Every educational institution that accepts and awards federal aid must develop a Student Budget, also referred to as “cost of attendance,” that is an estimate of allowable expenses for the nine-month academic year. Costs are based on the amount that may be needed to meet institutional charges, books and supplies, and moderate living expenses. It should be noted that the living allowance assumes a shared housing accommodation.
The Student Budget represents the maximum amount of financial assistance that a student may be awarded for the academic year through grants, scholarships, and loans. Students receiving a scholarship or grant must subtract such awards from the budget when determining their maximum borrowing limit. Students may not be awarded financial aid above the Student Budget. Many students require less funding than the maximum amount allowable and choose to borrow less than their limit. The breakdown below will help you estimate your own budget level.
Law students who have higher-than-normal expenses may appeal that the Student Budget be increased to accommodate these expenses. Due to federal loan guidelines, only certain expenses can be used to have the budget increased.
Finally, students enrolled in eight or more credit hours per semester are considered full-time and pay tuition at the flat rate indicated in the Student Budget. Nearly all Ohio State law students pay in-state tuition during their second and third years of law school. See our Establishing Ohio Residency page for more information on paying in-state tuition.
2024-2025 Student Budget
Direct Expenses (fixed costs that you as a student don’t control)
- Ohio Resident Annual Tuition $34,776
- Nonresident Annual Tuition $50,028
Indirect Expenses*- 1L Students
- Estimated Cost for Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment $3,090
- Living Expenses, including Food and Housing $15,372
- Miscellaneous Expenses $3,210
- Transportation $1,404
- Loan Fees $196
- OSU Health Insurance** $3,768
Indirect Expenses*- 2L Students
- Estimated Cost for Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment $3,090
- Living Expenses, including Food and Housing $15,372
- Miscellaneous Expenses $3,210
- Transportation $1,404
- Loan Fees $196
- Licensure $500
- OSU Health Insurance** $3,768
Indirect Expenses*- 3L Students
- Estimated Cost for Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment $3,090
- Living Expenses, including Food and Housing $15,372
- Miscellaneous Expenses $3,210
- Transportation $696
- Loan Fees $196
- Licensure $1200
- OSU Health Insurance** $3,768
* Indirect Expenses are costs that you as a student can control. The numbers reflect the most you can budget for these items, not necessarily what they will cost you if you choose to make less expensive arrangements for them or they don’t apply to you
**You only incur this cost if you don’t have your own health insurance coverage or coverage through someone else.