Financial Information

Tuition and Mandatory Fees
Medical Insurance
Other Expenses
Apartment Rentals
Withdrawals and Refunds
FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
FINANCIAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Tuition Scholarship Policy
Dean's Fellowships
Dean's Research Fellowship
Graduate Research Assistantships
Graduate Teaching Fellowships
Part-Time Employment Within Boston University
Off-Campus Part-Time Employment
Graduate Cooperative Education Program
FINANCIAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO U.S. CITIZENS AND PERMANENT RESIDENT ALIENS
Martin Luther King Jr. Fellowship
National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science
Late Entry Accelerated Program Scholarship (Need-based)
Federal College Work-Study (Need-based)
Irving N. Friedlander Book Award
EDUCATIONAL LOANS
Federal Direct Student Loan Program
Federal Perkins Loan (Need-based)
Graduate Access (Non-need-based)
Professional Education Plan (Non-need-based)
Other Private Loans (Non-need-based)

Tuition, fees, residence and dining plan rates, and any previous balance must be paid in full each semester before the payment deadline. Invoices are mailed to registered students’ permanent addresses several weeks before the start of the semester. Payments made in advance of registration should be directed to Student Accounting Services, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215-1390.

The University does not accept credit cards for full-time students as payment of tuition, fees, residence and dining plan, or the like. Checks should be made payable to Boston University. The University offers payment plans for both part-time and full-time students. These arrangements should be in place as early as possible, and no later than the semester payment deadline. Information on such plans may be obtained by contacting Student Accounting Services, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215-1390; 617-353-2264. The Office of Financial Assistance, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, also provides information on meeting college costs in its booklet, Financing Options for Your Education. For more information visit Office of Financial Assistance.

The University assumes no liability for failure to provide educational or related services arising from causes beyond the reasonable control of the University. The University will exert reasonable efforts to provide comparable or substantially equivalent services, but its inability to do so shall not subject it to liability. The Trustees of the University reserve the right to change tuition rates, fees, and residence and board charges at their discretion when it is deemed advisable.

Tuition and Mandatory Fees

It has been and remains the policy of Boston University to withhold all diplomas, degrees, official transcripts, and other official recognition of work done at the University from students with respect to whom there are any outstanding overdue debts to the University, including, but not limited to, amounts owed in satisfaction of tuition, loan agreements, fees, and charges as well as monies owed for occupancy in University-owned or -operated residences and for dining service. No student may withdraw from the University in good standing or graduate from the University unless all current obligations to the University are paid in full.

Full-Time Students
(enrolled for 12 to 18 credits)
Tuition: $34,930 per year.
Undergraduate Student Fee: $488 per year.
Graduate Student Fees: $30 per year.
George Sherman Union Fee: $186 per year.
Health Fee: $164 per year.

In figuring total expense, the student must add to the above tuition and fees his or her residence and dining plan rates, medical insurance, and any special fees, personal expenses, or other charges the student may incur. Current costs for such items are given in the pages that follow.

Medical Insurance

The 2007/2008 cost for full-time students (U.S. citizens and international) is $1,412 per year.

Massachusetts law requires all students carrying at least 75 percent of the full-time curriculum, and all international students, to be covered under a qualifying medical insurance plan. If the student does not wish to participate in the Boston University Medical Insurance plan, he or she must annually file a Medical Insurance Waiver form that certifies coverage under a comparable medical insurance plan. Massachusetts law does not allow Boston University to accept medical insurance waivers based on coverage by an insurance company outside the United States. Exceptions will be allowed for students carrying Embassy-sponsored health plans only. The Medical Insurance Waiver form should be returned to Student Accounting Services, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215-1390.

Part-time students are also eligible to purchase the medical insurance. For information, contact Student Accounting Services, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215-1390.

The insurance premium is subject to change.

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Other Expenses

The estimated cost of books and supplies is $1,084 per year. Approximately $1,692 to $3,900 should be allowed for incidental expenses, which vary with individual circumstances, such as transportation, laundry, clothing, recreation, and miscellaneous expenditures.

Following are other charges that may form part of the cost of attending Boston University:

Late Fee: A minimum late fee of $150 for full-time students and $50 for part-time students may be assessed to those students who complete their official registration during the late registration period.

To request an academic transcript of grades and coursework, a student should submit a Transcript Request form to the Office of the University Registrar. Letter requests will be honored if they are signed and give complete information about attendance, including enrollment dates, College(s) of registration, and degree(s) earned. Official transcripts are mailed approximately two weeks after receipt of the request. The transcript fee is $5 per copy in person and $3 per copy for online requests. Payment must accompany the request. For transcripts sent express mail, add $14 per address. The express mail charge is subject to change depending on the carrier used. Transcripts may be ordered online on the Student Link at Student Link. Unofficial transcripts for student use may be obtained from the Office of the University Registrar on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit Office of the University Registrar.

