All prospective students and their parents are encouraged to complete and submit the FAFSA since there is no processing fee. Changes in federal student aid programs have made nearly all families eligible for some type of financial aid

Keep copies of everything you complete that is relative to financial aid and follow all instructions provided. Open all mailings, paper or electronic, from state and federal agencies and from BGSU immediately. These will include dated materials with deadlines for taking further action. Carefully read them for what to do next, when to do it, and where to mail documents.

JUNIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL

• Take the ACT or SAT by the end of your junior year to ensure that your official scores are available in time for scholarship consideration. You may take the ACT or SAT more than once prior to admission. Your highest score sent to BGSU will be used.

SENIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL

September-December

• Meet with your guidance counselor or a financial aid adviser who visits your high school about college and financial aid options.
  
  
• Explore private scholarship opportunities. Apply for any outside or community scholarships for which you might be eligible (check with your guidance office, the local library or Search the Web).
  
  
• Check the BGSU Scholarship Guide on the Web.

January-March

• Start gathering your income tax documents early in January so you can file the FAFSA form as soon as possible after Jan. 1.  BGSU's school code is 003018. You need to provide your (student and parent(s) if applicable) income tax information to complete this form. However, if required income tax information will not be available early, you may file your FAFSA using estimates of income tax information. The key is to file as early as possible and keep a copy of all documents for your records. BGSU's priority date for maximum financial aid consideration is February 28.
  
  
• Complete your application for admission to BGSU and have your guidance counselor forward it, and your admission credentials, to the University's Office of Admissions. Your application and all credentials must be on file at BGSU by the priority date of January 15 for all  University academic scholarships offered through the Admissions process.
  
  
• The federal processor will begin FAFSA processing and will provide you with your Student Aid Report (SAR) following receipt of your completed FAFSA. An electronic version of your SAR will also be sent to Student Financial Aid (SFA) if you included BGSU's school code (003018) on your FAFSA. Your SAR will provide you with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) which is a figure that will be used by SFA to determine your eligibility for need-based financial aid and to develop an offer of financial aid.

April-May

• Submit BGSU Foundation Application for Scholarships before the deadline of April 29.
  
  
• BGSU will begin mailing financial aid award notifications in April. The financial aid notification will provide you with information on the types and amounts of financial aid you are eligible to receive at BGSU for the coming year as well as other important information. After the initial award notification mailing, all future communication from SFA will come via your BGSU e-mail account. All fully admitted students with a BGSU e-mail account and BGSU identification number may access their own financial aid account information by using the My BGSU on-line services. If you will be receiving a University scholarship, a separate scholarship announcement will likely precede this notification depending on the scholarship being offered.
  
  
• Make your initial $200 payment to reserve housing at BGSU. Do not wait for a notification of financial aid award to make this payment. See SFA for individual circumstances.
  
  
• All first-time Stafford Loan recipients (Federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Student Loan) must complete two additional steps in order to receive federal funding from their student loans:
  • Complete an on-line Entrance Counseling session describing your rights and responsibilities as a loan recipient.
  • Complete a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note good for the next ten years of loan eligibility.
    
    
• Parents who wish to pursue a Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) must complete two steps in order to receive federal funding for their student:
  • Complete a PLUS Pre-application and submit it to SFA to determine loan eligibility. A credit check will be completed as part of this process no earlier than 90 days prior to the beginning of the loan period.
    
    
  • Complete a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note to officially accept the loan.

July-August

• Attend Orientation and Registration to officially register for classes.
  
  
• Pay the balance of any fall semester room, meals, and instructional/general fees.
  
  
• Complete an application for the Installment Payment Plan, should you decide to participate in this option, or seek alternative payment options if necessary.