{"id":27339,"date":"2018-01-05T13:58:29","date_gmt":"2018-01-05T18:58:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/?page_id=27339"},"modified":"2026-07-22T11:40:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T15:40:25","slug":"fee-waiver","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/admissions\/phd-mfa\/apply\/fee-waiver\/","title":{"rendered":"PhD &#038; MFA: Application Fee Waiver (GRS only)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span><br style=\"clear: both;\" \/>Admission for fall 2026 has concluded.\u00a0 We anticipate opening our\u00a0<\/span><strong>fall 2027<\/strong><span>\u00a0PhD &amp; MFA applications in\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>September 2026<\/strong><\/span><span>.\u00a0 Please <strong>do not contact<\/strong> the Graduate School&#8217;s admissions office about application fee waivers <strong>until<\/strong> <strong>September 2026<\/strong>.\u00a0 We do not yet know which programs will be accepting applications, please check back in September 2026.\u00a0 If you have any questions about the program (required application materials, writing samples, test scores, class sizes, research opportunities, career outcomes, decision timelines, etc.) that is not already answered below (or in our\u00a0<\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/admissions\/phd-mfa\/apply\/frequently-asked-questions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Admissions FAQs<\/a><\/strong><span>) ,<\/span><strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>please contact the program directly<\/strong><span>\u00a0instead of the graduate school\u2019s central admissions office.\u00a0 The program contact information can be found below.<br style=\"clear: both;\" \/><br style=\"clear: both;\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<h4>PhD &amp; MFA: Application Fee Waiver (GRS only)<\/h4>\n<p>In an effort to reduce financial barriers to attending graduate school, the <strong>Graduate School of Arts and Sciences<\/strong> (GRS) offers application fee waivers to qualifying <strong>GRS applicants<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>To apply for an application fee waiver, you must first review your eligibility (see requirements below) and <strong>start an application.\u00a0 <\/strong>To be considered for a fee waiver, you <strong>must have<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol>\n<li>added your full biographical information to the application,<\/li>\n<li>uploaded your CV\/resume,<\/li>\n<li>uploaded your personal statement,<\/li>\n<li>uploaded your research summary (if required),<\/li>\n<li>uploaded copies of your transcripts<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Once you have added the required information, we can fully review your eligibility for a fee waiver.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Please note<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Do not email the Graduate School&#8217;s admissions office; instead, <strong>follow the instructions<\/strong> below.<\/li>\n<li>If you are a Master&#8217;s applicant, you must visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/admissions\/ma-ms\/apply\/fee-waiver\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Master&#8217;s Application Fee Waiver<\/strong><\/a> page.<\/li>\n<li>The Graduate School&#8217;s central admission office does not offer application fee waivers for international applicants.\u00a0 All international applicants <strong>must contact<\/strong> the department directly (see &#8220;Departmental Recommendation&#8221; below).<\/li>\n<li>All requests must be received at least <strong>five business days<\/strong> prior to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/admissions\/phd-mfa\/apply\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>application deadline<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 Late requests will be denied.<\/li>\n<li>GRS fee waivers can only be used for the current admissions cycle as they expire.\u00a0 If you were given an application fee waiver during a previous admissions cycle, you must reapply for a waiver.<\/li>\n<li>GRS fee waivers cannot be used at other schools, and fee waivers from other schools cannot be used at GRS.\u00a0 Please check the URL of your application; it must be <a href=\"https:\/\/bu-grs.liaisoncas.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/bu-<strong>grs<\/strong>.liaisoncas.com<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Non-degree applicants and those applying to programs not offered by GRS are not eligible for GRS application fee waivers.<\/li>\n<li>Application fees <strong>cannot<\/strong> be refunded.\u00a0 If you are given a fee waiver, do not submit your application with a payment.<\/li>\n<li>There are many similar sounding programs (ex: Biology, Neurobiology, and Biomedical Engineering are each offered by a different graduate school).\u00a0 If you are applying to a program that is not offered by Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, please<strong> reach out<\/strong> to the respective schools directly, for example:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/eng\/fee-waiver-request\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>College of Engineering (ENG)<\/strong><\/a>: Biomedical Engineering, Computer Engineering, etc.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cds-faculty\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Faculty of Computing &amp; Data Sciences (CDS)<\/strong><\/a>: Bioinformatics (<a href=\"mailto:cds-admissions@bu.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cds-admissions@bu.edu<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/admissions\/application-fee-waiver\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS)<\/strong><\/a>: Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience, Neurobiology, etc.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/wheelock\/admissions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Wheelock College of Education (SED)<\/strong><\/a>: Counseling Psychology, Social Studies in Education<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Consult Boston University\u2019s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/grad\/program-search\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Graduate Education website<\/strong><\/a> additional school contact info.