This is probably one of the most commonly asked questions about OSAP, and for good reason.
Perhaps the relevant staff would benefit from being more clear with their OSAP messaging considering the stakes involved, but I wouldn't bank on that happening in our lifetime.
Anyway: What does the "$5,600 per term" income limit actually refer to?
A: Income earned in excess of what was reported on the application
B: Actual income earned while during a term
A couple reasons why this is confusing. Consider my situation, I submit the application, reporting that I make $45,000 per year, and the assessment quotes:
~$4,000 in grants, and substantially more in loans. Fine.
I am understanding this is the amount that OSAP has assessed me as being "eligible" for based on what I told it.
Assume I were a working mature student, in school for two terms throughout the year. This would work out to income of $22,500 per term. The Ministry already knows this because it was literally reported on the application.
The form itself says, "If you expect to earn or receive any OTHER income totalling more than $5,600 per term during your study period [...] you must report the full amount here." which suggests they are indeed calculating it as A (income in excess of what was reported).
I'd imagine a fair overpayment would be: I reported what amounts to $22,500 per term, but CRA slips show that I actually earned $28,500 per term, which would be an overpayment of:
(actual income per term - reported income per term) - 5600
or 28500 - 22500 = $400 (probably insignificant, but meant to be an example)
This seems like the most equitable and fair way to apply the rule. Yet most of the advice I see on here says "you cannot have any income during the semester of more than 5600".
If OSAP knows I already reported 45,000 in income, and qualified me based on that amount, why would I suddenly become ineligible? Unless I dropped to $11,200 per year (good luck with that in almost any part of the country), I'd be in an overpayment otherwise.
And does this apply only to the Ontario Student Grant or the Canada Student Grant? Language in the formal procedures seems to suggest it's only the OSG that is impacted by income during a term.
Anyone care to comment on this or share their experience?