Payment Acceptance Policies

The following are considered acceptable checks with proper identification:

• Cashier’s Check – a check purchased at a bank for any amount; the bank completes all information on the face of the check with a bank officer signing as the maker.
• Certified Check – a personal check guaranteed by the bank; the check is stamped “certified” and signed by a bank officer.
• Money Order – an item purchased at a bank, post office, or other business establishment. The bank completes only the amount information.
• Traveler’s Check – a special check supplied by banks or other companies for the use of travelers; these checks already bear the purchaser’s signature and must be countersigned in the cashier’s presence.
• Personal Check – a written order payable on demand, drawn on a bank by a depositor; a personal check is written against an individual’s funds as opposed to a cashier’s check, certified check, money order, or traveler’s check, all of which are written against bank funds. Personal checks are accepted for purchase of good or services. Cashing of personal checks is prohibited.
• Starter Check - a generic check obtained at the bank that is generally provided prior to receipt of personal checks containing printed identifying information. Individuals may have to fill in the areas normally printed on a personal check with their personal address, phone number, driver's license number and other identifiers. Starter checks are not acceptable when exchanged for goods and services whose total value is greater than $500.

The following payment types are not accepted by The Ohio State University.

• Counter Check – a non-personalized, non-encoded check that is available at most banks.
• Third Party Check – a check made payable to a person or organization other than the one accepting or cashing the check (for example, a paycheck).
• Foreign Check (unless there are exceptional circumstances) – a check written on a foreign bank (e.g., a Canadian bank) not specifically prepared as U.S. currency.

If you submit a paper check or electronic payment and it is returned from the bank, your balance will become immediately due. Additionally, your account may be subject to a $30 returned check charge. You will be notified via email if your payment has been returned. Reasons a payment could be returned include:

• Account closed
• Account cannot be located
• Insufficient funds in the account
• Stop payment

Additional reasons a paper check payment could be returned include:

• No signature
• Unauthorized signature
• Check incorrectly written

You are encouraged to submit a replacement payment as soon as possible after you are notified of the return to avoid collections activity on your account. When you submit your new payment, please also include $30 for the returned check charge in addition to the original amount.

If you made your payment online and it was rejected for insufficient funds in the account, your ability to pay online in the future may be restricted. Please contact Buckeye Link for additional information.

Multiple instances of payments being returned from any bank may result in a hold being added to your student account. Your payment options may also be limited, requiring you to pay your bill using only certified funds (i.e., cashier’s check or money order). If the situation requires it, further disciplinary action may also be taken.