# hi finance at OCAD University

Student aid, budgeting, and housing help for OCAD University students, in the middle of downtown Toronto.

---

OCAD U has no cafeteria, no meal plan, and no residence, and its tuition deadlines come a day before classes start. This is what paying for an OCAD degree actually looks like: what OSAP covers, when the money is due, and where students live and eat around 100 McCaul Street.

## Student aid program

OCAD University uses [OSAP](https://www.ontario.ca/page/osap-ontario-student-assistance-program).

## The numbers at OCAD University

- **$7,800 to $9,500** — Domestic tuition per year
  OCAD U's 2026-27 full-time undergraduate tuition: about $7,800 for BFA and BA programs and $9,500 for BDes, before laptop program and material fees.
  Source: http://admissions.ocadu.ca/afford/tuition-fees

- **$100** — Late tuition fee
  Non-refundable, on top of interest and a financial hold, if you miss the September 9 payment deadline.
  Source: https://www.ocadu.ca/student-services/student-accounts/how-pay-tuition

- **$0** — Free hot lunch twice a week
  OCAD SU's Hot Lunch runs Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the SU pantry is free with no assessment.
  Source: https://www.ocadsu.org/services/food-materials

## Key deadlines

### Fall tuition and fees due (Sep 9, 2026)

Payment goes through PayMyTuition. Miss it and a $100 non-refundable late fee, interest, and a financial hold follow, plus automatic enrolment in a payment plan.

[More](https://www.ocadu.ca/student-services/office-registrar/dates-and-deadlines)

### Last day for a 100% refund (Sep 22, 2026)

Drop a course after this date and you can still be on the hook for part or all of the tuition. It's the deadline students miss most often.

[More](https://www.ocadu.ca/student-services/office-registrar/dates-and-deadlines)

### Last day to register for fall courses (Sep 30, 2026)

After this date registration for the fall term closes for the year.

[More](https://www.ocadu.ca/student-services/office-registrar/dates-and-deadlines)

### OSAP confirmation lands (1 week before due)

OCAD U is notified of OSAP approval about a week before the payment deadline. Once the OSAP banner is on your account you don't pay or enrol in a plan, and you won't be dropped for non-payment.

[More](https://www.ocadu.ca/student-services/student-accounts/payment-plans)

## FAQs

### Does OCAD University have residence?

No. OCAD U doesn't run any on-campus residence, but it recommends partner residences and co-ops near campus, including The Darcy, HOEM, Avant, Parkside, Neill-Wycik, and Campus Co-op. Most students live in shared apartments in Kensington Market, Chinatown, and the surrounding downtown neighbourhoods.

### How much is tuition at OCAD U?

For 2026-27, full-time domestic undergraduates pay about $7,800 a year in BFA or BA programs and about $9,500 in BDes programs. Studio programs add laptop and material fees that vary by program, so check your program's estimate before you budget.

### What happens if I miss the tuition deadline?

A $100 non-refundable late fee, interest on the balance, automatic enrolment in a payment plan, and a financial hold that blocks registration changes, official documents, and graduation. If you're on OSAP the banner protects you from all of it, so confirm your funding before September 9.

### Is there a meal plan or cafeteria at OCAD U?

No, and that's usually a money-saver. OCAD SU runs a free Hot Lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays and a no-questions-asked Student Pantry, and campus is a five-minute walk from Kensington Market and Chinatown, two of the cheapest food areas in Toronto.

### Can I split my tuition into payments?

Yes. OCAD U offers an optional payment plan with monthly instalments for a $50 non-refundable setup fee, arranged through the school. It's cheaper than the $100 late fee if you can't pay in one lump sum.