Senior Adult Grants for Education Program (SAGE)

Thank you for your interest in the SAGE program at Bowling Green State University.

The Senior Adult Grants for Education, or SAGE, program allows eligible Ohio residents age 60 or older to request participation in select undergraduate courses. Participants are not awarded official grades or academic credit for courses and are for their own enrichment. SAGE participation is available during the Fall and Spring semesters only and is subject to available space and instructor approval. Instructor approval is obtained by Nontraditional and Military Student Services.

Eligibility

To be considered for the SAGE program at BGSU, you must:

• Be 60 years of age or older
• Currently reside in Ohio and have for at least the past 12 months

Course Selection

To assist with course selection, participants may review the Areas of Study list below and/or use the BGSU Catalog. After selecting one or two courses of interest, use the Class Search to see whether the course is offered during the upcoming Fall or Spring semester.

SAGE participants may request a maximum of two courses per semester. SAGE is available during Fall and Spring semesters only. Summer participation is not available. BGSU Firelands Campus courses are not part of the SAGE program. 

Areas of Study may include:

• History
• Political Science
• Art
• Literature
• Creative Writing
• Languages — limited options
• Canadian Studies

Course seat availability is checked by NTMSS no sooner than two weeks before the start of the semester. Participants who submit a course request before the semester begins will be notified of the outcome prior to the start of classes.

Once a semester has begun, new SAGE course requests will be considered for the next available SAGE semester. Requests received after the Fall semester begin will be considered for the following Spring semester. Requests received after the Spring semester begins will be considered for the following Fall semester.

Participation Guidelines

SAGE participation is based on available space and instructor approval. Participation in a course is for personal enrichment only.

SAGE participants are not formally admitted as BGSU students, do not earn academic credit or official grades, and courses do not appear on a BGSU transcript. SAGE participation is not the same as officially auditing a course. If you would like to audit a course, or want more information please refer to BGSU’s Undergraduate Audit Policy or the Office of Registration and Records.

Participation expectations, including attendance, coursework, course materials, and access to Canvas or other class resources, are determined by the instructor.

Some courses may not be available through SAGE due to course type, space limitations, program restrictions, or other requirements.

Charges and Expenses

SAGE participants are not charged tuition or general fees. However, participants are responsible for any costs associated with the course, including textbooks, lab fees, special course fees, supplies, parking permits, or other related expenses.

How to Submit the Form

To request participation in the SAGE program, complete and submit the Statement of Eligibility form online located below.

If you prefer, you may also complete and print the form, then return it to Nontraditional and Military Student Services by email at SAGE@bgsu.edu, by standard mail to the address listed on this page, or by dropping it off at the office Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

If you have any questions, please contact the staff at:

Nontraditional and Military Student Services.

16 College Park Office Building

Bowling Green, Ohio 43402

419-372-8136

SAGE@bgsu.edu