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.

Continuing students select courses in November for the spring semester and March or April for the fall semester. Under this procedure, continuing students receive or pick up registration materials from their School or College. Instructions regarding advising requirements, payment, and registration dates are also included. Continuing students from selected Schools and Colleges may access TelReg, on the Telephone Information System, to select courses for the semester. An invoice is prepared on the basis of the student's status and class selections. Official registration is complete when Student Accounting Services receives full payment. A late settlement fee may be assessed to those students who do not complete official registration by August 14, 1998, for September 1998, and December 18, 1998, for January 1999.

The 1998/1999 cost for full-time students (U.S. citizens and international) is $550 per year.

Massachusetts law requires all students carrying at least 75 percent of the full-time curriculum 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. 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.

The estimated cost of books and supplies is $790 per year. Approximately $2,730 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:

Dining service is provided to students assigned to dormitory-style residences asan integral part of the Residence License Agreement; students are required to select a meal plan when signing this agreement. Students assigned to apartment-style residences have the option of contracting for a dining plan; those electing this option must complete a separate Optional Dining Plan Contract. Payment or proof of payment is required at the time the contract is completed. Further information on dining plans and the dining program is mailed to students with the Residence License Agreement. Optional Dining Plan Contracts will be available for University apartment residents and off-campus students during on-campus registration in the fall.

The Trustees of the University reserve the right to change residence and board fees and to assess students for special services when such action is deemed necessary. Current fees for the full academic year are listed below.

A student who submits a Registration form for a semester and who decides not to attend must file an official Withdrawal/Leave of Absence form.

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 students who find it necessary to withdraw completely from the University must file an official Withdrawal/Leave of Absence form with the Office of the Dean of Students, 775 Commonwealth Avenue, East Tower. Mere absence from classes does not reduce a student's financial obligation or guarantee that a final grade will not be recorded.

A student who withdraws from the University before classes start is eligible to receive full credit of tuition and fees, excluding nonrefundable deposits and the application fee. No fees are returned after classes start. Students withdrawing during the first two weeks of classes are eligible to receive a credit of 80 percent of their tuition only; during the third week, 60 percent; during the fourth week, 40 percent; and during the fifth week, 20 percent. After the fifth week of classes, there will be no credit. Any request for an exception to the refund policy should be made in writing to the Dean of Students.

A credit balance (overpayment) resulting from withdrawal, cash payment, and/or other adjustment will be refunded upon written request to the Manager of Student Accounting Services or a personal visit to Student Accounting Services, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Fourth Floor, Boston, MA 02215-1390.

Students with any federal financial aid should refer to the additional information pertinent to them under "Withdrawals and Refunds" in the "Financial Aid" section below.

Federal regulations restrict all federal funds to citizens or permanent residents of the United States. 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 at Boston University. International students applying to the Graduate School may apply for the University funds listed below.

Institutional financial aid awarded by Boston University may be used for course requirements toward the degree. It may not be used for courses taken as corequisites, prerequisites, audits, or no credit, withdrawn with a "W" grade, GSU Fee or Registration Fee and may not exceed the cost of required tuition and fees. Financial aid does not cover the Health Services Fee.

Fellowships, Assistantships, and Scholarships

The application for admission also serves as the application for financial aid when the "yes" box is checked. Applications for the appointments listed below, with the exceptions noted, must be received no later than January 15 for fall, or October 15 for spring. Applications received after those dates are considered as departmental funds allow. Currently enrolled degree candidates must submit a separate GRS Financial Aid application each year by February 1. Forms are available in the Graduate School Office.

Applicants for both Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loans and Federal Work-Study are required to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

In addition to these internal programs, there are many external sources of financial support for which Graduate School students are eligible. Usually these are extremely competitive. Because applications must be submitted as much as a year in advance, students should investigate early and plan ahead. Many deadlines are in the fall. Department chairmen receive copies of current award opportunities that are received by the Dean's Office. It is also advisable to consult the Grants Register, Annual Register of Grant Support, and the Foundation Directory.