Financial Assistance

F or information concerning undergraduate financial assistance, contact the Boston University Office of Financial Assistance, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215.

GRADUATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

All full-time entering graduate students are automatically considered for scholarships. Scholarship, loan, and assistance information will be mailed to the student if accepted.

After reading through the following, you may wish to consult the College of Communication Graduate Financial Assistance Fact Sheet found at the back of this site. This document explains eligibility information and application procedures. It identifies nontraditional resources and outlines federal as well as college aid policies.

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The Primary Aid Programs

There are three primary types of college-based aid: College of Communication (COM) scholarships, Federal Direct Stafford Loans, and COM Graduate Assistantships. COM Scholarships are merit-based (as opposed to need-based) and are subject to eligibility criteria; loans are available subject to eligibility criteria; and assistantships are available through a competitive application process.

At the time an Application for Admission to a graduate program is considered, the Departmental Admissions Review Committee makes its recommendation to the department chairman with regard to merit scholarships. These awards are made to those applicants deemed most qualified. Upon acceptance to a degree program, an applicant is sent admission and financial aid decisions from the Graduate Services Office.

Upon receipt of the financial aid status letter, the prospective student is asked to respond within the designated time frame by accepting or rejecting the offer. Federal Direct Stafford Loan information will be mailed to all accepted students.

Graduate assistantships are available to qualified admitted students through a selection process that takes place during the beginning of classes in September. Occasionally, a student will be promised a graduate assistantship as part of his or her financial aid status letter. In such a case, the student will be guaranteed a position, although the particular job will not be determined until September. A graduate assistantship fact sheet and application is sent out with the admissions/financial aid packet. Graduate assistantships may be funded through a College Work-Study award or through a COM departmental award.

International applicants who are admitted to COM may apply for graduate assistantships that are not paid for by College Work-Study funds. Most international students who become graduate assistants do not do so until they have successfully completed one term of study. International students may need to establish their eligibility to work in the United States by contacting the Boston University International Students and Scholars Office. All students who wish to have an assistantship must secure a U.S. Social Security number for payroll purposes.

Eligibility Criteria and Application Procedures for the Primary Aid Programs

All students who have applied for full-time study are automatically considered for COM scholarships.

Scholarships are renewed throughout a student’s course of study, if the student maintains full-time enrollment in the program that has awarded the initial scholarship, and a cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Students must complete a form to renew their scholarships from year to year. Students who do not receive scholarships upon admission may compete for scholarship assistance between semesters or between their first and second years of study.

All U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents are eligible to apply for Federal Direct Stafford Loans. To be considered for these loans, a student must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and arrange for the College of Communication to receive the information electronically. (The FAFSA Title IV code for Boston University is 002130.) Instructions for filing the FAFSA are included in the College of Communication Graduate Financial Assistance Fact Sheet. The FAFSA is also the basis for the determination of whether a student is qualified for College Work-Study funding. Depending on the information provided by the applicant on their FAFSA, it may be necessary to request additional documentation at a later time (e.g., a signed copy of the previous year’s Federal Tax Form, a copy of citizenship or permanent resident status, or the like). The FAFSA should be submitted by April 30.

College of Communication Scholarships

All scholarship awards are determined at the discretion of the faculty and dean. Named scholarships are generally available to continuing students. Students will be notified about the application process.

College of Communication Scholarships for Minorities

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Other COM Scholarships and Assistance

The Edward L. Bernays Primus Inter Pares Award provides an annual scholarship for a full-time graduate or undergraduate student enrolled in the Department of Mass Communication, Advertising, and Public Relations. The prize is granted each year at the dean’s discretion to the public relations student who in extracurricular activities best exemplifies the principles set forth by Dr. Bernays.

The Bookbuilders of Boston Scholarship is awarded to a graduate student who has demonstrated a strong interest in pursuing a career in the publishing industry.

The J. Robert Breen Memorial Scholarship Fund provides annual scholarships to COM juniors, seniors, and graduate students majoring in print journalism with preference given to children of members of New England branches of the American Newspaper Guild.

Harold G. Buchbinder Scholarship Fund is awarded to one or more journalism students in the science journalism graduate program on the basis of merit and financial need. Selection is made by the dean in consultation with the chairman of the Department of Journalism.

The James N. Carfield Scholarship Fund provides awards for seniors pursuing a career in sports journalism.

The Christina Clark Fund provides a scholarship to an African American female majoring in film.

The Nancy S. Druker Scholarship is awarded to a deserving undergraduate or graduate student on the basis of academic achievement and financial need.

Bruce Feirstein Scholarship Fund provides an annual scholarship award based on merit and financial need to one or more undergraduate students enrolled at COM, with a preference for students who show promise in expressing their creativity through writing.

