{"id":27124,"date":"2021-03-20T11:20:23","date_gmt":"2021-03-20T15:20:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/?page_id=27124"},"modified":"2026-07-10T17:48:51","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T21:48:51","slug":"tuition-scholarships-aid","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/admissions\/graduate\/tuition-scholarships-aid\/","title":{"rendered":"Tuition, Scholarships &#038; Aid"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2>Investing in your future<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Graduate school is a significant investment. We&#8217;re committed to making the funding process easier to understand&#8211;and helping you identify scholarships, assistantships, financial aid, and other resources that may make a COM education more accessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Domestic and international applicants admitted full-time to eligible on-campus graduate programs are automatically considered for COM merit scholarships. No separate application is required for most awards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond COM scholarships, additional funding may be available through graduate assistantships, federal financial aid, employer tuition benefits, and outside scholarships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Merit scholarships<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>COM awards a range of merit-based scholarships to eligible applicants. Awards are based on the strength of the complete application, including academic achievement, professional and creative accomplishments, leadership, and overall potential for graduate study. Part-time and online students are not eligible for COM merit scholarships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Scholarship percentages and award amounts may vary by program of admission. All ranges below are based on enrollment in 16 units (credits) per semester.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4>Excellence in Communication scholarship<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>45%\u201350% tuition scholarship<\/strong> <em>(between $31,436\u2013$34,938)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>COM&#8217;s most prestigious graduate scholarship, awarded to exceptional candidates who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to the field. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4>Dean\u2019s scholarship<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>30%\u201340% tuition scholarship<\/strong> <em>(between $20,000\u2013$28,000)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Awarded to high-achieving applicants who demonstrate strong academic and professional potential. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4>Emerging Leaders scholarship<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>20%\u201325% tuition scholarship<\/strong> <em>(between $14,000\u2013$17,500)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Awarded to applicants who demonstrate creativity, intellectual curiosity, initiative, and strong leadership potential.<em> <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4>Communication scholarship<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>10%\u201315% tuition scholarship<\/strong> <em>(between $7,000\u2013$10,500)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Awarded to applicants who show strong potential for success in graduate study and communication-related careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4>Global Scholars award<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>10%\u201315% tuition scholarship<\/strong> <em>(between $7,000\u2013$10,500)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Awarded to exceptional international applicants whose academic achievements, experiences, and perspectives strengthen COM&#8217;s global community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4>Boston University alumni scholarship (Double Terrier)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Already a Terrier? We&#8217;ve got good news. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eligible Boston University bachelor&#8217;s degree alumni who enroll in a qualifying COM master&#8217;s program beginning in summer 2026 or later receive a guaranteed minimum 25% tuition scholarship through BU&#8217;s Double Terrier Scholarship program. No separate application is required. <em>For the 2025\u201326 academic year, the minimum scholarship value is approximately $17,500 for full-time students enrolled in 16 credits\/units per semester.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/grad\/double-terrier-scholarship\/\">Learn more about eligibility and programs<\/a>. Please note that COM&#8217;s Graduate Certificate in Civic Science Communication and the online MS in Strategic Integrated Communication are not eligible for the Double Terrier scholarship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Recent Boston University alumni may also qualify for a COM application fee waiver. Learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/admissions\/graduate\/graduate-application-fee-waiver\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/admissions\/graduate\/graduate-application-fee-waiver\/\">fee waiver eligibility<\/a> or email us at <a href=\"mailto:comgrad@bu.edu\">comgrad@bu.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Program-specific merit scholarships<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some programs offer additional merit scholarships based on program-specific criteria. No separate application is required; all applicants to eligible programs are automatically considered. Recipients may instead receive a higher COM merit scholarship based on committee review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/academics\/film-television\/ms-in-media-ventures\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/academics\/film-television\/ms-in-media-ventures\/\">Media Ventures<\/a> scholarship:<ul><li><strong>Minimum 20% tuition scholarship<\/strong> <em>($14,000 for 2025\u201326 academic year based on full-time enrollment of 16 credits per semester)<\/em><\/li><li>Available to admitted <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/academics\/film-television\/ms-in-media-ventures\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/academics\/film-television\/ms-in-media-ventures\/\">MS in Media Ventures<\/a> students.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/academics\/film-television\/ms-in-television\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/academics\/film-television\/ms-in-television\/\">Television<\/a> scholarship:<ul><li><strong>Minimum 20% tuition scholarship<\/strong> <em>($14,000 for 2025\u201326 academic year based on full-time enrollment of 16 credits per semester)<\/em><\/li><li>Available to admitted <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/academics\/film-television\/ms-in-television\/\" target=\"_blank\">MS in Television<\/a> students. <\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2>Named and special scholarships<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The College of Communication is proud to offer several scholarships made possible through the generosity of alumni, donors, faculty, and friends of COM. Eligibility and award criteria vary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"claflin\">Claflin Scholarship<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A minimum $10,000 scholarship supporting graduate students whose experiences and perspectives contribute to the richness of our community. The scholarship honors a founder of both Boston University and Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4>Kauff Scholarship<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Awarded to select MS in Journalism students interested in pursuing careers in broadcast journalism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4>Doris Hill Graduate Scholarship Fund<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Established through the generosity of COM alumnus Kevin Merida in honor of his mother, Doris Hill, this annual $30,000 scholarship supports an MS in Journalism student with financial need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4>Leadership Brainery Scholarship<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A minimum 20% tuition scholarship for alumni of\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.leadershipbrainery.