FAQs about fee payment and refund/forfeiture policies Effective autumn 2011 | Return to Important changes to tuition and fee policies

Fees are due one week (7 calendar days) before the first day of classes unless otherwise noted on your Student Account, which is viewable on your Student Center via buckeyelink.osu.edu.

Statements of Account are paperless and are available on your Student Center before the start of each term. To view or print your Statement of Account:

1. Sign into your Student Center via buckeyelink.osu.edu.
2. Click on Statement of Account, located under Outstanding Charges in the Finances section.
   Be sure to select the current term from the pull down menu.

View current fee schedules here: registrar.osu.edu/FeeTables/MainFeeTables.asp.

• To pay from a checking or savings account: Go to the Finances section of your Student Center, click on Make a Payment, and follow the instructions.
  
  
• To make a payment by mail: Go to the Finances section of your Student Center, select Mail a Payment, and print a payment coupon. Mail the coupon and your check, written to The Ohio State University, to:
       University Bursar
       The Ohio State University
       Dept 0997
       Columbus OH 43271-0997
  
  
• To allow a parent or guardian to pay: Go to the My Account section of your Student Center at buckeyelink.osu.edu and follow the instructions to set up a Guardian account.
  
  
• To pay with MasterCard, Discover, or American Express: Go to the Finances section of your Student Center and choose the Guardian & Credit Card ePay option. You will be transferred to a secure site to enter your information. Students and guardians who use this payment option will be charged a 2.75% convenience fee by the vendor. This fee is non-refundable. Credit card payments will take 2-3 days to post to your account. Payment cannot be made with VISA.

Tuition Option Payment Plan (TOPP) allows you to split the cost of fees and other eligible university expenses into several payments per term. Note: You must sign up for TOPP each term by selecting the Payment Plan tab under Account Inquiry in the Finances section of your Student Center at buckeyelink.osu.edu. The first payment is due one week (7 calendar days) before the first day of classes.Subsequent payments are due every 30 days.

Fees that are not paid by the deadline will be subject to university late fees. In addition, housing may assess separate late fees. A $200 late fee will be assessed the day after tuition and fees are due. If fees are not paid by the 2nd Friday of classes, the late fee will be increased to $300. Your course will be dropped for non-payment if fees are not paid by the 2nd Friday of the quarter.

1. Students dropped for non-payment because of university error or other causes that are no fault of their own must first contact the Student Service Center.
   
   
2. If it is determined that you to have a legitimate reason to have missed the payment deadline, you will be re-enrolled. Your fees and tuition will be recalculated but applicable aid may not be immediately available depending on your circumstances.
   
   
3. You must pay your outstanding balance, including any incurred late penalties, and an additional $300 re-enrollment fee, to complete the re-enrollment process.

Students can add a course in the Student Center through the 1st Friday of the quarter without an instructor’s written permission. (After the 1st week, graduate students must have permission from an advisor.) After the 2nd Friday, a fee of $100 per course will be charged, and depending on the date of the add, you must have all required permissions. For deadlines and more information, see Important Dates.

Hour drops or withdrawal may result in the reassessment of your university charges according to the university refund policy, and the recalculation of your financial aid according to federal regulations. The consequences to you depend on a number of factors, including the type and amount of aid you have and the official date on which you drop classes or withdraw.

What is the forfeiture/refund schedule?

• No forfeiture (100% refund period): Through the first Friday of classes
• 25% Forfeiture (75% refund period): 1st Saturday through the 2nd Friday of classes
• 50% Forfeiture (50% refund period): 2nd Saturday through the 4th Friday of classes
• 100% Forfeiture (no refund): After the 4th Friday of classes

If you have completed the required steps, your financial aid should appear as “pending” on your Student Center about six weeks prior to the beginning of the term, or 2 to 4 days after you have registered for classes. To view pending aid, go to the dropdown menu in your Student Center at buckeyelink.osu.edu and select Pending Financial Aid.

Financial aid is identified as “pending” on your account until it is disbursed beginning approximately 10 days prior to the start of the term, as long as you remain eligible. Once aid is disbursed, it will be displayed as a payment on your student account and the “pending” status will disappear.

Once your financial aid has been posted to your account and all charges have been paid, any money left over will be refunded to you for other college expenses. If you have signed up for direct deposit, expect your refund about 5 to 7 days prior to the start of the term. Otherwise, a check will be mailed within 7 to 10 business days to the current address listed in your Student Center.

You can sign up for direct deposit via SallieMae’s eRefund on the Account Refund link in the Finances section of your Student Center at buckeyelink.osu.edu.

Contact us. Staff of the Student Service Center are here to help.