Below is the information from the Paying for College presentation during the 2025 Bobcat Student Orientation. The session was presented by the Office of the Bursar and Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Additional information about financial aid can be found at Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships>>Future Bobcats.
Billing
- Tuition and Fees
- Instructional and General Fee
- Nonresident Fee (if applicable)
- Housing and Meal Plan (per Housing Contract selections)
- Waivable Fees
- Student Health Insurance - waived one per academic year
- Student Legal Service ($15/semester) - waiver each semester
- Waiver Deadline - 3rd Friday of the semester
- Fall Semester deadline is September 12, 2025
- Digital Course Materials
- Electronic course materials (most often an e-textbook)
Account Access - MyOHIO Student Center
- Account Itemization
- View Account Itemization
- View account activity, charges due, due date
- Make a Payment link
- Enroll in monthly payment plan
- Waive health insurance and/or student legal service
- Access 1098-T statement (issued by Jan 31 for previous calendar year)
- Enroll in Direct Deposit
Account Access - MyOHIO Student Center
- Account Itemization
- View account activity, charges due, due date
- Make a Payment link
- Enroll in monthly payment plan
- Waive health insurance and/or student legal service
- Access 1098-T statement (issued by Jan 31 for previous calendar year)
MyOHIO Student Center - Finances Section
Authorize a New User
Students can have as many authorized users as they want.
Authorized User Portal
- Authorized User will log in using their email address the student designated.
- There is no password to be set. Authorized User will be sent a verification code to their inbox to complete the log in.
- Authorized User can use the same email address of multiple students.
Charge Posting, Billing, and Due Dates
| Semester | Charges begin posting | Email Notifications sent to students and authorized users | Initial due date if paying in full | If opt to enroll in a Payment Plan, 1/3 of the balance will be due |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Mid-July | August 1 | August 21 | September 21 October 21 November 21 |
| Spring Semester | Mid-December | January 2 | January 21 | January 21 February 21 March 21 |
| Summer Semester | Mid-April | May 1 | May 21 | May 21 June 21 July 21 |
For each semester a student/authorized user enrolls in a Payment Plan, there will be a $30 payment plan enrollment fee ($10 per month) applied to the account. Enrollment by the student or authorized user must occur each semester.
Balances not paid by the due date will result in a 1.5% late payment fee per month and a financial hold restricting new registration and access to grades.
How can you view Account Transactions?
Account Itemization is the answer.
Account Itemization Options
- Term
- Each term of account activity is in the dropdown box.
- "Non term transaction" option is where all unapplied personal payment credits reside.
- Display Activity Summary
- Will remove the dates and summarize transactions by description.
- Display Pending Financial Aid
- Will display any financial aid that has been awarded but not yet disbursed.
- Once options are selected, click the "go" button.
Date detail will show:
- All account transactions to date
- Term Balance
- Enrollment for Term
There is also an option to generate a Printer Friendly Version (PDF) on Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ University letter to save. If Display Pending Financial Aid is selected, it will display the pending aid and calculate the amount due.
Account Itemization with Pending Aid
- Due date details will show if there is a balance due
- Digital Course Material charges will show corresponding course in the Reference Nbr field.
