Graduate | Financial Aid

The College of Communication's financial aid resources include scholarship funds and graduate assistantships (teaching, research, administrative). In addition, graduate students can apply for the Federal Work-Study Program, Subsidized or Unsubsidized Federal Stafford/Ford Loans, and other state and private funds. Numerous on-campus and off-campus employment opportunities are also available.

Scholarship awards are merit-based on academic promise and the availability of funds. Eligibility for some types of assistance is determined by documented financial need. Individual departmental and faculty requirements determine graduate Assistantships. Available funds do not allow us to provide assistance to all graduate students; however, most receive partial support and avail themselves of the various loan programs to further finance their education. The University and the College of Communication assume that all students will contribute financially to their graduate education.

In order to be considered for any Federal aid (including work-study and loans) you must submit a Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA). You may apply on-line at http://fafsa.ed.gov/

Continuing Students Only:

Download the Stafford Loan Processing Form. Please mail this form to Graduate Services, 640 Commonwealth Ave, Room 112, Boston, MA 02215. Make sure you fill out the FAFSA as well at http://fafsa.ed.gov/

Continuing Students should fill out the Financial Aid Application The Financial Aid Application is available in the PDF format. To read the PDF version, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Please read the Assistantship Fact Sheet before submitting the Assistantship Application Form. You should send this form to your department or the appropriate office.

There are also Named Scholarships that continuing students may apply for. This application is due May 1st to Graduate Services, room 112.

Summer Stafford Loans:

The 2006 Summer Stafford loan application is now available. You will be able to download the Summer Stafford Loan information sheet and application here. Please note that students must turn this form into the Main Financial Aid Office, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, 5th floor after you register for summer classes. Students must register for at least 6 academic credits over the course of the summer in order to be eligible. Summer borrowing may impact the amount of Stafford Loan you are eligible for in future semesters.

For additional financial aid help from resources outside of Boston University, we suggest you try the following search engines and loan centers.