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The AJ Gray Scholarship Fund is awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student based on academic achievement and financial need.

The Max Grossman Scholarship Fund is awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student majoring in journalism.

The Hearst Corporation Scholarship Fund in Memory of James F. O’Donnell provides an annual award to one or more undergraduate or graduate students from the Department of Mass Communication, Advertising, and Public Relations. Awards are based on academic merit and/or financial need.

The Steve Hill Scholarship Fund provides annual scholarships to COM students on the basis of merit and financial need.

The Dennis Kauff Memorial Fellowship provides a partial- to full-tuition scholarship for a senior or graduate student pursuing a career in broadcast journalism. Candidates are judged on academic achievement, school and community service, evidence of individuality and creativity, and some financial need. This award is made by faculty members and the Kauff Fellowship Committee in memory of the late award-winning Boston reporter, Dennis Kauff.

The John Koch Scholarship provides an annual scholarship to COM undergraduates on the basis of merit to students of advertising chosen by the Eastern New England chapter of the Business and Professional Advertising Association from a list submitted by COM faculty.

Ted Koppel Family Scholarship Fund This scholarship provides an award to a minority student currently enrolled at the College of Communication. It is a merit-based scholarship. Ted Koppel was the 2004 recipient of the Hugo Shong Lifetime Achievement award.

Kotcher-Ketchum Scholarship Fund provides annual scholarship awards based on merit and financial need to one or more COM graduate students who major in Public Relations. Recipient selected by the dean in consultation with the Office of Financial Aid.

The Stephen James Lilly Scholarship provides an award to a COM student on the basis of merit. The award is granted at the dean’s discretion.

The Nathan H. Miller Award is awarded to a full-time COM junior working on the University’s daily newspaper on the basis of excellence and financial need. The chairman of the Department of Journalism selects the recipient in consultation with the appropriate faculty.

The Gerald Powers Public Relations Award is awarded to one graduating senior who has done outstanding work in the field of public relations. The prize is granted each spring at the discretion of the dean and faculty.

The Jack B. Sacks Prize is awarded to a deserving graduate or undergraduate on the basis of academic achievement.

The Scripps Howard College Grant awards $1,000 to students of journalism who meet criteria set forth by the Scripps Howard Foundation. Students are selected in consultation with the chairman of the Department of Journalism.

William B. Shannon Memorial Fellowship is awarded to an Irish journalist or graduate student to study at Boston University for one year. The annual award offers full tuition.

Hugo Shong Scholarship Fund Provides an annual scholarship to one or more undergraduate or graduate student(s) of any Asian countries enrolled at COM. Awarded on the basis of both academic performance and financial need.

The Stern Spector Prize fund provides an annual award to an incoming or graduating senior majoring in journalism. Students are selected, based on merit, by a committee chosen by the chairman of the Department of Journalism.

The Howard Stern Scholarship provides annual awards to two students from the College of General Studies who enroll in COM in their junior year with an interest in studying radio and broadcasting. Recipients are selected by a committee comprised of faculty from both COM and CGS.

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The Marcy Syms Scholarship Is awarded each year to two outstanding women in the Public Relations graduate program. Ms. Syms received her master’s degree in public relations from the College of Communication in 1975. She serves as the Chief Executive Officer of SYMS Corporation.

The Gerhart D. Wiebe and the SPRC Scholarship funds provide awards to COM students who are selected by a faculty committee and the dean on the basis of academic merit and financial need.

Graduate Assistantships enable a limited number of students to work directly with professors or administrative staff on a variety of assignments, ranging from research or teaching to production or general office work. Positions are open to both work-study and non-work-study students. Stipends range from $1,000 to $3,000.

Other University-Related Assistance

Resident Assistants (RAs) in Boston University housing facilities receive free room and board, which may include either meals or a living stipend. Please contact the Office of Residence Life at 617-353-4380 for more information.

The Student Employment Office of the University assists students in choosing from a wide range of employment opportunities available in the metropolitan Boston area. Please contact the office at 617-353-3594.

Scholarships and Loans

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship acknowledges those students who have embraced the memory and ideals of one of Boston University’s most prominent alumni, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (STH ’55). The scholarship provides renewable full-tuition awards for academically gifted students with proven leadership abilities and a strong commitment to social justice and community involvement. These students will epitomize the importance of different cultures on Boston University’s campus and will assist in promoting a warm, welcoming atmosphere for students from all backgrounds. Additional information regarding conditions, the application process, and criteria are available from the Office of Admissions and the Office of Financial Assistance.

