Navigating Tuition Assistance Programs at The Ohio State University
The Ohio State University (OSU) is committed to providing accessible and high-quality education, reflected in its diverse tuition assistance programs designed to support students, faculty, staff, and their dependents in achieving their educational goals. These programs offer financial support, reduce the burden of educational costs, and foster a culture of lifelong learning within the OSU community.
Tuition Assistance for Faculty, Staff, and Dependents
OSU offers several tuition assistance benefits for eligible employees and their dependents as part of its overall rewards package. These programs aim to support the educational aspirations of those affiliated with the university.
Faculty and Staff Tuition Assistance
The Faculty and Staff Tuition Assistance program provides financial support to eligible OSU employees pursuing further education. To be eligible, employees must hold an appointment of at least 75% FTE (Full-Time Equivalent). The benefit covers instructional, general, and non-Ohio resident fees for up to 10 credit hours per term, with a maximum of $9,640 per semester.
Key Features:
- Eligibility: Available to employees with at least a 75% FTE appointment.
- Coverage: Covers instructional, general, and non-Ohio resident fees.
- Maximum Benefit: Up to 10 credit hours per term, not exceeding $9,640 per semester.
- Enrollment: Employees must enroll in the program through Workday during the designated enrollment window for each academic term.
It is important to note that this assistance does not cover all fees. Additional fees such as distance learning, student activity, and student union fees remain the responsibility of the employee and must be paid through other means. The Faculty and Staff Tuition Assistance is included in the financial aid award package, which may impact eligibility for other forms of financial aid.
Dependent Tuition Assistance
The Dependent Tuition Assistance Plan assists eligible employees with the cost of education for their spouses or unmarried dependent children attending OSU. This benefit applies to courses taken for credit in undergraduate, graduate, or professional programs.
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Key Features:
- Eligibility: Available to spouses and unmarried dependent children of eligible employees.
- Coverage: Covers a portion of instructional and general fees.
- Benefit Amount: A dependent of one eligible employee receives 50% off instructional and general fees; if both parents are eligible employees, the dependent receives 75% off.
- Duration: Eligible dependents can receive tuition assistance for up to eight semesters or 140 semester hours of enrollment, whichever is greater.
Similar to the faculty/staff program, the dependent tuition assistance does not cover all fees. Fees such as student activity, student union, COTA, RPAC, course and lab fees, learning technology fee, non-resident fee, and CarmenBook electronic textbooks are not covered and are the responsibility of the student. Dependent tuition assistance is included in the financial aid award package and may impact eligibility for other forms of financial aid.
Graduate Associateships and Fellowships
Graduate students at OSU have the opportunity to receive tuition assistance through Graduate Associateships and Fellowships, often referred to collectively as Graduate Fee Authorizations (GFA). These programs support graduate students in their academic pursuits by providing financial assistance in exchange for work or academic merit.
Graduate Associateships
Graduate Associateships offer graduate students the chance to work for a university unit in exchange for tuition and fee coverage, as well as a stipend. There are three main types of graduate associateships:
- Graduate Teaching Associate (GTA): Assists with teaching responsibilities.
- Graduate Research Associate (GRA): Engages in research activities.
- Graduate Administrative Associate (GAA): Provides administrative support.
Graduate Fellowships
Graduate Fellowships are financial awards given to students based on academic merit. These fellowships support students during their graduate programs and are awarded through university-wide competitions, without regard to financial need.
How Graduate Fee Authorization Works
The Graduate Fee Authorization covers all or a portion of instructional, general, non-resident, and learning technology fees (if applicable). Some GFAs may also cover a portion of student health insurance. The coverage of additional fees is determined by the employing unit or the specific fellowship.
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Coverage based on FTE Appointment (for Graduate Associates):
| Appointment | Hours Worked | Tuition Coverage* | Autumn & Spring Enrollment^ | Summer Enrollment^ | Health Insurance? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50% FTE | 20 | 100% | 8 Credit Hours | 4 Credit Hours | 100% |
| 25% FTE | 10 - 19.99 | 50% | 4 Credit Hours | 2 Credit Hours | 50% |
(*) Includes instructional, general, non-resident, and learning tech fee (if applicable)
(^) Post-Candidacy Doctoral Student (PCD) exception = 3 credit hours
Fellows receive applicable fees covered at the 50% FTE rate, provided they are enrolled in 12 credit hours (or 3 credit hours for post-candidacy doctoral students). There is no hours-worked requirement for fellows.
Payroll Deductions for Non-Covered Fees
Graduate Associates and Fellows are responsible for any fees not covered by their associateship, fellowship, appointing unit, or graduate program. These fees are deducted from their monthly stipend and include:
- Program, Clinical, and Equipment Fees
- Student Activity Fee
- Distance Learning Fee
- Recreation Fee (RPAC)
- COTA Bus Service Fee
- Student Health Insurance (if not fully covered)
- Student Union Facility Fee
- Student Legal Fee
A detailed listing of ancillary fees and their associated rates can be found on the University Registrar’s Tuition and Fees webpage.
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Buckeye Bridge Program
The Buckeye Bridge program, a partnership between Ohio State University (OSU) and Columbus State Community College (CSCC), is a new scholarship program designed to provide a tuition-free pathway for low- and middle-income students in Ohio. This program offers CSCC graduates the opportunity to pursue a bachelor's degree at OSU without paying tuition or fees for two years.
The program aims to eliminate financial uncertainty for students and families, creating a clear and guaranteed path to a bachelor's degree at OSU. It also strengthens the associates-to-bachelor's pipeline for central Ohioans, providing new educational opportunities and equipping students with the skills needed for in-demand jobs in the state.
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