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Can’t Find What You’re Looking For?

Browse our FAQs on financial aid, student, billing and general questions. Contact us if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

Financial Aid

What is the definition of full-time and half-time?

For undergraduate students, full-time is 12 or more credit hours and half-time is at least 6 credit hours per semester for Fall, Spring, and Summer.

What can excess financial aid be used for?

Excess aid can be used for any expenses included in your overall Cost of Attendance. Your Cost of Attendance includes costs that BGU charges you directly, such as tuition, housing, food, required fees, parking, etc. However, your Cost of Attendance also includes indirect costs that BGU does not charge you, such as books, supplies, travel expenses, personal expenses, laptops, etc.

When will my financial aid be disbursed to my student account?

Financial aid is disbursed within the applicable semester. Typically, loans are disbursed after the semester has started (approximately 10 days after the first day of class for upperclassmen or those who have had student loans in the past, and approximately 30 days after the first day of class for first-year, first-time borrowers). Financial aid that is related to Practical Training is disbursed at least monthly based on the hours you work.

Please note that aid in excess of what is owed on the student account for direct costs will be sent to the student in a check. This will not be available to the student until up to 14 days after the actual disbursement date.

Will loans pay for all of my BGU direct costs?

The annual charges from BGU for tuition, housing, food, and required fees will not be fully covered by federal student loans though they will help with a significant portion. Dependant and independent students qualify for different amounts which can be viewed at https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized.

Also, if you are a dependent, the scenarios below would allow you to cover more of your school costs with loan funds than your initial award offer:

Your parent applies for PLUS loan and is accepted.

Your parent applies for PLUS loans and is rejected due to adverse credit history or special circumstances (such as recent bankruptcy), which allows you to receive the independent loan amount.

You apply for private loans.

How do I apply for loans?

By completing the FAFSA application, you (the student) will be notified of any Federal Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans you may qualify for.

You may also apply for Private Loans (student) through organizations listed here: https://choice.fastproducts.org/FastChoice/home/4227800/1 or to another organization of your preference.

There are also Federal Direct PLUS Loans (parent). The parent must complete both the PLUS application and the PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN) at studentloans.gov (note that this is separate from the MPN completed by the student). Please email financialaid@bethanygu.edu to notify us that a PLUS application was completed.

What is the deadline for completing my financial aid application process?

BGU’s financial aid deadlines for new students are:

For Fall 2022 enrollment: April 1, 2023

For Spring 2023 enrollment: October 1, 2023

If you have missed the deadline, or are a late applicant, complete your FAFSA as soon as possible.

I am an international student. Can I apply for federal financial aid?

Possibly. You may qualify if you are an “eligible noncitizen” as described here: https://studentaid.gov/help/eligible-noncitizen

What is BGU’s federal school code?

BGU’s federal code is 042278

What is the FAFSA and how do I complete it?

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), is a government form that determines the federal grants or loans you qualify for. Any grants or loans you qualify for can be used to cover your cost of higher education.

To apply for the FAFSA, refer to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa 

For help completing the FAFSA, refer to https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/help

Is the Student Billing Office the same as the Financial Aid Office?

No, each office is separated by law, in order to prevent conflict of interest between those who bill students and those who award financial aid (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.) to students. Therefore, the two offices deal with different aspects of student finances.

The Student Billing Office conveys what you need to pay and when you need to pay it. This includes billing, how to make payments, methods of payment, and refund information.

Contact information for the Student Billing Office:

Phone number: 952.996.1458 studentbilling@bethanygu.edu

The Financial Aid Office helps you get the financial assistance you need to pay for school. This includes how to complete the FAFSA, your student loan options, and how your enrollment status affects your financial aid.

Contact information for The Financial Aid Office:

Phone number: 952.996.1339   financialaid@bethanygu.edu

Student Billing & Payments

Can I get a refund on my room deposit or other payments on my account if I decide not to attend BGU?

The room deposit is not refundable until you have attended the first day of class and you will no longer be attending BGU. Once you have attended class you fall under the “enrolled student” policy of receiving a full refund of your room deposit and possibly a full or partial refund of other payments on your account, if you have accrued no fines or fees and do not owe the university money. The timing of your decision not to attend is a strong determining factor. See the BGU Refund Policy for details.

Can someone else pay for me?

Yes. You can send them the link titled, “Someone else paying," found on the dashboard of your Financial tab in Populi under the “Make a Payment" button. The link is good for 30 days and can be sent to anyone who would like to make a payment on your account. Anyone can also send a personal check in U.S. Dollars, from a U.S. bank, made out to BGU, with a note indicating your name and to what the payment should be applied. Checks should be mailed to the address below to ensure it is received by the finance office.

Attn: Finance Office
6820 Auto Club Rd, Ste. J
Bloomington, MN 55438

What happens if I do not make a payment on time?

There is a late charge of $25, and if the payment goes into default (not paid by the 11th of the month in which it is due), your account will be reviewed by the dismissal committee about whether you need to take a leave of absence to attend to your finances.

What payment plans are available for my account balance?

There are three ways to pay for your year of school after your institutional (BGU) aid and federal financial aid has been applied to your account:

  1. Pay in advance for the entire year by the First Payment Deadline (you will receive a $300 discount off your total annual costs if you choose to pay in advance). 
  2. Pay for your entire balance using Federal Direct (student) loans, PLUS (parent) loans, and/or private loans.
  3. Pay for each semester in full by the First Payment Deadline of the applicable semester.
  4. Make payments on a BGU student payment plan. There is a $150 fee per semester for a student payment plan.