Whitney M. Young Fellowship This one-year fellowship is open to entering and continuing graduate students who are U.S. citizens and who have displayed academic proficiency in a field relating to race relations or urban problems. The fellowship provides a stipend for living expenses, Boston University health insurance, plus a scholarship for full tuition and fees. Application forms are available from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Room 115, beginning December 1.

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 a Subsidized Stafford Loan. Repayment on the subsidized loan begins six months after graduation or when the student ceases to be enrolled at least half time. No interest accrues to the student during college enrollment.

Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are available to students who do not qualify for the Subsidized Stafford Loan. 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.

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Nearly all students with financial aid, including scholarships and tuition remission, totaling less than the cost of attendance are eligible for either a Subsidized or Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, regardless of family income. Students who do not receive a Stafford Loan as part of a financial aid award may contact the Office of Financial Assistance at finaid@bu.edu or call 617-353-2965 to request a Stafford Loan.

The total amount of Stafford Loan for which freshmen are eligible is $3,500. Sophomores are eligible to borrow up to $4,500 per year, and juniors and seniors may apply for up to $5,500 annually. Graduate students may be eligible to borrow up to $20,500 per academic year. Boston University will award one-half the annual amount for students enrolled for only one semester of an academic year. Total outstanding Federal Direct Stafford Loans may not exceed $23,000 for undergraduate study. These loan limits apply to either a subsidized or an unsubsidized loan or to a combination of both loans.

Additional Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are available to some students. Independent students may be eligible to borrow an additional $4,000 as freshmen and sophomores and $5,000 as juniors and seniors. These loans may also be available to students whose parents fail to meet credit criteria for a Federal Direct PLUS loan. These additional borrowing limits are for the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan only and are in addition to the maximum annual Stafford Loan for each class year as stated above.

Any amount borrowed for summer enrollment may reduce the amount for which a student is eligible during the next academic year.

Interest rates are the same for both subsidized and unsubsidized loans. The rate is fixed at 6.80 percent for the life of the loan. A 2.5 percent origination fee is partially offset by an up-front rebate. The net result is that the amount disbursed is less than the amount approved.

Federal regulations require that a debt counseling session be completed by all first-time borrowers before the disbursement of a Stafford Loan. The rights and responsibilities of borrowers are reviewed at this time. The requirement may be met by completing the entrance counseling session on the Office of Financial Assistance website at www.bu.edu/finaid. Borrowers can also attend an on-campus group counseling session. Similarly, before graduating, withdrawing, or taking a leave of absence from the University, borrowers must complete an exit counseling requirement and receive information about loan repayment and deferment provisions.

Federal Perkins Loan The Federal Perkins Loan is a low-interest education loan administered by Boston University. Available funds are provided by federal allocations, Boston University matching contributions, and the repayments of previous borrowers. Priority for the Federal Perkins Loan must be given to dependent students with exceptional need. Undergraduate students are eligible for up to $4,000 each year and up to a maximum of $20,000 for all four years of undergraduate study. Under current regulations, 5 percent annual interest and repayment obligations do not begin until after a nine-month grace period that begins when the student ceases to be enrolled at least half time. Repayment may be deferred during graduate study.

MEFA Family Education Loans The MEFA loans are offered by Boston University in conjunction with the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) to provide moderate-interest, long-term alternative family loans. The credit-based MEFA offers a choice of either a fixed-interest-rate or a variable-interest-rate loan. Loans are available to families who do not qualify for financial aid, as well as to those who receive aid but need additional assistance to help pay college costs. They are available to all Boston University students, regardless of state of residency. To be eligible for either loan, the comakers (the student and another creditworthy applicant) must demonstrate the ability to assume this additional indebtedness and to make the required monthly payments. The maximum loan cannot exceed the cost of attendance minus other financial aid. The minimum amount that may be borrowed is $2,000. The fixed interest rate for 2005/2006 was 6.19 percent, with an APR of 6.79 percent. Repayment of a fixed-rate loan begins one month after the loan is made and extends over 15 years. The variable-rate loan’s interest rate is set annually in April for the following academic year; the 2005/2006 interest rate was 4.99 percent and capped at 12 percent. Repayment of a variable-rate loan begins one month after the loan is made and extends over 15 years. Applications and additional information may be obtained by contacting MEFA at 1-800-842-1531.

International Students

Federal regulations restrict all federal funds (Pell Grants, Perkins Loans, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants, and Federal College Work-Study) to citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Financial assistance for international students is available, but extremely limited. Boston University therefore requires international students who are accepted to present evidence of sufficient funds to cover all tuition, fees, books, and living expenses for their study at Boston University.

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Published by Trustees of Boston University
One Sherborn Street
Boston, MA 02215

28 September 2007
Boston University
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