OUR BEST INVESTMENT IS
INSIDE: LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR AID PROGRAM.
YOUR FAMILY’S PLANNING GUIDE TO FULL-NEED FINANCIAL AID.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND GUARDIANS,
Our best investment is YOU. Paying for college is a significant commitment for you and your family. At BU, we’re committed to making our financial aid process clear, transparent, and easy to navigate—so you understand your options every step of the way.
While college is an important investment for your future, we’re proud to invest in you as well.
• We meet 100% of demonstrated BU need without loans for all admitted first-year US citizens and permanent residents.
• Your BU need-based scholarship will NEVER DECREASE during your four years.
• If tuition increases, your scholarship will increase by the SAME PERCENTAGE . At BU, you apply for need-based BU aid once —your first year. After your award is
WHAT WILL BU COST YOU?
set, it will not decrease for all four years.
That’s our BU Scholarship Assurance. The important thing for you to do is complete the CSS Profile and FAFSA by our deadlines.
Complete your application materials to get started now!
Our financial aid packages are tailored to your family’s unique circumstances. The table below illustrates sample costs by income and typical assets, such as cash, savings, investments, home equity, and business equity.
Ultimately, submitting a financial aid application is the only way to determine your exact costs. Timely submission of financial aid application materials is necessary to qualify.
TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME NET COST OF ATTENDANCE
$0—$75,000
$75,001—$100,000
$100,001—$150,000
$150,001—$200,000
Sincerely,
Rebecca L. Cassely Director of Financial Assistance BU Financial Assistance
For more details, you can calculate a personalized estimate using either the MyinTuition Quick College Cost Estimator or the Net Price Calculator.*
*The calculator figures are reflective of standard housing and meal plan costs.
$0
$10,000 or less
$15,000 or less
$20,000 or less
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL AID?
DEFINING TERMS.
Below are explanations for a few of the most important terms you will come across when applying for financial aid. But you will likely come across others that may be unfamiliar, so please visit our full glossary at bu.edu/finaid/glossary-terms/
DEMONSTRATED FINANCIAL NEED.
US citizens and permanent residents
Incoming first-year students Students who submit the FAFSA & CSS Profile™ by the deadlines
The annual cost of attendance minus your family’s expected contribution, based on information provided on the CSS Profile™ (see below).
FAFSA.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Completing and submitting the FAFSA is free and gives you access to federal and state financial aid to help pay for college. It must be filed each year to receive these funds.
BU’s FAFSA code is 002130.
CSS PROFILE.
The College Scholarship Service Profile is used to establish your eligibility for BU need-based financial aid for all four years. After your first year applying for aid, the profile is no longer required.
BU’s CSS code is 3087.
Please note: your Social Security number is used to match your application for admission with your CSS Profile and FAFSA records. To be considered for financial aid, please make sure you accurately enter your Social Security number on the Common Application, CSS Profile, and FAFSA .
TYPES OF AID.
BU meets 100% of your demonstrated financial need without loans. We do this through a combination of scholarships, grants, and/or Work-Study.
One or more of these awards may be packaged together to help cover your college expenses. In order to determine your eligibility, you must file the CSS Profile™ and FAFSA by our established deadlines (see page 6).
BU NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS.
This BU-funded award does not have to be earned or repaid. Awards are based on a student’s demonstrated financial need as determined by information on the CSS Profile and FAFSA. The average financial aid package is $68,200.
FEDERAL AND STATE GRANTS.
These are government funds that do not have to be earned or repaid. Information you report on your FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility. Besides federal grants such as the Federal Pell Grant,
HERE’S OUR ADVICE: IF BECOMING A TERRIER IS AT THE TOP OF YOUR LIST, APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID.
several state governments offer grants for college expenses that can be used outside of your state of residence.
FEDERAL WORK-STUDY.
Work-Study awards provide funding for part-time student employment, usually on campus and often in a field related to a student’s program of study. These awards average $3,000 per academic year. Funds for these awards are limited, but students who aren’t offered Federal Work-Study can often find part-time jobs through the Student Employment Office at bu.edu/seo
OTHER SOURCES OF AID.
