Aid Disbursement to your Bursar Account

Anticipated aid

Confirmed financial aid will appear on your account as anticipated aid (an estimated payment) before each semester begins. Anticipated aid is applied as a credit against your University charges.

You will be asked to:

• Pay the remaining balance OR
• Set up a payment arrangement (Information about BGSU’S installment payment plan and other arrangements will be included with your bursar statement.)

Anticipated aid becomes disbursed aid once:

• The semester begins
• You are registered for the required number of credit hours
• All program requirements are met

Federal aid

Federal financial aid is applied first to:

• University housing and meal plan charges
• Instructional, general and non-resident fees
• Special course fees

Some aid types can only cover allowable charges, which typically include:

• Instructional fees
• General fees
• Non-resident fees

Federal aid may not cover miscellaneous charges such as:

• Legal fees
• Parking fees
• Other optional or incidental charges

Refunds and remaining charges

If your aid exceeds your allowable charges, you may receive a refund to use for other education-related expenses. Note: you may still owe the University for any miscellaneous fees if you have not provided authorization to utilize your financial aid to cover these costs.

Tip: Review your bill regularly and contact the Office of the Bursar if you have questions.

Student loans

The first semester you receive a federal direct loan, you must complete entrance counseling.

SFA will notify you if a student loan promissory note (MPN) is required for any of your offered student loans. 

The master promissory note and entrance counseling can be completed at studentaid.gov. 
Your Federal Student Aid Identification username and password is required.

Outside scholarships

Outside (private) scholarship checks are typically sent to BGSU and applied directly to your Bursar account, unless the donor provides different instructions. Learn more about how outside scholarships are processed and sent to BGSU.