Financial Information

Expense Budget

The student expense budget is set by the Boston University Financial Assistance Office and is approved by federal granting agencies. The expense budget is created for a nine-month period and is based on tuition/fees and a standard personal living allowance. The nine-month 2009/2010 student expense budget for a full-time graduate student without dependents is:

The expense budget may be adjusted based on individual, documented circumstances.

Tuition and Mandatory Fees

Full-Time Students
(enrolled for 12 to 18 credits)

Tuition: $37,910 per year

Graduate Student Fees:
George Sherman Union Fee: $190 per year
Health Fee: $178 per year

Part-Time Students
(enrolled for ½ to 11 ½ credits)

Tuition: $1,184 per credit.
Registration Fee: $40 per semester

Clinical Affiliation Fees

Occupational Therapy Majors: $2,368
Physical Therapy Majors:
$1,184 for each of the first two years
$2,368 for the third year
$4,736 total
Application for Admission: $70 (electronic)

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Medical Insurance

The 2009/2010 medical insurance cost for full-time students (U.S. citizens and international) is $1,517. Part-time students are also eligible to purchase medical insurance. For more information, contact Student Accounting Services, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215. The insurance premium is subject to change.

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Payment Policy

The University does not accept credit card payments for students certified as full time. This includes tuition, fees, and deposit payments. Checks must be made payable to Boston University. Deposits made on acceptance of the program’s offer of admission are credited to the student’s semester bill.

Although the University does not offer its own deferred payment plan for full-time students, it is possible to arrange for financing through private agencies (which should be done well before the start of the academic year). More information may be obtained by contacting Student Accounting Services, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215; 617-353-2264; or online at www.bu.edu/comp/saweb/payplans.html.

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Graduate Financial Assistance

Financial aid decisions are made for the full academic year on the basis of academic performance, financial need, and the availability of funds. The financial assistance available for full-time graduate students is supplemental to the student’s financial resources.

To qualify for University-administered federal financial aid, a student must be a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. and enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in a degree program at Boston University. Continuing (or enrolled) students must also meet College academic progress standards.

Federal regulations restrict all federal aid to citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. Boston University therefore requires international students applying for admission to present evidence of sufficient funds to cover all tuition, fees, books, and living expenses for their study.

Application Procedures

Application procedures for new students are as follows:

• Complete and submit the BU Sargent College Graduate Application for Financial Assistance due by April 1 (forms are in the back of this bulletin);
• Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Please note that processing can take up to six weeks. Results can be sent to all graduate schools to which you are applying. BU Sargent College’s institution number is 002130 for the FAFSA.

The recommended deadline for applying for the various types of assistance is April 1. No student will be considered for financial assistance until he or she has been accepted into a degree program and the financial aid application is complete. The first review for awarding financial aid will be May 30. If funds permit, additional reviews for financial assistance may take place. Descriptions of the types of assistance available to eligible graduate students at BU Sargent College follow.

Scholarships

Sargent College offers merit scholarships to incoming graduate students based on the completed admissions application. There is no separate application process for merit scholarship consideration.

Need-based scholarships may be awarded to accepted students (not receiving merit scholarships) who commit to attending Boston University and submit the Sargent College Graduate Application for Financial Assistance. It is necessary to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For students under the age of 24, parent federal tax returns are required for need-based scholarship consideration.

Teaching and research assistantships/fellowships are available to full- and part-time students.
The award amount varies with the number of hours employed and the type of service performed; it is paid to the student monthly as salary. If you are interested in applying for an assistantship, write to your program director detailing your areas of interest and expertise.

Graduate Assistantships

A limited number of assistantships for graduate study at BU Sargent College have been established by action of the President and Trustees of Boston University. Assistantships are awarded to candidates for graduate degrees depending on academic standing and the ability of the candidate to perform such duties as required by the various programs of the College. Applications should be made through the program director.

Federal Work-Study

Federal Work-Study is a program that promotes access to employment for students who demonstrate financial need. Available funds are provided by a federal allocation and a University matching contribution. Recipients are selected by the Graduate Financial Aid Office, and must meet federal need and other criteria. The Work-Study Office provides information to eligible students about available jobs in University departments, as well as off-campus nonprofit agencies. Work-Study allocations may be used for approved community service programs. Graduate Work-Study students may be paid either weekly at established hourly rates or monthly at a fixed amount, depending on the nature of the job. Job assignments, which average 9–12 hours per week, are coordinated with the student’s class schedule. Detailed information on Work-Study can be found on our website at www.bu.edu/seo. Specific inquiries about the program should be directed to the BU Sargent College Graduate Financial Aid Office.