This includes awards that come from outside the University. How is aid from other sources considered? Total aid from all sources cannot exceed demonstrated need, and external scholarships, even those based on merit, are considered part of the aid package.
BOSTON UNIVERSITY HELPS STUDENTS REALIZE THEIR DREAMS WITH SEVERAL DIFFERENT KINDS OF FINANCIAL AID, INCLUDING:
• Merit-based scholarships
• Need-based scholarships
• Federal and state grants
• Federal Work-Study awards
Two or more types of aid are often combined in award packages. Awards are renewable if you continue to meet eligibility requirements. Please note, aid from all sources cannot exceed your demonstrated financial need.
MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS.
BU is proud to recognize exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and community service through our merit scholarship program.
If you have strong academic performance—and have participated in activities that showcase your initiative, creativity, and impact in your school or community—then you are the right candidate for our merit scholarships!
Apply by the December 1 deadline to ensure that you will be considered for a merit scholarship. No extra essays or requirements.
It’s that simple. WHO IS
CRITICAL DATES.
Our
As noted below, you
WHAT IF—
I’M PLANNING TO APPLY EARLY DECISION?
Apply Early Decision ONLY if you expect to be comfortable with our determination of your financial need. Early Decision admission offers are binding, so you won’t be able to compare aid offers from other institutions. Please pay careful attention to our financial aid deadlines as they are earlier than Regular Decision deadlines.
I MISS THE FINANCIAL AID DEADLINE?
Our deadline is not flexible. Applicants who submit late are not guaranteed consideration for an aid package that will meet their full demonstrated need. Financial aid may be offered based on remaining available funds though those are typically exhausted immediately after the deadline.
MY FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE?
We are happy to review your appeal for reconsideration of a need-based award if you provide documentation of compelling circumstances. You can find the appeal form and instructions on our website.
I WANT TO APPLY FOR ADMISSION BUT DO NOT INTEND TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID?
Applying for financial aid is not required to apply for admission. However, if you anticipate that paying for BU will be challenging for you and your family, we urge you to submit an application or consider applying by December 1 for a merit scholarship.
32,000+ EMPLOYERS
MANAGING YOUR MONEY.
Smart Money is a BU financial wellness initiative designed to provide the University community with online tools, information, and other resources to promote effective money management. Use it to stay on top of the latest money management tips, personal finance news, and financial aid alerts. You’ll find it at bu.edu/smartmoney
@smartmoney_bu
BU GRADUATE OUTCOMES.
WILL MY BU DEGREE HELP GET ME A JOB?
In a word, yes! Our graduates rank 12th in the country for employability, according to Times Higher Ed. More than 95 percent of our students found jobs or enrolled in graduate or other programs within six months of receiving their diplomas. A BU education produces smart, curious, innovative thinkers and doers who are ready to lead. In other words, eminently employable.
Plus, the average starting salary for BU graduates is above the national average for new college grads as tracked by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Terriers who incorporate experiential learning such as internships into their BU experience are more likely to secure full-time employment and earn a higher starting salary.
A LEG UP AND A FOOT IN THE DOOR.
Remember, when you set off on your post-collegiate path, you’ll have a massive team behind you—455,000+ people deep. That’s how many alumni BU has—across 140+ countries. Our vast alumni platform BU Connects includes thousands of alumni advisors worldwide. CEOs, politicians, celebrated painters, groundbreaking researchers, and inventors can answer your questions, give career advice, and maybe even make an introduction or two.
95% OF STUDENTS FOUND EMPLOYMENT OR PLACEMENT IN GRADUATE PROGRAMS, MILITARY SERVICE, OR FELLOWSHIPS WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF GRADUATION
WHERE EMPLOYERS RANK BU GRADUATES IN THE NATION FOR EMPLOYABILITY
Boston University Financial Assistance
881 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02215
T 617-353-2965
F 617-358-2792
finaid@bu.edu
bu.edu/finaid
Financial Assistance
Boston University’s policies provide for equal opportunity in employment and admission to all programs of the University.