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How to Enroll in Tuition Option Payment Plan

How TOPP Works

Ohio State’s Tuition Option Payment Plan (TOPP) allows students and their families to divide the cost of tuition, housing, and fees into installment payments - four installments for autumn/spring semesters and three installments for summer term. To participate, students must sign up for TOPP each semester and pay a non-refundable $30 enrollment fee.

Helpful Note

Only current term charges not covered by financial aid may be included in TOPP. In order to be eligible, students must have an outstanding balance after aid disburses of at least $150.

The first TOPP installment is due on the initial payment due date, usually 7 days prior to the first day of classes. Remaining payments are due approximately every 30 days thereafter (exact dates are shared at time of enrollment).

 

Critical Note

TOPP is a financial contract between the Ohio State and the student; as such, no other party (e.g., family member, university staff member) may enroll in TOPP on a student’s behalf. 

  How to Enroll

  1. Log into My Buckeye Link via buckeyelink.osu.edu.
Other Financial… drop-down menu in the Finances section of myBuckeye Link

 

  1. In the Other Financial… drop-down menu in the Finances section, select Enroll in Payment Plan.
Enroll in a Payment Plan page step 1. This page highlights the payment plan options a student is eligible for. It is step 1 in a 4 step process.

 

  1. Select the payment plan option and review the details; then click 

    Next Button
Review the installments page. This page is step 2 of a 4 step process. It displays the plan amount, the number of installments and the amount to be paid in each installment.

  1. Review the installment schedule, then click 

    Next Button

.

 

Enroll in Payment Plan Agreement Page. This page outlines the terms of the payment plan and is step 3 of a four step process

 

  1. Review the terms and conditions and total plan amount plus the administrative fee; then click 

    Enroll button

.

 

Enroll in Payment Result page which shows that successfully enrolled in the Tuition Option Payment Plan

 

  1. Review the confirmation page.
TOPP Terms and Conditions
  • All TOPP installments must be paid on or before the due date.
  • Payments must be manually initiated prior to each due date; they will not auto-deduct from any saved bank account previously used to pay tuition and fees.
  • Failure to pay the first installment by the assigned due date will result in late fees ($200, increasing to $300 for failure to pay by the 2nd Friday of classes) and hold.
  • Failure to pay a subsequent installment by the listed due date will result in late fees and a hold.
Charges Ineligible to Enroll in TOPP
  • Late fees (including fees assessed on behalf of University Housing and Dining Services)
  • BUCKID charges
  • John Glenn WISH housing (part of the Washington Academic Internship Program)
  • Returned and rejected payments
  • Collection charges
Charges Added After a TOPP Due Date

Housing, meal plan, and financial aid changes posted to a student’s account after a TOPP due date will apply evenly to any remaining future TOPP installments.