Financial Aid

LOCATION
Henry Administration Bldg, Suite, 1100, 301-860-3540
Fax: 301-860-3549

https://www.bowiestate.edu/admissions-financial-aid/financial-aid/ 

The Office of Financial Aid offers financial assistance to students in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment.  Programs are funded by the Federal Government, State of Maryland, the District of Columbia, Bowie State University and other entities. 

How to Apply for Financial Aid 

Students who are interested in applying for financial assistance must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Application located at: www.fafsa.gov. This process is an annual process and is available October 1st of every year.  

It is recommended that students and parents complete the FAFSA as soon as possible on or after October 1. Prior year tax information is used to determine eligibility for federal and state aid.  Income information is retrieved directly from the IRS.  All students interested in BSU must list Bowie State University school code (002062) for BSU to receive information regarding your FAFSA. 

Students, parents, and borrowers are required to use an FSA ID, made up of a username and password, to access certain U.S. Department of Education websites.  Your FSA ID is used to confirm your identity when accessing your financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents.  

Maryland residents are encouraged to complete the FAFSA by March 1, the deadline for applicants who are seeking grants and scholarships from Maryland Higher Education Programs.  

FAFSA Applications are processed on a continuous basis. To ensure timely process, students should submit all request documents by June 1st.  Documents received and processed after June 1st will be considered for campus based financial aid upon availability of funding. 

It is highly recommended that students follow the steps listed below to ensure maximum funding in a timely manner: 

• Complete the FAFSA as soon as it becomes available on October 1. 

• Complete the admissions process early and be confirmed as an admitted degree seeking student. 

• Submit all requested documentation for Financial Aid to complete the verification process if selected. 

Important Deadlines

Eligibility Requirements 

Students must meet the following general requirements for determining eligibility for federal and institutional aid: 

• demonstrate financial need 

• be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen 

• have a high school diploma or GED 

• have a valid Social Security number 

• maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress 

• be enrolled or accepted as a degree-seeking student 

• not be in default on a federal loan or owe money on a federal student grant 

Verification

Verification is the confirmation through documentation that the information provided on a student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is correct.  The federal government requires colleges and universities to verify or confirm the data reported by students and their parent(s) randomly selected for this process. 

The U.S. Department of Education uses a risk model to determine which FAFSAs will be selected for verification and which data elements will be verified.  If selected, students must provide an IRS Tax Return Transcript, verification worksheets and other requested supporting information.  The Office of Financial Aid reserves the right to request additional documents to aid in the completion of the verification process.  

Upon completion of the verification process, corrections will be transmitted electronically to the U.S. Department of Education resulting in the recalculation of your financial eligibility. 

Students are encouraged to respond promptly to any requests for additional information. Verification documentation must be submitted by the last date of attendance. Failure to respond to the request for verification documents will result in the cancellation of any financial aid award(s). 

Changes in Aid

Federal regulations governing Title IV assistance do not allow a student to receive aid totaling more than the cost of attendance. Bowie State University reserves the right to revise or cancel federal or institutional aid due to changes in a student’s eligibility for aid, including changes in the student’s Cost of Education or SAI. Other examples of circumstances that can result in revision or cancellation of existing aid includes but are not limited to the following: 

• receiving additional aid at any time not already considered as a part of the student’s aid package 

• changes in residency  

• change housing status (for example, from on-campus to commuter) 

• changes to SAI 

• changes to enrollment level (for example, from full-time to part-time) 

• withdrawal from the university 

Institutional Grants

Bowie State University Grant Program

Bowie State University Institutional Grants are awarded to undergraduate students based on financial need and/or first-generation college students who demonstrate a financial need. Institutional grants are awarded based on eligibility and available funding.  To be considered for institutional grants, students must demonstrate need by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  

Federal Student Aid Grant Programs

Federal Pell Grant 

Federal Pell Grants | Federal Student Aid 

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) 

FSEOG (Grants) | Federal Student Aid 

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants 

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants | Federal Student Aid 

TEACH Grant 

TEACH Grants | Federal Student Aid 

Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) 

Federal Work-Study provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study. 

