Financing Your Studies
BU Law is committed to making a legal education affordable for its students. We provide funding for more than 80 percent of our J.D. students through a combination of:
- Scholarship awards
- Federal and private loans
- Work-study awards for continuing students
We provide as many scholarships as possible, but funds are limited and priority for scholarship aid is given to students who demonstrate both financial need and exceptional academic merit.
Financial aid is subject to student eligibility, the availability of various kinds of funds and, for currently enrolled students, evidence of satisfactory academic progress as detailed in BU Law Academic and Disciplinary Regulations.
Applying for Scholarship Aid
Applications for BU Law scholarships and other types of financial aid are separate from the admissions process. Please review our instructions for complete application information.
March 1, 2008 is the deadline to apply for financial aid.
Financial Aid Application Checklist
To apply for all types of financial assistance including scholarships:
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Student information only
- Need Access Form
- Parent and student information required
- Signed copies of 2007 federal income tax returns
(including schedules) and all W-2 forms for both the applicant and his or her parents
Public Interest Scholars Program
Federal Loans
Students who do not wish to be considered for scholarship aid, but would like to apply for federal loans need only submit the FAFSA and the Federal Direct Stafford Loan Processing Request Form included with their letter of admission. Students should not submit this form until after they have been admitted.
International students
International students should review the information provided on the International JD Students page.
Transfer Students
Transfer students should follow the same instructions to apply for financial aid as prospective students; however, the deadlines do not apply since transfer students are admitted on a different schedule.
Parental Information Requirement
To help us distribute scholarship funds equitably, we require that applicants file parental information. Although many parents do not contribute to their children's graduate education costs, they still may be a resource for some students. Thus, viewing the potential family contribution as a whole is the most accurate way to award need-based aid.
Applicants whose parents are divorced should complete the financial aid forms using the information from the parent or parents who last claimed them as a dependent on a federal income tax return or the custodial parent. Non-custodial parent information is not required. Applicants who have questions about which parent's information to submit may contact the Law Financial Aid Office.
An applicant may submit a written, detailed request for a waiver of parental information. Waivers are granted on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Office of Financial Aid. Request must be made before the March 1 deadline and addressed to the Associate Director of Financial Aid.
Changes to Student Information
Any student receiving financial aid is responsible for promptly informing the Office of Financial Aid of any:
- outside agency awards he or she may receive
- changes in name or address
- changes in enrollment, registration or degree status
The student must also provide any supporting documentation requested by the Office of Financial Aid.
Joan L. Horgan Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
Cheryl Constantine Associate Director of Financial Aid
Kim Ang Program Coordinator
Boston University School of Law
Office of Financial Aid
765 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
617.353.3160
bulawaid@bu.edu