Graduate Cost of Attendance Frequently Asked Questions

Form I-20 is the “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F1) Student Status”, that allows an individual to apply for an F-1 (student) visa. The Form I-20 is issued by a Designated School Official (DSO) at a U.S. government approved educational institution certifying that a student has been admitted to a full-time study program and has demonstrated sufficient financial resources to stay in the United States.

By law, any U.S. government approved educational institution must certify that an international student has demonstrated sufficient financial resources to stay in the United States. Each institution estimates the cost of attendance based on their location and cost of living.

The estimated annual cost of attendance for graduate international students to be issued an I-20 is $33,500.

The Financial Statement form is the document that all international students admitted to BGSU must fill out and submit to International Programs and Partnership to show they have the funding necessary for a BGSU DSO to issue them the Form I-20. The form is sent by International Programs and Partnerships once students are admitted to the university.

Self-funded students must fill out the Financial Statement Form and submit financial documents such as bank statements to prove that they meet the estimated cost of attendance to be issue an I-20.

The graduate student tuition scholarship (GSTS) is an academic scholarship awarded to students by academic units to pay for instructional fees (i.e., tuition) and/or non-resident fees of graduate credit hours that satisfy requirements for a degree.

• Instructional Fee Scholarship may only be used to pay for instructional fees.
• Non-Resident Fee Scholarship may only be used to pay for non-resident fees.

GSTS may be awarded for up to 12 credit hours per semester.  GSTS does not cover any student fees or any other expenses, only instructional fees (i.e., tuition) and/or non-resident fees.  For more information please visit: Graduate Assistant and Tuition Scholarship Information (bgsu.edu)

You do not need to send any documentation if the total amount of your tuition plus your stipend meet the estimated cost of attendance (see estimated annual cost above). If the total amount does not meet the estimated cost of attendance, you will have to provide evidence of private funds to cover the remaining balance.

GSTS only covers the instructional fee and/or the non-resident fee for up to 12 credit hours per semester. International students on GSTS receive notification of the scholarship amount and aid type through a student’s MyBGSU Student Center/Financial Aid/Award Summary [JJW1] [MMS2] with the amount awarded. The Financial Aid Award Summary will be updated after the scholarship contract is fully approved and processed.   For more information please visit Graduate Assistant and Tuition Scholarship Information (bgsu.edu) (Viewing a Tuition Scholarship)

The non-resident fee is charged to any BGSU student who is not an Ohio resident. For non-resident fee information please check the “Graduate” table at   https://www.bgsu.edu/bursar/Tuition_and_Fees_2022-2023.html

International students may contact their departments to confirm their eligibility to have the non-resident fee covered by the GSTS, or view the Award Summary page available through your MyBGSU/Student Center/Financial Aid/Award Summary especially after the first year.  For more information please visit Graduate Assistant and Tuition Scholarship Information (bgsu.edu)

The following graduate student fees are not covered by the graduate student tuition scholarship and must be paid by the students: general fee; registration fee; International student fee; student health insurance; counseling fee; facility fee; graduate services fee; Bg1 Card; Career Service fee; technology fee; legal services fee (optional); international orientation fee. IF the student does not receive a non-resident fee scholarship, the student is responsible for the non-resident fee.  For each fee cost, please visit  https://www.bgsu.edu/bursar/Tuition_and_Fees_2022-2023.html

The Academic Year is from the end of August through mid-December (fall semester) and early January through end of April (spring semester).

If an international graduate student does not have a scholarship for the summer session (early May through early August), they can pursue other campus employment for up to 28 hours a week.

A stipend is the remuneration given to a Graduate Assistant for service provided in a contracted position. This stipend can be used to cover the student’s living expenses in the US, including their school fees not covered by the graduate student tuition scholarship (see What fees does the scholarship not cover above).

Students receive their stipends on a biweekly scheduled set by BGSU Payroll through a direct deposit to their bank account in the US. Students receive information during Orientation about how to open a bank account. Direct Deposit information may be reviewed in the Statement of Understanding at Graduate Assistant and Tuition Scholarship Information (bgsu.edu)

Your first pay will be 2-4 weeks after the semester has started. You will always be paid on the Friday. The bi-weekly pay schedule for the applicable contract year may be viewed at Graduate Assistant and Tuition Scholarship Information (bgsu.edu)

Graduate students receive their stipends every two weeks, on a Friday. The bi-weekly pay schedule for the applicable contract year may be viewed at Graduate Assistant and Tuition Scholarship Information (bgsu.edu)

When the academic unit admits contracts an international student with an assistantship, the stipend is documented on the contract received from BGSU.

Yes.  For more information please contact the Payroll office at payroll@bgsu.edu

Yes, you can have more than one sponsor and your sponsor does not have to be related to you. Every sponsor you have must be indicated on the Financial Statement Form and the amount of funding they will provide must be clear.  Additionally, every sponsor’s financial document must be submitted as well; this funding, when added up (minus any scholarship/assistantship awarded) must equal at least one year’s estimated cost of attendance.

Students are allowed to work on campus for a total of 20 hours a week (includingadding the assistantship hours) during the fall and spring semester and 28 during the winter break and the summer. Students are also encouraged to sign in to the Searchable Scholarship Guide to be considered for scholarships (https://www.bgsu.edu/financial-aid/apply-for-aid/scholarships/ScholarshipFAQs.html). Loans for non-citizens are difficult to obtain.

International Programs and Partnerships strongly advises students to bring between $2,500 to $3,000 to cover initial expense with rent deposits, furniture, winter clothes, and other expenses to settle in.

Graduate students must contact their department graduate coordinator.