Apartment Rentals

Below are average monthly rates for privately owned, unfurnished apartments in the Boston University area.

Furnished room (shared kitchen and bath): $600 and up per month.

Studios: $1,000 and up per month.

One-bedroom: $1,200 and up per month.

Two-bedroom: $1,800 and up per month.

Current information on University housing, rates, availability policies, and dining plans is available at Office of Housing.

Withdrawals and Refunds

A student who registers for a semester and who decides not to attend must file an official Withdrawal/Leave of Absence form. International students must meet with an ISSO advisor prior to any interruption of studies.

Part-time students who reduce their course loads, but remain registered during the first five weeks of the fall or spring semester, will have their accounts adjusted for the difference between the original and reassessed tuition charges.

Part- and full-time engineering graduate students who find it necessary to withdraw completely from the University must file an official Withdrawal/Leave of Absence form with the Engineering Graduate Programs Office.

Mere absence from classes does not reduce a student’s financial obligation or guarantee that a final grade will not be recorded. Students who officially withdraw or take a leave of absence will have their tuition and fees canceled in accordance with the University’s refund schedule, which is published by the Office of the University Registrar and is available at Office of the University Registrar. The procedure for withdrawing or taking a leave of absence is explained under “Withdrawal, Leave of Absence, and Reinstatement” in the “Policies and Procedures” section of this bulletin. All engineering graduate students wishing to request an exception to the refund schedule must submit their written requests to the Engineering Graduate Programs Office.

A credit balance (overpayment) resulting from withdrawal, cash payment, and/or other adjustment will be refunded upon written request or a personal visit to Student Accounting Services, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215.

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FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION

Several sources of financial aid and education financing options are available for eligible graduate degree students in the College of Engineering at Boston University. Funding options include both merit and need-based assistance from a variety of University, federal, and private sources. All students applying to the PhD program are automatically considered for all available forms of financial aid. Master of Science applicants who wish to be considered for fellowships or assistantships should indicate this on the Application for Admission. International applicants who wish to be considered for admission and financial aid must submit applications no later than December 15 for the following fall semester and October 1 for the following spring semester. The corresponding deadlines for domestic applicants are January 15 for the fall and October 1 for the spring. Most financial aid is awarded to fall semester applicants. Only a limited amount of funding is available for spring applicants. Applicants requiring financial aid are encouraged to apply for the fall semester. The College of Engineering has a policy of maintaining support for funded graduate students who continue to make satisfactory progress toward the degree. Admitted MS students who do not receive University support but are eligible for educational loans will be sent appropriate information with the letter of admission. Matriculated students must remain in good standing and maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in order to be eligible for continued federal, University, or College financial support.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Tuition Scholarship Policy


Tuition scholarship can be awarded only for courses applicable to a student’s degree program. Physical education and other unrelated classes are not supported, nor are withdrawals or audits.

Boston University awards scholarship funds only to students who are in compliance with federal aid regulations regarding defaulted education loans or requirements of the United States Selective Service Administration. Applicants with prior histories of compliance deficiencies are advised to establish early contact with the Graduate Programs Office of the College of Engineering.

Dean’s Fellowships

The Dean’s Fellowship provides a PhD applicant with an academic-year stipend of $17,500 (for 2007/08), 32 credit hours of tuition support for one academic year, and individual enrollment in the Boston University Medical Plan. In addition, the student’s department may offer the guarantee of support for the first summer at a stipend rate of $8,750, bringing the total calendar year stipend to $26,250. The Dean’s Fellowship is not renewable, but each recipient can expect continued support in subsequent years provided that she/he makes good progress toward completion of the doctoral degree. This support will typically come in the form of a Graduate Research Assistantship but may also include funding as a Graduate Teaching Fellow. No specific teaching or research service is required of Dean’s Fellows, but recipients are expected to establish research goals with a research advisor during the first year of study.

All applicants to the PhD program are automatically considered for the Dean’s Fellowship award, and no special application is required. Potential recipients are nominated by each department, and final decisions regarding annual awardees are made by the Dean of the College of Engineering.

Dean’s Research Fellowship

The Dean’s Research Fellowship is awarded to a student who expresses a well-articulated research objective and who has established contact with a faculty member in a specific area of research as part of the application process. Dean’s Research Fellows receive an academic year stipend of $17,500 (for 2007/08) and up to 10 credits of tuition scholarship per academic semester for the first two semesters. Dean’s Research Fellows also are guaranteed a first-year summer research stipend of $8,750 if sufficient progress is being made toward the degree. Students also receive individual enrollment in the Boston University Medical Plan. Dean’s Research Fellows work approximately 20 hours per week in the laboratory of the supervising College of Engineering faculty member.