Work-Study Jobs | Federal Student Aid 

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program 

Loans | Federal Student Aid 

         Dependent Undergraduate Direct Loan Annual Limits/No Parent Plus Loans 

    Independent Undergraduate & Dependent Students with Parent Plus Loan Denials 

Direct PLUS Loan 

PLUS Loans | Federal Student Aid 

Maryland State Scholarship Programs 

The State of Maryland offers scholarship and grant programs based on a student’s financial need, talents, and gifts, or career choice. FAFSA application must be submitted by March 1 for applicant to be eligible for Maryland State Scholarships and grants. 

www.mhec.state.md.us. 

Bowie State University Institutional Scholarship 

https://www.bowiestate.edu/admissions-and-aid/financial-aid/types-of-financial-aid/scholarship-opportunities/bsu-scholarships.php 

Bowie State University Academic Scholarships 

The University offers academic scholarships based on ACT, SAT and high school GPA scores. Additional Information can be found at www.bowiestate.edu/admissions or by contacting the Admissions Office at (301) 860-3415.  

District of Columbia Financial Aid Programs 

The District of Columbia State Education Office (SEO) will award up to $10,000 to qualified students to attend eligible public universities and colleges nationwide through the DC OneApp. The DC OneApp is the only method which a college-bound District resident may apply for funding from the District’s three college financial aid grants: DCTAG, DCLEAP, and DCAS - using one application. The DC OneApp is located on-line at www.seo.dc.gov. 

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) 

1. STATEMENT PURPOSE: 

Any student who benefits from financial aid must be making satisfactory academic progress and performance.  SAP is measured through a program on the mainframe. Parameters are set to comply with federal and the college’s financial aid SAP guidelines.  SAP is reviewed annually (at the end of the spring semester) to determine if a student has met the financial aid standards of progress and performance (SAP) as outlined in the College Catalog.   

The computer flags a student who is not meeting the standards either by virtue of the GPA or credits completed compared to credits attempted or both.  Students who are identified as “unsatisfactory” (not meeting SAP), will have their financial aid suspended until such a time they submit an appeal to have their financial aid reinstated. Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress is established to satisfy federal requirements which are mandated by the Department of Education. It also ensures that requirements the University developed are applied to a consistent and reasonable standard of academic progress. 

2. FINANCIAL AID STUDENT ACADEMIC POLICY: 

It is the policy of Bowie State University to implement standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in accordance with federal regulations and requirements.  The University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP) consist of reviewing several components, a quantitative (number of credits completed), and qualitative (grade point average), maximum time frames, all of which are measured on an annual basis at the end of the academic year (SPRING term).  Financial Aid applicants must comply with the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy as a condition of continued Federal Financial Aid eligibility. 

Please note that the Financial Aid SAP requirements differ from the University academic satisfactory academic progress policy. 

Financial aid programs which are affected by the SAP policy include: Federal Pell. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Perkins Program, Federal Work Study, William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan programs (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, PLUS), institutional Grants (Mission and Diversity) and State Grants/scholarships and all other programs which require the monitoring of academic progress. 

3. PROCEDURE: 

For financial aid purposes, a student is in good standards if the following criteria are met: 

• Undergraduate students must maintain accumulative grade point average of 2.00 

• Graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.00. 

• Pass at least 67% percent of the cumulative hours. 

• Completes their educational program within a timeframe of no longer than 150%.     

Maximum Time Frame 

Students must complete their educational program within a time frame no longer than 150% of the published length of the educational program, as measured by transfer and attempted credits. (For example, a student could have up to 180 credits or 12 full-time semesters to complete a 120 credit undergraduate program). 

Treatment of Grades, Course Work and Transfer Credits 

1. Remedial (developmental) classes are defined as university coursework below the 100-course level. Students will receive a letter grade for these courses; however, they will not be counted in the grade point calculation but are counted in the completion ratio. Financial aid eligibility for remedial courses is limited to a maximum of 24 credit hours. 

2. Attempted credits include grades of A, B, C, D, F, FN, I, NG, P, PS, T, W, AU, CR, S, U 

3. Students may repeat courses to improve their grade. However, credits for repeated courses will count as additional credits attempted for financial aid purposes. 

