YOUR STUDENT ACCOUNT

How much do I owe?
Check the Student Account on your Student Center at buckeyelink.osu.edu for a list of current charges, including tuition, fees, housing, and past-due balances.

Your account can change based on your actions, so check it often. Important: Holds placed on your account as a result of non-payment or underpayment may halt services such as registering for classes, viewing grades, or receiving a diploma upon graduation.

For details about university tuition and fees, see the explanation of fees.

How do I pay?
You can pay your current charges (including tuition, fees, housing, and past-due balances) online from a checking or savings account, or by mail. 

To make a payment online:
In the Finances section of your Student Center at buckeyelink.osu.edu buckeyelink.osu.edu, click on Make a Payment and follow the instructions.

To make a payment by mail: Go to 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

Can a parent or guardian pay?
You can permit parents, guardians, or others to pay your tuition and fees by setting up a Guardian account.

To set up a Guardian account:

• Go to the My Account section of your Student Center at buckeyelink.osu.edu for instructions on setting up your Guardian account.
  Note: The guardian will only have access to the current balance on the student’s account and will not have access to grades or other FERPA-protected information.
  

Can I pay my charges by credit card?

To pay tuition and fees with a credit card:
Go to the Finances section of your Student Center at buckeyelink.osu.edu and choose the Guardian & Credit Card ePay option. You will be transferred to the secure site to enter your information.

Important notes:

• Credit card payments will take 2-3 days to post to your Student Center.
• Parents and guardians also can pay by credit card.
• A non-refundable 2.75% convenience fee will be charges per credit card payment.
  For more details, download the Credit Card Payment FAQ.

Does Ohio State offer a payment plan?
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, however, the TOPP enrollment fee will be waived each term for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Select the Payment Plan tab under Account Inquiry in the Finances section of your Student Center at buckeyelink.osu.edu.

When are tuition and fees due?
Tuition and fees are due one week (7 calendar days) prior to the first day of classes each term. Find the dates classes begin each term on the Academic Calendar.

Pay attention to due dates! If fees are not paid on time, you may receive a late fee of $100 or $300, based on when fees are paid, or you may even be dropped from classes.

Tuition payment tips:

• The Tuition Option Payment Plan (TOPP) allows you to pay your fees and eligible expenses in several installments.
  
• To sign up, go to the Finances section of your Student Center at buckeyelink.osu.edu.
• Set the calendar on your phone or computer to remind you when tuition and fees are due.
  Note: The first installment is due one week (7 calendar days) prior to the first day of classes each term with subsequent payments due every 30 days. You must sign up for TOPP each term, however, the enrollment fee will be waived each term for the 2012-2013 academic year.

Why was my payment declined?
The most frequent reasons for a declined payment are incorrect information, insufficient funds, or inserting a comma or dollar sign in the Payment Amount (use digits only: 1000, not $1000 or 1,000).

To find out why your payment was declined, check with your bank to verify sufficient funds and correct information. If that doesn’t resolve the problem, contact the Student Service Center.

How do I appeal a late fee?
To appeal a late fee applied to your account, you must submit a petition in writing, demonstrating university error or extenuating circumstances. Please include:

• A written explanation of why the late fee was incurred
• Supporting documentation
• Your current address, e-mail, and phone number
• Your full name
• Your OSU ID

Please mail, fax, or bring the information to the Student Service Center.

Why was I dropped for non-payment?
The Ohio State University drops classes for students who still have outstanding balances on their accounts after the second Friday of classes each term. Outstanding balances can include current term tuition and fees, and any prior term balances.

To be re-re-enrolled:

• ALL STUDENTS must be ready to pay, or have already paid, to be re-enrolled.
• Regional campus students must contact their campus advising office.
• Undergraduate and professional students must contact the Student Service Center.
• Graduate students must contact the Graduate School.

Acceptable forms of payment:

• Check, money order, or cashier’s check for the full amount (must be brought to the Student Service Center or the student’s regional campus business office).
• Guardian e-Pay payment for the full amount. Note: Payment will take two business days to post.
• Credit card payment for the full amount (must show confirmation page of payment at the Student Service Center or the regional campus business office, or wait until the payment is credited to the account, which can take two to three days). Note: An additional 2.75% fee is charged by Sallie Mae for each credit card payment.

Note: Financial aid cannot be applied until the account is paid. Students waiting for aid must pay the balance due and get a refund once the aid is disbursed.

For details about university tuition and fees, see the explanation of fees.

Why do I have a hold on my account?
An administrative hold may be placed on your account if you fail to comply in a reasonable period of time with an obligation imposed under university rules, or if you have an overdue debt or fine. An administrative hold will cause certain services to be withheld, including obtaining current quarter grades, registering or enrolling, receiving a transcript, or borrowing books or equipment.

If you have a hold on your record, it will be visible in the Holds box in the upper-right-hand corner of your Student Center at buckeyelink.osu.edu. Details about each hold are listed in the Details link, including contact information and instructions you will need to follow to clear the hold.

If you have completed the instructions in your Student Center for each hold and still have questions, contact the Student Service Center for assistance.

How does adding or dropping classes affect my account?
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.

Talk to a counselor at the Student Service Center for more information about your particular situation.

What is covered by the Graduate Fee Authorization?
Every graduate associate (GTA, GRA, and GAA) appointed for at least 50 percent of full time receives a fee authorization that covers instructional, general, and nonresident fees. Other fees generally must be paid by the student, including parking, computing, student activity, and mandatory COTA fees.

For details about how Graduate Fee Authorizations and Payment Plans appear in your Statement of Account, download this quick reference guide.