Online and Part-Time Students

Online and part-time students may be eligible for various sources of financial aid, including outside/private scholarships, federal student loans, and private educational loan options. Online and part-time students are not eligible for COM merit scholarship.

Domestic part-time students may be eligible to work on-campus in graduate, research or teaching assistantships.

Tuition & Fees

Certificate in Civic Science Communication (online):

  • Tuition: $5,000 per course ($1,250 per credit)
  • Student Services Fee: $75 per semester
  • Note: Students pursuing a certificate are ineligible for scholarships from the College of Communication.
  • If your plans change, be sure to withdraw before the first day of each class to be eligible for a refund. Once a class begins, tuition will be billed and becomes non-refundable. Please see the tuition refund schedule.


M.S in Strategic Integrated Communication (online):

  • Tuition: $30,000 for the 32 credit degree program ($937.50 per credit)
  • Note: Students pursuing this program are ineligible for scholarships from the College of Communication.
  • If your plans change, be sure to withdraw before the first day of each class to be eligible for a refund. Once a class begins, tuition will be billed and becomes non-refundable. Please see the tuition refund schedule.


All other part-time Master’s programs (on-campus):

  • Tuition: $2,183 per credit/unit (less than 12 units per semester)
  • Student Services Fee: $75 per semester
  • Part-time COM Program Fee: $45 per semester
  • Note: Students pursuing Master’s programs part-time are ineligible for scholarships from the College of Communication.
  • If your plans change, be sure to withdraw before the first day of each class to be eligible for a refund. Once a class begins, tuition will be billed and becomes non-refundable. Please see the tuition refund schedule.

Federal Financial Aid

The Federal Unsubsidized Loan is offered to assist students with postsecondary educational expenses. The Unsubsidized loan is made directly to the student who is responsible for repayment. Interest accrues and must be paid by the borrower or is capitalized during periods of in-school enrollment, grace, and/or deferment. Current interest rates for the Federal Unsubsidized Loan can be found here.

Students must meet federal eligibility criteria to qualify for the Unsubsidized Loan. Financial eligibility is determined by a federally legislated analysis of family financial information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You must file the FAFSA, and use Boston University’s School Code (002130), to apply for the Unsubsidized Loan.

Who is eligible to apply?

Students are eligible to participate in the Federal Unsubsidized Loan Program if they are:

  1. US citizens or permanent residents;
  2. Enrolled in a degree program at least half-time (six credits);
  3. Registered for at least six credits which are accepted towards a degree program and are not repeat classes;
  4. Demonstrate financial eligibility as determined by federal regulations;
  5. Not maintaining an outstanding balance from a prior period of enrollment at Boston University; and

Making satisfactory academic progress.

How much may I borrow?

The maximum annual loan limit for graduate and professional students is $20,500. Your actual eligibility may be less and is determined by how many credits you are enrolled for, and other sources of financial aid.

How do I apply?

To apply, complete your FAFSA, and possibly submit additional documentation if required. Federal loan borrowers must complete the required electronic Entrance Counseling requirement and Master Promissory note (MPN). These requirements can be completed at https://studentaid.gov. You will be asked to accept or decline the loan through your MyBU student portal after your FAFSA has been processed.

When will the loan funds be available to me?

Loans can be disbursed in up to two installments. The amount that will be disbursed will be less the origination fee that the federal government subtracts from the loan to pay for guaranteeing and processing the loan. Any credit balance in your account that remains once your University bill has been settled is available to you through a refund request through your MyBU Portal.

Private Educational Loans

Students are encouraged to research and apply for other private loans that suit their lending and educational needs.

BU has identified some private loans if you are interested in researching additional options. This list is certainly not all inclusive and we encourage you to search for other outside private loan options that may be available.

Information on credit-based educational loans available to international students can be found on the main Boston University Financial Assistance website here: http://www.bu.edu/finaid/types-of-aid/loans/credit-based-loans/international/

Assistantships

Part-time students may be eligible to work on-campus in an assistantship position. Assistantships range from assisting faculty members with teaching, research and/or administrative duties to working in one of the College’s administrative offices, the film stockroom, the career center, etc. Some of the positions require previous experience or specialized knowledge, while others provide on-the-job training.

There are other on-campus employment options available to enrolled students through Boston University’s Student Employment Office, Fitness and Recreation Center, and the Residence Life Office.

Assistantships typically pay between $20/hour up to $23/hour. Assistantships are considered on-campus employment, and stipends are paid out in weekly increments over the course of the semester. Assistantships are not tuition remission.

Part-time international students should verify their authorization to work on campus with the ISSO. More information about assistantships can be found here.

Outside Scholarship Databases and Search Engines

We encourage all graduate students to explore private, outside scholarship opportunities to assist with the cost of their program. The list below contains several search engines that may be helpful in identifying relevant private scholarships:

BU Employees: Tuition Remission & HR

If you are a regular full-time Boston University employee and have an appointment of nine months or more duration, you, your spouse, and your dependent children are eligible to participate in the Tuition Remission Program. Employees whose percentage time worked decreases below the eligibility requirements for the Tuition Remission Program will no longer be able to participate in the benefit plan. For more information about Tuition Remission and how to apply for your benefit, please visit Human Resources website. All questions about Tuition Remission should be directed to Human Resources at HR@bu.edu.

Online students are not eligible for Tuition Remission through Boston University.

Tuition Payment Plan

Some graduate students use personal savings to help finance their degree and want a flexible way to pay their tuition over a period of time. You can find information on payment deadlines, payment options and payment plans through Student Financials.

We recommend contacting Student Financials directly with any questions about payment options: studenta@bu.edu.