Financial Information

Tuition, fees, residence and dining plan rates, and any previous balance must be paid in full each semester before the official registration deadline. Invoices are mailed to preregistered 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 as payment of tuition, fees, residence and dining plan, or the like. Checks must be made payable to Boston University.

Although the University does not offer its own deferred payment plan for full-time students, parents may arrange for financing through private agencies. This should be done well before the start of the academic year. 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.

Deposits made on acceptance of the University’s offer of admission are credited to the student’s semester bill.

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 dining plan rates at their discretion when it is deemed advisable.

TOP OF PAGE

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.

(enrolled for 12 to 18 credits)

Tuition: $22,902 per year.

Graduate Student Fees

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.

(enrolled for 1/2 to 11 1/2 credits)

Tuition: $716 per credit (Charles River Campus), $485 per credit (southeastern Massachusetts and northeastern Massachusetts campuses).

Registration Fee: $40 per semester.

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 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.

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:

Application for Admission: $70

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.

Transcripts: 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, and 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. 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.

TOP OF PAGE

Withdrawals and Refunds

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 Social Work Registrar within five days of the withdrawal. 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 or a personal visit to Student Accounting Services, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Fourth Floor, Boston, MA 02215-1390.

All students with financial aid or student loans should contact the Office of Financial Assistance about their eligibility for a refund. Students who received federal funds and who are attending Boston University for the first time are eligible for a prorated refund of all University charges. The pro rata refund policy permits Boston University to retain the amount of charges that is proportional to the portion of the enrollment period that was completed by the student. The policy is in effect for any withdrawal that occurs before the 60 percent point in the semester.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Loans

Deferments and cancellations are available to recipients of Federal Perkins and Federal Direct Stafford Loans under certain conditions that vary by loan program. Conditions may include: teaching students from low-income families, other designated teaching, military and volunteer service, unemployment, and economic hardship. Additional information on deferment and cancellation provisions is included with entrance and exit counseling for federal loan borrowers and is available from the Office of Financial Assistance, or at Office of Financial
Assistance.

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.

TOP OF PAGE

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. 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 Office of Financial Aid. 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 educational 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.

Federal Direct PLUS Loan The Federal Direct PLUS Loan is available to parents of undergraduate students. Parents may request a Federal Direct PLUS promissory note from Boston University online at www.bu.edu/finaid. Through this program, parents may borrow up to the cost of education minus other financial aid received. Federal Direct PLUS is limited to parents who do not have an adverse credit history. The interest rate is fixed for the life of the loan at 7.90 percent. Repayment begins within 60 days after the loan’s final disbursement.

TOP OF PAGE

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 2006/2007 was 6.49 percent, with an APR of 7.09 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 2006/2007 interest rate was 6.83 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.

School Loan Funds In addition, the School has available several funds that may be used to assist students through limited loans. Loans may also be made to students to cover unexpected personal emergencies.

Financial Aid Application Information

• On or after January 1, 2007, submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to Federal Student Aid Programs at FAFSA. The FAFSA must be submitted by March 1, 2007. using the School Code 002130.
  
  
• A limited number of full- and half-tuition and other scholarships will be awarded to full-time students. Scholarship assistance for part-time students is very limited; eligible part-time students will be awarded scholarships of up to $2,000. Scholarship award decisions will be based on merit, using information from the admissions application. Decisions will be made on a “first come, first served” basis and will be included in acceptance packets.
  
  
• Also included in the award decision letter will be a tentative federal financial aid award. The federal funds, which include Federal Work Study, Federal Perkins Loan, and the Federal Direct Stafford Loans are based on need as determined by the results of the FAFSA. Final approval of any Federal funds you have been offered will be made when your eligibility is determined, i.e., once your FAFSA is received and reviewed.
  
  
• Accepted students are required to reserve a space and accept a financial aid award by submitting an enrollment deposit by the specified date, which is typically three (3) weeks from the date of the decision letter. There is a “waiting list” for scholarships. Therefore, we are unable to hold financial aid awards that have not beenaccepted by that date. If a scholarship award has not been accepted by the specified date, it will be rescinded and re-awarded to the next person on the “waiting list.”
  
  
• Included with your award decision will be applications to apply for several named scholarships. Once you have confirmed your enrollment by paying your tuition deposit, you may submit the application(s) of your choice by the proscribed deadline.