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Leadership Brainery<\/a>, an organization dedicated to increasing opportunities for underrepresented talent. Alumni may instead qualify for one of the higher scholarships listed above. No separate scholarship application is required, but after applying to COM, please email\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"mailto:comgrad@bu.edu\" target=\"_blank\">comgrad@bu.edu<\/a>\u00a0to let us know you&#8217;ve submitted your application as a Leadership Brainery alum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>Hugo&nbsp;Shong Graduate Scholarship in Journalism<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Through the generosity of COM alum Hugo Shong, these scholarships provide up to $70,000 in tuition support to two graduate students studying journalism, including one with a focus on science journalism or science communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4>Jonathan Walton Memorial Scholarship<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The Jonathan Walton Memorial Scholarship provides an annual scholarship of $2,500 to a graduate student whose academic and professional goals align with the scholarship&#8217;s mission and purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Scholarships<\/strong> requiring a separate application<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Students are&nbsp;<strong>not<\/strong>&nbsp;automatically considered for the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4>First Generation Scholarship<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>COM offers two full-tuition scholarships for eligible first-generation college students entering a COM master&#8217;s program in the fall. A first-generation student is defined as someone whose parents or guardians did not complete a four-year college degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition and fees for the normal duration of the recipient&#8217;s graduate program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Eligibility: <\/strong>Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, enroll full-time, and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher throughout the program. A separate application is required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><span style=\"color: initial;\">Recipients must remain enrolled full-time throughout their COM master\u2019s program to maintain scholarship eligibility.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> This scholarship replaces any other COM merit scholarship awarded and cannot exceed the total cost of tuition and fees when combined with other outside or BU scholarships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>To apply:<\/strong> The application for the 2026 First Generation Scholarship is now closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Outside scholarship resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4>For specific disciplines<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/advising\/fellowships-scholarships\/opportunities\/bu-fellowships-for-graduate-students\/\">BU Fellowships for Graduate Students<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/advising\/fellowships-scholarships\/opportunities\/national-fellowships-scholarships-for-graduate-students\/\">National Fellowships &amp; Scholarships for Graduate Students<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/theemmys.tv\/scholarships\/\">NATAS Scholarships<\/a> (Film &amp; Television)<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/owaa.org\/scholarships-fellowships\/\">Outdoor Writers Association of America Fellowships<\/a> (Journalism)<\/li><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/prssa.prsa.org\/scholarships-and-awards\/individual-scholarships\/\" target=\"_blank\">PRSSA Scholarships<\/a> (Public Relations)<\/li><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rtdna.org\/content\/scholarships\" target=\"_blank\">Radio Television Digital News Foundation<\/a>&nbsp;(Journalism\/Film &amp; Television)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4>Outside scholarship databases and search engines<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/bigfuture.collegeboard.org\/scholarship-search\">College Board Scholarship Search<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.fastweb.com\/\">FastWeb Scholarship Search<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/accessscholarships.com\/\">Access Scholarships<\/a><\/li><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.collegexpress.com\/scholarships\/collegenet-scholarships\/5000038\/\" target=\"_blank\">CollegeExpress Scholarship Search<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.accessandequity.org\/category\/scholarships\/\">Access &amp; Equity Scholarship Search<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.appily.com\/scholarships\">Appily Scholarship Search<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.niche.com\/colleges\/scholarships\/\">Niche Scholarship Search<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3>Assistantships<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>All\u00a0<em>full-time applicants<\/em> are automatically considered for\u00a0select COM graduate assistantships during the admission process. Additional paid positions become available throughout the academic year and are shared with enrolled students through the COM Graduate Newsletter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Assistantships may involve teaching, research, grading, administrative support, or other work within COM. These are paid positions and do not include tuition remission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/admissions\/graduate\/tuition-scholarships-aid\/assistantship-information\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/admissions\/graduate\/tuition-scholarships-aid\/assistantship-information\/\">assistantships<\/a>. Questions can be directed to&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:comgrad@bu.edu\">comgrad@bu.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are other on-campus employment options available to enrolled students through Boston University\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/seo\/\">Student Employment Office<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/fitrec\/about\/graduate-assistantships\/\">Fitness and Recreation Center<\/a>, and the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/reslife\/join-our-team\/opportunities-for-graduate-students\/\">Residence Life Office.