\u00a0 For Admissions, click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/grad\/admission-funding\/graduate-admission\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>here<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 For Financial Aid, click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/grad\/admission-funding\/financing-your-education\/graduate-financial-aid-offices\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>here<\/strong><\/a>.<br style=\"clear: both;\" \/><br style=\"clear: both;\" \/><\/p>\n<h4><strong>International Applicants<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The Graduate School&#8217;s central admission office does not offer application fee waivers to international applicants.\u00a0 We do not provide application fee waivers to international applicants based on unfavorable currency exchange rates, low income, unemployment or under-employment, financial hardship, economic or political challenges in their home country, or any other extenuating circumstances.<\/p>\n<p>All international applicants <strong>must contact their program of interest <\/strong>directly to inquire about the possibility of the department waiving the fee (see <strong>&#8220;Departmental Recommendation&#8221;<\/strong> below).\u00a0 Do not email the Graduate School&#8217;s admissions office, financial aid office, or individual staff.\u00a0 Do not submit the form found at the bottom of this page and select an incorrect answer on purpose.<br style=\"clear: both;\" \/><br style=\"clear: both;\" \/><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Departmental Recommendation<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Applicants who do not meet any of the criteria listed on this page must email the department directly to inquire about a departmental application fee waiver.\u00a0 <strong>Do not<\/strong> email the Graduate School&#8217;s admissions office.\u00a0 <strong>Do not<\/strong> submit the Application Fee Waiver Request Form that can be found at the bottom of this page.<\/p>\n<p>When contacting your respective program you must include your full name, application ID, CV\/resume, personal statement, research summary, and copies of your transcripts in your email.\u00a0 If the department determines that you qualify for a fee waiver based on their criteria, the department will email you a fee waiver code.\u00a0 Please note that not all programs offer application fee waivers.<\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">List of departmental email addresses<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">\n<table width=\"629\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:amnesp@bu.edu\">American &amp; New England Studies<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:chemgaa@bu.edu\">Chemistry<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:history@bu.edu\">History<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:office@physics.bu.edu\">Physics<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:anthro@bu.edu\">Anthropology<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:classics@bu.edu\">Classical Studies<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:ahdept@bu.edu\">History of Art &amp; Architecture<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:newplays@bu.edu\">Playwriting<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:jjhermes@bu.edu\">Astronomy<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:cs@bu.edu\">Computer Science<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:lxstaff@bu.edu\">Linguistics<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:polisci@bu.edu\">Political Science<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:bioinfo@bu.edu\">Bioinformatics<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:crwr@bu.edu\">Creative Writing<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:mathdept@math.bu.edu\">Mathematics\/Statistics<\/a><\/td>\n<td>Psychology*<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:biograd@bu.edu\">Biology<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:earth@bu.edu\">Earth &amp; Environment<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:biograd@bu.edu\">MCBB<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:religion@bu.edu\">Religion<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/biology\/graduate-application-fee-waiver-for-non-us-citizens\/\">Biology (international applicants)<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:econteam@bu.edu\">Economics<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/mcbb\/graduate-application-fee-waiver-for-non-us-citizens\/\">MCBB (international applicants)<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:rstudies@bu.edu\">Romance Studies<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:biostat@bu.edu\">Biostatistics<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:english@bu.edu\">English<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:casphilo@bu.edu\">Philosophy<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"mailto:socdept@bu.edu\">Sociology<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>*Due to their high number of applications, the Psychology program does not provide application fee waivers to any applicants.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br style=\"clear: both;\" \/><br style=\"clear: both;\" \/><\/p>\n<h4><strong>U.S Citizens &amp; U.S. Permanent Residents<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>If you are a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Permanent Resident (&#8220;Green Card&#8221; holder) you may request an application fee waiver based on one of the following criteria:<\/p>\n<p><strong><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Documented financial hardship<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Applicants with current documented financial hardship will be required to provide supporting documentation for at least one of the following, along with a 250+ word (at least half of a single-spaced page) explanation:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A current official statement of <strong>your<\/strong> financial need from a financial aid officer at <strong>your<\/strong> current institution, which includes your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) or Student Aid Index (SAI), or proof that you received a Pell Grant as an undergraduate student within the past year<\/li>\n<li>A copy of <strong>your<\/strong> current FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR), with your Social Security Number obscured<\/li>\n<li>An official verification of <strong>your<\/strong> current participation in a U.S. government low-income aid program, such as Unemployment, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Welfare, Medicaid, etc.