FAQ

Financial Aid FAQs for 7-week Session Students

Financial aid is available for qualified students.  Typical requirements for most students include being admitted to a degree-seeking program, enrolled a minimum of half-time (half-time = 6 undergraduate or 4 graduate credit hours per semester) and with aid eligibility determined through the FAFSA application.

BGSU uses a priority filing deadline for the FAFSA of January 15 for consideration for all federal student aid programs. All students who file the FAFSA after March 1 will be considered for financial aid, however, funding may be limited in some programs.

We think you’ll find that Student Financial Aid has few hard deadlines related to applying for aid.  However, students who need aid in place in order to cover their bill must complete all steps necessary to qualify for aid prior to the semester bill due date. Students are always advised to have a FAFSA completed and take care of any “Holds” (except the ecampus course hold) or “To Do List” requirements shown in MyBGSU at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the semester.

Students who do not complete all steps necessary to receive financial aid will either need to pay their bill in advance, or enroll in and make payments through a payment plan with the Office of the Bursar in order to start classes.

It's easy! Follow these steps.

1. APPLY FOR ADMISSION

No student is considered for financial aid until he or she has applied and been accepted into Bowling Green State University.  

2. COMPLETE THE FAFSA

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) online.

3. MONITOR THE PROCESS

Use the campus portal, MyBGSU to log into BGSU’s Self Service.  This utility allows you to monitor your financial aid status and also check your student eBill from the Office of the Bursar.

4. VERIFICATION

If you are selected for verification, you must provide additional tax information to the Office of Student Financial Aid. You can view your requests for documentation by checking the “Holds” and “To Do List” sections in MyBGSU

5. REVIEW YOUR AWARDS

An award notification will be emailed to the student BGSU Email Account upon completion of all necessary items. Awards may also be viewed in MyBGSU

6. RECEIVE THE FUNDS

Financial aid funds will be disbursed to the students' Bursar account at the start of the first semester or session once enrollment is verified.  Student loan funds will be released for the entire semester; as long as the student maintains a minimum of halftime enrollment.  Federal Pell grant funds will be released with the first session of enrollment in a semester. If enrollment changes in a subsequent session; within the same semester, adjustments to the Pell may be required.

Excess financial aid (refunds) will be available no sooner than the first day of classes through direct deposit or paper check which will be mailed to the student.

Example for Fall 2018

8/16/18

  • Disbursement of Federal Direct Loan applied to Bursar account if enrolled in a minimum of halftime

  • Full disbursement of Federal Pell Grant released based on enrollment in full semester (6 undergraduates, 4 graduates)

8/21/18

  • 1st day of 7wk-1 classes
  • Applicable refunds released upon enrollment review

10/23/18

  • 1st day of 7wk-2 classes
  • Applicable refunds released upon enrollment review
  • Financial aid adjusted to reflect changes in enrollment from initial disbursement to last day to drop/add clases

Yes. Students must be registered in degree-seeking courses, at half-time status, per semester, in order to qualify for federal student aid. Graduate students must be enrolled in at least 4 credit hours to meet the half-time enrollment status requirement. Undergraduate level students must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours to meet the half-time status enrollment requirement.

The Student Financial Aid office will communicate with students via their BGSU email account. Students can also monitor their progress by checking for any requirements related to federal student aid in the MyBGSU web portal. 

BGSU’s Office of Student Financial Aid determines loan amounts based on the Federal Department of Education regulations.  Grade level and aggregate loan limits apply.

Students who will receive a refund of excess financial aid after the start of classes may use their funds to purchase their books.

All questions concerning financial aid status, options, eligibility, or requirements should be directed to Student Financial Aid by using AskSFA or by calling (419) 372-2651.

All questions regarding tuition, billing, excess aid refunds, and payment plans should be directed to Student Account Services at bursar@bgsu.edu or by calling 419-372-2815. 

Payment and Fee FAQs for 7-week Session Students (Bursar)

Methods of Payment

  • ONLINE via MyBGSU - CREDIT - Online with MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and Visa.
    • A non-refundable convenience fee will be assessed.
  • ONLINE via MyBGSU - CHECKING - Online with a checking or savings account 
    • no convenience fee assessed
  • IN PERSON - In person at the Office of the Bursar (cash, check, money order, bank check only)
  • US MAIL - U.S. Mail (do not mail cash) - Please include the student’s BGSU identification number on the check.
    • Make checks, money orders, or bank checks payable to: Bowling Green State University and send to Office of the Bursar:
      • Main campus students:
      • 132 Administration Building
      • 1001 East Wooster Street
      • Bowling Green, OH 43403

 

 

Refund Options

Definition of Refund:

  • Financial Aid money left over in a student’s account after all tuition and fees have been paid. Refunds may also be issued for other reasons, such as reimbursement for a dropped class.

BGSU eRefund:

  • This is the way to go! It’s faster and safer! Sign up for BGSU eRefund (Direct Deposit) to a checking or savings account.
    • Here’s how to activate BGSU eRefund:
    •  Log in to your MyBGSU account
    • Navigate to Students
    •  Select Financial
    •  Select BGSU Refund
    • Follow the prompts to provide requested information
    • A confirmation email will be sent to your BGSU email address

Bank account information must be updated whenever an account change has been made. Failure to update this information may result in a delay of your refund.

Check Refund:

If you choose to receive a check, please ensure that your address is current. All refund checks are mailed to the student’s home address.

Direct Deposit/BGSU eRefund:

This is the way to go! It’s faster and safer! Sign up for BGSU eRefund

(Direct Deposit) to a checking or savings account.

 

Here’s how to activate BGSU eRefund:

  • Log in to your MyBGSU account
  • Navigate to Students
  • Select Financials
  • Select BGSU Refund
  • Follow the prompts to provide requested information

A confirmation email will be sent to your BGSU email address

Bank account information must be updated whenever an account change

has been made. Failure to update this information may result in a delay of

your refund.

The upper division fee is a $12.50 per credit hour fee that is assessed on all 3000 and 4000 level courses in the Schmidthorst College of Business and the College of Technology, Architecture, and Applied Engineering. For more details about these fees view the CTAE and Schmidthorst College of Business FAQ pages.

Online Education at BGSU

Your diploma and transcript will say “Bowling Green State University” There is no indication that your studies were completed online.

Our online programs have the same learning outcomes as our face to face programs and are taught by the same faculty. Because of this, our online programs come with the same rigor, expectations, and reputation as on-campus programs, which is why you earn the same degree as your on-campus peers after completing the degree requirements.

Online courses are taught by the same faculty and instructors who teach on-campus students.

BGSU has a cutting edge online learning environment. You will log into Canvas, BGSU's Learning Management System, via MyBGSU to access your online courses. Canvas contains all the information, assignments, and instructor and peer interactions necessary to complete your course. Online courses utilize the same learning outcomes as face to face courses so you will be learning the same information as your on-campus peers. Instructors will use a variety of media in online courses including video, text, assessments, projects and discussion forums. 

Requirements are pretty minimal.  A desktop or laptop with a reliable connection to the internet. Some courses may require a webcam and/or microphone. Some classes may require special applications that your instructor will explain how to access. 

7-week Session online programs run 7-week classes and provide concierge services for their students such as access  a one-stop-shop for all student questions, and personalized course registration services. 

There are one or two courses offered each semester, approximately every eight weeks, for programs in eCampus, which means students can enter two times during the semester (i.e, Summer 1, Summer 2, Fall 1, Fall 2, Winter, Spring 1, Spring 2). 

Most eCampus programs require that the application be completed two weeks before the start of a session. 

Updated: 09/17/2023 07:57PM