Am I eligible for OSAP?

[qamar.ashi19]

I came to Canada on student visa but now my status is changed. Now, I am a convention Refugee. I don’t have a social insurance number (SIN). Am I eligible for OSAP or other bursaries?
Also, how do I apply for SIN as a convention refugee?
Do I need a work permit to apply for SIN? Can I hold work permit and study permit both at the time?
I’ll be really thankful for the reply.

[SettlementOrgMod]

Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

Regarding your question about OSAP, you can find some detailed information in our Settlement.Org Who is eligible for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)? article.

Here is an excerpt,

To be eligible to apply for financial assistance from the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), you must be a:

-Canadian citizen;
-Permanent resident; or
-Protected person/convention refugee with a Protected Persons Status Document (PPSD).

Regarding the SIN, you can find some information in our Settlement.Org How do I get a Social Insurance Number (SIN)? article.

Here is an excerpt,

Who can get a Social Insurance Number?

If you are eligible to work in Canada, you can get a Social Insurance Number (SIN).

This includes:
-Canadian citizens
-Permanent residents
-Some temporary residents
-Some refugee claimants

If you are a refugee claimant or a temporary resident, you will get a SIN with an expiration date. These SINs start with 9.

You can find some specific details regarding which documents are required in order to apply in our Settlement.Org What documents do I need to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)? article.

Here is an excerpt,

Temporary Residents

Temporary residents have to show 1 of these documents. Temporary residents include foreign workers and foreign students:

-Work Permit (sometimes called an Employment Authorization) – From Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
-Study Permit (sometimes called a Student Authorization) – From Citizenship and Immigration Canada and an employment contract from an on-campus employer or a student work permit (off-campus work permit or co-op work permit).
-Visitor Record that shows you are authorized to work in Canada – From Citizenship and Immigration Canada and an employment contract.
-Diplomatic Identity Card – From the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. You also need a letter of permission to work.

You may want to contact the nearest Immigrant and Refugee serving organization for some assistance.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org