<\/li>\n<li>A copy of a waiver granted to <strong>you<\/strong> by ETS for GRE fee\u00a0within the past year<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Documents not listing the applicant&#8217;s name are not accepted.\u00a0 Do not send copies of tax returns, bank statements, or any document that contains your social security number.\u00a0 Requests that are missing supporting documentation will be denied.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">First-Generation Applicants<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A first generation graduate student is defined<span>\u00a0as someone whose parents, guardians, or caregivers have not completed an advanced degree, <\/span><span>e.g. master\u2019s, doctoral, or professional degree (like a JD or MD).\u00a0 Included in this group are students whose parent(s) have not obtained a four-year degree.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>You will need to provide a current copy of your resume along with a 250+ word (at least half of a single-spaced page) statement supporting your request.\u00a0 Requests that are missing supporting documentation will be denied.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Military service<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Included in this group are U.S. military veterans with Honorable Discharges or those who are on active duty in U.S. Armed Forces.\u00a0 You will need to provide proof of service or discharge.\u00a0 Requests that are missing supporting documentation will be denied.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Special Programs, Events, and Fellowships<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We are pleased to offer application fee waivers to those who have participated in the following qualified programs, events, and fellowships as a current participant or recent alumni (within the last two years). You will need to provide documentation of your participation or affiliation with your request. Requests that are missing supporting documentation will be denied.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha)<\/li>\n<li>Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS)<\/li>\n<li>Gates Millennium Scholars Program<\/li>\n<li>Education Pioneers<\/li>\n<li>Federal TRIO<\/li>\n<li>National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science (GEM)<\/li>\n<li>Institute for Recruitment of Teachers (IRT)<\/li>\n<li>Jackie Robinson Foundation<\/li>\n<li>Laureates &amp; Leaders Program<\/li>\n<li>Leadership Brainery<\/li>\n<li>National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) National service organizations, including Alpha Phi Omega (APO), AmeriCorps, City Year, Peace Corps, Teach for America<\/li>\n<li>NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) applicants<\/li>\n<li>Posse Foundation scholars<\/li>\n<li>Project 1000<\/li>\n<li>Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE)<\/li>\n<li>Society for Advancement of Chicanos\/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Participation in a program not listed above may still qualify you for an application fee waiver, provided it meets the following criteria:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Demonstrates a clear directive for students to enter a doctoral or research program<\/li>\n<li>Is represented or has chapters at more than one U.S. university campus<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><u><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/u><\/p>\n<p><strong><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">University affiliations<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Employees of Boston University<\/li>\n<li>Current undergraduate students of Boston University<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Current students and alumni of:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions<\/li>\n<li>Historically Black Colleges<\/li>\n<li>Hispanic Serving Institutions<\/li>\n<li>Minority Serving Institution<\/li>\n<li>Native American-Serving Non-Tribal Institutions<\/li>\n<li>Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions<\/li>\n<li>Tribal Colleges and Universities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You will need to provide documentation of your affiliation with your request.\u00a0 Requests that are missing supporting documentation will be denied.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br style=\"clear: both;\" \/><br style=\"clear: both;\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you meet any of the criteria, please submit your request via the PhD &amp; MFA Application Fee Waiver Request Form below.\u00a0 Once the submitted information is reviewed and verified (which may take up to five business days), we will provide a fee waiver code via email.\u00a0 All requests will be reviewed during regular office hours (9am-5pm local time, Monday-Friday), except on holidays and during intersession.<br style=\"clear: both;\" \/><br style=\"clear: both;\" \/><\/p>\n<h4>PhD &amp; MFA Application Fee Waiver Request Form<\/h4>\n<p>This form will become available in <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>September 2026<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Admission for fall 2026 has concluded.\u00a0 We anticipate opening our\u00a0fall 2027\u00a0PhD &amp; MFA applications in\u00a0September 2026.\u00a0 Please do not contact [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10199,"featured_media":0,"parent":24478,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27339"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10199"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27339"}],"version-history":[{"count":50,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27339\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":62768,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27339\/revisions\/62768"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24478"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27339"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}