Applicants are nominated for this award by the admissions committee based on the credentials presented in the application for admission. Final selections are made by the Dean of the College of Engineering. Interested applicants should describe their research interests and experience when completing the Financial Aid portion of the Application for Admission. Prior dialog with a faculty member in the student’s specific field of research is helpful in securing a Dean’s Research Fellowship.

Graduate Research Assistantships

Research Assistantships provide a stipend of $8,750, up to 10 credit hours of tuition scholarship, and individual enrollment in the Boston University Medical Plan for each semester of support. The 2007/2008 calendar year stipend for first-year students equals a total of $26,250. In subsequent years, Research Assistants may expect stipend increases up to $28,875 as progress is made toward the degree. Research Assistants are expected to work a minimum of 20 hours a week during the academic year and 40 hours a week during the summer semester.

Academic research faculty members holding sponsored research grants or contracts offer Research Assistantships each year to qualified students who have particular interests and abilities in research areas of mutal interest. Applicants interested in research assistantships should complete the “Financial Aid Application Form” describing their research interests and experience.

Graduate Teaching Fellowships

A Graduate Teaching Fellowship provides the student with an academic-year stipend of $17,500 plus individual enrollment in the Boston University Medical Plan. In addition, Teaching Fellows receive up to 10 credits per semester of tuition scholarship during the academic year, plus an additional 4 credits of summer tuition scholarship for each academic-year semester of employment. A maximum of 24 credits of tuition scholarship will be awarded for any given calendar year. All tuition scholarship must be used for coursework leading to the degree. Credit hours must be used during the semester for which they are awarded.

Graduate Teaching Fellows work approximately 20 hours per week under the supervision of a faculty member in support of courses taught by the College of Engineering. Duties may include tasks such as leading discussion sections, supervising laboratory sessions, grading homework, and writing homework solution sets. All Graduate Teaching Fellows must register for a Training Seminar (ENG EC 850) during the first semester of matriculation. Applicants interested in Graduate Teaching Fellowships should complete the Financial Aid section of the Application for Admission and describe any relevant teaching qualifications, experience, or interests.

Part-time Employment Within Boston University

A variety of paid part-time positions are available for graduate students through the Student Employment Office at Boston University. Opportunities vary each semester but may include such jobs as grader, laboratory assistant, office assistant, and research assistant. Students who are awarded Federal College Work-Study grants (restricted to U.S. citizens and permanent residents) have access to additional employment opportunities posted by the University Work-Study Office.

Off-Campus Part-Time Employment

A number of part-time off-campus jobs are available to Boston University students through the Student Employment Office. A full-time graduate student should not expect to work more than about ten hours per week or earn more than about $1,000 per month from such employment. Students awarded Federal Work-Study grants have access to additional employment opportunities listed by University Work-Study Office. International students may not work more than 20 hours per week total, including on-campus and off-campus jobs. All RA and GTF appointments require the student to work 20 hours per week, hence international students receiving these forms of financial aid may not hold any other type of employment. This employment restriction also applies to the summer semester.

Other international students are advised to seek the counsel of the International Students and Scholars Office at 19 Deerfield Street to obtain the most up-to-date information and regulations concerning employment issues for foreign students.

Graduate Cooperative Education Program

The Cooperative Education program run by the College of Engineering enables students to gain valuable professional experience as an integral part of graduate study. Participants are provided with valuable experience that helps link knowledge gained in the classroom with the practical environment of industry. Hours and payment vary with position. Students interested in the Cooperative Education program are advised to consult with the College of Engineering Career Development Office.

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FINANCIAL RESOURCES AVAILBLE TO U.S. CITIZENS AND PERMANENT RESIDENT ALIENS

Martin Luther King Jr. Fellowship

This fellowship is available to students who are U.S. citizens, new to Boston University and beginning graduate studies, and who are committed to the principles espoused by Dr. King. It provides a scholarship for full-time tuition and fees plus a stipend for living expenses and Boston University health insurance. 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 in and commitment to social justice and community involvement.

National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science

Boston University participates in the National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science (GEM) program. Students interested in this fellowship award should apply directly to the GEM organization. The College of Engineering will provide all admitted GEM awardees with a supplemental tuition and stipend scholarship, in addition to the GEM scholarship, to provide full-time study and a total academic year stipend of $17,500.

