Ibrahim Gardner
The cost of tuition at Ohio State University (OSU) varies depending on whether a student is from Ohio or another state. In 2022-23, tuition for in-state students was $12,485, while out-of-state students paid $36,722. The university offers a Tuition Option Payment Plan (TOPP) that allows students to divide the cost of tuition, fees, and housing into instalment payments. Students can also take out federal or private loans to cover the cost of tuition. Federal loans provide $5,500 per year, while private loans have higher interest rates and may require payments while the student is still in school.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tuition payment options | Check, foreign currency wire transfer, OSU's Tuition Option Payment Plan (TOPP), GradGuard tuition insurance, College Savings account, 529 plan, cash, credit card |
| Tuition due dates | Before the start of each semester, by the first of the month after the bill is sent |
| TOPP installment due dates | Approximately every 30 days after the first installment; due date may fluctuate based on semester start dates |
| Late fees | Unpaid balances over $500 as of the first of the month following the first eBill statement of the term are considered past due and incur an $85 late fee |
| Student loan types | Federal, private |
| Federal loan amount | $5,500 per year |
| Federal loan interest rates | Regulated by Congress |
| Federal loan repayment | No repayment until after graduation, leaving school, or changing enrollment status to less than half-time |
| Private loan interest rates | Variable or fixed, may be higher than federal loan rates |
| Private loan repayment | May require repayment while still in school |
| Private loan amount | Average of $17,841 per year |
| Federal loan eligibility | Need-based, awarded based on demonstrated need or merit |
| Average need-based federal loan | $4,191 |
| Private loan eligibility | Does not require a cosigner, but interest rates are higher; higher likelihood of approval with a cosigner |
| Emergency loans | Available to admitted degree-seeking students in good financial standing, attending at least half-time, with a zero balance from previous terms; up to $350 per term with 1% monthly interest (12% APR) |
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What You'll Learn
Federal loans and private loans
Federal loans are a common way to pay for OSU tuition. The university participates in the Federal Direct Loan Program, where students can borrow directly from the government. These loans offer lower interest rates and more flexible repayment plans than most private loans. Federal loans, however, have a limit of $5500 per year, which may not cover the full cost of tuition and other expenses. To make up the difference, some students may choose to take out Federal Parent PLUS loans, or their parents may need to take out private loans, which typically require a co-signer.
Before applying for a private loan, OSU recommends that students first explore all federal aid options. Private loans are typically awarded based on creditworthiness and the ability to repay. They often come with higher interest rates and require a co-signer, although there are some options for private student loans without a co-signer. OSU also offers its own Long-Term University Loan and Short-Term University Assistance programs to assist students with temporary financial difficulties, but these are not intended to be a primary funding source.
To apply for federal student loans, students must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and any other required financial aid forms and applications. OSU also offers a Tuition Option Payment Plan (TOPP) that allows students to divide the cost of tuition, fees, and housing into instalment payments. This plan requires a $30 enrollment fee and the first instalment must be paid by the semester fee payment deadline. Subsequent instalments are due approximately every 30 days after that.
It's important to note that failure to pay tuition by the due date or keep up with TOPP instalments can result in late fees, financial holds, finance charges, and other consequences. OSU offers tuition insurance through GradGuard to help students and families mitigate financial losses in case of unexpected withdrawal.
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Payment plans
Ohio State University offers a Tuition Option Payment Plan (TOPP) that allows students to divide the cost of tuition, fees, and housing (if applicable) into instalment payments. To be eligible, students must have an outstanding balance after aid disbursement of at least $150. The first instalment and a $30 enrolment fee are due at the semester fee payment deadline, with subsequent instalments due approximately every 30 days after. Instalment due dates may fluctuate based on semester start dates.
To enrol in TOPP, students must log in to their My Buckeye Link account and select the payment plan option. Enrolment is required each semester. Students can also purchase optional tuition insurance through GradGuard, which can reimburse tuition payments, room and board, and other non-refundable academic fees in the event of a student's withdrawal due to illness, injury, or a mental health condition.
Students enrolled in a payment plan and current on their instalment payments will be exempt from late fees. However, failure to pay by the due date for each instalment may result in late fees and other consequences, such as a financial hold or the dropping of future registration.
For students at OSU-Cascades, tuition assessments occur bi-weekly before the start of the term and then daily beginning on the first day of the term. All fees are due in full on the first of the month after the bill is sent. Students are responsible for paying fees by the deadline, even if they do not receive a bill. Payments can be made in checks, cash, or credit cards.
