Cost of Attendance
If you submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), BGSU is required to calculate an estimated cost of attendance (COA). The COA is an estimate of what it might cost a typical full-time student to attend BGSU for the fall and spring semesters.
This estimate helps us determine the financial aid you may receive. It is not the amount you will be billed. You will receive an official bill from the Office of the Bursar showing your actual University charges.
You are assigned a COA each semester that you attend school and receive financial aid.
How to find your cost of attendance
You can view your individual COA in your MyBGSU Student Center. Select Financial Aid and then Cost of Attendance.
What does the cost of attendance include?
Direct costs
These costs appear on your BGSU bill and include tuition and, if applicable, on-campus housing and meals.
Indirect costs
These costs are not billed by the University but are still part of your overall college expenses. They include books, supplies, transportation and personal expenses.
How is COA calculated?
BGSU determines COA estimates based on an overall average of student expenses, as reported by BGSU student surveys and defined by the federal government.
You may find that your own costs and charges vary depending on your living arrangements and personal spending choices. Some costs, like housing, food or personal expenses, may be spread across the semester rather than paid all at once.
At a minimum, your COA must include the following categories. Amounts for each category are calculated based on:
- Credit hours enrolled each term
- Length of enrollment each term
- Housing location (on campus, off campus)
- Campus attending
- Degree-seeking program student is pursuing
When applicable, SFA may make adjustments to the baseline COA on a case-by-case basis and with supporting documentation from the student to address additional education-related expenses.
Full-time tuition (including instructional and general fees)
Based on 12+ credit hours (undergraduate) and 8+ credits hours (graduate)
On-campus housing
The federal government requires BGSU to provide an estimated COA based on an average of all BGSU housing options. This is NOT the amount charged to the student.
On-campus food
The federal government requires BGSU to provide an estimated COA based on 21 meals per week.
These are the expenses that you have more control over. The choices you make can make a big difference in how much you spend.
Off-campus housing and food
This is an estimated amount commuter students pay for housing and food. The rates are based on local housing rates and 21 meals per week. Your costs will fluctuate based on your living arrangement and food preferences.
Transportation
This is an estimated amount you may pay for transportation to commute to and from campus. Your actual costs will fluctuate based on your transportation needs.
Books/Supplies
This is the average amount students pay. The cost will differ based on the classes you are taking and your major or program.
Other expenses
This estimate is provided to account for miscellaneous personal expenses. This includes personal care items, clothing, professional licensure fees and more.
COA charts
Our cost of attendance (COA) charts are organized by student cohort. At BGSU, a cohort is the group of students who enrolled in the same academic year.
- To find your cohort, log in to your MyBGSU Student Center.
- Then review the chart that matches your entry year to see your estimated expenses.
KEY:
Direct Costs - All direct costs are estimates until approved by the BGSU Board of Trustees.
Indirect Costs - Actual indirect costs vary depending on consumer lifestyle choices.
** Amounts reflect average costs per federal regulations. Actual costs will be based on student's meal plan and residence hall of choice.
KEY:
Direct Costs - All direct costs are estimates until approved by the BGSU Board of Trustees.
Indirect Costs - Actual indirect costs vary depending on consumer lifestyle choices.
** Amounts reflect average costs per federal regulations. Actual costs will be based on student's meal plan and residence hall of choice.
Updated: 08/27/2026 09:56PM