Scholarships & Assistantships
Funding sources from Boston College and external to BC are available to you as an MSW student, and students can combine funding from multiple sources.
Internal Scholarship Opportunities
All admitted MSW students are offered a BCSSW scholarship upon admission. You will be automatically considered for the following BC scholarship opportunities:
Merit-Based Scholarships: All MSW students are offered merit-based awards, which are determined during the application process.
The Dean’s Fellowship: Awarded to select incoming MSW students, the Dean’s Fellowship recognizes academic achievement and a promise for social work leadership.
City Year and Jesuit Volunteer Corps Scholarships: BCSSW is proud to offer additional financial support to alumni of the City Year and Jesuit Volunteer Corps programs.
Irish Famine Memorial Fund: The IFMF provides financial or material support to BC students and alumni who are working to alleviate poverty, disease, famine, and illiteracy.
Graduate Assistantships
MSW students can also pursue a range of graduate assistantships at Boston College during their final year. Students who are awarded an assistantship work part-time and receive an annual stipend. For information on how to apply, visit bc.edu/grad-assistantships
U.S. Military Veteran Benefits
BCSSW offers application fee waivers to all U.S. military veterans and participants in the Post-9/11 GI Bill® Yellow Ribbon Program scholarship. For more information on how to receive your VA benefits at BC, visit bc.edu/veterans
of MSW students are offered a BCSSW scholarship— no additional application required.
Loan Forgiveness & Repayment Programs
For graduate students who will finance their degrees using loans, there are several loan forgiveness and repayment programs available following graduation.
Federal Perkins Loan Cancellation
Students who go on to work in intervention services or services for high-risk children from low-income communities may be eligible to have all or a portion of their Federal Perkins Loan canceled. Check with the Boston College Office of Student Services (617-552-3300) or your employer’s personnel office to determine if you are eligible.
National Health Service Corps
The National Health Service Corps unites underserved communities with thousands of dedicated clinicians. The NHSC provides a Loan Repayment Program to fully trained providers with qualified educational loans, repaying up to $25,000 if they choose to serve at an eligible site.
Applicants must agree to provide primary care services in a priority Health Professional Shortage Area for a minimum of two years. Clinical social
National Association of Social Workers: Massachusetts
Resources on loan repayment options are available from the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Learn more at naswma.org/page/220.
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps, the domestic Peace Corps, engages more than 40,000 Americans in service each year. After their term of service, AmeriCorps members receive education awards to help pay back their student loans, and alumni of the program can apply these awards toward funding their MSW at BC. For more information, visit nationalservice.gov/ programs/americorps
Teach for America
Teach for America (TFA) places its fellows in schools where they are often eligible for loan deferral or forbearance. To see if your past TFA fellowship qualifies you, learn more at teachforamerica.org
Estimated Cost of Attendance
The estimated cost of attendance below includes fixed expenses such as studying at BCSSW and fees, as well as estimated expenses for housing, food, and other necessities.
Tuition
Two Year MS w Progra M
$1,436 per credit
First Year (30 credits)
$43,080
Second Year (35 credits) $50,260
Three Year MS w Progra M
First Year
$17,232
Second Year $25,848
Living Expenses for 9 months
a dvanced S Tanding MS w Progra M
June
January
January
Fee S
Student ID Fee
Activity Fee
Health Insurance
$63,184
$17,232 (first semester)
$45,952 (final year)
$45 one-time charge
$50 per semester
$4,281
For those who must enroll in BC’s medical insurance, this is the rate for the 2024–25 year. New rates will be available after June 1.
T o Tal e ST i M aT ed
ex P en S e S : $
Total Estimated Cost for 2025–2026
For students enrolled in the two-year MSW program, this is the cost for the first year of the program.
T wo- Year MS w P rogra M : $68,723 (Includes tuition, living expenses, and fees)
Benefits for BCSSW Graduates
As a student at BCSSW, you will have access to a range of complementary and discounted programs and offerings, both on campus and across Boston.
Offered at the BCSSW Library:
▶ 2 Mac desktops and 2 Dell desktops (one guest account for public use)
▶ Kic scanner and Flatbed scanner
▶ 16 Mac laptops and 10 Dell laptops
▶ Mac and Dell chargers
▶ USB-C cell phone chargers
▶ 2 black and white printers and 1 color printer
▶ 2 TI-84 calculators
▶ Mac HDMI/VGA adaptors
Books and Media
Boston College Libraries: Through BC, you’ll have free access to The Boston Globe, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, streaming collections, Overdrive, and technology and equipment loans.
