Tuition and Financial Aid
Graduate students in the College of Fine Arts pay on a per credit basis and are considered full-time when enrolled for 8 credits. The per-credit charge for 2008-2009 is $1,412 per credit. This results in a yearly tuition of approximately $18,300, depending upon the program of enrollment. This tuition is substantially lower than the standard Boston University full-time tuition and is an acknowledgment of the University's support of the College of Fine Arts.
For the 2008-2009 academic year, tuition for a graduate student taking 8 credits per semester is $9,136 per semester; $18, 272 per year.
The College of Fine Arts Graduate Financial Aid Office is located at 855 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 230. This office is a resource for graduate students and prospective students in the College and can assist graduate student with scholarships, assistantships, work study, stipends and loan processing.
Students are welcome to drop by the office, call (617/353-3350) or email us.
Scholarships
The College of Fine Arts offers merit scholarships based on the strength of the candidates artistic promise and program needs; financial need is not a factor. As there is no separate application process for scholarship consideration, all (both domestic and international) admitted graduate students are automatically considered for scholarship aid.
Scholarships given to masters level students are a two-year commitment, while scholarships awarded to doctoral candidates are a three-year commitment. Scholarships, as well as, the Federal Direct Stafford direct loans are split between the fall and spring semesters. Scholarships are based upon full time registration.
Assistantships
Assistantships are positions within the College of Fine Arts having instructional, research, or administrative responsibilities. There is no separate application required to apply for an assistantship. Both domestic and international students are automatically reviewed for assistantship positions. Assistantships are awarded based on artistic merit and the needs of the schools.
Work Study
Funding for the graduate work-study program is provided by the federal government. The purpose of these grants is to assist US citizens or permanent residents who demonstrate financial need. Students are given an amount of money that they may earn though hourly paid positions in the University. CFA students generally work within the College of Fine Arts. As funds are very limited, not all interested students receive an award. To apply for work-study students must complete both a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a work-study application (PDF).
Stipends
Students enrolled in the School of Theatre and School of Music Opera Institute may receive stipends, in addition to other scholarship aid. School of Theatre stipends, split between the fall semester and the spring semester, are credited towards a student's tuition account and will be refunded at the start of classes each semester in September and January. Opera Institute students receive their stipends split between fall semester and spring semester in the form of a check on the last business day of September and January.
Loans
The Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program provides low interest loans to US citizens and US permanent residents pursuing graduate education. Most students are eligible for a Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Direct Loan. (Subsidized loans are offered to students who are eligible on the basis of calculated need, while unsubsidized loans are available even for those who do not qualify for need-based financial aid) .The maximum loan eligibility is $20,500 per academic year. To be eligible for federal financial aid (loans and work study), a student must:
- Be accepted to a graduate program at Boston University
- Be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours per semester
- Not be in default on previous Federal Stafford, Perkins or other educational loan
- Be a US citizen or legal permanent resident
Applying for a Stafford Loan is a two-step process
Step One
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
BU School Code: 002130
The FAFSA must be submitted in order to be eligible for federal financial aid. Both prospective and currently enrolled students are strongly encouraged to complete the FAFSA form online, as this will decrease the processing time for your loan. The Federal Student Aid Program generates a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the FAFSA data. Boston University uses the information from the SAR to determine student eligibility for Federal Direct Stafford Loan and Federal Work-Study.
FAFSA website - http://www.fafsa.ed.gov
Step 2
Complete the Stafford Loan Request Form
The Stafford Loan Request Form (PDF) is used in conjunction with the FAFSA. The student uses this form to indicate much he/she would like to borrow under the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. Without this form, the Financial Aid Officer cannot begin the process of determining a student's eligibility for the loan amounts requested. Complete the Stafford Loan Request Form and fax it (617-353-5331) or mail it to:
Boston University
College of Fine Arts, Room 230
Graduate Financial Aid
855 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
You cannot receive a loan if the Stafford Loan Request form is not completed.
Additional requirements for first-time Federal Direct Stafford Loan Borrowers at Boston University:
If a student is a first-time borrower, s/he must fulfill an entrance counseling session, which is required by the federal government. This requirement should be completed on-line.
First time borrowers also need to complete a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) which should be completed on-line.Potential borrowers will need their federal personal identification number (PIN). If a borrower does not have a PIN or cannot recall it, a duplicate PIN can be requested on-line. Boston University will be notified within 48 hours when an on-line promissory note has been completed.
Entrance Counseling - http://www.bu.edu/finaid/loans/student/entrance.html Master
Promissory Note - https://dlenote.ed.gov/empn/index.jsp
Duplicate PIN - http://www.pin.ed.gov
How Much To Borrow?
Deciding how much to borrow is a personal decision and one that should not be taken lightly. While it is possible to borrow sufficient funds to cover tuition, fees, rent and other expenses, you must consider carefully whether you are able to meet the financial responsibilities associated with borrowing. As an estimate, you will incur student loan payments of approximately $12 per month for every $1,000 that you borrow. Thus, borrowing $10,000 will result in a monthly loan payment of $120 for 10 years. If you were to borrow $10,000 each year for two years, your monthly payments would increase to $240.
The opportunities afforded you through your graduate education are significant and financing a portion of your educational program can be a reasonable choice. Make sure when you decide to borrow that you borrow realistically with a reasonable expectation that your later income will be sufficient to meet your borrowing expense.
For the 2007–2008 academic year, tuition for a graduate student taking 8 credits per semester is $8,736 per semester; $17, 472 per year. Please note that Art Education courses taught after 4 p.m. are charged at half the normal tuition rate.