Navigating Bowling Green State University Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide

Bowling Green State University (BGSU) is committed to making college accessible and affordable. Over 90% of new BGSU students receive some form of financial assistance, demonstrating the university's dedication to investing in its students' futures. BGSU offers a diverse range of scholarship opportunities, awarding over $30 million annually. These scholarships are based on various criteria, including field of study, community service, financial need, and diversity. This guide provides a detailed overview of the scholarships available at BGSU and their requirements.

Automatic Consideration for Scholarships

The surest way to get a scholarship offer is to simply apply to BGSU! Once admitted, BGSU will begin making scholarship offers based on your credentials. You will automatically be considered for the University Freshman Academic Scholarship and other scholarships based on a comprehensive review of your BGSU application.

Key Steps to Maximize Scholarship Opportunities

To maximize your chances of receiving a scholarship, follow these steps:

Apply to BGSU: This is the first and most crucial step.
Comprehensive Review: BGSU will conduct a comprehensive review of your application to determine eligibility for the University Freshman Academic Scholarship and other scholarships.
File the FAFSA: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and list BGSU’s school code: 003018. Everyone is eligible to apply for some form of financial aid!

University Freshman Academic Scholarship

Incoming freshmen may be eligible for the University Freshman Academic Scholarship ranging from $1,000 to $9,500. The amount awarded is based on your Admission credentials. Did you know 95 percent of BGSU scholarships only look at your GPA? The University Freshman Academic Scholarship ranges from $1,000 to $9,500 and is renewable for all four years based on a comprehensive review of your application.

Renewal Criteria

Scholarship funds may be received for a total of eight continuous semesters (fall and spring semesters only) if renewal criteria are met. To receive the full renewable value, you must maintain a minimum 3.0 BGSU cumulative GPA. You must have completed 30 credit hours after year one, 60 credit hours after year two and 90 credit hours after year three. Audited courses do not count in the completed credit hours total. No portion of this scholarship may be used after Spring 2030.

Read also: Scholarships for Bowlers

Terms and Conditions

Several terms and conditions apply to the University Freshman Academic Scholarship:

Full-Time Enrollment: To receive funding each semester, you must be enrolled as a full-time student, at least 12 credit hours or more, for both fall and spring semesters. Audited courses do not count toward credit hours enrolled.
Degree-Seeking Program: This scholarship is primarily for BGSU instructional and general fees (tuition), and you must be fully admitted in a degree-seeking program.
Coordination with Other Aid: If you are the recipient of federal, state, private, or other University financial aid, it may be necessary to adjust your financial aid awards. It is your responsibility to notify Student Financial Aid & Scholarships of all aid you may be receiving by sending a copy of the notice of each award. If you receive other scholarships or waivers that will pay specific BGSU charges, you may see a reduction in this scholarship.
Covered Expenses: Your scholarship will be applied to your student account and divided equally between the fall and spring semesters. This scholarship is primarily for BGSU instructional and general fees (tuition).
Non-Covered Expenses: This scholarship will not pay for charges such as registration fees, legal service fee, matriculation fee, course or facilities fees, aviation studies fees or student health insurance. You may not use your scholarship to pay for charges being billed by another institution or for unique programs of enrollment available at BGSU.
Forfeiture: If you transfer to another institution (even if you re-enroll at BGSU later) or if you do not start full time coursework at BGSU during the term you applied for, you forfeit this scholarship.
Campus Restriction: Scholarships are for Bowling Green campus enrollment and tuition rate only. They may not be used at Firelands campus or for online courses charged at the online rate, including any program considered part of eCampus, Distance or BGSU Online. If you are participating in a consortium agreement, you still must maintain enrollment of at least 12 credits at BGSU.
College Credit Plus: BGSU College Credit Plus courses may impact the renewal of this scholarship as they contribute to a student’s cumulative BGSU GPA and credit hours completed.

These terms and conditions are subject to change at the University’s discretion upon notice to you. A portion, or all, of your scholarship may be replaced by a donor scholarship; thus, you could see a change in the name of your merit award on your student account.

