affordable BU
Financial aid that meets your full need. 100%.
BU will meet 100% of your demonstrated financial need. Because we firmly believe that everyone admitted to BU deserves the opportunity to attend BU, regardless of your family’s means. Toward that goal, we’re offering financial aid packages that will make up the difference between the cost of attending and what you can afford.
What is demonstrated financial need?
It is the total cost of attendance—including tuition, room and meal plan, books, and supplies—minus the amount your family can be expected to contribute, as determined by your FAFSA and CSS Profile™.
Who is eligible?
You must be a US citizen or permanent resident, with demonstrated financial need, entering college for the first time. In addition, you must submit your FAFSA and CSS Profile by the deadline.
What kind of aid can you expect?
It depends on your family’s financial situation. One person might receive a package of grants and low-interest student loans. Another, Work-Study and a scholarship. Yet another, some combination of all four. Further, if you are also eligible for a Pell Grant, your aid package is guaranteed to be free of loans, thanks to BU’s University Scholarship fund. Learn more about types of aid.
What about next year?
BU guarantees your need-based aid will not be reduced for any of your four years here, as long as your aid does not exceed your cost of attendance and you meet academic and deadline requirements. In fact, if tuition goes up, your affordableBU scholarship aid will be increased by the same percentage as the tuition increase. Learn more about the BU Scholarship Assurance.
The education you deserve.
With affordableBU, you really can afford an education that will prepare you not just to succeed in life, but to thrive.
More Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work on campus?
Working on-campus can be a great way to build your resume, make professional connections, and get a mentor for your time at BU. Students working on-campus are paid with a weekly paycheck, giving students the opportunity to practice building saving and budgeting habits as well as extra money for expenses throughout the year. Student employment can also provide an opportunity for students to engage in collaborative work on campus making connections with other students and staff.
All students are eligible to participate in on-campus employment, and some students may also be eligible for a Federal Work-Study award.
Are student loans available to help with my BU costs?
BU is committed to meeting the demonstrated financial need of all admitted students entering college for the first time. Students may still have expenses, even with BU meeting their full need, and responsible student borrowing can be a great tool to contribute to the investment in your education. All students who complete a FAFSA have a standard amount of federal direct student loans available to contribute to the cost of their education. BU believes in reasonable and responsible student borrowing.
Reasonable student loan borrowing can help students begin establishing credit and contribute to non-billed expenses such as books and supplies. Students can also utilize federal direct loans to cover the additional cost of a more expensive housing choice while at BU.
What does BU mean by “affordable” and “will meet my need”?
BU is affordable because what you pay will depend on what you can afford. Meeting your need means that the gap between the cost of BU and what your family can be expected to contribute will be covered through some combination of scholarships, grants, subsidized government student loans, and Work-Study. This can greatly reduce or in many cases eliminate your need to take out supplementary private loans. Additionally, your BU need-based scholarships will increase at the same percentage rate as any future tuition increases.
What is demonstrated financial need?
It is the total cost of attending BU minus your family’s expected contribution, as calculated by filing the FAFSA and CSS Profile. Your aid package will be equal to this demonstrated need and will be comprised of some combination of scholarships, grants, loans, and/or Work-Study.
What is included in the cost of attendance?
For financial aid purposes, the cost of BU is the yearly expected total of tuition, room and meal plan, books, supplies, personal expenses, and local transportation.
Will I be required to buy health insurance?
By state law, Massachusetts requires all full-time college students to carry health insurance that meets certain criteria, including that it be transportable to Massachusetts. The University bills all students for BU health insurance, but students with coverage that meets this criteria can waive that charge. With affordableBU, students who are unable to waive the charge and thus are required to purchase BU insurance are eligible for additional grant funding to cover the cost.
How do I know if I qualify for financial aid based on my family’s situation?
You must file the FAFSA and CSS Profile to be considered for financial assistance. However, for planning purposes, we also have an online tool to help you and your family estimate the amount of financial aid you could be offered and the net amount you may be expected to pay toward the cost of attending BU. For more information, visit the calculator.
If I do not qualify for financial aid, does BU still offer merit scholarships based on my grades or other factors?
BU offers merit-based scholarships for academics, athletics, arts, and leadership. Merit-based scholarships have varied requirements and submission guidelines that must be followed in order to qualify. Learn more about requirements and deadlines.
