Here are answers to common questions students and families have.
Buckeye Link is here to help students and families navigate the business of being a Buckeye! We've created a list of frequently asked questions below to get you started.
Buckeye Link is a website and a place that helps you take care of Buckeye business. Watch this short video to learn more.
To view your financial aid:
If you are selected for financial aid verification, your aid is estimated. Send all required documents by the due date listed for a final aid amount.
Your aid letter is based on full-time enrollment (12+ credit hours) and includes:
Your financial aid letter lists your estimated direct and indirect costs based on factors like Ohio residency and living on or off campus.
To view your financial aid letter:
Your Statement of Account, or bill, is typically available to view online at buckeyelink.osu.edu six weeks prior to the start of a term. Your autumn Statement of Account will be available mid-July.
But don’t wait to ask questions! We have several resources to help you plan ahead.
Start by viewing your financial aid listed on your aid letter from your estimated direct, billed costs. Keep in mind some majors and courses have additional program, learning technology and lab fees.
If your aid exceeds your direct costs, you'll get a refund to help with indirect costs, like books. Most students and families use additional options to meet direct costs.
Ohio State is not always able to offer enough financial aid to meet all needs. College is an investment and students may need to supplement their financial aid package with additional resources. Buckeye Link is here to help you navigate these options.
Affordability is a top focus area of Ohio State. We are committed to:
Most families use personal finances and a variety of sources available by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.
Personal Finances
Visit Pay Tuition to learn more about paying with a savings or checking account, sending a 529 payment or external scholarship check and enrolling in our Tuition Option Payment Plan (TOPP).
Subsidized loans are need-based and do not gain interest while you are enrolled at least half-time and for the first six months after you graduate or take a leave of absence. Unsubsidized loans gain interest from the date of disbursement. Visit the Federal Student Aid page to learn more.
To accept or decline loans:
If you are borrowing loans, you must complete the Direct Loan Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling on your To-Do List.
Most scholarships already have been awarded and the aid you can expect is listed in your current financial aid package.
Students complete a new FAFSA for each academic year, which is used to determine the amount and types of financial aid for which you are eligible each year.
The best way to maximize your financial aid consideration is to:
Ohio State offers the full amount of scholarships and grants for which you are eligible.
If your family has experienced significant changes in income, contact Buckeye Link to discuss your situation and determine if an appeal should be submitted for reconsideration.
If the financial circumstances in your family have changed substantially, you may request to have your financial aid eligibility reviewed. Contact Buckeye Link to discuss your situation and if an appeal should be submitted for reconsideration. Please note the appeal may not result in the receipt of additional aid.
At Ohio State, we offer all aid a student is eligible for in the initial aid package to provide clear, transparent and equitable information to help your family make the right decision and plan ahead. Scholarships are offered on a competitive basis and Ohio State is unable to match financial aid packages from other institutions.
Ohio State students can and should apply for a variety of scholarships through ScholarshipUniverse. Note: merit scholarships are only given to incoming freshmen.
Federal Work-Study is need-based financial aid. It is considered self-help aid, and students must work to earn the funds through a biweekly paycheck. Ohio State’s FWS funding is limited, however student employee jobs often are available.
Financial aid will appear as pending on the Statement of Account until 1-2 days prior to the fee payment deadline. If you are enrolled in later sessions only, your disbursement date will be closer to the start of your classes.
Please note there will be a period of several hours between pending aid removal and financial aid disbursement, which may create a temporary balance on your account.
Be sure to:
Eligible financial aid will disburse to your Statement of Account 1-2 days prior to the fee payment deadline. If you are enrolled in later sessions only, your disbursement date will be closer to the start of your classes.
Please note there will be a period of several hours between pending aid removal and financial aid disbursement, which may create a temporary balance on your account.
Be sure to check the following:
Be sure to complete the following and allow 2-3 days for loans to post to your account:
Please note: Annual Direct Loans disburse evenly across all terms enrolled. For a student enrolled at least half-time in summer, autumn and spring term, a $5500 loan will disburse as follows:
| Term | Amount |
|---|---|
| Summer | $1,833 |
| Autumn | $1,833 |
| Spring | $1,833 |
If you have recently applied for a Parent or Graduate PLUS Loan, please allow two weeks for processing. Be sure to complete the following for a timely disbursement:
From application to disbursement, private loans take 4-6 weeks to process. Check your Aid Summary to confirm Ohio State has received this request.
If you have experienced extenuating circumstances that prevented you from achieving Satisfactory Academic Progress standards, you can petition for reconsideration of financial aid eligibility. For more information, please review the 2022-2023 Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeal.
You can also contact Buckeye Link to discuss alternative options, including exploring private loans.
Students can submit Student Financial Aid forms and documentation through the secure Document Uploader.
Summer term tuition is discounted 25% for Columbus campus undergraduate students. This tuition discount applies to the instructional and general fee and to the non-resident surcharge. The discount does not apply to any other fee and does not apply to rates for regional campus or graduate students.
| Term | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Summer 2022 | Tuesday, May 3 |
| Autumn 2022 | Tuesday, August 16 |
| Spring 2023 | Tuesday, January 3 |
Student accounts are subject to a $300 late fee if a past due balance is not resolved by the tuition and fee payment deadline. Visit the Important Dates Calendar for the most updated information about late fee assessment.
Unapplied payments are typically the amounts of financial aid and payments that exceed your balance. Eligible credits posted to your statement will be refunded within a few business days after the fee payment deadline. If you are enrolled in later sessions only, your disbursement date will be closer to the start of your classes.
Students who are eligible for a refund will see an unapplied payment at the bottom of their Statement of Account. Eligible credits posted to your statement will be refunded within a few business days after the fee payment deadline. If you are enrolled in later sessions only, your disbursement date will be closer to the start of your classes.
Sign up for direct deposit to receive your refund faster.
Students who are degree seeking and enrolled a minimum of half-time are required to have health insurance. You may waive this requirement by documenting your other adequate health insurance.
Visit the Student Health Insurance site for additional information.
Consider making a payment online to avoid mail delays. Ohio State offers several payment options for students and families, including a free electronic check option and payment plan. Or, if you’re ready, you can make a payment now.
Ohio State’s Tuition Option Payment Plan (TOPP) allows students and their families to divide the cost of tuition and fees into installment payments – four installments for autumn/spring and three installments for summer term. Students can enroll online.
Payments received by Ohio State are posted to a student’s account within 24 hours. Students can confirm receipt by viewing their Statement of Account.
Parents and guardians can make a payment on a student's account through the Authorized Payer portal. Visit our step by step instructions on how to enroll.
If you're locked out of the portal, students can resend a payer invitation by following steps 6 through 8.
For account questions, parents and guardians can contact Buckeye Link when the student gives permission through the Student Information Release.
Students have 24/7 access to the Statement of Account, Ohio State’s bill.
For account questions, parents and guardians can contact Buckeye Link when the student gives permission through the Student Information Release.
If you're locked out of the portal, students can resend a payer invitation by following steps 6 through 8.
Click My Holds task at My Buckeye Link to learn how to resolve your hold.
For questions regarding your application status or the admission process, please contact Undergraduate Admissions or Graduate & Professional Admissions.
Visit Safe and Healthy Buckeyes for information regarding COVID-19 and university news and requirements.
Visit the Important Dates calendar to view various deadlines for summer term.
Visit IT@OSU for self service, chat support and contact information related to technical issues.