Thompson Working Families Scholarship

The Thompson Working Families Scholarship Program is designed to assist students from working families who may struggle with the cost of higher education. Want an honors experience and chance to earn Honors scholarships? The Thompson Working Families Scholarship is $11,000 a year, thanks to the support of Robert and Ellen Thompson and Bowling Green State University. Incoming first-year students (like yourself) who remain in good standing may receive up to $44,000 over the course of their BGSU education. Students receiving this scholarship are awarded a scholarship based on financial need. The Thompson Working Families scholarship is $5,500 per year and will be matched by a BGSU scholarship in the amount of $5,500 for a total award of $11,000 per year. The BGSU match may be in the form of your University Freshman Academic Scholarship or other BGSU Foundation scholarships. Students who receive a University Freshman Academic Scholarship that is more than $5,500, will see a reduction in this scholarship.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

BGSU offers a variety of scholarship opportunities with more than $30 million awarded annually. Scholarship awards are based on a variety of criteria, including field of study, community service, financial need and diversity. A number of scholarships are awarded annually, including four-year, renewable Freshman Scholarships for incoming freshmen, Transfer Scholarships for transfer students, and General Scholarships for new and current students. Departmental scholarships are also awarded each year to new and current students by the various colleges and schools on campus. We encourage all admitted students to seek out scholarships to help cover the cost of college. All students who apply and are admitted to BGSU by February 19 of their senior year of high school will receive the highest consideration for automatic BGSU Academic Scholarships.If a student receives a BGSU Academic Scholarship, they will be notified by the Office of Admissions when a decision is made. Be sure to save any terms and conditions for future reference.Beginning October 1, admitted students can apply for additional scholarships through the Searchable Scholarship Guide. Be sure to review the Recommended Opportunities tab, as well as, those available with the general and conditional applications, and check back periodically for additional awards.All BGSU scholarships will be listed in the student’s financial aid offer in early spring.External scholarships received through the student’s local high school, community, etc., should be sent to the Office of the Bursar.

Non-Resident Opportunity Scholarship

This scholarship provides more than one-half off the non-resident fee to full-time non-Ohio residents. Eligibility is based on a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale or 20 ACT composite or 1040 SAT (critical reading plus math) scores. Students must apply for admission by February 19 in order to receive the award.

Read also: A Look at BGSU Football

Michigan Resident Scholarship

This scholarship covers the non-resident fee to full-time residents of Monroe, Lenawee and Wayne counties in Michigan. Eligibility is based on a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale or 20 ACT composite or 1040 SAT (critical reading plus math) scores. Students must apply for admission by February 19 in order to receive the award.

Competitive Scholarship

This competitive scholarship ranges from $1,000-$3,000. It is based on a cumulative GPA of 3.0. This scholarship is renewable if all criteria are met.

Important Considerations

Application Deadline: All students who apply and are admitted to BGSU by February 19 of their senior year of high school will receive the highest consideration for automatic BGSU Academic Scholarships.
Notification: If a student receives a BGSU Academic Scholarship, they will be notified by the Office of Admissions when a decision is made.
Searchable Scholarship Guide: Beginning October 1, admitted students can apply for additional scholarships through the Searchable Scholarship Guide.
Financial Aid Offer: All BGSU scholarships will be listed in the student’s financial aid offer in early spring.
External Scholarships: External scholarships received through the student’s local high school, community, etc., should be sent to the Office of the Bursar.

Special Notes

Indiana Reciprocity: BGSU has reciprocity with certain counties in Indiana that allows students to pay in-state tuition.
Award Adjustments: If you are the recipient of federal, state, private, or other University financial aid, it may be necessary to adjust your financial aid awards.
Scholarship Application: Your scholarship will be applied to your student account and divided equally between the fall and spring semesters.
Enrollment Requirement: To receive funding each semester, you must be enrolled as a full-time student, at least 12 credit hours or more, for both fall and spring semesters.
Tuition Coverage: This scholarship is primarily for BGSU instructional and general fees (tuition), and you must be fully admitted in a degree-seeking program.

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