Scholarships
BGSU awards about $39 million in scholarships to incoming freshmen. Awards range from hundreds of dollars to full tuition.
Scholarships are awarded based on:
- Financial need
- Grades
- Extracurricular activities
- Majors
- And more
Scholarship deadlines
Scholarship application opens: Oct. 1
Priority deadline for general scholarship application: Mid- to late February
Transfer student deadline for automatic scholarship consideration: July 1 for fall term; Dec. 15 for spring term
How to apply for scholarships
Apply to BGSU.
This is the surest way to get a scholarship! You’ll be considered automatically for academic scholarships (also called merit scholarships) when you apply and are admitted. Apply by the priority deadline in February to receive the highest consideration.
Submit the FAFSA.
Many scholarships require you to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Follow our step-by-step guide to submit your FAFSA.
Complete the BGSU general scholarship application.
BGSU makes applying for scholarships easy. Fill out one application – the BGSU general scholarship application – and you’ll automatically be considered for all the scholarships you’re eligible for. Only admitted students may fill out scholarship applications. The app opens annually on Oct. 1.
Research outside scholarship opportunities.
We encourage you to seek scholarship opportunities outside of BGSU through your high school, community organizations, local businesses, corporations, foundations, civic groups or family members’ workplaces. The state of Ohio also offers state scholarships.
Scholarship tips
- Start early and search year round.
- Complete applications carefully.
- Meet deadlines (submitted by, received by).
- If an essay is required or even optional, do it!
- Apply even if you think it’s a long shot.
Scholarship notifications
- You will be notified by the Office of Admissions if you receive a BGSU merit scholarship. Be sure to save any terms and conditions for future reference.
- All BGSU scholarships that you been awarded will be listed in your financial aid offer. Offers are sent to you in early spring.
- Any outside scholarships you receive must be reported to the Student Financial Aid office. How to report outside scholarships
Thanks to my scholarship, I am able to continue my education and do the things that I love. … I’m so grateful for the financial support and that I am able to devote more time to the most important thing right now: learning.
Clare Black ’26, intervention specialist major
Having the support of my scholarship has made completing college feel much more possible than I could have imagined. Feeling the support around BGSU has only fueled my determination, and I am forever grateful to the donors for making it all possible.
Alex Gearhart ’27, biology major
It’s worth it to apply for scholarships every year – even if you didn’t apply or receive scholarships in the past. There are many scholarships solely for continuing students.
Scholarships are awarded based on:
- Financial need
- Grades
- Extracurricular activities
- Majors
- And more
All BGSU scholarships will be listed in your financial aid offer. Offers are sent to you in early spring.
Scholarship deadlines
Scholarship application opens: Oct. 1
Priority deadline for returning students: Late February
Submit the FAFSA.
Many scholarships require you to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Follow our step-by-step guide to submit your FAFSA.
Complete the BGSU general scholarship application.
BGSU makes applying for scholarships easy. Fill out one application – the BGSU general scholarship application – and you’ll automatically be considered for all the scholarships you’re eligible for. The app opens annually on Oct. 1.
Research outside scholarship opportunities.
We encourage you to seek scholarship opportunities outside of BGSU through your high school, community organizations, local businesses, corporations, foundations, civic groups or family members’ workplaces. The state of Ohio also offers state scholarships.
Review study abroad scholarships.
If you’re planning to study abroad, scholarships are available to help finance your experience. Review our FAQs for guidance on managing your financial aid while you’re abroad.
Scholarship tips
- Start early and search year round.
- Complete applications carefully.
- Meet deadlines (submitted by, received by).
- If an essay is required or even optional, do it!
- Apply even if you think it’s a long shot.
Renewable scholarships
It’s always a good idea to review the terms and conditions of the scholarships you receive to ensure you are doing everything you need to in order to maintain the scholarship. The terms and conditions of your scholarship were provided at the time the scholarship was awarded.
Do you have a BGSU University Freshman Academic Scholarship, BG Success Scholarship or Michigan Out-of-State Scholarship? No need to re-apply for them. Your eligibility for the next academic year will be reviewed at the end of each spring semester.
In general, to keep the scholarships, you must
- Be enrolled full time (12 credit hours) each semester
- Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Have 30 credit hours at the end of your first year, 60 credit hours at the end of your second year and 90 credit hours at the end of your third year
Please refer to the terms and conditions that were provided to you when you were awarded the scholarship for specific renewal information.
Graduate student scholarships are limited. Be sure to explore funding opportunities and graduate assistantships through your department and the Graduate College.
General scholarship deadlines
General scholarship application opens: Oct. 1
General application priority deadline: Late February
Submit the FAFSA.
Many scholarships require you to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Follow our step-by-step guide to submit your FAFSA.
Complete the BGSU general scholarship application.
Fill out one application – the BGSU general scholarship application – and you’ll automatically be considered for all the scholarships you’re eligible for.
Research outside scholarship opportunities.
We encourage you to seek scholarship opportunities outside of BGSU through community organizations, local businesses, corporations, foundations, civic groups or family members’ workplaces.
Updated: 08/27/2026 10:04PM