For more information, please call the School’s Financial Aid Office at 617-353-3765 (voice/TTY) or send an e-mail to Ina Frye, Director of Financial Aid, at ifrye@bu.edu.

TOP OF PAGE

Scholarships and Prizes

The School administers a number of scholarships from federal, University, and endowed sources. Awards are made to qualified students whose financial need and meritorious performance are clearly demonstrated. SSW scholarship awards are predicated on the assumption that the student is taking out a William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan.

Awards of partial tuition assistance are also made possible by the following scholarship funds, a number of which require separate applications:

• The Ramsey Fund Scholarship
• The Richard Cohen Scholarship
• The Ina L. Morgan Scholarship
• The Angelina Aliberti Ruggie Scholarship
• The Ruskin Scholarship
• The Hubie Jones Urban Practice Scholarship
• The Tina G. Howell Scholarship
• The Margret D. Lakis Scholarship
• The Josephine Lambert Scholarship
• The Sybil M. Shapiro Scholarship
• The Wendy Carol Byers Memorial Scholarship
• The Rosemary Pazol Mundell Memorial Scholarship
• The Louis Lowy Scholarships in Gerontology and Social Welfare Policy
• The Thomas D. Mackey III Memorial Scholarship
• The Barbara L. Locke Scholarship
• The Mary Louise Dillon Scholarship
• The Frances H. Gelber Memorial Scholarship
• The Golden Care Scholarship
• The Holly Margolin Zwerling Scholarship
• The Annette Schaffer Eskind Scholarship
• The Naomi Osterman Scholarship
• The Legacy for the Future Scholarship
• The Dean Wilma Peebles-Wilkins Human Relations Scholarship

In addition, there are a number of special prize funds that provide small awards to qualified students. Some of these prizes are awarded at the School’s Commencement ceremony. The prize funds include:

• The Dean Wilma Peebles-Wilkins Human Relations Prize
• The Carl D’Ettore Memorial Prize
• The Herbert S. Strean Memorial Prize
• The Sarah Lange Prize for Social Change
• The Saul and David Bernstein Prize
• The Carolyn Jacobs Prize
• The Singer Family Foundation Prize for GLT Students
• The Jane Stewart Memorial Prize Fund

Field Placements with Stipends

Through the years, various field placement agencies have been able to provide stipends for students placed with their agencies. Amounts available and agencies awarding stipends vary from year to year. Arrangements are made through the School. Please do not contact an agency directly; to do so may jeopardize your application.

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 Office of Financial Assistance 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 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. Specific inquiries about the program should be directed to the Work-Study Office, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215; 617-353-3596; or e-mail us at wsoffice@bu.edu.

TOP OF PAGE

Student Employment

The Student Employment Office will assist any currently enrolled degree student in finding part-time and summer work to help meet educational expenses. Hundreds of students find employment through our listing service. Staff members are available to assist students with their job search as well as to provide information on the interview process. The majority of job openings are off campus in the Greater Boston community. The Student Employment Office also directs the Quickie Job service, which places hundreds of students in temporary assignments. “Quickie Jobs” range from housework and party help to participating in research projects and assisting at conventions. The Student Employment Office is located on the second floor at 881 Commonwealth Avenue and is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 617-353-3594.

More information on the services offered by the Student Employment Office can be found on our website at Student Employment Office. Jobs can be viewed on the Web at Student Link Students will need to set up a kerberos password through the Office of Information Technology before receiving access to job listings.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

The School of Social Work Financial Assistance Office continually researches the possibility of other funding opportunities for students. Information on federal, state, and private resources is made available to students on an ongoing basis.

Financial Assistance for ALANA Students and Students with Disabilities

The School of Social Work, in recognition of its commitment to recruit people of color to the profession, provides financial assistance to eligible African American/Black, Latino, Asian American/Pacific Islander, and Native American (ALANA) applicants through creative packaging of loans, Federal Work-Study, scholarships, and fellowships.

The Josephine Lambert Scholarship fund and the Mary Louise Dillon Memorial Scholarship fund are available to ALANA students through the School of Social Work. In addition, the University sponsors two awards: the Martin Luther King Jr. Award, and the Whitney  Young Fellowship.

The School’s Wendy Carol Byers Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in 1990, is available to students with disabilities who demonstrate need.

TOP OF PAGE

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

18 September 2007
Boston University
Questions
Credits