Summer Term

At Ohio State, Summer Term provides options for students from all backgrounds. The aim is to provide the opportunity for flexible offerings that work with our students' schedules. This enhances the student experience, while empowering students to complete their degrees on time, while saving money.

Explore Summer Term Options

Summer Term 2020 COVID-19 Information

The Ohio State University will deliver all courses through virtual modes of teaching and learning for Summer Term 2020, in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Summer Term will start and end one week later than originally published. See the below calendar for the updated dates. For additional information, please review Provost McPheron's statement.

For Summer Term 2020, the university will continue to offer summer courses at a 25% discounted tuition rate (for Columbus-campus undergraduate students only). For this summer only (Summer Term 2020), the university will be applying special tuition rates in light of the extraordinary disruptions caused by COVID-19.

- All university site-based fees, specifically COTA, Recreational, Student Activity, and Student Union fees, will be waived due to the current restrictions on our campuses.
- Students enrolled only in virtual classes for summer term will be charged a $100 distance education fee.
- Non-Ohio resident students will be charged the $100 distance education fee and an additional $5 will be charged that will replace the traditional non-resident fee for summer term.
- Summer late fees will not post before May 20.
- Pending Student Financial Aid will display on the Statement of Account beginning April 24.
- Students who have accepted their Federal Direct Loans and completed their To Do Items will see them on their Statement of Account after April 29.

Your summer term Statement of Account will be available beginning April 22 in My Buckeye Link.

Please note that this is a decision for summer 2020 only. To cover the core costs of instruction, the university’s traditional funding model reflects the fact Ohio State is a public institution that is supported through Ohio taxpayers. As a result, the state of Ohio provides funding for each Ohio resident student, and non-resident students pay surcharges to cover their fair share.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the add / drop / refund dates?

  • Important dates for summer term (and sessions) can be reviewed here, which includes add / drop / refund dates, among other important term or session dates.

  • If I still have an outstanding debt for spring semester 2020, what does that mean for my enrollment for summer term 2020?

  • Due to the circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the university will not be applying the Outstanding Debt and Enrollment penalty to students who have an outstanding debt from spring semester 2020 and are enrolled in classes for summer term 2020.

  • I'm a non-Ohio resident - why am I being charged $5 for summer term 2020 compared to other amounts for other semesters?

  • Non-resident students enrolled in exclusively distance education courses will have the non-resident surcharge assessed at $5, resulting in the $105 total for the distance education administration surcharge, waiving the regular non-resident fee due to classes not physically meeting in the state of Ohio.

  • If restrictions are lifted on campus, can I go to the RPAC?

  • The Office of Student Life is adhering to all university and state guidelines related to social distancing and the recreational facilities on campus. If it is determined that Ohio State campuses reopen while summer term is underway, information for students on using the recreational facilities will be provided by the Office of Student Life.

  • How do I obtain a COTA pass if that fee is waived for summer term 2020?

  • For those that may be on campus and wish to utilize COTA, there is an option for them to go to the COTA offices downtown and buy a pass for the summer.

  • When can I enroll in TOPP?

  • Self-enrollment for TOPP will open on April 22. Students can enroll after that date through their My Buckeye Link.

  • When will I get my financial aid refund?

  • For most students, refunds will begin on May 4. For additional questions about your refund, contact Buckeye Link.

Is Ohio State encouraging and/or endorsing an LGBTQ culture?

The university is dedicated to ensuring a welcoming and safe environment for all students.  By including sexual orientation and gender identification questions in the admissions application, Ohio State is indicating an acceptance and understanding of the needs of these students from their very first interaction with the university.

How will identifying an applicant’s sexual orientation and gender identity affect his or her opportunities for admission?

Choosing to answer or ignore these optional identification questions does not impact admissions decisions.  This information is gathered strictly for the purpose of understanding the scope of these populations, and to share university resources with those groups.

Who will be able to access this data?

