Financial Aid and Scholarships

OSU Office of Business Affairs is responsible for disbursing refunds from student accounts once financial aid has been applied to your student account. You must be registered and have your tuition and fees billed to your account for financial aid to be applied. Aid funds are never made available in advance. Textbooks cannot be charged to a student's account. It is assumed that the student will purchase textbooks out-of-pocket and use any refund to "reimburse" themselves for the costs. If a credit balance remains on your student account after current University charges are paid, you will be issued a refund. Federal Work-Study earnings are paid by payroll check to you each month for hours worked. You may receive a refund and still have an outstanding balance on your account. For more information about your bill or refund, visit the Business Affairs website.

Direct Deposit

If you have direct deposit set up, your refund will be directly deposited to your bank account and should be available the first day of classes. You can sign up for Direct Deposit online through Student Online Services in the Personal Information section. This is the quickest, most efficient way to receive your refund.

Paper Checks

If you did not sign up for direct deposit you will have a check mailed to your current mailing address, as listed with the University. Please check Student Online Services to make sure your address is up to date.

Delayed Disbursements

There are several ways in which your aid may be delayed.  Here are the most common reasons:

• You may be required to complete Entrance Counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) for your Ford Direct Loans. You would have been notified of these requirements via an email to your ONID email account.
• Dropping classes (below 12 for undergraduates, 9 for graduates). All students are assumed to be full-time unless they notify Financial Aid in writing that they will be less. If you are not enrolled at full-time and have not notified us, your aid will not disburse. 
• Registering late for classes.
• Having unsatisfied requirements with your financial aid file that you have not completed.

You are responsible for managing your Financial Aid experience, so be sure to check Online Services frequently and review any emails you receive from us as they may include requests for additional information or action.  Call, email, or stop by if you have any questions, we are here to help you!