Bowling Green State University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
- Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way
For families looking at Bowling Green State University, the big question is always the same: how much will it really cost, and what scholarships are on the table? If you’re a first-gen parent, don’t worry—we’ll break it down step by step. Along the way, we’ll also point you to Ohio’s own state aid guide and the full scholarship hub so you can compare BGSU with other public universities.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Bowling Green State University
| Expense | In-State (OH) | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees (12–18 credits) | $15,212 | $23,202 |
| Housing & Meals | $13,430 | $13,430 |
| Books, Travel, Personal | $4,520 | $4,520 |
| Total (Before Aid) | $33,202 | $41,192 |
Reciprocity & Regional Discounts
- Indiana County Reciprocity: Students from select Indiana counties pay in-state tuition at BGSU — saving about $7,990 a year.
- Michigan Out-of-State Award: Students from Monroe or Lenawee counties (and some partner high schools) automatically get a scholarship that offsets the nonresident fee.
- MSEP: Ohio participates in the Midwest Student Exchange Program, but BGSU is not an MSEP campus — families should rely on the county-based discounts instead.
FAQ: Reciprocity & Savings
Who qualifies? Students from designated counties in Indiana and Michigan (see BGSU’s official list). Residency and high school verification are required.
How much does it save? The award typically cancels out the $7,990 nonresident fee, bringing the cost in line with in-state tuition.
Do I need to apply? No extra application — eligibility is determined automatically based on your address and/or high school.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Freshman Academic Scholarship | $1,000–$9,500/yr | First-year admits; GPA, rigor, and test scores if submitted | No | Yes (8 semesters; maintain GPA & SAP) | Most winners have a 3.5+ GPA; 3.8+ with strong rigor or ACT ≥27 / SAT ≥1280 trend toward the top tier* |
| BG Success Scholarship (Nonresident) | Covers ~½ of the $7,990 nonresident fee (~$3,995) | Non-Ohio residents; GPA ≥3.0 and ACT ≥20 / SAT ≥1040, or test-optional review | No | Yes (must keep 3.0 GPA) | Typical winners have solid academics; stacks only with awards not already covering the nonresident fee |
| Falcon Achievement Scholarship | $1,000–$3,000/yr | Recognizes diverse experiences and contributions; application required | Yes (short app; Feb 20 deadline) | Yes | Students who demonstrate leadership, service, or unique perspectives alongside academics |
| Michigan Out-of-State Award | Offsets the $7,990 nonresident fee | Residents of Monroe or Lenawee counties (and some partner high schools) | No (automatic with residency/HS verification) | Yes (must maintain eligibility) | Border-county Michigan students—saves almost $8,000/yr |
*Eligibility bands marked with * are estimates based on BGSU thresholds and past patterns; exact GPA/test tiers are not published and can shift year to year.
FAQ: Automatic Scholarships
Do I need to apply? No separate application is required for the University Freshman Academic or BG Success awards; they’re considered automatically at admission. The Falcon Achievement Scholarship does require a short app.
Does BGSU superscore the ACT or SAT? Yes, BGSU will superscore test results if you choose to submit them. Test scores are optional but can help push an award higher.
Can I stack these with reciprocity or competitive awards? You can stack most academic awards with competitive or hidden-gem scholarships. However, you cannot double-dip on the nonresident fee: if an award already cancels the $7,990 surcharge, another one won’t apply to that same fee.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
These scholarships aren’t automatic. They require extra steps like essays, interviews, and applications—and because they’re limited in number, the bar is high. For families, that means if your student is selected, the payoff can be life-changing.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| President’s Leadership Academy (PLA) | Covers tuition & fees, housing, and meal plan; plus leadership development | Incoming first-years with strong academics, leadership, and service | Yes — PLA application and interview required | Yes (must maintain GPA and active participation) | Students with sustained leadership roles, extensive community service, and solid GPAs |
| Thompson Working Families Scholarship | Significant multi-year aid package (amount varies by financial need) | Ohio residents; must demonstrate financial need and a commitment to service | Yes — separate application with annual deadline | Yes (must meet service commitments and academic standards) | Students from working-class families who combine solid academics with service and engagement |
Note: Full-tuition awards tied to the Honors College (like the Presidential Scholars Award and Alumni Laureate Scholarship) are covered in the Honors section below.
FAQ: Competitive Scholarships
Why are these competitive? They’re selective, limited in number, and often cover a much bigger slice of costs than automatic scholarships. Students must apply and be chosen.
When are the deadlines? The PLA application is due in the fall with interviews soon after. The Thompson Scholarship has an annual priority deadline (usually early spring). Families should verify dates each year.
