(A) As used in this section:

(1) "College or university" means a nonprofit educational institution qualifying under division (A)(2) of section 1713.01 and holding a certificate of authorization issued under section 1713.02 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Controlled entity" means a wholly owned subsidiary of a college or a university or a partnership in which a college or a university, or its wholly owned subsidiary, is the sole general partner.

(3) "Student" means a person attending a college or university who borrows money or obtains credit from such college or university, or from a controlled entity of such college or university, to finance the costs of attending such college or university, and includes the parents, guardians, and spouse of the student.

(B) Notwithstanding section 1343.01 of the Revised Code, a college or university, or a controlled entity of such college or university, may charge interest or finance charges on loans made or credit granted to a student for the student's costs of attending such college or university at any rate or rates agreed upon or consented to by the student in any open accounts receivable, loan agreement, or promissory note, but not to exceed the maximum interest rate applicable to the federal Stafford loan program under 34 C.F.R. 682.202(a)(1). The chancellor of higher education shall adopt rules specifying a schedule for the certification of such maximum interest rate.

(C) A college or university, or a controlled entity of such college or university, may charge students for the late payment of any costs of attending such college or university, including any payment under an agreement or note pursuant to division (B) of this section, at a rate not exceeding five per cent of any unpaid amount due and not paid per month for two months and not exceeding two per cent of such amount for subsequent months. A charge for a full month may be made for payments more than ten days late.

Amended by 131st General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 64, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2015.

Effective Date: 12-02-1996 .