Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Buckeye Bridge is a strategic initiative between Columbus State Community College and The Ohio State University. The program provides eligible Columbus State associate degree graduates:

• Guaranteed admission to Ohio State's Columbus campus for eligible students
• Full tuition and mandatory fee coverage (up to eight semesters) or until completion of the first bachelor’s degree
• Coordinated onboarding and support services to promote debt-free bachelor’s degree completion

The program will officially launch in Spring Semester 2026. “Launch” means that the program will be available for eligible Columbus State graduates who complete their associate degrees in Spring Semester 2026 and transfer with funding to Ohio State's Columbus campus in fall 2026.

In addition to applying to Ohio State, students must complete the Buckeye Bridge Intent Form. The purpose of this form is to help us identify and advise students who may be eligible. This is an important step. 

To start, apply for Columbus State following our Get Started Guide. Once you're a student, talk to your academic advisor for more information.

To qualify, students must:

• Be an Ohio resident
• Complete an associate degree at Columbus State
• File the FAFSA annually by the priority deadline
• Maintain full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress at Ohio State
• Have a family adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less, verified through FAFSA

Students must be able to file a FAFSA and qualify for Ohio residency.

No, there are no age restrictions.

Students enrolled at Columbus State can be either full time or part time while pursuing their associate degree. But they must maintain full-time enrollment when they transfer to Ohio State.

Fulltime enrollment is required to receive Buckeye Bridge funding. Dropping courses could impact your eligibility and result in adjustments. Contact BuckeyeLink for further information.

Students must file a FAFSA annually by the priority deadline. If a family’s adjusted gross income is more than $100,000 (verified through FAFSA annually), they will no longer qualify for the Buckeye Bridge program. Students should contact Buckeye Link at Ohio State to explore other aid options.

 Yes.

College Credit Plus students who complete their associate degree as undergraduate students at Columbus State are eligible provided they complete 30 credit hours at CState after high school graduation and meet the remaining criteria for Buckeye Bridge. 

No. Students may not be enrolled at Ohio State simultaneously to earning the associate degree at Columbus State. 

No.

Transient Students are students who take classes at Columbus State while enrolled at another college, like over the summer. 

To qualify for Buckeye Bridge, students earn an associate degree from Columbus State, then transfer to Ohio State. 

So students are welcome to come back and take more classes at Columbus State while enrolled at Ohio State, although the cost of those classes would not be covered by Buckeye Bridge. 

No.

No. Students would need to leave Ohio State and attend CState for at least two terms and earn at least 20 credit hours and earn the associates degree from CState SP26 or later to be considered for eligibility.  Connect with your currently assigned Academic Advisor before making any decisions. Please note, students who have already earned a bachelor's degree are ineligible for this program. 

Students need to have been away from Ohio State for at least two terms and earn at least 20 credit hours and earn the associates degree from CState SP26 or later to be considered for eligibility.  Please note, students who have already earned a bachelor's degree are ineligible for this program. 

Students are expected to transfer within (3) three semesters after completing their degree. Summer semester is included in those three semesters.

Eligible students have three semesters following completion of the associate degree to transfer AND begin using the Buckeye Bridge funding, except for summer semesters.

No. The funding is awarded for autumn and spring semesters. Students should contact Buckeyelink Ohio State if they have questions.

No. Students approved for a university leave of absence may pause and then return to use any remaining semesters of eligibility.

• Full tuition and mandatory fees (instructional, general, student activity, student union, recreational and COTA fees) for up to 8 semesters (or until graduation eligibility, whichever comes first).
• Buckeye Bridge is a last-dollar award (applied after other grants/scholarships).

Yes, for up to 8 semesters, or before first bachelor’s degree is awarded, provided students:

• File  the FAFSA annually by the priority deadline
• Maintain full-time enrollment at Ohio State
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) at Ohio State
• Have a family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $100,000 or less (verified through FAFSA)

Yes. The program guarantees admission to Ohio State's Columbus campus and is open to all bachelor’s degree programs. However, some majors and colleges at Ohio State have additional admission requirements or competitive processes. Admission to the Columbus campus does not automatically guarantee entry into those selective programs (e.g., Nursing, Engineering, or Business)

University Transfer Center (Aquinas Hall, Room 126)

• Email: transferinfo@cscc.edu
• Website: University Transfer Center

Academic Advising

• By appointment: Advising Services
• Drop-in: Advising Central (Aquinas Hall, Room 116)

Telephone Information Center

• Phone: (614) 287-5353

Information Sessions will be scheduled virtually and in person. Dates will be posted on the Transfer Center website/calendar and shared in Student Updates.

Undergraduate Admissions (Student Academic Services building, 281 W. Lane Ave.)

• Email: advising@osu.edu
• Website: OSU Academic Advising

Academic Advising

• By appointment: Buckeye Link
• Drop-in: Buckeye Link (281 W. Lane Ave.)

Telephone Information Center

Phone: (614) 292-3980

Information Sessions will be scheduled virtually and in person. Connect with an admissions counselor via Zoom (passcode: transfer) on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.