Program Costs

Tuition and fees

The College Tuition and Fee Schedule including program related fees and supplies are part of the program cost. 

TUITION AND FEES
Tri-C supported by the taxpayers of Cuyahoga County and assisted by the State of Ohio, maintains modest tuition and fees, both of which are subject to review during any academic year by the Board of Trustees and may be changed at its discretion with the approval of the Ohio Department of Higher Education. View current tuition and fees.

INSTITUTIONAL FEE
The College charges an institutional fee automatically at the time of registration based on the credit hours registered. This fee provides students with unlimited access to all campuses, recreational facilities, Technology Learning Centers, libraries and campus special events. This fee will be adjusted when courses are added or dropped in accordance with the withdrawal and refund deadlines and percentages. Below is the fee structure:

• 1-3 credits hours: $10
• 4-11 credits hours: $50
• 12+ credit hours: $70

MISCELLANEOUS FEES
Expenses in addition to tuition and other stated expenses, additional costs include, but are not limited to, meeting qualifications for clinical education (immunizations, physical examinations, CPR training, liability insurance and personal health insurance), supplies such as paper, pens, pencils, transportation, membership in professional organizations and day care for children or older adults.

When outside projects are assigned for required OTAT courses, the cost of materials is the responsibility of the student. The student may also incur parking fees on field trips and while doing Level I and Level II fieldwork and may have to pay for drug testing if mandated by the clinical site. 

Additional expenses are incurred for books, national certification exam, uniform, professional association membership, state licensure fee and travel expenses (gas, etc.) for clinicals. The approximate cost will vary per student, and all costs are subject to change without notice.

Tri-C has many forms of financial aid available for students needing help with school and living expenses.

EMERGENCY SERVICES/PROCEDURES It will be the student’s responsibility to assume all costs associated with access to emergency services during off-campus educational experiences. More information. 

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Tuition and Fees

1. Institutional fees
Will be applied each semester automatically at the time of registration, and are based on the credit hours charged. Below is the fee structure:

• 1-3 credits hours:  $10
• 4-11 credits hours: $50
• 12+ credits hours: $70

2. Supplemental fees
There is a $10 per credit hour charge for on-line classes Lab supplemental fee

• OTAT 1310: $35
• OTAT 1330:  $35
• OTAT 2330: $35
• OTAT 2940: $35

3. Tuition fee schedule by credit hour

• Instructional fee (per credit hour):    $ 95.04
• General and technology fee:             $ 19.50
• Total (per credit hour) fee:           $ 114.54

County residents

• Total OTAT courses credit hours = 63 X $114.54 = $7,216.02 (academic year 2020-2021)

Out-of-county surcharge:  $29.54
Out-of-state surcharge:  $156.65

• Total out-of-state residents OTAT courses credit hours = 63 X $271.19 = $17,084.97

4. OT Association membership fees

• The American Occupational Therapy Association Student membership fee: $75 per year.
• Ohio Occupational Therapy Association Student membership fee: $25 per year.

5. Average textbook costs: $800-1,200

6. Criminal Background Check costs: If you have continually been an Ohio resident for the past five years the cost for an in state BCI is currently $90, If you have lived outside of Ohio within the past five years the cost is currently $121

7. CPR costs: $95

8. Continuing education courses
During fall semester of their sophomore year, students are required to attend a continuing education function, and while every effort is made to find these at no cost, the fee may be up to $100.

9. Parking fees
For information about Tri-C parking fees, visit www.tri-c.edu/parking.

License, application, certification and/or examination costs

Graduates of an accredited/approved entry-level occupational therapy assistant program are eligible to sit for the certification exam. Information related to the process can be found at www.nbcot.org. Eligible candidates must apply for authorization to take the examination by completing the NCBOT Certification Examination Application either online or via a paper copy.

Certification examination cost

• Online exam application fee: $515
• Paper exam application fee: $ 555

Many states have limited ability to practice prior to successful completion of the certification examination and/or limited practice while awaiting the licensing application to be processed. Ohio is one of the states that requires a license before beginning to practice occupational therapy. Graduates of the Tri-C OTA Program planning to practice in Ohio must contact the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Athletic Trainers Board, 77 High Street, 16th Floor, Columbus, OH 43266-0317. The phone number is 614-466-3774.

For specific information on license application fees, limited permits, licensure and Ohio laws and rules for occupational therapy providers, visit the OT/PT/AT Board web site: http://otptat.ohio.gov.

Ohio licensure fee: $100

Background check information and cost
Background checks for criminal history are required for entrance into the OTA program. Students with convictions may be prohibited from clinical practice and may not complete the program. Clinical agencies/sites may require drug testing and background checks prior to placement of students for clinical rotations. Cost for criminal background checks and drug testing will be the responsibility of the student. View more information

Estimated background check costs - The cost of the BCI varies depending upon Ohio residency status. If you have continuously been an Ohio resident for the past five years, the cost for an in-state BCI is currently $90. If you have lived outside of Ohio within the past five years, the cost is currently $121. The price includes fingerprinting and health-requirement management via Castle Branch. Students should not initiate the background check until advised to do so. Executing a background check prematurely may result in repeating the process at the student's expense. Costs are subject to change at any time.

The BCI registration process is first started online through Castle Branch. Once the registration process is complete, students will receive instructions for completing the fingerprint portion.

After the online portion and the fingerprinting are complete, the BCI report can take anywhere from 2 to 60 days.

Financial responsibility

To determine what costs may be covered by financial id, visit one of the college’s financial aid offices, located at each campus. View more information.

This link provides a guide and resources: Health Careers and Nursing Immunization and Health Requirements.

Insurance: All students should carry health insurance, and proof of insurance must be documented prior to being assigned to Level I and II field work.

Other

Uniform: Black Polo Shirt - Short Sleeve $18.50 - Long Sleeve $25.00