How to Pay for College
To apply for financial aid, students should submit the following: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Bellarmine University participates in the Federal Work Study program. Need-based aid programs include: scholarships and grants • general need-based awards • Federal Pell grants • state scholarships and grants • college-based scholarships and grants • private scholarships and grants. Non-need-based aid programs include: scholarships and grants • general need-based awards • state scholarships and grants • creative arts and performance awards • special achievements and activities awards • special characteristics awards • athletic scholarships • ROTC scholarships.
Highlights
Admissions
Applicants: 6,021
Accepted: 3,214
Acceptance rate: 53.4%
Average GPA: 3.5
ACT range: 22-27
SAT Math range: 510-600
SAT Reading range: 480-600
SAT Writing range: Not reported
Top 10% of class: 23%
Top 25% of class: 51%
Top 50% of class: 84%
Deadlines
Early Action: 11/1
Early Decision: No
Regular Action: Rolling admissions
Common Application: Accepted
Financial Aid
In-state tuition: $29,160
Out-of-state tuition: $29,160
Room: $4,960
Board: $3,450
Books: $764
Freshmen receiving need-based aid: 79%
Undergrads rec. need-based aid: 74%
Avg. % of need met by financial aid: 77%
Avg. aid package (freshmen): $25,373
Avg. aid package (undergrads): $23,927
Freshmen receiving merit-based aid: 21%
Undergrads rec. merit-based aid: 24%
Avg. debt upon graduation: $21,639
Prominent Alumni
Dr. James Heck, inventor of drug Cancidas; Angela Mason, co-founder ITS Services; Joseph P. Clayton, former CEO/ chairman, Sirius Satellite Radio.
School Spirit
Mascot: Knights
Colors: Scarlet and silver
Song: On Knights of Bellarmine
Bowie State University
14000 Jericho Park Road, Bowie, MD 20715-9465
Admissions: 877-772-6943 • Financial Aid: 301-860-3540
Email: [email protected] • Website: http://www.bowiestate.edu
From the College
“Building on its image as a student-centered institution, Bowie State University will provide its diverse student population with a course of study that ensures a broad scope of knowledge and understanding that is deeply rooted in expanded research activities. The university excels in teacher education and will become the premier teacher of teachers.”
Campus Setting
Bowie State, founded in 1865, is a public university of liberal arts and technology studies. Its 312-acre campus is located in Bowie, 22 miles from Washington, DC. A four-year public institution, Bowie State University is a historically black university with 5,617 students. In addition to a large, well-stocked library, the campus also has an art gallery. Bowie State University provides on-campus housing with 1,400 units that can accommodate 1,400 students. Housing options: coed dorms • women’s dorms • men’s dorms • single-student apartments. Recreation and sports facilities include a gymnasium.
Student Life and Activities
Most students live off campus which does impact the on-campus social scene. Nevertheless, like any college, students do find time to create their own recreational outlets. Bowie State University has 71 official student organizations. The most popular are: gospel choir • university singers • jazz ensemble • concert, marching and pep bands • departmental and political clubs • honor societies • team managers. Bowie State University is a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (Division II).
Academics and Learning Environment
For the B student, the learning environment of a college is just as important as the quality of its academic program. Bowie State University has 230 full-time and 176 part-time faculty members. The most common course size is 20 to 29 students. Bowie State University offers 37 majors with the most popular being business administration, computer science and education and least popular being English, mathematics and fine/performing arts. The school has a general core requirement. Cooperative education is not offered. All first-year students must maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher to avoid academic probation, and a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 is required to graduate. Other special academic programs that would appeal to a B student include: pass/fail grading option • independent study • double majors • dual degrees • honors program • internships • distance learning certificate programs.
B Student Support and Success
Bowie’s Writing Center helps students with English class assignments. The school also has a Student Success and Retention Center. The center assists students through programs and activities that “foster student academic, social and personal development.” It is focused on helping freshmen transition into college life with the aid of placement testing, mentoring and tutorial services.
In addition to these services, Bowie State sponsors the Freshman Seminar course. It is designed to help each student pursue academic excellence and includes lessons about the college’s history and its contribution to Maryland. Students learn to critically analyze specific readings that introduce them to concepts in liberal arts and to broaden their understanding of global awareness, critical thinking and oral and written communication skills. According to the college, “The goal is for students to become academically, personally and socially successful within and beyond the intellectual community.”
Mentoring is popular at Bowie State. Mentors are matched with students to help foster a strong relationship that “promotes academic success, retention and the successful graduation of students.” Peer mentors are paired with six freshmen based on academic majors. KEAP, or Knowledge Enriched through Academic Performance, helps students with issues like poor grades and poor attendance. Students with a GPA of 2.0 or lower are required to take part in KEAP. Bowie State University provides a variety of support programs