Resident Assistantships

Resident assistantships are available in the housing facilities of BU, as well as nearby schools. Compensation usually provides room and may include meals and/or living stipend. Applications for resident assistantships are available from the Boston University Residence Life Office, 25 Buick Street, Boston, MA 02215; 617-353-4380; www.bu.edu/reslife.

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Loans

Unlike scholarships and grants, loans must be repaid. However, loans are an important source of funds for educational expenses and represent a sound investment in a student’s future. To keep loan indebtedness to a reasonable level that can be repaid after college, students are encouraged to earn as much as possible and keep expenses to a minimum. Because a loan must be repaid, students are urged to borrow no more than necessary.

Federal Direct Stafford Loans

These loans are guaranteed by the federal government and are included in most financial aid packages.

There are two types of Stafford Loans: subsidized and unsubsidized. Federal regulations state that to qualify for a Stafford Loan, applicants must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for their eligibility to be determined. Students who demonstrate financial need are eligible for both subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans with a combined total of $20,500. No interest accrues on the subsidized loan during enrollment of half-time or greater. Repayment on the subsidized loan begins six months after graduation or when the student ceases to be enrolled at least half time.

Students who do not demonstrate financial need may be eligible for an unsubsidized Stafford loan up to $20,500 per year. Interest on an unsubsidized loan does accrue during periods of enrollment and deferment, but may be either paid or capitalized, i.e., added to the amount borrowed. Repayment of both principal and interest begins six months after graduation or when the student ceases to be enrolled at least half time.

Nearly all students with financial aid, including scholarships, totaling less than the cost of attendance are eligible for either a Subsidized or Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, regardless of income. Students who do not receive a Stafford Loan as part of a financial aid award may contact the BU Sargent Graduate Financial Aid Office at 617-353-7477 to request a Stafford Loan.

Calculating Need

The need is the difference between the contribution as reported on the FAFSA and what it costs you to attend BU Sargent College:

The amount of documented need will determine your eligibility to be considered for “need-based” assistance, such as the Federal Work-Study Program and various loan programs. All financial assistance you receive will be deducted from the documented need.

Apartment Rentals

Below are estimated monthly rates for privately owned, furnished rooms or unfurnished apartments in the Boston University area.

Furnished room (shared kitchen and bath):
$675 and up per month
Studio: $1,150 and up per month
One bedroom: $1,275 and up per month
Two bedroom: $1,900 and up per month

Withdrawals, Leaves of Absence, and Adjustments

Students who withdraw or take a leave of absence before the first day of the semester are eligible to receive full credit for tuition and fees, excluding non-refundable deposits and the application fee. Students who withdraw or take a leave of absence on or after the first day of the semester will have their tuition charges adjusted based on the University’s published tuition refund schedule. Notification of withdrawal and requests for a leave of absence should be made through the Academic Services Center, Room 207.

Federal funds will be adjusted according to federal regulations, which stipulate that students who withdraw or take a leave of absence before 60 percent of the semester expires, will retain aid in proportion to the percentage of the semester for which they were enrolled. BU grants are reduced to equal the difference between the calculated need for the part of the semester for which they are enrolled, and the total remaining aid from all other sources. The student is expected to provide the full family contribution calculated for the semester, since the student has the primary responsibility for paying educational costs.

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Special Programs

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)

The Air Force, Army, and Navy Reserve Officers’ Training Corps maintain offices on campus, and these groups provide scholarship assistance to select individuals who will serve as officers in the armed forces upon graduation. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the appropriate office: Army ROTC, 128 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215; Navy ROTC, 116 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215; and Air Force ROTC, 156 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215.

Martin Luther King Jr. Fellowship

This fellowship is available to students who are U.S. citizens, new to BU, and beginning graduate studies in any department or school of the University, and who are committed to the principles of social justice promoted by Dr. King. It provides a scholarship for full-time tuition and fees at the graduate-school level, plus a stipend for living expenses and BU health insurance. The fellowship is renewable for up to two additional years. Students may not apply directly for this fellowship, but are nominated by the department of admission. To be considered for this fellowship, a student should be in contact with the department of admission to request nomination, and provide to the department a statement describing his or her accomplishments, qualifications, and merit for a fellowship in the name of Dr. King.

Dean’s Doctoral Fellowships

Outstanding students who are entering research doctoral programs (ScD or PhD) are eligible to be nominated by their faculty mentors for a Dean’s Fellowship. These competitive awards provide full tuition remission and a monthly salary for the academic year.

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Published by Trustees of Boston University
One Silber Way
Boston, MA 02215

19 November 2009
Boston University
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