Financing Your Graduate Degree

We are so glad you’ve decided to pursue a career in social work.

At the Boston College School of Social Work (BCSSW), we know that an MSW is a significant investment in your future and in the future of the communities you’ll serve. As you plan for your graduate studies, this guide offers a comprehensive overview of the opportunities and resources available here at BCSSW to help you fund your degree—your way.

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.

Field placement stipends: All BCSSW students complete field placements, many of which provide stipends.

100

of MSW students are offered a BCSSW scholarship— no additional application required.

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 and partial tuition remission scholarship. For information on how to apply, visit bc.edu/grad-assistantships.

External Scholarship Opportunities

The Boston College School of Social Work has compiled a listing of outside scholarships to aid our students in their search for additional funding. The most recent information is stored in an online scholarship database, which you can access using your BC email and password at bc.edu/ ssw-scholarships.

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.

Loans

A majority of graduate students finance their degrees using loans, with the option to seek either federal or private loans for educational funding.

Federal Loans

To qualify for federal aid, students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and meet the following eligibility requirements:

▶ You have been accepted to a degree-seeking program;

▶ You are enrolled at least half-time each semester, as defined by the Office of Student Services (half-time is generally 6 credits);

▶ You are not in default on a Federal Stafford or Perkins Loan, and you do not need to pay a federal grant overpayment;

▶ You are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.*

*International students are not eligible for federal financial aid. Information about aid opportunities is available at bc.edu/gradaid.

For more information, visit bc.edu/gradaid.

Completing the FAFSA

BC Federal School Code: 002128

Review the dates for preferred deadlines and award notifications and access a link to the FAFSA and the required Graduate Enrollment form at bc.edu/gradaid

To access the FAFSA, the Enrollment Form, and a range of other information for both domestic and international students, visit bc.edu/gradaid.

If you have other questions, please contact the Office of Student Services at 617-552-3300 or studentservices@bc.edu.

Private Loans

Students may decide to apply for a private loan in addition to or instead of federal loans. Information about private loans is available at: bc.edu/altloans. Please ensure you review the terms and conditions for any loan you choose.

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 workers can be candidates for the program. Learn more at nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment

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

per credit

Activity

Health Insurance

one-time charge

per semester

For those who must enroll in BC’s medical insurance, this is the rate for the 2023–24 year. New rates will be available after June 1.

Total Estimated Cost for 2024–2025

For students enrolled in the two-year MSW program, this is the cost for the first year of the program. T

(Includes tuition, living expenses, and fees)

91.5

First-time licensure pass rate (2018-2021)

1.5 MONTHS

Average job search length

76 of 2022 graduates earn a starting salary above $50,000

7 Growth in the profession, 2022–32 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

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:

▶ 4 Mac desktops and 4 Dell desktops (one guest account for public use)

▶ Kic scanner and Flatbed scanner

▶ 16 Mac laptops and 10 Dell laptops

▶ 6 dedicated iPads for the SSW community

▶ Mac and Dell chargers

▶ USB-C cell phone chargers

▶ 3 black and white printers

▶ 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 Wifi student discounts

100 of MSW students and alumni have access to BCSSW’s dedicated Career Services, including individualized guidance, social work recruitment fairs, workshops, mock interviews, and more.

Retail

Several retailers offer shopping discounts for BCSSW students, including ASOS, Adidas, Madewell, New Balance, West Elm, Unidays, Sassoon Salon, and Moleskine. Ask your favorite retailer if they offer a student discount!

Streaming Services

Student discounts are also available for the following subscriptions:

▶ Amazon Prime

▶ Spotify

▶ Hulu

▶ Peacock

▶ Paramount+

▶ YouTube Premium

▶ AppleTV+

Health & Wellness

The Margot Connell Recreation Center: Graduate students can purchase a membership to BC’s 244,000-square-foot Rec Center for $400 annually or pay by the semester. The Rec Center offers an aquatics center, a golf simulator, locker rooms, a climbing wall, a spin studio, cardio and strength spaces, a mind/body studio, tennis/ volleyball courts, a jogging track, squash/ racquetball courts, group fitness classes, small group training, personal training, and more.

The Center for Student Wellness: Open to all BC students, the CSW provides programs and services aimed at educating and empowering students to make health-conscious decisions and achieve a balanced lifestyle, including wellness coaching, resources for the mind, body, and soul, and more.

Headspace: The popular mindfulness tool app offers a discounted annual plan for students. Visit headspace.com/studentplan.

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 $370 a year, and parking is available in several lots near BCSSW, as well as in Beacon Street Garage and Commonwealth Ave Garage. There is also street parking near campus, particularly on the Newton side.

Zipcar: Students save up to $65/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 “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