Explanation of Fees, Adjustments, and Refunds

CarmenBooks is an Inclusive Access program that offers digital copies of selected textbooks and savings on course materials.

Note: If the student completely withdraws within the 100% refund period, this fee will be reversed. 

The Central Ohio Transit Authority provides students with unlimited use of COTA services in exchange for a flat fee per term. The fee of $13.50 per term applies only to Columbus campus students attending in-person. For more information, please go to the COTA fee page. 

Note: If the student completely withdraws within the 100% refund period, this fee will be reversed. 

Course fee(s) are designed to fund additional costs for specific courses. Any courses that require added materials and/or equipment will have this fee assessed. The college or plan (major) determines the level of the course fee. To see if a particular program or plan has a fee, select the appropriate student fee table from the Tuition and Fees page. The fee remains the same for enrolled students.

Note: Some course fees are adjusted and are subject to the Tuition Adjustment and Refund Schedule below. 

Distance education courses are defined as those courses with no scheduled in-classroom or on-site activities where the course instruction occurs via technology. A distance education administration surcharge of $100 per student per term is charged for any student who is enrolled for only courses tagged as distance education courses. Non-resident students enrolled exclusively in a for-credit online degree/certificate program will have a Distance Education non-resident surcharge of $200 assessed each term. 

Site-based fees (e.g. COTA Bus Service Fee, Recreational Fee, Student Activity Fee and Student Union Facility Fee) will not be charged to students enrolled in all distance education courses. The revenue generated from this fee funds 24/7 distance education support. If a student has any regular or “hybrid” (regular courses that also have a significant distance education component but are not exclusively distance education) courses in addition to distance education classes, all regular fees will be assessed. The fee remains the same for enrolled students.

Note: If the student completely withdraws within the 100% refund period, this fee will be reversed.

The General Fee is mandated by the State of Ohio for the funding of non-instructional student services. At The Ohio State University, general fees provide those student services whose primary purpose is to contribute to the students' emotional and physical well-being, as well as their cultural and social development outside the context of the formal instructional program. Included in this category are: Counseling and Consultation Services, Student Health Services, Recreational and Intramural Sports, Disability Services and the Multicultural Center. 

Note: A fee adjustment is subject to the Tuition Adjustment and Refund Schedule below. 

The Instructional Fee is used to fund instructional costs at the university. Visit the Tuition and Fees page for the table related to your student type.

• Students who are registered for classes at more than one campus of The Ohio State University during any single term will have their fees assessed based on the campus carrying the majority of their instructional credit hours.
• Students pay a half credit hour fee for 0.0-0.5 credit hour and for each half credit hour of enrollment over 18.

For more information, visit the Guidelines for Multi-Campus Students page. 

Note: A fee adjustment is subject to the Tuition Adjustment and Refund Schedule below. 

All new international undergraduate students will be assessed an International Fee. The fee is based when the student began enrollment at Ohio State and it is assessed based on the number of credit hours in which the student is enrolled each semester. This fee provides resources for international students, including academic support services (e.g., language proficiency offerings, enhancement of temporary housing and counseling services, planning and delivery of new programs) and provides resources for university-wide strategic investments.

¹Students pay an additional half credit hour fee for each half credit hour of enrollment over 18. Students with 12-18 credit hours pay the 12 credit hour fee. 

Note: If the student completely withdraws within the 100% refund period, this fee will be reversed.

• Late Payment Fee: $200 for failure to pay by the payment due date (7 calendar days before the first day of classes); which includes the first installment of the Tuition Option Payment Plan (TOPP). The fee increases to $300 for failure to pay by the 2nd Friday of classes. Note: Separate late fees are assessed on behalf of University Residences and Dining Services.
• Late Add Fees: $100 for each class added after the 2nd Friday of classes.
• Late Registration Fees: $500 for initial registration after the 2nd Friday of classes.
• Late TOPP Installment Payment: $25 per installment.

University Residences and Dining Services will assess late penalties in addition to these tuition penalties. 

