International Student Check-In and Orientation

Dear Victor,

As you prepare for the start of the semester, you'll want to familiarize yourself with Buckeye Link, a useful tool that connects you to resources and helps you complete required tasks.

In this email:

• Buckeye Link
• Financial Responsibility Statement
• Accessing your Statement of Account
• Ways to pay tuition and fees
• Setting up a bank account in the United States
• Placement testing
• Academic support resources at Ohio State

Buckeye Link

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.

For assistance, try asking BuckeyeBot, help.osu.edu or Buckeye Link.

Financial Responsibility Statement

Accessing your Statement of Account

Ways to pay tuition and fees

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

Placement testing

If you are required to take it, you will receive an email at your Ohio State email from AEWP-Assessment@osu.edu with detailed instructions for taking the assessment online before your arrival on campus. Please do not schedule an appointment to take the assessment until you receive this email.

Assessment times are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is highly recommended to reserve your testing time as soon as possible. If you do not complete the Academic English Writing Assessment during the testing window in November, you will not have another opportunity to take this assessment until February 2025 and will not be able to register for any required IELP courses until the Summer 2025 semester at the earliest.

Learn more about assessment or email AEWP-Assessment@osu.edu with any questions.

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 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.

Missed a pre-arrival email?

The Office of International Affairs sends weekly pre-arrival emails to address the most important topics for incoming international students and help prepare for your transition to campus. Each email covers different topics you need to know before starting the semester and is archived on our website.

Additional resources

Visit our website to review information and learn more about life at Ohio State and the United States. If you don't find what you're looking for, contact iss@osu.edu with any immigration questions and global-engagement@osu.edu with general orientation and arrival questions.

• Pre-Arrival Frequently Asked Questions
• Academics
• Life at Ohio State
• Global Engagement
• Maintaining Your Immigration Status
• Campus Resources