Tax scheme warning!

The Internal Revenue Service is warning taxpayers of an emerging scam that tempts them to file tax returns claiming fraudulent refunds in exchange for bogus promises of free money. Under the scheme, scammers claim they can help taxpayers get a tax refund or nonexistent stimulus payment based on the American Opportunity Tax Credit, even if the taxpayers were not enrolled in or paying for college.

For more about this warning, and to learn about tax benefits related to higher education, go to IRS.gov.

1098-T forms for 2011

1098-T forms for 2011 for eligible students have been mailed and are available online. See the Student Center Reference Guide 1098-T section to find directions for accessing the form from the Account Inquiry page of the Student Center, or click this link to log into your Student Center and access it directly. For more answers to some frequently asked questions about the 1098-T, go to Buckeye Link.

Priority FAFSA deadline

February 15 is the priority application date for the 2012-13 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who meet the priority application date will be considered for every requested financial aid program for which they may be eligible and for which there are available funds. Students who do not meet the priority application dates will not be considered for university-administered funds, including scholarships, institutional grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work-Study, and Federal Perkins Loan, unless there are funds remaining.

You can file the FAFSA using estimates if your taxes are not completed by the priority date, and make corrections after you file your tax return.The 2012-13 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet is available to help you prepare to complete the online FAFSA. Note: the worksheet is NOT the FAFSA and will not be processed if submitted by mail.

Forever Buckeye Ohio residency provision

The State of Ohio established a new provision called Forever Buckeye that extends the in-state tuition rate to Ohio high school graduates who had left Ohio but return to enroll in an Ohio public institution of higher education and establish a primary residence in Ohio by the first day of classes of the requested term. The Ohio State University is instituting the provision effective winter quarter 2012.

The Forever Buckeye provision waives the required 12-month period of establishing domicile in Ohio to qualify for in-the state tuition rate for students who:

1. were Ohio residents at the time of high school graduation,
2. graduated from a high school in Ohio (does not include home- schooled students or GED recipients),
3. have the current legal status to remain permanently in the United States, and
4. have established primary residence in Ohio as of the first day of classes for the requested term. (January 3, 2012, for winter quarter, 2012).

For more information about Forever Buckeye, go to: http://registrar.osu.edu/residency/forever_buckeye.pdf

Information releases now online

• All student information releases can now be completed online by clicking on Student Information Release in the Personal Information section of the Student Center, available via buckeyelink.osu.edu
  For more information, see the Student information releases FAQ.

Financial Aid update

• Financial Aid is identified as “pending” on your account until it is disbursed approximately 10 days prior to the start of the term, as long as you remain eligible.To view pending aid, go to the dropdown menu in your Student Center and select “pending financial aid.” Once aid is disbursed, any refund will be deposited into your bank account within 3 to 4 business days if you have set up direct deposit, or a check will be processed and mailed within 7 to 10 business days if you have not. More information about understanding your Student Account.

Order transcripts and verification online

• Official Ohio State transcripts and verifications of enrollment are available to order online.
  Enrollment verifications are free for current students but fees apply for former students and third-party requests. Transcript costs vary depending on requested services. Payment by credit card is required when orders are placed.