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Residential life

Financial Responsibility

» For the academic years of 2025-26 and 2026-27.

The following schedule lists the most common fines, fees and charges assessed by Housing and Residential Life. Please note that additional departmental or university fees not shown here may also be applied to your bursar account.

You can view and pay housing charges through the Office of the Bursar.

If you believe a charge was applied in error, you may submit Petition to Dispute Housing Charges (form).

Note: The information below is subject to change.


Common Fines, Fees and Charges

A. Registration Fees and Refunds

» Visit Dates and Deadlines for a detailed registration timelines.


B. Occupancy Fines and Fees

» Visit Lease Agreement (pdf)

  • B1. Lease-Break Fee
    • A lease-break fee is applied when a resident checks out of their room and is not transferring or withdrawing or is dropping their affiliation with the university in another way. The fee is equivalent to two months of the housing rate of their room.
    • For example, the fee for a 2B/1B in Booker Hall would be $1,921
  • B2. Freshman Noncompliance Fee
    • First-year students are required to live in university housing. The Freshman Noncompliance Fee is charged when freshmen fail to comply with the Freshman Residency Requirement.
    • To live somewhere other than OSU housing, freshmen must be granted a housing exemption, or they will be charged the equivalent of the housing rate for the least expensive housing option for two semesters (fall and spring).
    • For 2025-2026, this fee would be $2,767 for the fall semester and $2,767 for the spring semester for a total of $5,534.
    • Learn more about the Freshman Residency Requirement and the Exemption Requests,

C. Move-In and Checkout Fines and Fees

» Review Move-in Overview and Move-out Process.

  • C3. Improper Checkout Fine
  • Failure to follow the move-out process may result in a $150 improper checkout fee.
  • This fee does not include additional charges, such as the cost of a lock change if keys are not returned to Desk Services at the time of departure. Keys cannot be mailed back.
    • There is a fine of $100 if you leave personal items in your space following checkout. Abandoned items are removed and stored at your expense.
    • As the vacating resident, you will receive an e-mail notification and be given 30 days to claim your items. If we don't receive a response within the 30-day deadline, we will donate your items to a local charity.

D. Damage Charges

» Visit HRL Facilities Office to request routine maintenance or repairs.

  • D1. Charges for Damage to Your Assigned Room and/or Unit
    • After moving in, inspect your apartment. If you notice any existing damage, complete the Move-In Damage Report Form in Roompact.
    • Learn how to avoid damage charges at Personalizing Your Space.
    • Your bursar account can be charged for damages that affect your room and/or unit at any time.
    • Damage charges for your room and/or unit will be split among roommate(s) if ResLife staff is unable to determine the individual(s) responsible for damages.
    • Charges will vary depending on the degree of damage(s) and the cost to fix it.

E. Lock Changes and Locked-Out Fines/Fees

» Learn more about Locked-Out Policies and where to go for help when locked out.


F. Trash and Recycling Fine

» Visit Trash and Recycling to learn more.


G. Animals On-Campus Deposit and Fines

» Visit Service Dogs, Emotional Support Animals, Pets for more information.


H. Tampering with Fire Equipment Fines

» Learn more about Fire Safety.


I. Summer Conferences