Note for students utilizing Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31) benefits: Ohio State will not impose any penalties including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement to borrow additional funds because of delayed disbursement of funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Some plans are charged a Learning Technology Fee to pay certain technology related expenses within the primary program. To see if a particular program or plan has a fee, select the appropriate student fee table from the Tuition and Fees page.

Note: A fee adjustment is subject to the Tuition Adjustment and Refund Schedule below. 

Students who are non-residents of Ohio will be assessed a non-resident tuition surcharge. The state of Ohio provides a tuition subsidy for residents of Ohio, which is largely funded by the taxpayers of Ohio. In order to receive the Ohio residency for tuition purposes, a student would have to prove that they meet the qualifications set by the Ohio Department of Higher Education in the Ohio Administrative Code, Chapter 3333.1.10 and Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 3333.31. For more information, please visit Ohio Residency for Tuition. Ohio residents who fail to prove their registration with the Selective Service System, will be assessed the non-resident tuition surcharge. 

If you have any questions regarding the non-resident fee or if you need information regarding your eligibility to be classified as an Ohio resident for tuition surcharge purposes, visit the  Ohio Residency for Tuition purposes page. For specific questions or visit the Residency Support page.

Important Fee Payment Information

Students are expected to make full payment (including non-resident fees) by their assigned payment due date. Payment deadlines may not be waived or extended while a student’s residency status is under review, and non-payment may result in additional fees if charges remain unpaid past the deadline. 

Note: A fee adjustment is subject to the Tuition Adjustment and Refund Schedule below. 

Some programs charge a Program Fee/Lab Fee to pay for certain program related expenses. To see if a particular program or plan has a fee, select the appropriate student fee table from the Tuition and Fees page.

Note: A fee adjustment is subject to the Tuition Adjustment and Refund Schedule below. 

All students (except those who are regular employees of the university) enrolled in 4 or more credit hours with any in-person component on the Columbus campus are assessed a Recreational Fee, which provides support for all campus recreational sports facilities, programs and services. Students who are assessed the fee are automatic members of the recreational sports facilities and eligible for all member benefits. For current fee rates, please see the appropriate Tuition and Fees page. An exception applies to Post-Candidacy Doctoral students who are considered at a full-time status at 3 credit hours. Post-Candidacy Doctoral students will be assessed this fee beginning at that level of enrollment. The fee remains the same for enrolled students.

Note: If the student completely withdraws within the 100% refund period, this fee will be reversed.

All students at the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University are assessed a Student Activity Fee each term to support programs that benefit all students. The fee supports free on-campus entertainment, cultural and arts events, student organizations and clubs, and discounted tickets to sports, arts and cultural events in the Columbus community and throughout Ohio. Approved by the Board of Trustees to support free and discounted programs and opportunities on and around campus for all students. For current fee rates, visit the Tuition and Fees page.

Note: If the student completely withdraws within the 100% refund period, this fee will be reversed.

Assessed to students who are in a degree granting program with at least one credit that is not distance learning, whose home campus is Columbus, and who are not regular employees of The Ohio State University. The fee is assessed only once at first enrollment for the academic year: $40 if enrolled in autumn (autumn through summer term coverage), $23 if enrolled in spring, but was not enrolled for autumn (spring and summer term coverage), $6 for summer only.  

You may choose to decline Student Legal Services coverage before the tuition and fee deadline for the first term of enrollment through your Buckeye Link account. Visit the Student Legal Services website for details.  

Note: If the student completely withdraws within the 100% refund period, this fee will be reversed.

All students at the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University are assessed a facility fee for the Ohio Union based on the credit hours in which a student is enrolled. The student fee helps fund the Ohio Union facility, student organization and student meeting space, and cutting-edge venues that support student programming. For current fee rates, please see the appropriate Tuition and Fees page. This fee is not refunded or adjusted beyond the first Friday of the semester or session.

Note: If the student completely withdraws within the 100% refund period, this fee will be reversed.

