Participant Resources
The resources provided here will assist you during your time as a Program 60 participant at The Ohio State University.
Ohio State Services and Perks
Program 60 participants have access to BuckeyeMail, Ohio State’s student email service. Your BuckeyeMail address (lastname.#@buckeyemail.osu.edu) is your official Ohio State email account. Instructors or professors may choose to only communicate with you from your BuckeyeMail account for identity verification purposes.
Program 60 participants are eligible to use Microsoft 365 for free. Your Microsoft 365 ID is your full BuckeyeMail address, and your password is the password you chose when you activated your Ohio State username. For directions on how to download these applications, visit the Microsoft 365 help page.
UPDATE as of 4/29/26:
The university will be moving all @buckeyemail.osu.edu accounts to simpler @osu.edu accounts in the coming months. Read the recent announcement and monitor your Buckeyemail account for additional information. We will update this section once this process is complete.
Program 60 participants are eligible to receive an Ohio State BuckID free of charge following enrollment into courses. Replacement of a lost BuckID is available for purchase for $30.
The Columbus campus BuckID office is located on the third floor of the Ohio Union, 3040 Ohio Union, 1739 North High St, Columbus, Ohio 43210. Once you have completed course enrollment, you may get your BuckID in the BuckID office between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For information on regional campus BuckID offices, visit the BuckID website.
For additional information, please visit the BuckID website or contact the office directly at 614-292-0400 or buckidcardservices@osu.edu.
Update on 4/29/26:
The university is upgrading all BuckID cards for "tap" access vs using the magnetic stripe. You may receive an email about upgrading your BuckID card if you have a physical copy. If you are only a Program 60 student and not also a faculty or staff member, you will only need to upgrade yours if you need access to a studio or lab on the Columbus campus after hours. You can read more information here.
Some Ohio State courses are part of CarmenBooks, a program that offers digital copies of selected textbooks for a fraction of the cost of a new, physical copy. If you register for a course using CarmenBooks, you will see this discounted textbook cost reflected as a course fee.
You may choose to opt out of this program. However, if you do so, you will be responsible for obtaining your textbook and other course materials on your own. To opt out, complete the CarmenBooks opt-out form before the end of the 100% refund period for your session. After that date, no refunds will be available.
CarmenCanvas, also known as Carmen, is Ohio State’s online course management system, which your instructors will use to create and share course materials. Please note that this information may not be available until 24 to 48 hours before the semester start date. You log into Carmen with your Ohio State username (lastname.#) and password and authenticate with BuckeyePass.
If you need help understanding how to use CarmenCanvas, check out the Getting Started with Carmen for Students guide.
As of Summer 2026, we now have a special CarmenCanvas page for newly admitted Program 60 students as an extension of orientation and to give students a chance to practice with the Canvas platform even before getting into a class. All students admitted to the program in Summer 2026 and beyond will be automatically added to the course. Any students who joined prior to Summer 2026 are welcome to request access as well, though it will be most helpful to those who have never yet taken a class. Please email us at program60@osu.edu if you are a returning student and would like to have access to the Program 60 CarmenCanvas page.
Participants looking for basic computing skills may want to consider CSE 1110 - Introduction to Computing Technology, offered by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering on the Columbus campus. The course provides general information on personal computer software and fundamental computer literacy.
Resources for those looking for community-based, non-academic training:
- Goodwill Columbus digital skills classes hosted by Columbus Metropolitan Library locations
- Computer classes and tutoring hosted by Lima Public Library
- Learning Lab at Mansfield Richland County Public Library
- 60+ Digital Literacy at Marion Public Library
- Ask a Techspert at Licking County Library
- Northstar Digital Literacy at Wayne County Public Library
Do you live outside the 5 counties where Ohio State University campuses are located? You can find your local public library here. Search their website for services or call to ask if they offer digital skills classes or tech tutors.
Disability Services at Ohio State offers accessibility resources to Program 60 participants at the Columbus campus. To receive access to resources, you must register or contact Disability Services at 614-292-3307 or via email at slds@osu.edu.
Each regional campus has its own disability services office.
The College of Education and Human Ecology offers non-credit part-time English classes for the greater Columbus community. Courses are seven weeks in length and offered throughout the calendar year. Visit their American Language Program page for additional information, including course dates and times. For questions, please contact the American Language Program (ALP) at 614-292-1364 or alp@osu.edu. Program 60 does not cover the costs associated with the American Language Program.
The Columbus Literacy Council offers assistance to speakers of other languages who want to improve their ability to speak, read and write in English. Visit the Columbus Literacy Council website for more information.