An individual’s data is protected by FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act).  Similar to disability data, this information is considered restricted within university systems.  Data is only available to an extremely limited number of staff. All others seeking aggregate data must submit a request for this information, including a specific need, to be either approved or denied by the gatekeeping offices (University Registrar and the Multicultural Center).

Students should note, however, that parents or guardians may access this information if they have the log in credentials to review a student’s Common Application or student account.

How will this data be used?

By collecting aggregate data on our applicants’ sexual orientation and gender identity, Ohio State will be able to analyze the success of the university’s efforts related to the recruitment, enrollment, retention and academic success of the LGBTQ demographic. This, in turn, will help us better understand the needs of this population and to provide the data needed to inform the creation or expansion of beneficial resources and services for this demographic.

What if these questions deter students from applying or cause others anxiety and stress?

Previous application questions directed toward race/ethnicity have not deterred students from applying.  These questions are optional, which allows students to answer only if they are comfortable sharing this information.  Students who choose not to disclose sexual orientation and gender identity will not be penalized in any way.

What if students change their sexual orientation and/or gender identity after applying?

Students may visit the Student Information System (SIS) to adjust this information during their time as an Ohio State student.  The university recognizes that students continually experience growth in their identity, and they may wish to edit this information later.

General Summer Term Information

Summer term instructional fees, and general and non-resident surcharges for Columbus campus undergraduates will be discounted by 25 percent compared to autumn and spring semesters. For more specific costs for each campus, view detailed fees for Summer Term. Check back for updated academic year fees. The goal of this reduced cost is to provide the opportunity for students to enroll in summer classes while saving money, and staying on track to complete their degrees.

Regional campus students are eligible for enrollment at their normal campus of enrollment. Tuition and fees are determined based on the campus where you are taking the majority of your classes (based on credit hours). Note: if a regional campus student chooses to enroll in a majority of classes on the Columbus campus, beyond tuition charges, they may be responsible for Columbus based fees (such as COTA, Student Union Facility Fee, Student Activity Fee). Note: these fees will be waived for Summer Term 2020.

To figure out which summer classes might be right for you, contact your academic advisor. Your advisor can help you in crafting the right academic plan to help you realize your dreams. Learn about academic advising at Ohio State.

Dates and Deadlines and Term Structure

Summer term structure and important dates
To provide as many options to our students for classes that fit into their schedule, Ohio State has created multiple sessions for Summer Term course offerings.
- One, 12 week Summer Term
- Two, 6-week sessions
- Two, 8-week sessions
- Three, 4-week sessions

Having multiple sessions of different lengths provides students at Ohio State the unique opportunity to adjust their schedule to their needs. View some key important dates for Summer Term 2020 below. For a more comprehensive listing of dates, review the Summer Term 2020 academic calendar.

Summer Term 2020 Important Dates
Schedule of classes available January 21
Registration windows begin February 17
Initial fee due date May 20
Summer Term, 8-week Session 1, 6-week Session 1, 4-week Session 1 classes May 13
Last day of regularly scheduled 4-week Session 1 classes June 8
8-week Session 2 and 4-week Session 2 classes begin June 9
Last day of regularly scheduled 6-week Session 1 classes June 22
6-week Session 2 classes begin June 23
Last day of regularly scheduled 8-week Session 1 and 4-week Session 2 classes July 6
4-week Session 3 classes begin July 7
Last day of regularly scheduled Summer Term, 8-week Session 2, 6-week Session 2, and 4-week Session 3 classes July 31
Final examinations for Summer Term* August 3-5
*Final examinations for all session classes during Summer Term are given during the last class meeting, unless other arrangements have been made.

Registration information
Students should review the University Registrar's registration information, including current student enrollment appointments. Review the Course Catalog, and then Add a Class.

Contact Us

Students should contact their academic advisor first. For My Buckeye Link account-related questions or financial aid questions, contact Buckeye Link.