Contacting CVM Financial Aid Advisor
Due to FERPA regulations, you must send any financial aid-related emails from your OSU email address. If you send a question or request from any other address, you will be asked to resend it properly. You can expect a response within 24-48 hours. During peak times (May, August, September and January ), please allow additional time for your question to be answered.
Emily Gonzalez
614-247-8778
cvm-dvmfinancialaid@osu.edu
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
To access Federal Financial Aid or apply for admission scholarships, it's crucial to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form. Mark your calendar for the priority deadline, which is February 1 of each academic year. Don't forget to include Ohio State's school code (003090) during the application process, as there is no separate code for the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Before you start the FAFSA, you'll need to register for an FSA ID, which serves as your portal to federal aid websites. You can create your FSA ID on the FAFSA website, which replaces the federal Personal Identification Number (PIN) if you've previously used one.
International Students may receive federal aid only if they are an eligible non-citizen. If you do not qualify as an eligible non-citizen, then you will not be eligible for federal aid at Ohio State. You may want to check with your country’s embassy or government office to see if they have any programs or aid available for your international studies.
Understanding your personal budget and the cost of attendance
As you begin your veterinary education, a thoughtful approach to financial planning now will help position you for future financial success. Understanding your personal budget, the costs of a veterinary education and other expenses you must plan for is an essential first step to help you prepare to apply for financial assistance.
Budgeting
When creating a personal budget, it is important to understand how the cost of attendance (COA) is built and how your spending choices influence the amount of financial aid you need. The Ohio State COA is comprised of two different types of expenses: direct expenses and indirect expenses.
- Direct Expenses: Paid to the college, such as tuition and fees. The student does not control or influence these.
- Indirect Expenses: Incurred by the student due to attending a specific program, such as books, supplies, and living expenses, but are not charged directly by the university. Students have a lot of control over these expenses based on their personal lifestyles.
Living expenses are highly influenced by the lifestyle with which you feel comfortable funding, you must compare your needs and wishes with how much you are willing to finance. Ask yourself some questions:
- Do you want to have a roommate or live alone?
- Would you rather commute or live close to campus?
- Will you need to purchase the University's health insurance, or will you be covered on an outside plan?
Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is a figure determined by Ohio State and the College of Veterinary Medicine every year which consists of direct costs to the university (tuition and fees) as well as indirect costs of the university that are vital for attendance (housing, food, books & supplies, etc.). This information should be used for planning purposes, but it also acts as the yearly maximum that can be received in financial aid, meaning students cannot receive any more than the year's COA in funding. The University Registrar's website has more information on the tuition and fees and an explanation of fees. Tuition and the non-resident fee for first-year students typically increase by 2% each year.
Scholarships and Loans
Funding your education
Scholarships and loans are two of the most common ways our students finance their veterinary education. The college offers a variety of scholarships to eligible students and several loan options are available to students.
Accepting Financial Aid
You will receive an email to your OSU email address when your aid package for the upcoming year is available to view/ accept. You will be prompted to log into your Buckeye Link Student Center to access your financial aid information.
Year 1: Early May
Year 2: Early May
Year 3: Early May
Year 4: Mid-April (includes summer semester)
| Scholarships (if eligible) |
Unsubsidized Loan | Graduate PLUS Loan | HPSL | |
| Packaging Info | Automatically accepted on your Award Summary | Packaged as an “offer” in Buckeye Link | Will not be offered in Buckeye Link as a separate application is required | Packaged as an “offer” in Buckeye Link if eligible |
| Action(s) Needed | None |
|
|
Complete all relevant items on the to-do list in Buckeye Link |
- Loans are packaged for the entire academic year. The total amount you accept will be divided evenly between your terms of enrollment. If you attend Autumn and Spring, your total loan amounts will be split in half. If you attend Summer, Autumn, and Spring, your loans will be split into thirds.
- If you originally accept less than the maximum on any of your loans, you may request the remaining funds at any point in the academic year, up until March of your Spring Semester.
- Keep an eye on your Buckeye Link To-Do List. Any required financial Aid items will be listed there for you to complete. The Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling are valid for 10 years, so you only need to complete these items once.
Billing and Payments
Your Statement of Account for each term will be available about a month prior to the first day of classes. You can view your statement of account on your Buckeye Link student center.
Tuition is billed by semester. Years 1-3 are billed for Autumn and Spring (2 terms). Fourth-years are billed for Summer, Autumn, and Spring (3 terms, including clinical rotations). Fee deadlines and other important dates for each semester can be found on the OSU Registrar’s website.
There is a 21-day encumbrance/holding period on any personal payments made on tuition. If you plan on paying a portion of your fees out of pocket and using loans to cover living expenses, your refund will be held about 21 days from the date of your personal payment. To prevent any delay in your refund, make your personal payment about one month before the fee due date.
Provided all requirements are complete, financial aid will be disbursed to your Statement of Account 7-10 days prior to the start of each term. Your aid will first pay toward your tuition, fees, and miscellaneous charges. After all charges are paid, any excess funds will be sent to you as a refund for living expenses.
Students are encouraged to sign up for Direct Deposit to receive their refunds, as it is the quickest option. If Direct Deposit is not signed up for, a paper check will be mailed to the home address on file for you 7-10 business days later.