OUR BEST INVESTMENT IS
YOUR FAMILY’S PLANNING GUIDE TO FINANCIAL AID.
INSIDE: LEARN MORE ABOUT TH BU PROMISE. E
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FINANCIAL DEMONSTRATED T LOANS NEED MET WITHOU UDENTS FOR FIRST-YEAR ST
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1
The BU Promise
3
Types of Aid
4
Merit-Based Scholarships
6
Critical Dates & Checklist
7
FAQs
9
Career Outcomes
STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND GUARDIANS, Our best investment is YOU. Paying for college is a significant expense 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 admitted first-time, first-year students who are 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 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. Visit bu.edu/finaid to learn more. Sincerely,
Rebecca L. Cassely Director of Financial Assistance BU Financial Assistance
THE BU PROMISE: FINANCIAL AID TO ADVANCE YOUR FUTURE. A BU education can be accessible to all. The BU Promise meets 100% of your demonstrated financial need, without loans, for first-time, first-year students who are US citizens and permanent residents. For qualifying students who complete the financial aid applications by their deadlines (see page 6), the BU Promise awards aid packages based on each student’s financial circumstances. Students from families earning under $200,000 annually with typical assets can expect financial aid that covers full tuition and part of standard housing and dining costs. Families with a total income of $75,000 or less, with typical assets, can expect tuition, standard housing, and dining to be fully covered.
Families earning more than $200,000 are also encouraged to apply. BU considers each family’s individual financial circumstances— including factors such as multiple children in college or a high cost of living—when determining need-based aid. Learn more at go.bu.edu/aid.
TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME
TOTAL FINANCIAL AID
NET COST OF ATTENDANCE*
$0—$75,000
Full Tuition + Standard Housing & Dining Plan (SHDP)
$0
$75,001—$100,000
Full Tuition + % SHDP
$10,000 or less
$100,001—$150,000
Full Tuition + % SHDP
$15,000 or less
$150,001—$200,000
Full Tuition + % SHDP
$20,000 or less
$200,000+
Tailored Financial Aid
*The table above illustrates sample costs by income and typical assets, such as cash, savings, and investments.
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WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE BU PROMISE?
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.
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TYPES OF AID. BU NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS. This BU-funded award does not have to be repaid. Awards are based on a student’s demonstrated financial need as determined by information on the CSS Profile and FAFSA. The average need-based scholarship amount is $68,200.
FEDERAL AND STATE GRANTS. These are government funds that do not have to be repaid. Information you report on your FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility. Besides federal grants such as the Federal Pell Grant, 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 $3,500 per academic year. Funds for these awards are limited, but students
HERE’S OUR ADVICE:
IF BECOMING A TERRIER IS AT THE TOP OF YOUR LIST, APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID.
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 total cost of attendance. 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.
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 total cost of attendance.
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MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS. IT’S TIME FOR YOUR HARD WORK TO PAY OFF. 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.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?
• First-year students who are US citizens and permanent residents
• International students
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LEARN MORE ONLINE. DEADLINE
DEC. 1
SCAN THE QR CODE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS.
YOUR BU NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIP WILL NEVER DECREASE
Learn more at go.bu.edu/aid.
$68,200 AVERAGE NE ED-BASED SCHOLARSHI P
COST OF ATTENDANCE. BILLED EXPENSES FOR THE 2026/2027 ACADEMIC YEAR*
Tuition $73,024 Housing (depending on type of accommodation)
Food
(most dining plans)
$13,170 $7,570
Fees $1,570 TOTAL ESTIMATED BILLED EXPENSES $95,334
+ Other expenses (estimated)
100%
DEMONSTRATED NE ED ME LOANS FOR FIRST-TIM T WITHOUT E, FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS WHO AR E US CITIZE PERMANENT RESIDE NS AND NTS
1 8 $M4 N IO L IL
AWARDED IN FINANCIAL AID ATES DU RA RG DE UN TO
Books and supplies
$1,000
Personal expenses
$1,455
Local transportation
$630
TOTAL OTHER EXPENSES
$3,085
TOTAL COST OF ATTENDANCE $98,419 *Tuition and fees are subject to change by action of the Board of Trustees.
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CRITICAL DATES.
FIRST-YEAR APPLICANTS.
Our deadlines are not flexible. As noted below, you must apply for financial aid long before you will receive a decision on your admission to BU. Admission and financial aid decisions are issued at the same time.
EARLY DECISION
CHECKLIST
November 2
Admission application deadline, CSS Profile™ deadline, and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) deadline
Apply for admission
Mid-December
Admission decisions and financial aid awards available online
Submit the CSS Profile
EARLY DECISION 2
Submit the FAFSA
January 5
Admission application deadline, CSS Profile deadline, and FAFSA deadline
Mid-February
Admission decisions and financial aid awards available online
REGULAR DECISION January 5
Admission application deadline, CSS Profile deadline, and FAFSA deadline
Late March
Admission decisions and financial aid awards available online
MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS December 1
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Admission application deadline for merit scholarships
Monitor the MyBU Applicant Portal for updates View your financial aid award when available Visit bu.edu/finaid/aid-basics /plan for advice on planning for your BU expenses Pay your first-semester tuition by early August
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.
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.
NEW CALCULATORS
ESTIMATE YOUR ACADEMIC YEAR COSTS WITH OUR EXPENSE PLANNING CALCULATORS
38,000+ EMPLOYERS
IN 60 INDUSTRIES ACTIVELY RECRUIT BU STUDENTS THROUGH HANDSHAKE, BU’S ONLINE HUB FOR CAREER SERVICES
BUzz THE CHATBOT
GET YOUR FINANCIAL AID QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY OUR CHATBOT BUzz AT BU.EDU/FINAID
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.
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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
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BU CAREER OUTCOMES. WILL MY BU DEGREE HELP GET ME A JOB? In a word, yes! Our graduates rank 13th in the country for employability, according to Times Higher Ed. More than 95 percent of our students found jobs or enrolled in graduate programs or similar placement 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.
WHERE EMPLOY ER GRADUATES IN S RANK BU THE FOR EMPLOYAB NATION ILITY
Remember, when you set off on your post-collegiate path, you’ll have a massive team behind you—460,000+ 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.
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JOBS TS FOUND OF STUDENED IN GRADUATE LL RO OR EN OR SIMILAR PROGRAMST WITHIN SIX PLACEMEN GRADUATION F MONTHS O
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Boston University Financial Assistance
Boston University Financial Assistance
881 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, Massachusetts 02215 T 617-353-2965 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.
In keeping with BU’s commitment to sustainability, this publication is printed on FSC-certified paper.
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