{"id":1994,"date":"2022-05-25T16:37:19","date_gmt":"2022-05-25T20:37:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/?page_id=1994"},"modified":"2025-10-28T16:36:21","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T20:36:21","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/admissions\/graduate\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thank you for your interest in BU College of Fine Arts. We hope that this page will answer many of your questions about our graduate programs<\/strong>, the application process<\/strong>, and financial aid<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Click on the options below to be directed to a specific section of our FAQs page:<\/p>\n

Applying<\/a><\/h5>\n
Financial Aid<\/a><\/h5>\n
International Applicants<\/a><\/h5>\n
Admitted Applicants<\/a><\/h5>\n

Still have questions? Send us an email at <\/span>arts@bu.edu<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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APPLYING<\/h4>\n
What is your admissions cycle?<\/b><\/h5>
<\/p>\n

The School of Music, School of Visual Arts, and the School of Theatre accept applications for Fall only.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

How long will it take to process my application?<\/b><\/h5>
<\/p>\n

It depends on the applicant! Ensuring that your application is complete and that we have all of your required documents will provide an efficient application process. Once your application is complete, you should expect a decision between February 15 and April 1.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How will I be contacted about the decision?<\/b><\/h5>
<\/p>\n

Decisions are sent via email only, so please be sure to check your spam folder.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Can I apply after the deadline has passed?<\/b><\/h5>
<\/p>\n

Late application requests are handled on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us to request permission to apply late.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

May I send transcripts?<\/b><\/h5>
<\/p>\n

No, please do not send us transcripts. Rather, please upload your unofficial transcript(s) to your application.
\n* If you are accepted and choose to enroll, BU will\u00a0 then require Official Final Transcripts from all institutions attended. <\/i><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Can I mail my recommendations?<\/b><\/h5>
<\/p>\n

No. Recommendations should be submitted electronically through the application.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

I completed my undergraduate degree quite a while ago, and I can't obtain professor recommendations. What do I do?<\/b><\/h5>
<\/p>\n

Seek out recommenders who are familiar with your artistry and who can speak to your abilities in your area of interest.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Are the GREs required for admission?<\/b><\/h5>
<\/p>\n

The GRE is OPTIONAL<\/strong> <\/em>for both the MA and PhD in Musicology. No programs require the GRE.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Do I need a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or a Bachelor of Music (BM) to apply for your programs?<\/b><\/h5>
<\/p>\n

A BFA or BM is not a prerequisite for admission, and we invite applications from students with a variety of academic backgrounds to apply for our graduate programs. However, most successful applicants have prior degrees in their field of application. Applicants admitted to graduate music programs with deficiencies in theory or history may be required to take review courses that will not confer graduate credit.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Can I transfer as a graduate student? Do you accept graduate credits from other institutions?<\/b><\/h5>
<\/p>\n

Accepted master\u2019s level applicants may petition to transfer up to 8 credits and accepted doctoral applicants up to 16 credits. Official Transcripts are required for transfer credit review if not submitted at the time of admission.<\/span><\/p>\n

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FINANCIAL AID<\/h4>\n
Are merit-based financial awards available for graduate students? Do I need to fill out a separate form to be considered for these awards?<\/b><\/h5>
<\/p>\n

BU College of Fine Arts offers merit scholarships based on the strength of each candidate\u2019s artistic promise and program needs. Financial need is not a factor. As there is no separate application process for scholarship consideration, all graduate students (both domestic and international) admitted to an on-campus program are automatically considered for scholarships. More detailed information about merit-based scholarships can be found here<\/a><\/p>\n

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How much will my program cost?<\/b><\/h5>
<\/p>\n

The tuition charge depends on your school of enrollment. Visit the tuition page<\/a> to determine the individual costs for each program.<\/p>\n

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How do changes in my enrollment impact my financial aid?<\/b><\/h5>
<\/p>\n

Any changes in enrollment can impact your financial aid due to changes in your overall cost of attendance<\/a>. The cost of attendance is determined by the number of credits and\/or length of courses. Email artaid@bu.edu<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n

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Am I required to pay the student health insurance charge?<\/b><\/h5>
<\/p>\n

Please refer to our\u00a0Student Health Insurance Plan<\/a>\u00a0page for information regarding insurance coverage requirements and waiving the student health insurance charge.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Please note: Full-time students are charged a Health & Wellness Fee each semester. This mandatory fee is unrelated to the student health insurance and cannot be waived. For more information, please refer to the\u00a0Fees Explained<\/a>\u00a0section.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Where can I find my BU ID number?<\/b><\/h5>
<\/p>\n

You can locate your BU ID on the MyBU Student Portal <\/a>under Academics, Transcript Preview, and Ordering. Click the link for your BU school or college, then click Login under Current Students. Enter your Kerberos ID and password. Click View: With Name and ID in the upper right corner of the window, and your BU ID will appear on the page.<\/p>\n

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Are monthly payment plans available?<\/b><\/h5>
<\/p>\n

To learn more about payment plan options, please visit Student Accounting Services<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

How can I find out my Student Account balance?<\/strong><\/h5>
<\/p>\n

You can view your account balance and student account activity at the MyBU Student Portal<\/a> (click on “My Bill & Aid”).<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Is financial aid available for the summer?<\/b><\/h5>
<\/p>\n

Yes. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan and Graduate PLUS Loan request forms are required for summer term. When these seasonal forms are available, they will be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Do I have to pay taxes on scholarship money I receive?<\/b><\/h5>
<\/p>\n

Your scholarship may or may not be taxable. Generally speaking, a scholarship is tax free if you are a degree candidate and the award is used to pay for tuition and required fees, books, supplies and equipment. However, there are some scholarship opportunities that are not tax exempt. Any amount used to pay for room and board or a stipend for living expenses is taxable, for example. Go to IRS.gov and view Tax Benefits for Education: Information Center<\/a> for more guidance.<\/p>\n

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How do I defer my loans from a previous institution?<\/b><\/h5>
<\/p>\n

Contact your lender or loan servicer and request an In-School Deferment Form. To find contact information for your federal loan servicer, log on to Federal Student Aid<\/a>. To obtain loan deferment request forms for private loans (like Sallie Mae or College Ave), contact the agency or lender directly.<\/p>\n