4. Transfer credits will be counted as attempted and completed credits for the completion ratio calculation and count towards the maximum time frame allowed. 

To calculate the percentage of credits completed total all attempted credits and total all attempted credits. divide the number of completed credits by the number of attempted credits. 

Total Completed Credits/Total Attempted Credits= Percentage Completed. 

Failure to Meet Minimum SAP Requirements 

Student who fail to meet SAP may opt to go through the SAP Appeal process 

Undergraduate Students who fail to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 and above or fail to maintain the minimum completion rate of 67% and above in attempted credits will be placed in a “Not Meet” status for the following semester of enrollment and no financial aid will be awarded and or disbursed during subsequent semesters until the student has regained eligibility or reinstatement has occurred due to an appeal being granted. 

Graduate Students who fail to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and above or fail to maintain the minimum completion rate of 67% and above in attempted credits will be placed in a “Not Meet” status for the following semester of enrollment and no financial aid will be awarded and or disbursed during subsequent semesters until the student has regained eligibility or reinstatement has occurred due to an appeal being granted 

Students who do not earn their degree within the maximum timeframe will also be placed in “Not Meet” status. No aid will be awarded and or disbursed during subsequent semester unless the student has made an appeal, and the appeal has been granted. 

http://www.bowiestate.edu/admissions-financial-aid/financial-aid/satisfactory-academic-progress 

SAP Appeal Process: 

For a student who is Not-Meeting SAP to regain eligibility, student may opt to go through the SAP Appeal Process. 

Academic Plan 

Requests for Appeal which are submitted by the published deadline date are reviewed and the student is notified within 7-10 business days of an approval or denial.  If the appeal is approved, the students’ financial aid is reinstated for one (1) semester ONLY.  At the end of each semester, the students’ status is reevaluated to determine if he/she has successfully satisfied both the qualitative and quantitative standards of the Academic Plan Agreement.  

If the appeal is denied, the student is not eligible to benefit from any federal, state, or institutional grant programs (including student loans).  Institutional scholarships and grants maybe awarded at the discretion of the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management, the Director or Assistant Director of Financial Aid.  However, the student may apply for an Alternative Loan, or a deferred payment plan with the office of Student Accounts. 

Reinstatement of Financial Aid 

Other Requirements: 

Student submits a written letter of appeal. This appeal must include a plan for meeting SAP at the end of the next enrollment period. Circumstances may include death of an immediate family member, unexpected injury or illness of the student or other mitigating circumstances with supporting documentation. 

Appeals must be submitted by the deadline date. 

Students will be limited to two appeals during their undergraduate career. 

Appeals submitted without supporting documentation will not be denied. Additional documentation will be requested if deemed appropriate. The Financial Aid Appeals Committee will review the appeal request and respond via email to the student regarding the decision. 

The Financial Aid Appeals Committee reserves the right to request a financial aid academic plan requiring the student to meet certain standards in the upcoming semester that would lead to the reestablishment of eligibility and upon his or her agreement if any terms of the plan are not met the student shall be placed in a Not Meet status for the next enrollment period. 

1. The Financial Aid Appeals Committee may grant or may not grant the appeal based on submitted documentation and review of academic performance. The student is placed on financial aid probation for the next semester of enrollment. At the end of the probation semester, SAP will be reevaluated. Students must meet all SAP requirements at the end of that semester, or they will be placed in a   Not Meet status and they must reestablish eligibility as described in item 2. 

2. The student pays for all obligations, (tuition and fees), without financial aid assistance and reestablish eligibility by meeting the SAP requirements 

3. Exception To Two-SAP Limitation Criteria Probationary Terms and Conditions: 

Financial Aid recognizes that it is extremely difficult for students to drastically improve all three aspects of the SAP, even if they meet the term GPA. A student can be granted a maximum of two SAP appeals. Financial Aid recognizes that though the student is not meeting all the criteria(s) of re-establishing SAP eligibility, he/she will have done everything humanly possible for that semester. The Financial Aid SAP committee reserves the right to enact professional judgment.   

All Decisions of the Financial Aid Committee are Final