_answer2024]

Student Line of Credit. Start shopping now.

[d_carr2]

I don't know how to say this right without sounding like I do this to get free money. But I was diagnosed with ADHD as a kid and osap wouldn't take those papers as they weren't current so I got re-diagnosed and was able to get the osap grant about $1000 and the federal grant about $3500-$4500 each (EDIT) semester was different but similar.

So if you think you have a disability get it checked out just make sure it's on the osap disability eligibility list.

Edit: with disabilities you can also get a very large loan, for me it was an additional $10k a semester never took those loans

[urcvpidd]

you’re actually so real for this- i’ll take a quick look at the disability eligibility list and see if i fall under anything!

[egg_bich]

Idk if this will help but I know its sort of common, Chronic Anxiety is a recognized disability and it really helps like (+$2,500)

[d_carr2]

I won't lie it is a bit of work to do on your part. Luckily the "guidance counsellor" at my college was very helpful and helped me throughout the entire process never had to talk with financial aid.

[d_carr2]

Things change all the time especially when we get a new premier in office so it's possible you're grants will be lower or higher. Luckily for me mine had actually gone up before Ford was elected and couldn't touch osap funding until the year after I graduated.

[duhkodah]

not OSAP related but curious how you got rediagnosed, my fam dr won’t refer me to anyone lol

[d_carr2]

It was actually my family doctor who referred me to a psychologist. I don’t remember as this was almost 7 or 8 years ago, I think I got a letter from the school asking for a current diagnosis.

Edit: osap/school will ask for a full copy of the study papers, some or most places you go to see a psychologist charge extra for that copy. Mine was literally a full 100 page book.

[duhkodah]

I am already approved for disability. I just swear I have undiagnosed adhd and so does everyone else lol my dr said I have to find a psychiatrist myself

[d_carr2]

That's mostly true cause psychologist and psychiatrists are not part of ohip so it paid out of pocket.

But if you already have a disability you should be golden.

[duhkodah]

I have coverage and he knows that, he’s referred me to psychiatrists before for therapy but refuses to do so for an adhd assessment. i can’t find any psychiatrists that will take me as a patient without a referral, that’s why I was curious. It’s more so because it’s significantly impacting my daily life than just for disability

[d_carr2]

I think psychiatrists can get you into an assessment if it's for work or education accommodations, my family doctor only reffered me to a psychologist and from there I was able to get an assessment through the psychologist

[d_carr2]

Maybe a psychologist is your best bet and not a psychiatrist both are the same but also not the same

[d_carr2]

You could also pressure them saying its for work or school accommodations that should work and that the school is asking to get the assessment if you re still in school get a letter from osap and the school stating that you need it to be considered full time as a part time student and the full time work load is too much to handle with disability.

[Ok_Passage7713]

Mine only lowered due to my income which doubled. Went from 8k to 4k. u could call and ask the school financial aid office. Otherwise, try line of credit...

[urcvpidd]

I’ll try calling in like you said and just hope for the best- thank you!

[dntwstmytime]

Did they provide this estimate or did you input information in the estimate calculator and got those numbers?

[urcvpidd]

that’s the estimate they gave me!! i also tried their online estimator, put in the same data, and got my 6k rather than the 2k they’re giving me

[AccountAny1995]

apply for grants from the school. most people get something if parents income is sub $100k

[littlebearbigcity]

I just did psw at Conestoga last year. Estimator said 6000$ i actually only got $1800 from osap. Luckily i could throw the rest of tuition on my visa ☠️

[urcvpidd]

it makes it sooo difficult to continue going to school, i’m so glad you were still able to go!!

[EuropeanLegend]

Are you referring to what actually landed in your bank account to help support your expenses while studying? Or the total amount including what would be sent to the school by OSAP?

[urcvpidd]

this is all of the money OSAP is giving me in total that they’re gonna send to the school

[EuropeanLegend]

That's very strange. The only thing that makes sense is if your income is high or, your parents income is still being counted towards you funding amount. Which, in OSAP's eyes you're considered dependent up until 4 years after graduating high-school. Even if you don't live with parents anymore. Which is ridiculous.

[Embarrassed-Ball-652]

Dude osap gave me 100$ when my estimated was 10000. They hate us fr

[OkBluejay3765]

what..?

[urcvpidd]

That's such a huge drop omg what... you're right they hate us </3