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 as payment of tuition, fees, residence and dining plan for fulltime students.. Checks should be made payable to Boston University.

Although the University does not offer its own deferred payment plan for fulltime students, financing may be arranged 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. 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.

Tuition and Mandatory Fees

Boston University will withhold all diplomas, degrees, official transcripts, and other official recognition of work done at the University from students for 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 - 2011-12 Rates (enrolled for 12 to 18 credits)
Tuition: $20,424 per semester
Graduate Student Fees
George Sherman Union Fee: $101 per semester
Health Services Fee: $108 per semester

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.

Part-Time Students (enrolled for ½ to 11½ credits)
Tuition: $1,276 per credit.
Registration Fee: $40 per semester.

Medical Insurance

The 2011/2012 cost of the Boston University medical insurance plan for full-time students (U.S. citizens and international) is: Boston University Student -BASIC Plan—$1,914; Boston University Student Plus—$2,647 per year (8/23/11–8/22/12). 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 Boston University 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 $1,466 per year. Approximately $1,772 to $3,994 should be allowed for incidental expenses, which vary with individual circumstances, such as transportation, laundry, clothing, recreation, and miscellaneous expenditures.

The 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 $75 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 University Registrar’s office. 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 $6 per copy, or $4 if ordered online. Payment must accompany the request. For transcripts sent express mail, add $15 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 University Registrar’s office on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no fee for unofficial transcripts.

Replacement of Boston University Identification Card (Terrier Card): $30

Apartment Rentals

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

Furnished room (shared kitchen and bath): $650 and up per month.
Studio: $1,050 and up per month.
One-bedroom: $1,275 and up per month.
Two-bedroom: $1,900 and up per month.

Withdrawals and Refunds

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 University Registrar’s office and is available at www.bu.edu/reg. The procedure for withdrawing or taking a leave of absence is explained under “Withdrawal, Leaves of Absence, and Reinstatement” in the “Policies and Procedures” section of this bulletin. Full-time undergraduate degree candidates wishing to request an exception to the refund schedule must do so in writing to the University Service Center at 881 Commonwealth Avenue; all others must submit their written requests to the appropriate dean’s office.

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

A credit balance (overpayment) resulting from withdrawal, cash payment, loans and/or other adjustment will be refunded upon request via the StudentLink or by contacting the Manager of Graduate Financial Aid, 48 Cummington St., Room 206,, Boston, Massachusetts 02215.

Students with any federal financial aid should refer to the additional information pertinent to them under “Withdrawals, Leaves of Absence, and Adjustments” in the “Financial Aid” section of this bulletin.