I didn't even notice

Holy crap, it's September.

Where's my OSAP? God I hate OSAP. I mean, I LOVE OSAP, but I hate the way people deal with it. For those of you (the one, that I know of) who aren't from Canada, let alone Ontario, let me explain OSAP to you.

OSAP stands for Ontario Student Assistance Program. In Ontario there's something called Ontario's Student Access Guarantee, which states "Students in need will have access to the resources they need for their tuition, books, and mandatory fees." Essentially, OSAP is something put into place so that poor people, or people who otherwise would have no means of going to school (people like myself) can still get an education. It's a fantastic service in theory, and it is in fact the only reason I can go to school. It works by loaning you a certain amount of money each year based on your financial need, and then at the end of your time in school (4 years usually) you start to pay them back through monthly payments. It's a great service, actually.

The problem, as is the problem with most things, is people. Let me give you an example. Right now, I am sitting waiting for my OSAP semester 1 installment so that I can pay for my rent and such for the month. I submitted my application in late July, so I am willing to accept the fact that it might take a little bit to go through. It's been 6 weeks now, and I still haven't heard a word, not one single change in my application status, and that makes me worry. Obviously, chances are that it's going to work out fine, but I figure it won't hurt to talk to the place, just to make sure everything is going fine with my application, so I call the OSAP office. Here's the conversation that takes place.

Me: Hi, I'm calling just to make sure that my application is going through alright
OSAP: Okay, what's your reference number?
Me: (reference number)
OSAP: Alright, it says here your application is on hold.
Me: Alright ... so what does that mean
OSAP: I don't know.
Me: What do you mean you don't know? Like, should I be worried?
OSAP: Maybe.
Me: Well ... what can I do?
OSAP: Check back in 2 weeks.
Me: But ... it's been on hold for 5 already.
OSAP: Yeah ... check back in 2 weeks.
Me: Alright, I guess? And what do I do if it's still on hold?
OSAP: I don't know, wait again?
Me: There's only so long I can wait though... I mean, is there something wrong with my application? I could probably give you any information you need that might be holding it up.

And then they hung up on me.

They hung up!

I haven't called back yet, but I intend to. I just don't know what exactly I am going to say. The problem with OSAP is that the people who are dealing with it tend to be very VERY unhelpful. And there is plenty of reason to be concerned when an application stays on hold this long.

Overall, it's just a very unsettling system. Oh, also, every once in a while they send you a letter that tells you how much money you will owe OSAP after you graduate. Why? Do they think we're going to forget the tens of thousands of dollars in debt we are? Jeeeeeez

Anyway, I am hoping I get that money sometime soon, as it would put a number of concerns that I have to rest, and I am sort of in dire need of something to take some worries off of me right now. I've been ... let's say, on edge lately.

Bah. School in one week.