Late Entry Accelerated Program Scholarship (Need-based)

The Late Entry Accelerated Program provides tuition scholarship funds to LEAP students who demonstrate need via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and enrolled at least half-time. To be eligible for LEAP scholarship funds of up to $13,100 per semester, dependent on the level of demonstrated need, the applicant must first secure a base loan of $8,500 per academic year from the Federal Direct Loan Program. Boston University LEAP tuition assistance is available for up to seven semesters of combined Phase I and Phase II study. Interested applicants should file a FAFSA form as part of the application process, listing Boston University (code 002130) as a recipient institution. International LEAP students are not eligible for Financial Aid and must be prepared to present financial documentation to the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) prior to arrival on campus.

Federal College Work-Study (Need-based)

Federal Work-Study is a federally funded program designed to promote part-time and summer employment to help domestic students (U.S. citizens or permanent residents) meet educational expenses. The program provides students with the opportunity to earn money and to develop professional skills. Applicants who wish to be considered for Federal Work-Study support must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), listing Boston University (code 002130) as a recipient institution.

EDUCATIONAL LOANS

Federal and private educational loans are available for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Loans offered by private agencies have varying terms and are available to creditworthy students or students with a creditworthy co-signer. The private loan amount will depend on the total cost of education and will be adjusted to account for other forms of secured financial aid. A student having a record of an overdue account, foreclosure, or bankruptcy will be unable to secure a private educational loan. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the specific lending agency.

Federal Direct Student Loan Program

The Federal Direct Student Loan Program offers funding to students independent of the level of need established on the basis of the FAFSA form. The interest rate is fixed at 6.8%. The repayment period begins six months after the student leaves school or falls below half-time enrollment. Students who wish to apply for a Federal Direct Student loan must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), listing Boston University (code 002130) as a recipient institution.

Subsidized (Need-based) Loans

Students with demonstrated need may borrow up to $8,500 per academic year in subsidized funds. No interest occurs on the subsidized portion until the repayment period begins.

Unsubsidized (Non-need-based) Loans

In addition to the subsidized loan, a student may borrow an additional unsubsidized loan of up to $12,000 for a total loan of $20,500 per academic year. Interest on the unsubsidized loan is incurred starting with the day the loan is first disbursed. The interest may be paid as it is incurred or may be capitalized until loan repayment.

Federal Perkins Loan (Need-based)

Formerly called the National Direct Student Loan, the Federal Perkins Loan program is need-based. The interest rate is fixed at 5 percent and no interest occurs until repayment of the loan. The latter begins 9 months after the student has left school or enrollment falls below half-time. Perkins funds are allocated to students with the greatest need as demonstrated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students can be awarded a maximum of $6,000 per academic year, with an aggregate limit of $40,000. Interested applicants should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 15 for the Fall Semester, and by October 1 for the Spring Semester.

Graduate Federal Direct PLUS Loan

The graduate Federal PLUS loan is a credit-based loan available to students who are enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) per semester in a graduate or professional degree leading to a master’s or doctoral degree. The credits must be accepted towards the degree program. The student must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident, must not have an outstanding balance from a prior period of enrollment, and must be making satisfactory academic progress. The interest rate is fixed at 7.9%. Interest begins to accumulate on the date of the first loan disbursement and continues to be charged during periods of deferment and forbearance. The repayment period for the Graduate Federal PLUS loan begins on the date of the final disbursement of the loan, and the first payment is due within 60 days after the date the loan is fully disbursed. There is no grace period for the Graduate PLUS loan. Students enrolled at least half-time are eligible for an in-school deferment that allows postponement of payments until the student graduates or drops below half-time status. The first payment will be due within 45 days after the deferment end date. The direct Loan Servicing Center will notify the student 60 days before the deferment ends. There is a maximum 10-year repayment period. Contact the Manager of Financial Aid, 48 Cummington Street, Room 206, Boston, MA 02215, or telephone 617-353-9760 for more details or to obtain an application.

MEFA Graduate Loans

The MEFA Graduate Loan is a credit-based loan available to students who are enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) per sesmester in a graduate or professional degree leading to a master’s or doctoral degree. The student must maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the College of Engineering. The intent rate is fixed at 6.89%. Once credit is approved, renewal is guaranteed. There’s no application fee and the origination fee is 0.00% if the student applies with a co-signer. (The origination fee is 3.00% without a co-signer). There is a 6-month grace period and a 20-year repayment period. Applications may be filed online at Get a Loan: MEFA Graduate Loan or by telephone at 1-800-266-0243.

Other Private Loans (credit-based)

Private loans are available for domestic students and international students with a domestic credit-worthy co-signer.

Questions regarding the various forms of financial assistance available to graduate students in the College of Engineering at Boston University may be directed to the Manager of Financial Aid, 48 Cummington Street, Room 206, Boston, MA 02215, or telephone 617-353-9760. Additional information may be found on the Office of Financial Assistance website at Office of Financial Assistance.

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

10 September 2007
Boston University
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