Ohio College Cost Contribution Estimator

No, Ohio courts cannot order divorced parents to pay for college expenses. Ohio Revised Code Section 3119.86 terminates child support at age 18 or high school graduation, with no statutory authority for post-secondary educational support. Ohio is among the majority of states without mandatory college contribution laws. However, parents can voluntarily agree to college contribution in their separation agreement, which the court will enforce as a binding order under ORC § 3105.10.

When Ohio parents include college provisions in their divorce agreement, they typically address several factors: each parent's income and financial resources, the child's academic performance and college aptitude, the cost difference between public and private institutions, available scholarships and financial aid, and whether the child would have attended college had the family remained intact. Ohio courts enforce these contractual terms rather than applying statutory guidelines, giving parents flexibility to customize their agreement.

Ohio has no statutory cap on college contribution since courts cannot order it—caps are determined by the parents' agreement. Common approaches include capping contributions at the cost of in-state public university tuition (approximately $13,244 annually at Ohio State for 2024-25), limiting to a percentage of each parent's income, or setting a maximum dollar amount. Parents should specify whether the cap applies to tuition only or includes the full cost of attendance, which averages $32,082 annually at Ohio public universities.

Starting with the 2024-25 FAFSA, the parent who provides greater financial support—not the custodial parent—must complete the application. This represents a significant change from prior years when the parent with more overnight custody filed. If both parents provide equal support, the parent with higher income files. The filing parent's income, assets, and any stepparent's finances are used to calculate financial aid eligibility, regardless of what the Ohio divorce agreement states about college contribution responsibilities.

In Ohio divorce, 529 college savings plans are considered marital assets subject to equitable distribution, though the account owner retains legal control. Unlike retirement accounts, 529 plans don't require a QDRO for division—ownership can be transferred between spouses tax-free as part of the divorce settlement. Parents should address 529 ownership in their separation agreement, including naming a successor owner, specifying the funds can only be used for the designated child, and granting the non-owner parent access to account statements.

Yes, Ohio Revised Code § 3105.10 explicitly provides that separation agreements requiring support for children over age 18 are enforceable by the court. Once incorporated into your divorce decree, college contribution terms become a binding court order. Your agreement should specify each parent's percentage contribution, whether private school costs are included, any caps based on public university rates, academic performance requirements, and the maximum age for support—typically 22 or 23. A well-drafted provision becomes as enforceable as any other court order.

No, Ohio has no statutory requirement for any college contribution, public or private. When parents voluntarily agree to college support in their divorce settlement, they define the scope themselves. Many Ohio agreements cap contributions at the cost of in-state public university tuition ($13,244 at Ohio State for 2024-25) even if the child attends a private institution. Others agree to split actual costs regardless of school type. The key is clearly specifying these terms in your separation agreement, as courts will enforce what you agreed to but cannot impose terms you didn't include.

Since Ohio courts cannot order college support, there is no statutory age limit—the age depends entirely on what parents include in their divorce agreement. Common practice is to specify support until the child graduates, reaches age 22 or 23, or completes a bachelor's degree, whichever comes first. Some agreements extend to graduate school while others limit support to undergraduate studies only. Without specific language in your separation agreement, there is no legal obligation to provide any post-18 educational support under Ohio law.