Boston Public Library: All Massachusetts residents are eligible for a BPL card, which provides access to books, streaming services, museum passes, and free events.
Technology
▶ Free Google Suite access
▶ Free Microsoft Office access
▶ Free Tableau
▶ Student discounts with Adobe
▶ Apple Store education pricing
▶ Best Buy discount program
▶ Xfinity Wi-Fi student discounts
100 of MSW students and alumni have access to BCSSW’s dedicated Career Services Office, including individualized guidance, social work recruitment fairs, workshops, mock interviews, and more.
Living in Boston
Boston is a hub for higher education, home to rich history, diverse communities, and a wide range of opportunities to launch your career in social work.
Housing
Located just six miles from downtown Boston, the campus offers proximity to the city with a dedicated, bucolic campus and access to public transportation. MSW students often choose to live together near campus, with roommates, or with family members. The nearby neighborhoods offer a range of different price points, and it’s worth exploring multiple areas to find the living situation that’s right for you. For housing search resources, visit offcampushousing.bc.edu
Transportation
Public Transit: The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is the Boston area’s public transportation system. BC offers a student discount for its subway, bus, and commuter rail passes. Visit bc.edu/ mbta for more information.
Parking: All graduate students at Boston College can purchase a parking permit for $380 a year, and parking is available in several lots near BCSSW, as well as in the Beacon Street Garage and Commonwealth Ave Garage. There is also street parking near campus, particularly on the Newton side.
Zipcar: Students save up to $45/year on an annual Zipcar membership.
Museums and attractions
The following institutions offer free admission with your Eagle ID card or through the Office of Student Services:
▶ McMullen Museum of Art
▶ Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
▶ Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
▶ Harvard Art Museum
▶ Harvard Museum of Natural History
▶ MassArt Art Museum (MAAM)
▶ Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology
A free membership with the Boston Public Library or the Minuteman Library Network also offers discounted or complimentary passes to nearby attractions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to apply for financial aid each year?
Yes. Both BC and the federal government require students to apply for financial aid each year, since it is possible that a student’s situation may change from the prior year.
The Boston College Graduate Verification form asks for “untaxed” income. How do I complete that section?
You only have to list wages earned last year if you do not expect to file a federal income tax return. You should enter the amounts of income you received but were not required to report on federal income tax returns (e.g., workers’ compensation or untaxed contributions to retirement/pension plans).
I missed the deadline to apply for federal aid. Can I still apply now?
You can still apply after the FAFSA preferred deadline. In order to be considered for federal financial aid, your application and processed FAFSA must be received by the Office of Student Services before the end of that enrollment period. Refer to “Late Applicants” on the first page of the Graduate Student website (bc.edu/gradaid) under the “Applying for Aid” tab.
Is it possible to earn my Federal Work-Study award at my BCSSW field placement?
Yes, most nonprofits and government agencies are eligible to participate in off-campus work study, as long as they make a financial contribution. If your agency is interested in participating, contact the Office of Student Services at 617-552-3300.
Am I eligible to receive financial assistance during the summer?
Graduate students who enroll at least half-time (6 credits) during the summer may be eligible to receive a Federal Direct Stafford Loan for that period. If you are interested in this loan or summer Federal Work-Study, please complete the summer enrollment questions on pages one and two of the Boston College Graduate Supplemental Information form. If you do qualify, you may be required to sign a Master Promissory Note and complete Entrance Counseling.
I plan to apply for summer and fall/spring financial aid. Which year’s FAFSA form should I complete?
You only need to complete the FAFSA for the upcoming academic year.
What other options do I have if the aid I have received is not enough?
We are committed to working with you to discuss ways to make your MSW work for you. Graduate students may consider applying for the Graduate or Professional Student PLUS loan or alternative loans to fill the gap between the aid offered and their budget. Information on these loans can be found at bc.edu/gradaid under “Types of Financial Aid.”
Questions? We are here to help Office of Student Services studentservices@bc.edu • 617.552.3300
Left: Rowes Wharf, Boston
Right: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
617-552-4024 | swadmit@bc.edu
bc.edu/ssw
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