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-bucom-light-gray-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3>COM Scholarship and Assistantship FAQs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\t<div\n\t\tclass=\"wp-block-bu-collapsible js-wp-block-bu-collapsible is-open icon-style-plus-minus is-style-plain\"\n\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\tid=\"bu-collapsible-id-how-do-i-apply-for-scholarships-9f95ff4d\"\n\t\tdata-default-open=\"false\"\n\t>\n\t\t<h2 class=\"bu-collapsible-heading\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"bu-block-collapsible-toggle js-bu-block-collapsible-toggle\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-how-do-i-apply-for-scholarships-9f95ff4d-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<strong>How do I apply for scholarships?<\/strong>\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bu-block-collapsible-content js-bu-block-collapsible-content\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-how-do-i-apply-for-scholarships-9f95ff4d-panel\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<p>Applicants admitted full-time to eligible on-campus graduate programs are automatically considered for COM merit scholarships. No separate scholarship application is required for most awards.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\n\t<div\n\t\tclass=\"wp-block-bu-collapsible js-wp-block-bu-collapsible is-open icon-style-plus-minus is-style-plain\"\n\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\tid=\"bu-collapsible-id-are-graduate-assistantships-available-688486da\"\n\t\tdata-default-open=\"false\"\n\t>\n\t\t<h2 class=\"bu-collapsible-heading\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"bu-block-collapsible-toggle js-bu-block-collapsible-toggle\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-are-graduate-assistantships-available-688486da-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<strong>Are graduate assistantships available?<\/strong>\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bu-block-collapsible-content js-bu-block-collapsible-content\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-are-graduate-assistantships-available-688486da-panel\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<p>Yes. All full-time applicants are automatically considered for select COM graduate assistantships during the admission process. Additional paid teaching, research, and administrative positions become available throughout the academic year.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\n\t<div\n\t\tclass=\"wp-block-bu-collapsible js-wp-block-bu-collapsible is-open icon-style-plus-minus is-style-plain\"\n\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\tid=\"bu-collapsible-id-are-international-students-eligible-for-scholarships-and-assistantships-7be3130b\"\n\t\tdata-default-open=\"false\"\n\t>\n\t\t<h2 class=\"bu-collapsible-heading\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"bu-block-collapsible-toggle js-bu-block-collapsible-toggle\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-are-international-students-eligible-for-scholarships-and-assistantships-7be3130b-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<strong>Are international students eligible for scholarships and assistantships?<\/strong>\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bu-block-collapsible-content js-bu-block-collapsible-content\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-are-international-students-eligible-for-scholarships-and-assistantships-7be3130b-panel\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<p>Yes. International students are eligible for COM merit scholarships and graduate assistantships. Some scholarships and funding sources may have additional eligibility requirements.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"How do I apply for scholarships?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"<p>All full-time applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. No separate scholarship application is required.<\/p>\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n\n\"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Are graduate assistantships available?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"<p>Yes. Students may apply for teaching, administrative, and research assistantships, which provide a stipend and an opportunity to work closely with faculty and staff.<\/p>\"\n }\n    },\n    {\n\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Are international students eligible for scholarships and assistantships?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"<p>Yes. International students are eligible for the same merit-based scholarships and graduate assistantships as domestic students.<\/p>\"\n      }\n    }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3>Federal financial aid<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>U.S. citizens and eligible permanent residents may qualify for federal financial aid, including student loans and work-study opportunities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To be considered, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You may apply online at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/studentaid.gov\/h\/apply-for-aid\/fafsa\">studentaid.gov<\/a>. For current interest rates and loan fees, please visit the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/studentaid.gov\/understand-aid\/types\/loans\/interest-rates\">U.S. Department of Education\u00a0<\/a>website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>Additional resources<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/smartmoney101\/\"><strong>Smart Money 101<\/strong><\/a>: BU Financial Assistance&#8217;s online tools, information and other resources to promote effective money management.\u00a0<\/li><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/studentfinancials\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/studentfinancials\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Student Financials<\/strong><\/a>: Information about tuition payment deadlines and payment options<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<p><script>\n  window.unibuddySettings = {\n    uni_id: 'boston-university-college-of-communication',\n    colour: 'CC0000',\n    filterKey: 'department',\n    filterValue: 'Boston University, College of Communication',\n    domain: 'https:\/\/popcard.unibuddy.co\/',\n    title: 'Unibuddy Popcard',\n    align: 'right',\n    ubLang: 'en-US',\n    ubCookieConsent: 'necessary',\n  };\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script src=\"https:\/\/cdn.unibuddy.co\/unibuddy-popcard.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\n<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Investing in your future Graduate school is a significant investment. We&#8217;re committed to making the funding process easier to understand&#8211;and&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16717,"featured_media":28859,"parent":27119,"menu_order":12,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_bu_prepress_primary_term":"","_bu_prepress_primary_term_manual":""},"bu-publication":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27124"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16717"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27124"}],"version-history":[{"count":49,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27124\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47119,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27124\/revisions\/47119"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27119"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28859"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27124"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"bu-publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-publication?post=27124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}