Students enrolled in more than 18 credit hours will be billed for credits beyond 18 (note: 0.0 credit hour courses are billed as 0.5 credit hour courses), unless if one of the following exceptions apply:  

• Internships (courses numbered X191): When a student is registered for more than 18 credit hours and at least one of the courses is an X191 internship course, the student will not be assessed the 18+ credit hour charge. 
• Research (courses numbered X998 and X999): When a student is registered for more than 18 credit hours and at least one of the courses is an X998 or X999 research course, the student will not be assessed the 18+ credit hour charge. 

• Field Experience (courses numbered X189): When a student is registered for more than 18 credit hours and at least one of the courses is an X189 field experience course, the student will not be assessed the 18+ credit hour charge. 
• Courses for Graduating Students: When a student is registered for more than 18 credit hours and is rank 4 and has been approved to graduate with a bachelor’s degree; or is rank 2, 3, or 4 and has been approved to graduate with an associate’s degree, the student will not be billed for credits beyond 18 credit hours. 

Note: advisor approval is still required for students to enroll in more than 18 credit hours. 

The Over 18 Hours rate is the same as the per credit hour rate up to 12 hours, and applies only to instructional, general and non-resident fees. The surcharge does not apply to the Distance Learning Non-Resident fee.

Note: If a student’s enrollment drops below 18 hours for the semester, the overload surcharge will be removed.

The Tuition and Fees page contains links to Tuition and Fee tables, as well as additional important information: 

• Regional Campus versus Columbus Campus Fees
• Total Cost of Attendance
• Auditing Courses
• Fee Payment Information
• Resources

Courses that are assigned zero credit hours are charged at the 0.5 credit hour rate, unless otherwise indicated. For example: Students who register for a 3 credit hour class and a zero credit hour class will be charged at the 3.5 credit hour rate. Additionally, a student registered for 18 credit hours taking an additional zero credit hour course will be charged an additional 0.5 credit hour (see Surcharge Fee on Overload Enrollments). 

Note: A fee adjustment is subject to the Tuition Adjustment and Refund Schedule below. 

American Language Program (ALP) Fee

Courses EDUTL 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, and 1010 

For more information about tuition and fees for this program, please visit the ALP website. 

ATI (Wooster) Safety Fee

$22.50 

Orientation Fee

New transfer students and new first semester freshmen students enrolling for the spring and summer terms will be assessed a one-time fee of $25. New students enrolling in autumn semester on Columbus campus will be assessed a one-time fee of $50. Regional Campus students will be assessed a one-time fee of $50 (labeled the "New Student Enrollment Fee" on the Statement of Account). International Affairs students enrolling will be assessed a one-time fee of $50 their first term. Visit the University Orientation page for additional information. 

Parking

Visit the CampusParc website for information. 

Publication Fees

A Publication Fee is assessed the first term of enrollment each academic year for the following programs: 

• AGR, ENR, ATI: $2.00 (all campuses) 
• AHR, ENG: $1.00 (all campuses)

Room and Board

Visit the University Housing website or information. 

Student Health Insurance: 

For information related to the Student Health Insurance Benefits Plan including rates and deadlines, visit Student Health Insurance. Directions on completing the Select/Waive process can be found on the Select/Waive Instructions page. Visit My Buckeye Link to make changes to insurance. For additional information, contact the Student Health Insurance office. Reversed only if the student completely withdraws before the 15th day of the term if no claims have been filed. 

Transcripts

Official university transcripts are $11 plus a handling fee per transcript. A processing fee per order may apply. Visit Transcript Ordering for details.    

