Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions

Your tuition, fees, housing and food will be charged to you each semester. Prior to each semester, the ODU Business Office will issue you a bill for that semester. Your financial aid for each semester will be credited toward your bill.

You may elect to participate in the University's payment plan. This plan helps to manage expenses on a monthly basis. Additional information is available from the Business Office.

Students must reapply for financial aid each academic year by filing the FAFSA. Depending upon continued availability of federal, state and institutional funds, Ohio Dominican seeks to maintain a comparable financial aid package from year to year. Actual awards may vary based on total cost, FAFSA results, student academic achievement and program eligibility.

Some types of aid have specific criteria that must be met to renew the award. The priority FAFSA deadline is February 15. The Financial Aid staff is here to assist you in exploring all available resources in order to make your Ohio Dominican education most affordable.

Eligibility for most types of aid is awarded on the basis of financial need.

Need is based on the following equation: Cost of Attendance - Student Aid Index (SAI) = Financial Need. 

The information you report on the FAFSA is used to calculate your SAI, which is a measure of your family's financial strength. The SAI is then used to determine your eligibility for all federal, state and institutional aid funds. The formula for the SAI calculation is established by law. 

All students must reapply for financial aid every year by filing the FAFSA.

See How to Apply

If your Offer Letter/notification includes a work-study award, you are eligible to work on campus and get paid for your work completed. You will be paid bi-weekly as you work.

These funds are not applied toward your tuition and fees.

Read more about work-study opportunities.

If you have experienced a loss of income or benefits during the current year or believe you have an unusual circumstance, you may submit a Special Circumstance Application.

Please contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss your situation.

Your financial aid is disbursed based on the number of credit hours for which you are registered. There are exceptions to this rule: 

1. You will not receive financial aid for classes you do not attend. If you apply for financial aid late, you will receive federal financial aid for the number of credit hours you are registered for at the time we are able to process your financial aid.

2. If you withdraw from all classes, your financial aid eligibility will be recalculated according to the Ohio Dominican University/Federal Refund Policy.  

We are required to monitor your progress towards your degree. Review this policy at Award Terms and Satisfactory Academic Progress. Please read the policy thoroughly. Failure to comply with this policy may result in the loss of your Federal financial aid. 

An Offer Letter/notification will be sent to you when we receive the results of your FAFSA and have determined your financial aid eligibility. The award notification indicates the type and amount of financial aid you will qualify for based on your estimated enrollment. Some types of aid require you take further action. You will be notified of this within 2 weeks of receipt of your award.

You may make corrections to your FAFSA anytime at studentaid.gov.