Becoming a Buckeye
The decision to continue your educational journey is an important one. Choosing to take that step at The Ohio State University at Lima is an easy one. The campus combines the resources and expertise of the state's No. 1 public university with the tight-knit community on the Lima campus. Take the opportunity to discover all that Ohio State Lima has to offer you as you explore the links below and make the first step toward your future. When you are ready to learn more about how you can become a Buckeye at Ohio State Lima, reach out to our Office of Admissions.
Application Deadlines
- Autumn Semester (begins in August): July 15
- Spring Semester (begins in January): Dec 1
- Summer Semester (begins in May/June): April 15
A Completed Application Includes
- Online submission of the Freshmen Application
- $60 Application Fee or Application Fee Waiver*
Additional Materials
- Official Transcripts
Submitting high school transcripts when applying is optional for most applicants (you’ll submit your final transcript after receiving an admissions decision). However, if you're interested in being considered for merit scholarships, ask your school counselor to send your transcript, including your senior year courses, to Ohio State (electronically, if possible). - Official Test Scores
How do I submit my scores?
Submission of test scores for regional campus applicants is optional for most applicants but strongly encouraged. We must receive your official ACT or SAT score sent directly from the testing agency. Scores from transcripts will not be considered.
*contact lima-askabuckeye@osu.edu to request an application fee waiver.
Transcripts should be sent electronically, if possible. The address to have them sent to is: ugdocs@osu.edu
If electronic delivery is not possible, have transcript(s) mailed to the address below:
The Ohio State University
Undergraduate Admissions
P.O. Box 182646
Columbus, OH 43218-2646
Bachelor's Degrees | ||||
Minors and Certificate Programs | Biology Business Classics Creative Writing | Diversity, Equity and Inclusion* Education English History | Music Psychology Substance Misuse and Addiction | Theatre Zoology |
*program is a certification not a minor
Pathway to Columbus
Start any of the 200+ degree programs on the Lima campus and transition to Columbus once you’ve earned 30 post- high school credits and a 2.0 Ohio State GPA.
Ohio State Lima is committed to make becoming a Buckeye financially possible. Through the tuition guarantee program, financial aid and university grants and scholarships, students on the Lima campus attend the No. 1 public university in the state, leveraging an exception education with the affordability of a regional campus.
For more information: lima.osu.edu/FinancialAid
Activate your username and password
Within three days of applying, you will receive an email acknowledging receipt of your application. This email will include your OSU ID and Ohio State username (lastname.#).
- Follow the instructions in the email to activate your Ohio State username (lastname.#). This will give you access to your Applicant Center where you can check on the status of your application.
- Use your OSU ID in correspondence with us about your application.
- If you have problems activating, contact our IT Service Desk at 614-688-4357 or 8help@osu.edu.
Check your application status
Log in to your Applicant Center to check the status of your application and all requirements. Required application materials must be received at Ohio State by the application deadline.
If you haven’t already done so, submit the FAFSA and the ScholarshipUniverse application
Every student is highly encouraged to file the FAFSA and complete the ScholarshipUniverse application by Ohio State's priority date to be considered for the most financial aid (including scholarships, grants, loans and Federal Work-Study). Check out this helpful financial aid Apply Checklist.
Explore Lima-specific scholarship opportunities here.
Check your BuckeyeMail email account
Check your BuckeyeMail even if you haven't decided on Ohio State.
We're sending important, time-sensitive information — like your financial aid offer and invitation to events — to your BuckeyeMail account. Check BuckeyeMail several times a week at buckeyemail.osu.edu. Log in with your Ohio State username (lastname.#@buckeyemail.osu.edu) and password.
What if I haven't activated my username yet? Get instructions.
Keep checking your personal email, too: We may still send important information there.
If you don’t end up enrolling at Ohio State, your BuckeyeMail account and all data will be removed at the end of the semester for which you applied.
If you haven’t already done so, submit the FAFSA and create your ScholarshipUniverse profile
Every student is highly encouraged to file the FAFSA and create a profile on ScholarshipUniverse to be considered for the most financial aid (including scholarships, grants, loans and Federal Work-Study). Get important dates and simple steps for applying for aid.
Explore Lima-specific scholarship opportunities here.
Accept our offer of admission and pay your acceptance fee
If you are admitted for autumn term, your nonrefundable $100 acceptance fee is due by May 1. If you are admitted for spring or summer term, check your Applicant Center for your deadline.
To pay your acceptance fee, or decline the offer of admission
Follow the directions on your notice of admission, which is emailed to you as soon as you’re admitted to Ohio State. You can also pay the fee through your Applicant Center.
Note: As a condition of enrollment, all admitted applicants are required to answer a question regarding disciplinary and felony history prior to paying the acceptance fee.
To delay your admissions term
Contact Undergraduate Admissions before the application deadline for your desired term to discuss your options. Read our Gap Year Policy.
Finish strong, and submit your transcripts
Final high school transcript
Ask your school counselor to send your final transcript, including your senior year grades, to Ohio State upon graduation (electronically, if possible). If this course work was completed at a school outside of the United States, note that foreign language documents must be translated into English by the issuing institution, an authorized translator or a teacher of the language.
Your admission to Ohio State is contingent upon our receipt and review of your final high school transcript. If you fail to maintain the high academic standards under which you were admitted, your admission to Ohio State may be canceled.
If you’ve taken AP or IB classes, you may be able to receive credit for your test scores. To find out if you can earn credit for your AP or IB test scores, remember to have your official scores sent to Ohio State.
University transcript
If you have earned college credit while in high school, ask each institution you attended to send an electronic transcript to Ohio State so that we can begin evaluating your transferable credits. Do this around the time you pay your acceptance fee. If you’re still taking college classes at that time, make sure your final transcript is sent to Ohio State as soon as your grades have posted.
Important: Transcripts should not be delivered by the student or sent to other addresses on campus. Doing so will prevent acceptance of the transcript as official.
How to send university transcripts to Ohio State:
- If you attended an Ohio college or university, request that your transcript be sent electronically.
- For other institutions, request electronic delivery (preferred). If ordering a transcript online, select The Ohio State University as a recipient. In the absence of a list of universities to select from, ask your school to email your transcript to sae-studugt@osu.edu.
- If your school does not offer electronic delivery, please have your transcript(s) mailed to:
The Ohio State University
Undergraduate Admissions
PO Box 182646
Columbus, OH 43218-2646
Find housing
The community surrounding the Ohio State Lima Campus offers many great options for off-campus living. Housing in apartments right next to or near campus can be found, as well as accommodations with dormitory-style living.
Learn about local housing options close to the Lima campus.