An important aspect of your decision to seek an advanced degree is financing your education. The following information outlines the different types of assistance available for students pursuing graduate study at Bowling Green State University. Information contained here is accurate as of the date of publication but is subject to change without advance notice. Contact the specific office for the most current information.

Applying for Financial Aid * Dependent/Independent Status * Verification of Information * Award Eligibility * Determining Financial Need * Graduate Assistantships * Internships and Co-ops * Regular Student Employment * House Director and Graduate Hall Director * Short Term Loans * William D. Ford Federal Direct Subsidized Loan * William D. Ford Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan * Federal Perkins Loan * Federal Work Study * For Additional Information

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to calculate your student (and spouse’s, if applicable) contribution and determine your financial need. You should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1 to be considered for the Federal Perkins Loan, William D. Ford Direct Loans (both subsidized and unsubsidized), and Federal Work Study. If you are attending summer semester, you must also complete a summer application at: http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/sfa/documents.html.

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Your application may be selected for verification, at which time you will be asked to provide Student Financial Aid (SFA) with copies of your federal income tax return and other supporting documentation. Do not send copies of your tax return or other documents to SFA unless requested. Complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

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SFA begins notifying applicants of financial aid eligibility in April for summer, fall, and spring semesters. Individual financial aid information can be viewed at https://my.bgsu.edu.

Please note: Eligibility for federal financial aid may be affected by students who are recipients of a graduate tuition waiver or scholarship. If you have a graduate tuition waiver or scholarship that is not included on your award letter, you must inform SFA in writing. Your award eligibility may be revised and funds already disbursed to your bursar account may need to be returned.

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The cost of attendance is used to determine eligibility for financial aid. A standard budget includes direct educational costs plus an allowance for personal expenses. For the most current figures, please visit the following link: http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/sfa/coa.pdf

Individual student budgets are adjusted based on enrollment status. Costs are subject to increase based on the cost of living and fee increases as approved by the Board of Trustees.

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Graduate assistantship assignments vary by department and include instructional, research, and administrative service. Graduate assistants receive a stipend and a tuition grant that covers instructional, non-resident, and general fees.

Assistantships are available for a maximum of two academic years at the master’s and specialist degree levels and a maximum of three or four years (depending on the program) at the doctoral degree level. Graduate assistants are required to register for 12 graduate credit hours each fall and spring semester, and 9 graduate credit hours during the summer if funded in the summer.

Eligibility: Assistantships are available to students enrolled in at least 12 graduate credit hours in master’s, specialist, or doctoral degree programs during fall and spring semesters and 9 graduate credit hours in summer semester. Assistantships are not available for degree seeking students registered for less than the above hours or for non-degree students.

Amount: Assistantship appointments are generally made for the academic year. Stipends vary depending on hours worked and degree being pursued. For the most current stipend rates, please visit the Documents and Forms web page at: http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/gradcol/documents/. The university also offers a limited number of summer-only contracts to eligible students.

Doctoral students in their final year of dissertation work are eligible for dissertation fellowships, which provide a full year of funding and the opportunity to work full-time on their dissertation without a service commitment.

In addition to the stipend and academic year tuition grant, graduate assistants receive a parking fee waiver and a 10% discount at the University Bookstore. Graduate assistants who are not funded in the summer are also eligible for a tuition grant for the summer following an academic year appointment. This does not include the general fee.

Application: Available upon request from the academic program.

Deadline: Formal application and letters of recommendation should be submitted to the graduate program in the winter preceding the academic year for which the appointment is desired (contact the graduate program directly for specific deadlines).

Notification: Notification of assistantships is made by the Graduate College. Students should contact their academic program if they have questions.

In addition to graduate assistantships available through academic programs, there are a variety of other financial aid opportunities for graduate students at Bowling Green State University.

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Eligibility: Some departments have contacts with agencies, colleges, or schools that serve as sites for internships and co-ops. The Cooperative Education and Internship Office also arranges internships and co-ops.

Amount: Many students are able to locate internships and co-ops that pay a stipend. The amount of the stipend varies.

Application: Applications are provided by the academic program, the Cooperative Education and Internship Office, or the agency providing the internship or co-ops.

Deadline: Deadline date depends on when the student plans to begin the internship. Contact the academic department or Cooperative Education and Internship Office for information on specific internship sites.

