International Student Check-In and Orientation

Dear future Ohio State student,

Greetings from the Office of International Affairs at The Ohio State University!

The Office of International Affairs encourages all students to arrive 2-3 weeks before classes start on Monday, January 9 in order to complete Mandatory Orientation and Immigration Check-In.

We look forward to sending you more detailed information in our upcoming pre-arrival emails. In the meantime, please explore our website and answers to frequently asked questions. You’re always welcome to email us at [email protected] with any immigration questions and [email protected] with general orientation and arrival questions.

Buckeye Link

Buckeye Link assists students with various matters related to navigating college life, including paying tuition and fees. You can contact Buckeye Link by email at [email protected] or by phone at 614-292-0300.

When you log into your account, you will find a to-do list that includes several requirements for you to complete before arrival. Be sure to complete all items by their deadline.

Tuition and fees will be due on the second Friday of classes unless noted on your Statement of Account. Tuition fees not paid by the deadline will be subject to university late fees. You can only pay tuition and fees one semester at a time; you cannot pay for an entire academic year at one time.

Financial Responsibility Statement

Before registering for classes each term, all students must complete the Financial Responsibility Statement, which acknowledges their financial responsibility to pay all tuition and fees. Log in to your "My Buckeye Link" to complete your Financial Responsibility Statement. A registration Lock Hold is placed on your Buckeye Link until you complete the statement, preventing you from registering for courses. Please complete the statement before or by the date you have chosen to check in to release the hold.

Contact Buckeye Link with any questions.

Accessing your Statement of Account

Once you register for classes, your Statement of Account is created, which shows the tuition and fees you are responsible for paying and your payment due date. To see your Statement of Account, log in to your "My Buckeye Link." Log in using the same username and password required for your Ohio State email account. Once you log in to your "My Buckeye Link," click on the Statement of Account link in the "Outstanding Charges" box in the Finances section. Be sure you select the correct term by using the drop-down menu.

Ways to pay tuition and fees

To make paying for tuition and fees more efficient, we suggest you set up a local bank account shortly after you arrive (if you do not already have one). You can wire money from a different bank account to put into this new account.

The preferred method for paying tuition and fees, including the Tuition Option Payment Plan (TOPP), is online from a checking or savings account, but Ohio State accepts MasterCard, Discover, VISA and American Express. Visit Payment Options for more information on how to pay your student account.

Please note that if you have an external scholarship check or other third-party payment, the payment should be written in U.S. dollars and mailed to:

Office of the University Bursar - External Scholarships
The Ohio State University
PO Box 183248
Columbus, OH 43218-3248

Make sure to indicate your Ohio State identification number with this payment.

Setting up a bank account in the United States

You may want to open a checking account when you arrive in Columbus. Huntington is the Official Consumer Bank of The Ohio State University and the most convenient bank on campus with five branches and 26 ATMs. If you choose Huntington, you can open an account with them at the end of your orientation session. Learn more about what they offer on Huntington.com.

SEVIS Fee

Who must pay the SEVIS fee?

Each student or exchange visitor issued a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 for initial status in a new program is required to pay the SEVIS fee.

How to pay the SEVIS fee

Payment methods:

• File Form I-901 (available at FMJfee.com), with DHS by mail along with a check, money order or foreign draft drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. currency
• Electronic submission of Form I-901 to DHS using credit card or other electronic means of payment accepted by DHS (please visit FMJfee.com for more information)
• Western Union Quick Pay (see instructions)
• Any future DHS-approved payment services

Placement testing

If you are required to take it, you will receive an email at your Ohio State email from [email protected] with detailed instructions for taking the test online before your arrival on campus. Please do not schedule an appointment to take the test until you receive the email detailing the procedure.

The testing times are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. The sooner you pay your university acceptance fees and schedule your placement test, the sooner you will know your placement score and the sooner you will be able to enroll in courses. Early registration is highly encouraged as classes fill up quickly.

If you have questions about your ESL Composition Placement Test, visit the Intercultural English Language Programs website or email [email protected].

Math placement testing

The Math Placement Test must be taken to accurately place students in the appropriate level of mathematics coursework. Carefully read the Math Placement Test information page. Students may only take the test once. International students will take Test D. Study materials and practice questions are available to help students prepare before taking the test.

Students should complete the assessment online as soon as possible. Plan to test in a distraction-free environment with a good internet connection that will be uninterrupted for 75 minutes.

Academic support resources at Ohio State

The Office of International Affairs and other campus units offer a variety of academic support services.

Every semester, the Office of International Affairs offers academic success workshops covering various topics, including academic conduct standards and expectations. Other topics include developing effective study skills, writing papers, communicating with instructors, taking notes, developing confidence in class participation and more.

The Dennis Learning Center also offers ESEPSY 2060: Academic Success Strategies for International Students, a 2-credit, 7-week course designed to support international students in adjusting to U.S. academic culture.

The New International Students’ Guide to Ohio State Academic Culture provides important information on what to expect in your first semester at Ohio State.

Additional resources

Visit our website to review information from previous emails and/or answers to frequently asked questions. If you don't find what you're looking for, contact [email protected] with any immigration questions and [email protected] with general orientation and arrival questions.

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