Your MyBGSU account allows you to access all of your important BGSU information: your bill, academic updates, calendars and so much more. It’s also how you will access your email, which you should get used to checking regularly. We send notification of your I-20 to your BGSU email.

How to set up your MyBGSU account

The Office of International Programs and Partnerships helps you navigate the immigration process. We encourage you to follow all the steps to ensure a smooth and timely processing of your immigration documents.  

Immigration and visa checklist

After you receive your I-20 and have paid the SEVIS fee, you will be invited to our online orientation – a series of modules to complete before you travel to BGSU. You will also be required to complete an in-person orientation when you arrive in Bowling Green.

Start online orientation

After you’ve set up your MyBGSU account you may start the process of obtaining your BG1 card – an ID card that also gives you access to events and dining and other campus facilities.

You have two options:

• You can upload your photo now and pick up your ID card at orientation.
• You can have your photo taken at orientation and get your ID there.

BG1 card info

Undergraduate housing

Once you get your visa, be sure to apply for housing and pay your housing deposit.

All BGSU students must live on campus their first two years. There are exceptions, including if you’re aged 20 or older. Learn more about housing requirements.

How to apply for housing at BGSU

Graduate housing

We recommend securing off-campus accommodations before your arrive in Bowling Green. Please keep in mind that off-campus housing options become more limited toward the beginning of each semester. Therefore, DO NOT wait until the last minute to explore your options.

BGSU Off-Campus Student Services

International students are admitted to BGSU after showing evidence of sufficient financial means to support themselves through their course of study. Undergraduate and graduate students must sign a Financial Responsibility Agreement through MyBGSU regardless of how your fees are being paid. 

Make sure that you have enough cash or a money order to pay some initial expenses when you arrive at BGSU. You should not expect to receive any financial assistance from the University after arrival.

• Some countries limit the amount of money that can be transferred abroad. Please inquire about these regulations before arriving. 
• Take into account that you will have initial expenses when you first arrive, including tuition, fees, health insurance, telephone and household items. Students living off campus will also have rent, deposits on your rental apartment or home (1- to 3-months deposit), electricity and other potential costs. We recommend that you bring at least $2,500 USD extra to cover your initial expenses.
• Graduate students who receive stipends – You will have some living expenses to pay for when you arrive and won’t receive your first stipend payment until about the middle of the first month of the semester. So make sure you bring enough money to pay for things like housing and utility deposits and basic living expenses until you get paid.
  
• If you are bringing a dependent, you need to bring a minimum of $5,500 extra per dependent.

Reserve your spot on BGSU’s airport shuttle.

The Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) in Detroit, Michigan, is the closest major airport to BGSU. We have free shuttles from the airport to campus that will operate in the days before orientation. You will need to sign up to reserve your spot.

Undergraduate reservations | Graduate/exchange student reservations

If you choose NOT to take the free BGSU shuttle, you will need to make your own arrangements using other car services such as the BG Airport Shuttle, Uber, Lift, etc. These options are not free.

The BG Airport Shuttle car service can pick up from Detroit Metro Airport for a fee. They must be contacted at least one week before your arrival to ensure proper preparation for your arrival. Email the shuttle service for details about their services and fees.

Greyhound Bus does provide limited services between Detroit, Michigan, and Bowling Green, Ohio. Check availability and pricing.

Need temporary accommodations?

Students living on campus this fall will be permitted to move onto campus beginning Monday, August 11, 2025. If you arrive before that date, you will need to make hotel or other arrangements prior to arriving to campus.

If you plan to live off campus and have not secured housing prior to your arrival, we encourage you to ask the hotels in the Bowling Green area if they offer discounted rates to international students.

Documents

Remember to bring:

• Passport and visa
• Paper copy of I-20 containing DSO and student signature

Money

You will have many expenses when you first arrive: tuition, fees, health insurance, telephone and household items. If you’re living off-campus, you will also have expenses for rent, deposits (1-3 months’ deposit may be required for some rentals), electricity and other potential costs.

We recommend that you bring at least an extra $2,500 USD extra to cover your initial expenses.

Graduate assistants – You will not receive your first stipend until sometime in the middle of the first month of the semester.

If you have dependents, plan for additional expenses – about $5,500 per semester for health insurance, food, clothing, school supplies, telephone, etc. for each dependent.

Clothing

• The weather in Bowling Green varies greatly. Bring everything from loose fitting, light-weight clothing to heavy winter coats and boots. 
• Keep in mind that the wind chills can make it feel much colder during the winter season. If you do not have any winter clothes, you can purchase them upon your arrival at local stores.
• When purchasing your winter coat, look for insulation products such as Thinsulate to provide extra warmth.
• Clothing can be purchased at various retailers in Bowling Green, but a larger selection may be found in Perrysburg and Toledo, north of Bowling Green.

Travel resources

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Travel tips

BGSU sends a notice to your BGSU email when bills are due or available to view in MyBGSU. You will not be billed until you register for courses. (anchor link to orientation page section)

To view or pay your bill:

• Log in to your MyBGSU account.
• Select Financials.
• Select View Bill & Make Payment.

Your bill may include expenses incurred prior to your arrival to campus (for example, on-campus housing deposit and fees).

Pay your bill on time. Failure to pay your bill by the due date may incur late fees and could prevent you from moving into housing on campus.

How to pay your bill – The Office of the Bursar (the office that handles billing) utilizes Flywire, a service providing a streamlined way to make international payments. Please note – you should transfer only the funds necessary to pay your BGSU bill. BGSU will not be able to refund excess funds. 

Billing information