Financial Aid for Early Decision and Early Decision 2 Applicants
At Boston University, applying for admission and financial aid as an early decision candidate tells us that you know what you want from your college experience and you’re passionate about pursuing your goals. That’s why we are excited to work with you and guide you and your family through the financial aid application process.
When it comes to college expenses, you can’t plan one year at a time. You need to plot out how you’re going to pay for the entire program, from start to finish. That’s why with the BU Scholarship Assurance, as long as your total aid doesn’t exceed the cost of attendance, your BU scholarship aid will be renewed at the same level each year – guaranteed – with no additional CSS Profile™ required.
Familiarize yourself with the Early Decision need-based financial aid application process, frequently asked questions, merit award information and helpful checklists.
Required Forms
Both the CSS Profile™ and the FAFSA are required to apply for BU-funded financial aid as a first-time recipient. However, after the first year, as long as your total aid doesn’t exceed the cost of attendance, BU need-based scholarship aid is guaranteed at the same level as the prior year and no Profile™ is required; that’s the BU Scholarship Assurance.
FAFSA – Only the FAFSA is required to apply for federal financial aid and state grants, and for these funds the FAFSA must be filed each year. However, for many students the BU funded financial aid is an important component in meeting the costs of attendance.
- The 2024-2025 FAFSA will be available in late December.
CSS Profile™ – If your biological or adoptive parents are divorced, separated, and/or do not share the same household list both parents (and any stepparents if applicable) on your Profile, as instructed. The parent who provides the majority of your financial support must provide their information on your Profile and FAFSA. Your other (noncustodial) parent must complete a separate CSS Profile also, which will be appended to your Profile later. Enter your other (noncustodial) parent’s email address on your Profile, as instructed, so CSS can send them information on how to create their separate Profile account log-in. If getting a CSS Profile from the other (noncustodial) parent will be impossible, submit a CSS Profile™ Waiver Request for the Noncustodial Parent.
- The 2024-2025 CSS Profile™ is available starting October 1, 2023.
Include your Social Security number on the Profile, the FAFSA, and on the Common Application or Coalition Application to ensure that Boston University will be able to load your financial aid application to the BU system and consider your request for assistance. You will receive a financial aid decision along with your admissions decision if you file both forms by the deadline.
Other forms may also be required.
Questions Frequently Asked by Early Decision Applicants
Q. Should I wait for an admission decision before applying for financial aid?
A. No. It could be too late to receive full consideration for financial aid if you delay submitting your application for any reason.
Q. As an Early Decision candidate what do I need to do to apply for financial aid? Is it the same process as for regular admissions? What about application deadlines?
A. Just like with the regular first-year admission process, you will be required to submit both the CSS Profile™ and FAFSA. However, some of the Early Decision financial aid deadlines are earlier. Review the filing instructions and deadlines carefully.
| CSS Profile™ | FAFSA | |
|---|---|---|
| EARLY DECISION | November 1 | March 1 |
| EARLY DECISION 2 | January 4 | March 1 |
Q. Are there any disadvantages to applying through Early Decision if I know I will need financial aid to attend?
A. As an Early Decision candidate, you agree to apply only to Boston University. By doing so you forfeit any opportunity to compare your BU financial aid decision with potential offers from other universities. Apply through Early Decision only if you’re comfortable with these restrictions.
Q. What factors are considered when awarding Boston University need-based Scholarships?
A. BU need-based Scholarships are offered based on several factors, including demonstrated financial need, academic achievement, and other factors.
Q. If after receiving financial aid, are other loan options available to help manage the net cost to me and my family?
A. We encourage students and their families to borrow responsibly and carefully consider the full duration of their enrollment and potential monthly payments before making a loan commitment. Credit-based loan options include private, state and federal loans. Information about credit-based loans and resources to help you evaluate them and your options are on our loan page.
More Information for Early Decision Applicants
Download and print the checklist and use it to help you manage your way through the process.
Early Decision Checklist
To Apply
By November 1
- Note all applicable deadlines.
- Submit the 2024-2025 CSS Profile™.
- If your biological or adoptive parents are divorced, separated, and/or do not share the same household list both parents (and any stepparents if applicable) on your Profile, as instructed. The parent who provides the majority of your financial support must provide their information on your Profile and FAFSA. Your other (noncustodial) parent must complete a Profile also, which will be appended to your Profile later. Enter your other (noncustodial) parent’s email address on your Profile, as instructed, so CSS can send them information on how to create their separate Profile account log-in.
- Submit a CSS Profile Waiver Request if getting a Profile from your other (noncustodial) parent will be impossible.
- Regularly check the MyBU portal and for email requests for additional information.
After You Receive Your Aid Decision
Beginning in Mid-December
- Create a four-year plan for financing your education and use our college expense planning calculator at our planning page.
- Submit the 2024-2025 FAFSA. (For 2024/2025, FAFSA available late December; submit by March 1)
By January 8
- Acknowledge your Financial Aid Award via the MyBU portal.
- Submit your Enrollment Deposit.
After Paying Your Deposit
By June 1
- Submit Income Verification in order to confirm your tentative financial aid award.
- Expect a finalized award by early July, provided you have submitted all required documentation in a timely manner.
Mid-May through July
- Payments for the fall semester bill are due in early August. Payments for the spring semester are due in mid-December. Learn more about the monthly payment plan and credit-based loans.
As we review your financial aid application, we want to do all we can to take your particular circumstances into consideration. We encourage you to contact our office with any questions about your financial aid.
Early Decision 2 Checklist
To Apply
By January 4
- Note all applicable deadlines.
- Submit the 2024-2025 FAFSA. (For 2024/2025 submit FAFSA by March 1)
- Submit the 2024-2025 CSS Profile™.
- If your biological or adoptive parents are divorced, separated, and/or do not share the same household list both parents (and any stepparents if applicable) on your Profile, as instructed. The parent who provides the majority of your financial support must provide their information on your Profile and FAFSA. Your other (noncustodial) parent must complete a Profile also, which will be appended to your Profile later. Enter your other (noncustodial) parent’s email address on your Profile, as instructed, so CSS can send them information on how to create their separate Profile account log-in.
- Submit a CSS Profile Waiver Request if getting a Profile from your other (noncustodial) parent will be impossible.
- Regularly check the MyBU portal and for email requests for additional information.
After You Receive Your Aid Decision
Beginning in February
- Create a four-year plan for financing your education and use our college expense planning calculator at our planning page.
By Late February
- Acknowledge your Financial Aid Award via the MyBU portal.
- Submit your Enrollment Deposit.
After Paying Your Deposit
By June 1
- Submit Income Verification in order to confirm your tentative financial aid award.
- Expect a finalized award by early July, provided that you have submitted all required documentation in a timely manner.
Mid-May through July
- Payments for the fall semester bill are due in early August. Learn more about the monthly payment plan and credit-based loans.
As we review your financial aid application, we want to do all we can to take your particular circumstances into consideration. We encourage you to contact our office with any questions about your financial aid.