Notification: Notification is made by the academic program or the Cooperative Education and Internship Office. If questions arise prior to notification, students should contact their academic program or the Cooperative Education and Internship Office, 310 Saddlemire Student Services Building, Bowling Green, OH 43403. Phone (419) 372-2451, FAX (419) 372-2805.

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Eligibility: Available fall and spring semesters to students enrolled for at least 4 graduate credit hours. Summer employment does not require enrollment as long as students have not yet completed their degree requirements, and plan to be enrolled for at least 4 graduate credit hours in the subsequent fall semester.

Amount: Earnings vary according to wage and number of hours worked. Some positions are paid on a contractual basis.

Application: Job vacancies are posted outside room 300 Saddlemire Student Services Building and on the Career Services home page: http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/sa/career. Postings include job duties, qualifications required, wage, and contact person.

Notification: Candidates interview with and are selected by individual employers. Students complete hiring paperwork at Student Employment.

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Graduate Hall Director: Graduate Hall Directors (GHD) work with full-time Hall Directors to supervise Resident Advisors (RA), advise hall government, implement academic initiatives, coordinate developmental programs, hear student discipline cases, serve on duty rotation schedule, and respond to student issues and emergencies. The GHD will be responsible for approximately 350 residents and reports to either a full-time Hall Director or an Assistant Director of Residence Life. Previous residence hall experience is preferred, but not required. By nature of live-in responsibilities, GHDs are required to reside on-campus.

Amount: As part of their compensation GHDs receive a stipend, meal-plan, and a furnished apartment. A tuition grant that covers the instructional, non-resident, and general fees is provided. One summer of instructional and non-resident fees are also paid.

Application: Applications including a letter of application, resume, and list of three references may be submitted to: Office of Residence Life, Graduate Hall Director Search, 440 Saddlemire Student Services Building, Bowling Green, OH, 43403; FAX 419-372-0477; and reslife@bgnet.bgsu.edu.

Deadline: Applications will be accepted beginning mid-January preceding the academic year for which appointment is desired. Review of applications will begin late-February to mid-March.

Notification: The Office of Residence Life makes notification of applicant's status. Questions concerning available positions can be referred to the above address.

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All short term loans are to be repaid within 45 days, or by the last day of classes of the term, whichever comes first. A photo ID must be presented at the time of application.

Loan Options:

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Eligibility: Available to students enrolled at least half-time (4 graduate credit hours) who demonstrate financial need. A master promissory note and entrance loan counseling session must be completed online at http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/sfa/ before loan funds are disbursed.

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Eligibility: Available to students enrolled at least half-time (4 graduate credit hours). A master promissory note and entrance loan counseling session must be completed online at http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/sfa/ before loan funds are disbursed.

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Eligibility: Available to students enrolled at least half-time (4 graduate credit hours) who demonstrate financial need and meet other institutionally defined award criteria. A signed Perkins loan promissory note is required before funds are disbursed.

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Eligibility: Available to students enrolled at least half-time (4 graduate credit hours) who demonstrate financial need.

Amount: Maximum earnings are based on financial need. Earnings vary according to hourly wage and total hours worked.

Application/Deadline: Submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1 for priority consideration for the following summer, fall, and spring semesters.

Job opportunities are posted on the job board outside Student Employment and on the Career Services web site: http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/sa/career/. Students interview with and are hired by prospective employers.

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For more information on any of the aid described here (including current interest rates), contact:

Student Financial Aid
231 Administration Building, BGSU
Bowling Green, OH 43403
Phone: (419) 372-2651 FAX: (419) 372-0404
email: sfa@bgnet.bgsu.edu

Student Employment Office
300 Saddlemire Student Services Building, BGSU
Bowling Green, OH 43403
Phone: (419) 372-2865 FAX: (419) 372-0357

Graduate College
120 McFall Center, BGSU
Bowling Green, OH 43403-0180
Phone: (419) 372-2791 FAX: (419) 372-8569

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Bowling Green State University is committed to equal opportunity for all and does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, or veteran status. The Office for Equity, Diversity, and Immigration Services, 705 Administration Building, is responsible for University compliance with all relevant statutes, including Title IX, Section 504, and the ADA.

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