Student Financial Aid

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Ohio State determines the amount of financial aid you're eligible for by estimating the Cost of Attendance for the average student, then subtracting your Student Aid Index, taken from your FAFSA.

Cost of Attendance- Student Aid Index = Financial Need


Cost of Attendance (COA)

The Cost of Attendance (COA) consists of the sum of educational costs payable to the school (also referred to as direct or billable costs) and costs paid to others (or indirect, non-billable or discretionary) costs. The Cost of Attendance represents the highest dollar amount of financial aid a student can receive during an academic year. 

Student Aid Index (SAI)

The SAI is the eligibility index used to determine your eligibility for federal, and in some instances, state and institutional need-based student financial aid. Generally, students with a higher SAI are eligible for less need-based financial aid. It is based upon the information provided by the student and their family on the FAFSA.

Financial Need

The SAI is subtracted from the COA to establish your financial need, which determines how much need-based aid you are eligible for each academic year.

Cost of Attendance 2024-2025 Academic Year

Ohio State University full-time, two semester academic year costs* reflected below may vary by program, credit hours enrolled, and living expenses (housing, food/dining) options.

Columbus campus

Incoming Freshmen, Ohio resident: Living on campus
CategoryEstimated Cost
Direct Costs
Tuition and fees$13,244
Living expenses: housing and food
$14,738
Indirect Costs
Books, supplies and equipment$1,030
Miscellaneous personal expenses
$2,334
Transportation
$696
Federal student loan fees
$40
Total Estimated Cost $32,082
Incoming Freshmen, Ohio resident: Living off campus
CategoryEstimated Cost
Direct Costs
Tuition and fees$13,244
Indirect Costs
Living expenses: housing and food$13,814
Books, supplies and equipment$1,030
Miscellaneous personal expenses
$2,558
Transportation
$696
Federal student loan fees
$40
Total Estimated Cost $31,382
Incoming Freshmen, Ohio resident: Living with parent or guardian
CategoryEstimated Cost
Direct Costs
Tuition and fees $13,244
Indirect Costs
Living expenses: housing and food$5,122
Books, supplies and equipment$1,030
Miscellaneous personal expenses$2,558
Transportation
$3,492
Federal student loan fees
$40
Total Estimated Cost $25,486
Incoming Freshmen, Non-Ohio resident: Living on campus
CategoryEstimated Cost
Direct Costs
Tuition and fees$13,244
Non-resident fees $26,778
Living expenses: housing and food $14,738
Indirect Costs
Books, supplies and equipment$1,030
Miscellaneous personal expenses
$2,334
Transportation
$1,404
Federal student loan fees
$40
Total Estimated Cost $59,568 

Regional campus and ATI

Incoming Freshmen, Ohio resident: Living on campus
CategoryEstimated Cost
Direct Costs
Tuition and fees$9,488
Living expenses: housing and food
$12,358
Indirect Costs
Books, supplies and equipment$1,030
Miscellaneous personal expenses
$2,334
Transportation
$556
Federal student loan fees
$40
Total Estimated Cost $25,806
Incoming Freshmen, Ohio resident: Living off campus
CategoryEstimated Cost
Direct Costs
Tuition and fees$9,488
Indirect Costs
Living expenses: housing and food
$10,232
Books, supplies and equipment$1,030
Miscellaneous personal expenses
$2,568
Transportation
$1,578
Federal student loan fees
$40
Total Estimated Cost $24,936
Incoming Freshmen, Ohio resident: Living with parent or guardian
CategoryEstimated Cost
Direct Costs
Tuition and fees $9,488
Indirect Costs
Living expenses: housing and food$4,464
Books, supplies and equipment$1,030
Miscellaneous personal expenses$2,568
Transportation
$4,212
Federal student loan fees
$40
Total Estimated Cost $21,802
Incoming Freshmen, Non-Ohio resident: Living on campus
CategoryEstimated Cost
Direct Costs
Tuition and fees$9,488
Non-resident fees $26,778
Living expenses: housing and food $12,358
Indirect Costs
Books, supplies and equipment$1,030
Miscellaneous personal expenses
$2,334
Transportation
$1,404
Federal student loan fees
$40
Total Estimated Cost $53,432
Incoming Freshmen, Non-Ohio resident: Living off campus
CategoryEstimated Cost
Direct Costs
Tuition and fees$9,488
Non-resident fees
$26,778
Indirect Costs
Living expenses: housing and food
$10,232
Books, supplies and equipment$1,030
Miscellaneous personal expenses
$2,568
Transportation
$1,404
Federal student loan fees$40
Total Estimated Cost $51,540

*Final tuition and fees are approved annually during the May Board of Trustees meeting and may be subject to change.