Ohio State University officials have unveiled their latest effort to help make attendance more affordable.
The plan includes eliminating about 70 percent of all the school’s course fees, which cover costs for things like lab sessions and special materials for classes.
Ohio State also plans to offer “steep” digital textbook discounts. An emailed news release says the school will pilot a new strategy to deliver digital textbooks that cost up to 80 percent less than traditional textbooks.
“In the ‘inclusive access’ pilot, students in nine College of Social Work courses would pay $24 to $74 for digital textbooks that would cost $128 to $400 as traditional texts,” according to an emailed news release.
Under the new initiative, Ohio State would also waive the cost of additional credit hours when students are doing internships or trying to complete their degrees.
“We are working hard to create savings for students, make costs more predictable and create increased opportunities for families across our state and nation,” President Michael Drake said in an emailed statement.
The university is also introducing a new policy to ensure all active members of the military, veterans and their immediate families receive in-state tuition.
Ohio State officials say the proposals would save students nearly $2 million. They’d go into effect next spring if approved by the Board of Trustees this week.
Under a state-mandated tuition freeze, in-state tuition and fees for Ohio State freshman is $10,726 per year through the 2021-2022 school year. After dining costs and housing, Ohio State costs $23,160 per year.