Need tech support? Visit IT for Students for support for connecting to WiFi on campus, issues with resetting passwords, BuckeyePass (DuoMobile), CarmenCanvas, Buckeye Link and more.
If you are on the Columbus campus, you can visit the Buckeye Bar at the Thompson Library during their open hours for support.
BuckeyeBar at Thompson Library
1858 Neil Ave Mall - 60A(opens in new window)
Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Active Program 60 participants may use the library resources during the terms they are enrolled. Present your Ohio State username (lastname.#) and BuckID or other photo ID at Thompson Library, 1858 Neil Ave., each term to activate your privileges. Access to library databases and licensed materials is available from on-campus locations and computers only, using your lastname.# login.
Program 60 participants can enjoy the Ohio State University Libraries during posted hours.
For information on regional campus libraries, refer to the Regional Campuses section of the participant resources.
Microsoft OneDrive is a collaboration cloud service used by university faculty, staff and students as an easy way to share files and folders online. Log into OneDrive through Microsoft 365. For additional questions or concerns, please contact the IT Service Desk at 614-688-4357 (HELP).
Visit The Ohio State University’s Barnes & Noble bookstore at 1598 N. High St. to learn the titles and prices of your textbooks. Some professors may reserve a textbook for their course at one of our libraries.
Program 60 participants may purchase a membership to the Recreational and Physical Activity Center (RPAC) on the Columbus campus at a senior rate. You are not required to have a university sponsor to join. Contact the RPAC directly for information at 614-292-7671. Access to the facility requires either a BuckID or a member pass.
Membership is not required to participate in courses occurring in the RPAC. When your course meets, simply present your registration confirmation for admittance to the facility. Please note that Program 60 participants have access up to 30 minutes prior to the class start time. Those found to be using the facility outside of class times without a membership may face disciplinary action.
Program 60 participants are not eligible to receive student football tickets due to the university policy of credit hours not being received for courses taken on an Audit basis. Eligibility requirements as specified by the Athletic Ticket Office require students to be enrolled full-time in credit-bearing courses at:
- Undergraduate: 12 hours or more
- Master, Doctoral Candidate and Graduate Professional: 8 hours or more
- Post-Doctoral (Post Candidacy): 3 hours
The Office of International Affairs’ eligibility requirements mandate that students taking part in Study Abroad opportunities be Ohio State degree-seeking students. Program 60 participants are not eligible to take part in these courses and opportunities. However, they welcome the opportunity to include all eligible students if your status would someday change to an admitted, enrolled, degree-seeking student.
Columbus Campus Parking and Transportation
Check out the university's campus map and building index to find your way around campus.
If you have a smartphone, the official Ohio State App can also help you make your way around campus, particularly if you are walking.
If you need transportation assistance on campus due to disability, register with Student Life Disability Services. The Transportation and Traffic Management Office has more information about paratransit options on campus as well.
Campus Area Bus Service (CABS) is a free transit service. Routes and schedules can be viewed on their website or via the Ohio State mobile app. A printed bus service map may be picked up at CampusParc. Contact 614-292-RIDE (7433) for additional information.
For broader public transportation information, visit COTA (Central Ohio Transit Authority), which offers discount fares for seniors age 65 or older.
Vehicles parked on campus at any time must display a permit, pay hourly fees posted at meters and in parking garages, or pay for parking using the ParkMobile app. SureParc is an interactive map that allows you to view parking rules by time.
Program 60 participants may purchase a regular “C”, Buckeye Lot (“CX”) or West Campus (“WC”) permit for the semester or year:
- Online purchase is available only for those who are enrolled in courses during the semester or term. Log in with your Ohio State lastname.# and password on the CampusParc website.
- Holders of a State of Ohio Disability Placard are required to submit the BMV Certificate of Registration to CampusParc to obtain a university permit.
- Ohio State retirees are eligible to purchase an A permit at a discounted rate. Contact CampusParc for more information.
CampusParc is located in the South Campus Gateway at 1560 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43210. Contact CampusParc at 614-688-0000.
The paratransit service provides door-to-door transportation, both on and off campus. While the majority of rides are scheduled in advance, paratransit accepts on-demand rides as the schedule permits.
Program 60 participants can request to be added to the eligibility list by calling the department at 614-292-6202 and submitting a Paratransit Services Request Form that has been signed by a healthcare provider.
Regional Campuses
Contact Program 60
We're here to help you achieve your academic goals. For general aid and questions about Program 60 at the Columbus campus, please email program60@osu.edu or call 614-247-0868.
If you have questions about your Ohio State username (last name.#), please contact the IT Help Desk at 614-688-4357(HELP).