|
|
Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member
Joined: 6/7/2008
Posts: 2
Location: Canada
|
I'm 20 years old (out of high school 3 years), and applying for OSAP this year and have a few problems.
My Mother (my only guardian since i was 7) died when i was 17, and i became a kind of "Independant" if you will.
My Father can't afford to give me any money or support as his income covers only his bills and costs. He has also not been my guardian since i was 7 (through verbal agreement that my mother could have custody after divorce). I still see him, but we're not very close.
I have NO money whatsoever to put towards school.
So basically my questions are,
What do i need to include in the application for a family breakdown situation?
Do I need a certified copy of my mother's death certificate or will a photocopy be ok?
Will a letter from my father saying he can't pay towards it help or make things worse?
Will they even give it to me if i'm still talking to my dad?
Does he need to still sign everything for his income if he's not been my guardian for so long?
He has not been a part of my life financially for over a decade (more than half of which time i was not even talking to him, I see him now as an adult), i dont see why he should be responsible for me now.
|
|
Rank: Student Body Vice-President
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/4/2008
Posts: 994
Location: Ottawa
|
If you've been on your own for 3 years I think you qualify as an independent based on that.
 
|
|
Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member
Joined: 6/7/2008
Posts: 2
Location: Canada
|
No, its 4 years here to qualify. 
|
|
Rank: Valedictorian
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/6/2008
Posts: 552
Location: Kitchener, ON.
|
They should have all of the details right on their site of what to include and what isn't necessary. If in doubt, send it in and they'll tell you if it needs to be changed or wasn't necessary.
Carleton University Class of 2012, Honours Bachelor of Arts
|
|
Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/16/2008
Posts: 19
|
There are mechanisms within OSAP to take into account atypical family situations - for example here's a link to a form to report a permanent family breakdown http://safa.uwaterloo.ca/forms/Forms%202007_08/Family%20Breakdown%2007_08.pdfI think you should contact the Financial Officer at the school you're intending to go to and get his/her advice - it does seem there is latitude on a case by case basis. Good luck.
|
|