Can students keep their automatic scholarships if they win these? No. Big competitive awards replace automatic merit awards. However, smaller outside or departmental scholarships may still be stackable.
Who stands out? Students who not only have strong academics, but also show a track record of leadership, service, and commitment to community.
⭐ College Specialty
Bowling Green State University may not be the biggest name in Ohio, but families are often surprised at how many areas it punches above its weight. From nationally recognized aviation programs to unique cultural archives, BGSU has carved out niches that attract students from across the country. For first-gen families, knowing what a school is truly known for can help match a student’s passions with a program that carries weight outside the classroom.
Aviation (School of Aviation) — Recognized statewide and regionally for its FAA Part 141 flight training and its partnership with the Bowling Green Flight Center, BGSU is one of the largest aviation programs in Ohio. Students gain access to modern training aircraft, simulators, and direct pipelines into airline careers.
- Forensic Science — The only Ohio university with a Bureau of Criminal Investigation crime lab on campus, offering FEPAC-accredited forensic programs (DNA, drug analysis, criminalistics).
- Business (Schmidthorst College of Business) — Dual AACSB accreditation in both Business and Accounting (an elite distinction); BGSU’s Supply Chain Management program has been nationally ranked by Gartner.
- Popular Culture — Home to the nation’s only Department of Popular Culture and the Browne Popular Culture Library, a leading archive of media and cultural studies.
🎖️ Honors College
BGSU’s Honors College gives motivated students a smaller-campus feel inside a public university. Admission isn’t automatic—you apply separately and go through a holistic review—but the payoff is access to smaller seminars, dedicated advising, and a pathway to graduate with University Honors. For families, it’s also the entry point to some of the most generous scholarships on campus.
High school GPA of 3.6+* with AP/IB or College Credit Plus classes, strong writing skills for essays, leadership or service roles, and in some cases ACT 27+ / SAT 1280+ (especially for top scholarships). *Exact cutoffs aren’t published; these are realistic estimates based on past cycles.
- Priority registration and small Honors-only seminars
- Dedicated Honors housing options and close faculty mentoring
- Support for research, study abroad, and capstone projects
- Access to some of BGSU’s largest scholarships (see below)
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Scholars Award (PSA) | Full in-state tuition (8 semesters) | Honors applicants; typically 3.8 GPA + 30 ACT / 1390 SAT* | Yes — Honors app by Nov 15 | Yes | Top Honors candidates with rigorous coursework, strong essays, and leadership/service |
| Alumni Laureate Scholarship (ALS) | Full in-state tuition + $1,000/yr for books | Honors applicants; 3.5 GPA + 27 ACT / 1280 SAT* | Yes — Honors app & essay by Nov 15 | Yes | High-achieving Honors students with leadership and service credentials |
| Forsyth Scholars | Full in-state tuition | STEM or environmental majors; must be in Honors | Yes — Honors app & nomination | Yes | Honors STEM/environmental students with strong academics and research/service interests |
| McGranaghan Scholarship | $5,000 (2 awards available) | Admitted to Schmidthorst College of Business; completed Honors app | Yes — Honors application required | Unclear (likely not renewable) | Business students who apply to Honors and stand out academically |
| J. Robert Bashore Scholarship | Varies | Current Honors students with outstanding academic records | Yes — Honors College app | Varies | Continuing Honors students with exceptional GPAs and involvement |
| Honors Experience Study Abroad Scholarship | $1,000–$3,000 (varies) | Honors students participating in study abroad | Yes — Honors portal | No | Honors students who complete an approved international academic experience |
*Eligibility bands marked with * are estimates based on BGSU thresholds and past cycles. Actual cutoffs may vary year to year depending on the applicant pool.
FAQ: Honors College
Is Honors admission automatic? No. Students must apply separately after being admitted to BGSU, and acceptance is selective.
Does being in Honors add time to a degree? No. Honors requirements are designed to fit within a four-year plan with careful advising.
When should students apply? Priority deadline is November 15 for scholarships like PSA, ALS, Forsyth, and McGranaghan; the final Honors deadline is usually March 1.
Is there extra money tied to Honors? Yes. The largest full-tuition awards at BGSU (PSA, ALS, Forsyth) plus niche awards like McGranaghan and Bashore are reserved for Honors students.
📎 Official Links
Final Thoughts
Bowling Green State University may not be Ohio’s biggest name, but for families who look closely, it offers a powerful mix of affordability, automatic merit, and hidden scholarship pathways. With standout programs in aviation, forensic science, business, and popular culture—and an Honors College that opens the door to full-tuition awards—BGSU can be a smart choice for first-gen students who want both opportunity and value. The key is applying early and knowing which scholarships your student is truly competitive for.
✅ Last updated: September 3, 2025