Post-Secondary Student Support Program Updates and OSAP Practices

Ministry of Colleges and Universities Refresher on Post-Secondary Student Support Program and an Update on OSAP Expected Practices OASFAA Conference November 30, 2023

Agenda Items Refresher: What is Post-Secondary Student Support Program? Refresher: Current OSAP Policy *New* Update: Expected Practices & Next Steps *New* Update: Example Scenarios and Example Expected Practices 2 First Payer Issue: PSSSP and OSAP

Background Who is the first payer? What is Post-Secondary Student Support Program? Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP) If students get OSAP via remittance and PSSSP via invoice, and if both are sent to the school, double payment occurs. This causes delay for students to receive their funds. Sometimes referred to as Band/Sponsorship Funding A Federal Program supporting First Nations' socio- economic outcomes by funding eligible students for postsecondary education. Should OSAP funds cover educational costs first, or PSSSP? Ideally, the sponsorship letter should specify the sponsoring organization's preference for the first payer (OSAP or PSSSP), however, in some cases it is not explicitly stated. Sponsorship Letters: First Nations and Institutions use sponsorship letters to communicate what PSSSP funds should cover for eligible students. Where can I find more info in the manual? Pages 467 468, Full-Time OSAP Manual (2023-24) under definition of Post-Secondary Student Support Program Who receives the sponsorship letter differs across institutions some through the registrar's office, account receivable office, others directly at the FAO. 3 First Payer Issue: PSSSP and OSAP

Current OSAP Policy on PSSSP The OSAP Full-Time Manual (2023-24), Page 468 states: Some First Nations prefer to be the first payer of tuition and institutional fees, and others prefer for OSAP to be the first payer. Recognizing that each First Nation or designated First Nation organization understands the unique needs of their students, the Ministry asks that, where possible, institutions refer to the sponsorship letters to determine how to apply the funding for students receiving financial support from both PSSSP and OSAP. The Ministry recognizes that not all FAOs are receiving these letters or have the capacity to respond to the instructions provided on the sponsorship letters. If the sponsorship letter does not provide direction, the Ministry suggests that institutions continue with their existing processes developed with First Nations Education Counsellors. The Ministry does not require that OSAP be applied first. 4 First Payer Issue: PSSSP and OSAP

What We Are Working On Expected Practices Sheet Current Status & Next Steps What it is: Guidelines to assist FAOs in effectively administering PSSSP and OSAP, minimizing possibilities of double payment and ensuring that payments are not delayed to students What s Happening Now: Updating the Expected Practices Sheet by incorporating feedback received by the OASFAA First-Payer Issue Working Group. How it is being developed:Through multiple consultation sessions with the OASFAA First Payer Issue Working Group, IEB, and ONECA Incorporating into the Manual: The current plan is to continue consultation on how to best incorporate the identified Expected Practices into the 2024-25 OSAP Full-Time Policy Manual to be published in summer 2024. How it will be used: As a set of recommendations geared towards policy update and analysis/reflection of the current PSSSP funding process at each institution. Portal Posting: Information on this presentation will be shared as a portal posting. When Expected Practices Sheet is finalized, we will publish it as a separate posting. 5 First Payer Issue: PSSSP and OSAP

Portal Posting Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Issue: Sponsor letter does not clearly indicate which fund (OSAP or PSSSP) should be applied first. Issue: Some sponsorship letters are sent to Registrar s Office; it s challenging for FAOs to receive/confirm what s on the letter before important dates (e.g., receiving letter within the COE timeframe). Expected Practice: When direction of what should be applied first is unclear, presumption is that PSSSP should be applied first. Expected Practice: Please communicate with Registrar s Office and ensure sponsoring letters are made accessible to FAOs on time. Exception: As per the current OSAP policy, if you already have a working relationship with sponsoring organizations and the sponsoring organization is expecting OSAP to be applied first. Exception: Sponsorship letters are delivered directly by FAOs. Example Practice: Block OSAP remittance on sponsored students account (e.g., redirection of OSAP funds to student s bank account). This way, students receive OSAP in their bank account, and outstanding fees will be paid by PSSSP. Example Practice: Create a shared PSSSP-Specific Email inbox (e.g., email address for submitting sponsorship letters) or Sponsorship Letter Depository for Registrar s Office & FAOs. 6 First Payer Issue: PSSSP and OSAP

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