Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
Ontarians, you are in luck! If you’re planning to pursue a post-secondary degree, you can not only make use of the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) but also the Student Access Guarantee (SAG) to help fund your education.
By applying for SAG, you can receive additional funding on top of your OSAP amount to help you get closer to fulfilling your educational goals.
What is the Student Access Guarantee?
The Student Access Guarantee is a partnership program between the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security and Ontario’s publicly assisted colleges and universities. The program aims to ensure that lack of finances doesn’t get in the way of your education — if OSAP doesn’t fully cover your program costs and you still have financial need, your school may step in with additional support.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Student Access Guarantee, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person who resides in Ontario
- Be a full-time student at a publicly assisted college or university in Ontario that participates in the program
- Have financial need beyond what OSAP has already covered for your educational expenses
You must apply for and be approved for OSAP before you can be considered for SAG funding. SAG is not a separate application — your school’s Financial Aid Office will assess your eligibility based on the gap between your OSAP funding and your actual program costs.
How to Apply
There is no standalone application for the Student Access Guarantee. Here is how the process works:
- Step 1 — Apply for OSAP. All students must first apply for OSAP. You can find out how to apply on the OSAP full-time page. Simply create your OSAP account with your Social Insurance Number and follow the steps to submit your application.
- Step 2 — Your school assesses your eligibility. Once your OSAP application is processed, your school’s Financial Aid Office reviews whether your OSAP funding covers your program costs. If there is still a gap, you may be considered for SAG support. You do not need to submit a separate SAG application — the school handles the assessment.
- Step 3 — Contact your Financial Aid Office. For graduate students, students in professional programs (such as medicine, law, or business), and any student with questions about SAG eligibility or timing, contact your school’s Financial Aid Office directly. Schools may have their own intake processes and timelines for distributing SAG funds.
How Much Can You Get?
There is no fixed SAG amount. The support you receive depends on how much financial need remains after your OSAP funding is applied to your program costs. If your school determines you are eligible, they may provide additional financial aid in the form of a:
- Bursary
- Scholarship
- Work-study or summer-employment program
The type and amount of support varies by institution. Contact your school’s Financial Aid Office for details on what forms of SAG funding your school offers and what the process looks like.
Other Ontario Student Aid Options
There are plenty of student aid options available in Ontario. If you don’t qualify for the SAG or want to explore additional funding, visit the Ontario Funding overview page for information on other bursaries, scholarships, and grants for students in special circumstances.
Ready to find a school? Explore eligible programs today.
