Graduate Guest Students

If you are seeking a graduate degree or certificate, review BGSU Graduate College application instructions.  

A graduate guest student is defined as a student who has earned a 4-year degree and who wishes to enroll in graduate courses without pursuing another degree. 

There is no application fee. 

There is no limit to how many credit hours a graduate guest student may take at BGSU. However, only 9 graduate credit hours will transfer to a BGSU graduate degree program. 

Questions about applying?

Office of Registration and Records (Main Campus)
Registrar@bgsu.edu
419-372-8441

Include your name, BGSU I.D. number and contact information on all correspondence.

Allow at least 3 business days for processing your application. Confirmation will be sent to your email address once the application has been processed. Applicants who have indicated a felony conviction will be required to provide additional information. 

Apply as graduate guest student

Eligibility for financial aid

In most instances, graduate guest students are NOT eligible for federal financial aid. For example:

  • Students taking classes in order to raise their GPA in order to be admitted into a graduate program are not eligible for federal student loans. 
  • Students who are taking courses while waiting to be admitted into a graduate program or if the school is waiting for your GRE test scores are not eligible for federal student loans.

Questions? Call Financial Aid and Scholarships at 419-372-2651.

Educator licensure/coursework

Those pursuing educator (teacher, administrative, pupil services) preparation/development coursework as a guest student submit the graduate guest application.

Review educator licensure information before applying. Contact the College of Education and Human Development if you have questions about licensure.

Financial aid

A student cannot receive federal financial aid for optional courses the student elects to take for professional recognition or advancement. This includes taking:

  • Courses for advanced educator licensure or endorsements
  • Initial courses recommended by the school but not required for certification/licensure or renewal/re-licensure

A student may receive Federal Direct Loans if enrolled (at least six credit hours) in a required teacher certification/licensure program. To qualify, the program must be required for initial PK-12 teacher certification/licensure or renewal/re-licensure in Ohio.

Updated: 08/05/2026 10:49PM