Account Itemization Printer Friendly Version
Payment Options
Online through Payment Portal (linked from MyOHIO Student Center/Authorized User Portal
- Electronic Check (no service fee)
- Credit Card (2.95% service fee)
- 529 Savings Plan ($10 service fee)
- International Payment
- Personal Check
- Cashiers Check
- Money Order
- 529 Savings Plan
- Mailing address: Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ University, Office of the Bursar, PO Box 960, Athens OH 45701
- Include PID Number with payment
Student Account Refunds
- Excess Financial Aid will be refunded beginning the first day of the semester
- Direct deposit refunds are processed daily for the first three weeks of the semester. Beginning week four, processed Tuesday’s and Thursday’s
- Check refunds are processed once per week on Thursdays and are mailed to local address
| Refund Issued To | Direct Deposit | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Student | Yes (if enrolled in direct deposit on MyOHIO Student Center) | Yes (if not enrolled in Direct Deposit; mailed to the address on file) |
| Parent PLUS Borrower | Not available | Yes (mailed to address on promissory note) |
Office of the Bursar Action Steps
- Set up Authorized User(s)
- Review account transactions on Account Itemization (mid-July)
- Submit waiver(s) if needed (Sept 12 deadline)
- Enroll in monthly payment plan (if needed)
- Set up direct deposit if student expecting a refund
- Schedule tuition payment(s)
Office of the Bursar Contact Information
- Monday-Friday 8am-5pm (excluding holidays)
- Phone: 740.593.4130
- Email: bursar@ohio.edu
- Website:
- Teams virtual meeting: /bursar/contact-us
- In person: Chubb Hall, Room 010 (8am-4:30pm)
Applying for Financial Aid
- File the 2025-26 FAFSA.
- All students meeting basic eligibility criteria are awarded Federal Direct Loans.
- FAFSA is the only application for federal, state, and institutional aid.
- Complete the FAFSA annually. The 2026-27 FAFSA is expected to open in October but watch our website for updates.
Pro tip - an online scholarship application for continuing students is available each November 1
Aid Offer and Out-of-Pocket Costs
- Cost details - tuition and fees, housing and food allowances
- OHIO Guarantee
- Financial aid - total and applicable amounts
- Out-of-Pocket expense - difference between costs and applicable aid
Financial Aid Action Steps
- Visit .
- Check To Do List and complete any outstanding items.
- Choose "Accept/Decline Awards" and select each item for details.
- Accept or decline loans using respective check boxes.
Financial Aid To Do List
View requirements to finalize aid, such as loan items and documents to complete FAFSA processing.
Financial Aid Form Upload
- Fax: 740-593-4140
- Mail: 1 Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ University, Chubb Hall 020, Athens OH 45701
- Never email documents with personally identifiable information.
Financial Aid Award Messages
View scholarship details and renewal requirements.
Financial Aid Loan Decisions
Accept or decline loans.
Financial Aid Loan Requirements
- Visit
- Complete Direct Loan Agreement (MPN)
- Complete Entrance Counseling
Financial Aid Loan Information (Federal Direct Student Loans)
- Repayment begins six months graduation or less than half-time status.
- Loan Types
- Subsidized Loans (do not accrue interest while in school)
- Unsubsidized Loans (accrue interest while in school, 6.39%)
- Maximum Loan Amounts
- Freshmen – Total of $5,500 (the maximum available)
- Sophomore – Total of $6,500
- Junior – Total of $7,500
- Senior – Total of $7,500
Financial Aid Outside Agency Scholarships
- Endorse scholarship checks made payable to student.
- Checks of $1000 or less apply to fall. All others are divided between fall and spring.
- Send scholarship checks to Student Financial Aid and Scholarships:
ATTN: Outside Agency Scholarships
1 University Drive
Chubb Hall 020
Athens, OH 45701
Student Employment Options
- Federal Work-Study
- Financial need as determined by FAFSA
- Paid in bi-weekly paychecks based on hours worked
- Does not apply toward account balance
- Program to Aid Career Exploration (PACE)
- Limited, internship-like positions on Athens campus
- Apply spring of freshmen year for positions for 2026-2027
Additional Resources (PLUS/Private Loans)
- Parent borrower must be credit-worthy or have a co-signer.
- Repayment can be deferred until student graduates or is no longer enrolled at least half-time.
- 2025-2026 interest rate will be 8.94%.
- Student or parent can be borrower.
- Student borrower must have a co-signer.
- Parent borrower must be credit-worthy or have a co-signer.
- Repayment can be deferred until student graduates or is no longer enrolled at least half-time.
- Rates and terms vary based on lender.
Financial Aid Contact Information
- Phone: 740-593-4141
- Email: financial.aid@ohio.edu
- Find your assigned financial aid advisor.
- Visit Chubb Hall, Room 020, Monday - Friday, 8am to 5pm.