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Scholarships and grants
Students at OSU have a variety of scholarship and grant options available to them. These can be used to pay tuition fees and are credited directly to the student's account.
Scholarships
The university offers a range of scholarships to incoming first-year students that reward academic merit. These include the Morrill Scholarship Program, the Presidential Scholarship, and the Stamps Eminence Scholarship. The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Program is the largest regional interstate tuition savings program in the United States, and OSU's WUE Scholarship reduces tuition costs to 150% of resident tuition for students from a number of US states and territories. The university also offers hundreds of scholarships with a wide variety of eligibility criteria, including the University Scholars Program (USP) and the Second-Year Transformational Experience Program (STEP).
Grants
Federal financial aid and scholarships are automatically posted to registered students' accounts. Students can also apply for Federal Work-Study, and emergency loans of up to $350 per term are available to admitted degree-seeking students in good financial standing.
Payment Plans
Ohio State's Tuition Option Payment Plan (TOPP) allows students to divide the cost of tuition, fees, and housing into instalment payments. Students can also take out private student loans, though these often require a cosigner and have higher interest rates.
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Emergency loans
To pay OSU tuition with student loans, you must first enroll in the Ohio State University Tuition Option Payment Plan (TOPP). This allows you to divide tuition, fees, and housing costs into installments. The first TOPP installment and a $30 enrollment fee are due at the semester fee payment deadline, with subsequent installments due approximately every 30 days.
Federal loans are an option for students, but they only provide $5500 per year, so you may need to take out private loans to cover the rest. These private loans do not require a cosigner, but interest rates are typically higher.
Oregon State University also offers emergency loans to admitted degree-seeking students in good financial standing, attending at least half-time, and with zero balance from previous terms. These loans do not exceed $350 per term and carry interest at 1% per month (12% APR). To apply for an emergency loan, students must first verify their eligibility by logging into Beaver Hub and then emailing [email protected] to request an application. The loan funds should arrive within 3-5 business days.
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ParentPlus loans
To pay OSU tuition with student loans, you can consider federal loans, private loans, or ParentPlus loans.
Here's what you need to know about ParentPlus loans:
- Eligibility: To be eligible for a ParentPlus loan, you must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, and meet the credit and general eligibility requirements for federal student aid. A credit check will be performed to determine any late payments and recent defaults in your credit history.
- Application Process: Start by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is where you'll first see the option for a ParentPlus loan. You can apply directly online and will need to download and sign the Master Promissory Note (MPN), which outlines your agreement to repay the loan.
- Loan Amount: ParentPlus loans are awarded for up to the total cost of attendance minus any financial aid your child has already received. You don't have to borrow the full loan amount and can choose how much you want to borrow.
- Interest Rates and Fees: The interest rates and fees for ParentPlus loans vary and can change annually on July 1. For loans disbursed between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, the interest rate is fixed at 8.94% for the life of the loan. There is also a 4.228% fee for loans disbursed on or after October 1, 2020. You may be able to receive a discount on the interest rate if you set up automatic monthly payments.
- Disbursement: The loan money goes directly to the school, and if there is any leftover, the funds are sent to the parent or the student with the parent's permission.
- Limits: As of July 1, 2026, parents can only borrow a ParentPlus loan if their dependent student has already taken out their maximum annual unsubsidized loan amount. There are also annual and aggregate loan limits, with an annual limit of $20,000 per child and a lifetime limit of $65,000 per student.
Remember, it's important to carefully consider your financial options and compare interest rates and terms before deciding on any loan. Additionally, OSU offers payment plans and financial aid options that may help cover the cost of tuition, fees, and housing.
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Frequently asked questions
You can take out a federal loan, with 36% of students at Ohio State University doing so, or a private loan, with 6% of students taking this option. Federal loans are regulated by Congress and have fixed interest rates, while private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loans.
You can apply for financial aid, scholarships, or grants. 83% of students at Ohio State University use financial aid to help with tuition and other costs. Need-based scholarships take a student’s financial status into account, while merit-based scholarships are awarded for academic or athletic achievement.
For the 2022-23 academic year, tuition for in-state students was $12,485 and $36,722 for out-of-state students. The cost for an in-state student to attend Ohio State for four years is $120,740, while for out-of-state students, it is $217,688.
