Student Location FAQs

There is a federal regulation,34 CFR § 668.43(c)(3), which requires that all institutions of higher education (including BGSU) make a determination regarding the state in which a student is located. In addition to the federal regulation, determination of student location is required by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), which allows BGSU to engage in designated distance education activities in other member states.

Providing your location address allows BGSU to comply with federal state authorization requirements related to providing educational services in states other than Ohio. BGSU’s failure to comply with these regulations can impact the institution’s eligibility for Title IV funding, including federal financial aid.

Note: If (1) you are located in a state that does not meet educational requirements for a licensure program or in a state where such determination has not been made AND (2) you are an online student, BGSU CANNOT enroll you in that specific licensure program. To be able to enroll, BGSU must have your signed attestation on file. 

You can update your location address at any time by accessing MyBGSU. Once you log in, you will find links to update your name, phone number and address. If these are not displayed, you can click on the Student Center located on the Student Home page. From the Student Center, the profile tile has forms to update your contact information. See screenshots below. 90-days notifications also pop up in your MyBGSU Home with a reminder to update your contact and location information as needed. 

At the beginning of each semester, all current students must log into MyBGSU and confirm or change their location. All current students will also receive a 90-day notification email reminder to do so.

University officials who need the information in order to perform their university responsibilities will have access to student location information. Your location address is part of your education record, which the university protects according to the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). You can read more about the university's protection of your education records under FERPA at this link. 

Student location information will be used for complying with the U.S. Department of Education’s requirements set forth in Title IV, 34 CFR § 600.9, 34 CFR § 668.43 and the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA), which allow BGSU to offer educational opportunities where students are located. In addition, university officials may use this information to contact you or provide other important university resources or information as needed. 

Please email the Office of Institutional Effectiveness at institutionaleff@bgsu.edu. 

You may file a complaint at this link.

For additional information on filing a complaint, visit the Office of Institutional Effectiveness' webpage.