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COTA Fees

Central Ohio Transit Authority Fee Guidelines

A January 1997 referendum of undergraduate, graduate and graduate-professional student overwhelmingly voted to add the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) fee to the existing fee structure at Ohio State. Not only does the COTA pass allow students unlimited rides on COTA throughout the Semester/Term of enrollment, but students will benefit significantly by reduced traffic and increased parking in the campus area. The following guidelines were established at the COTA Fee Advisory Committee on May 30, 1997, to assist in implementation of the fee assessment under the service contract.

  • All students will be assessed this fee for the term of the service contract with COTA.
  • Employees of The Ohio State University will be assessed this fee while enrolled in courses at Ohio State (Columbus campus) and assuming any student role. Employees who are taking classes are also considered students and are therefore eligible for student-related services.
  • Students designated as Columbus Campus students in the Student Database, but who are actually participating in programs for the entire term which are exclusively offered away from the Columbus Campus, will not be assessed the fee. Students enrolled in only distance learning classes for a term are not eligible to participate in the COTA program.
  • Regional campus students will be exempted and are not eligible to participate in the COTA program.
  • Students who are staying in Columbus, but not taking classes, have the opportunity to purchase a COTA opt-in pass if they meet specific criteria. Visit COTA's fare overview for details.
  • Contract courses will be exempted whether they are scheduled on or off-campus. A contract course is defined as a specific course contracted by a group or organization and being billed directly to that group or organization.
  • Off-campus workshops, which are held outside Central Ohio for the entire term, will be exempted.
  • Courses meeting one week (5 consecutive days) or less will be exempted.
  • Refunds of the COTA fee will be issued only if the student withdraws or drops non-exempt coursework during the 100% refund period.
  • Students participating in and properly registered for clinical or cooperative experiences, which are held outside Central Ohio for the entire term, will not be assessed the COTA fee.
  • Students who are participating in research work outside Central Ohio for the entire term will not be assessed the COTA fee provided their college office certifies their status via e-mail or by letter.