Tuition adjustments will be made for the following circumstances, according to the refund schedule outlined below:

• Full-time student who drops below full-time credit hours
  • Undergraduate 12 credit hours
  • Graduate 8 credit hours
  • Professional 8 credit hours
  • Post-Candidacy 3 credit hours
• Part-time student who drops classes or withdraws  
• Any student who withdraws from all classes

Refund Schedule Deadlines

Tuition and fee adjustments per the following refund schedule apply to the following fees: 

• Instructional Fee 
• Course Fee 
• General Fee
• Non-Resident Surcharge
• Learning Technology Fee 
• Program Fee/Lab Fee 
• Surcharge Fee on Overload Enrollments 

Full Term Schedule

• 100% Refund: Through the 1st Friday of semester classes  
• 75% Refund: 1st Saturday through the 2nd Friday of semester classes  
• 50% Refund: 2nd Saturday through the 4th Friday of semester classes  
• No Refund: After the 4th Friday of semester classes  

4-week Session Schedule

• 100% Refund: Through the 1st day of session classes  
• 50% Refund: 2nd day through the 1st Friday of session classes  
• No Refund: After the 1st Friday of session classes  

6-week Session Schedule

• 100% Refund: Through the 1st Friday of session classes  
• 50% Refund: After 1st Friday through 2nd Friday of session classes  
• No Refund: After the 2nd Friday of session classes

7-week Session Schedule

• 100% Refund: Through 1st Friday of session classes  
• 50% Refund: 1st Saturday through the 2nd Friday of session classes  
• No Refund: After the 2nd Friday of session classes

8-week Session Schedule

• 100% Refund: Through the 1st Friday of session classes  
• 50% Refund: After 1st Friday through 2nd Friday of session classes  
• No Refund: After the 2nd Friday of session classes 

100% Refund Deadline

If the student completely withdraws within the 100% refund period, the following fees will be reversed:

• CarmenBooks 
• COTA 
• Distance Learning Fee 
• International Undergraduate Student Fee 
• Recreational Fee 
• Student Activity Fee 
• Student Legal Services Fee 
• Student Union Facility Fee 
• Student Legal Services Fee

The fees will not be reversed if the student completely withdrawals after the 100% refund period. 

Refund Exceptions

Tuition and fee refund exceptions apply to: 

Post-Candidacy Doctoral (PCD) - Students are considered full time students with 3 or more credit hours. They are charged tuition and fees (instructional, general, learning tech, etc.) based on the number of credit hours enrolled, but are charged full time amounts for all ancillary fees (Recreational, Student Union, etc.) when they carry at least 3 credit hours. The tuition and course fees adjust according to the same schedule as other students.

Student Health Insurance (SHI) - SHI will be adjusted only if the student completely withdraws before the 15th day of the term. SHI will process an adjustment after verifying no claims have been filed. 

Retroactive Financial Adjustment

If a request for a retroactive change to an academic record is for a current or immediately preceding term (2 if during an autumn term), the effective date for the academic record change may prompt a related re-assessment of the student's fees, and possibly financial aid, for that term.

This is not a comprehensive list. 

The initial fee deadline is seven days prior to the beginning of the term, unless otherwise noted on the  Academic Calendar. It is a student’s responsibility to know their payment due date which may be verified on their Statement of Account. The Statement of Account, located on your My Buckeye Link, is the official bill from The Ohio State University; paper bills will not be generated.

Students who have past due balances are subject to late penalties. If your past due balance is not resolved by the published deadline, your account will be assessed a $200 late fee. If your account is not resolved by the second Friday, an additional late fee will be assessed, not to exceed $300 in total late fees. This includes the first TOPP installment. The late fee penalty for subsequent TOPP installments is $25 per installment. 

Students with a past due balance, including students enrolled in the Tuition Option Payment Plan (TOPP), will receive a hold blocking enrollment in future term courses. Students who already have registered for courses but who have past due balances will be disenrolled from those courses. These drops will occur prior to the fee payment deadline for the next term and before financial aid is disbursed. 

To re-enroll, students must pay the past due balance and register again for each course through My Buckeye Link. Be aware that seats in dropped courses will be filled from the wait list and may no longer be available, and pending financial aid will not disburse until you are re-enrolled.

If fees are not paid by the initial due date, penalties will begin to accrue on your account as listed on the  Academic Calendar. University Residences and Dining Services will assess late penalties in addition to these tuition penalties.