See the Payment Plan Agreement Policy for your academic year for details about the terms of the standard payment plan or contact the Student Accounts Office for details about the payment plan.

Global Internship

Can section 529 Plan funds be used toward Global Internship?

No. Section 529 Plan funds must be applied directly towards tuition, room and food, and fees on your student account. Funds raised for Global Internship are processed as tax-deductible donations. Section 529 payments cannot be processed as tax-deductible donations since they are not designed for that purpose.

Can students apply for federal student loans to cover their Global Internship costs?

Yes, students can decide to use student loans towards the Global Internship costs; however, our fundraising coaches will teach you how to raise the full financial support needed without taking on student loan debt.

How does BGU prepare students for the financial costs of their Global Internship?

Students learn how to fundraise the costs of their Global Internship during their sophomore year. They take classes to learn best practices and methods for building their network and partnerships. This model, combined with BGU’s scholarship opportunities, keeps tuition affordable, allowing students to pursue their degrees and graduate with little to no debt. For more information, visit our Global Internship fundraising page.

How does BGU choose its Global Internship site locations?

Each location has been carefully and prayerfully chosen by the Global Internship Leadership Team. Aspects, such as site leadership, safety, accessibility, finances, contingency plans, learning opportunities, and ministry experience, have been taken into consideration in each context. All sites have leadership provided by short-term and long-term Bethany missionaries or BGU partner organizations.

How does BGU make decisions about safety for students on Global Internship?

Students receive safety training from experienced staff before leaving on Global Internship. They register for international health insurance, provide a list of emergency contacts, and receive emergency contact information for appointed staff. While on Global Internship, interns live near our long-term workers and partners who help them acclimate to their new environment. 

BGU provides a detailed contingency plan for each internship site in the event of an emergency. We monitor travel advisories with the state department and do not place interns on the front lines of insecure locations. We recommend interns register with their host country’s consulate. 

Parents can contact BGU staff directly with any questions during their student’s Global Internship.

Do I need to learn a foreign language before I go on Global Internship?

No, learning a foreign language is not a prerequisite to going on Global Internship. Students learn the local language while on Global Internship through a local tutor or within a language school. If a student desires to learn the language before their internship they may choose to do this on their own accord.

What can you do while on Global Internship?

Global interns live interculturally and engage with daily life within their host culture. As a Global intern, you will study a new language, and develop ethnographic and cultural skills. You will serve the communities around you by partnering with local ministries, your site leaders, and other local Christians. 

Previous interns have served by:

  • Teaching English
  • Working in Montessori schools
  • Volunteering in safe houses and orphanages
  • Helping provide healthcare for women and children in clinics
  • Leading sports and Bible camps
  • Partnering with refugee ministries
  • Assisting in urban and community development projects (water wells, solar ovens, etc.)
  • Working in local businesses and trades
  • Supporting the local church by leading worship and Bible studies, and working in administration
  • Planting churches and discipling local believers to become leaders in their communities
Do you get to choose your Global Internship site?

Global Internship site placements are determined by site availability, the student’s field of study, and student preference and previous experience. Each site has varying capacities for how many students it can host and what opportunities they offer. Through an intentional process, students are interviewed and placed within internship teams. BGU does its best to place interns at their preferred location when the circumstances allow it.

Do you take classes while on Global Internship?

Yes. All students take online BGU courses during their 16-month internship (13 months are spent overseas, with three months spent for field preparation and debriefing). These courses help students develop the skills they need to be successful and effective in a cross-cultural setting.

How many sites are available for the Global Internship experience?

Available locations for the Global Internship experience are subject to change depending on conditions and circumstances in specific countries. In the past, our Global interns have lived across Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America. For a list of current opportunities, please contact our Admissions Team at info@bethanygu.edu.

General Questions

Can a student request to change their on-campus job (Practical Training) assignment?

We do our best to place students in positions we believe they will succeed in. We consider student preferences, potential, and previous work experience. We also consider conditions or circumstances that would hinder students from working in certain positions. Therefore, the only exceptions for students changing their Practical Training positions are for medical reasons or other unexpected circumstances.

How are the Work Positions on campus (Practical Training) chosen for students?

Students apply for various Practical Training positions and go through an interviewing process. They are then placed in positions based on their previous work experience, preference, and university need.

What denomination is BGU?

Bethany Global University (BGU) is interdenominational. Staff and students come from a large variety of church backgrounds and denominations. For a full description of our beliefs and statement of faith, refer here.

Are students required to purchase a meal plan?

Yes. All students are required to be on the meal plan unless they have a medical exemption. The cafeteria offers dairy-free and gluten-free meal options upon request.

Do I have to live on campus?

Yes. Since BGU is a Federal Work College, all students must live on campus in Bloomington, Minnesota. Exceptions apply only to students in the Midwifery degree during their clinicals, and to married students. For graduate students, the M.A. program is entirely online.

Is Bethany Global University (BGU) accredited?

Yes. Bethany Global University (BGU) is accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE). It is officially recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education. It is one of the eight regional associations that make up the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education (ICETE).


BGU is also a Federal Work College and a participant in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).