Credit Hour Requirements

At Boston University, to be considered for any form of financial aid – including credit-based educational loans –  full-time students must successfully complete at least 12 Boston University credits each semester in the prior academic year.

Students registered for only one semester during the prior academic year must have completed at least 12 credits in that semester.

Generally, part-time students must complete at least 75% of the total credits for which they enroll.

Enrollment at Boston University during the summer after the academic year enrollment is considered only upon appeal.

Enrollment at other institutions is not considered.

Grade Point Average Requirements

The calculation of grade point average (GPA) in determining eligibility for financial aid does not include Physical Development Program (PDP) courses.

Boston University need-based scholarship aid may be offered to eligible returning students who have not previously been awarded a BU need-based scholarship. Priority consideration is based on the availability of funds and the strength of the applicant’s academic record. To be considered, a new candidate must earn at least a 2.50 grade point average (GPA) and successfully complete at least 12 Boston University credits in the prior academic year, with no incomplete (I) or missing grades.

Part-time students must meet the same GPA requirements for eligibility.

Enrollment at Boston University during the summer after the academic year enrollment is considered only upon appeal.

Enrollment at other institutions is not considered.

Generally, academic records are reviewed for satisfactory academic progress on an annual basis. However, during the first semester of the academic year full-time students must successfully complete at least 8 credits with a minimum 1.00 grade point index (GPI).

Students who do not meet these minimum academic standards are very unlikely to meet the annual renewal criteria. Thus, falling short of first semester academic standards will result in a cancelation of second semester/term aid – first semester aid will remain intact.

Although BU Financial Assistance will make every effort to promptly notify students of the cancellation of their awards, students are responsible for obtaining their grades and determining if they have met the criteria for continuation of their awards.

Students may appeal the cancellation of their awards if they expect to receive an additional grade(s), have any grades changed prior to the first day of classes for the next term, or have extenuating circumstances. To appeal, submit a completed Mid-Year Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form to BU Financial Assistance, as instructed on the form.

Students who are denied Boston University, federal and/or state aid, or certification of a private loan because their academic performance falls short of satisfactory academic progress standards are welcome to appeal the decision to BU Financial Assistance.

Aid may be fully or partially reinstated for students who appeal with:

• A documented change in their academic record that enables them to meet the academic criteria for renewal (including a change resulting from a summer enrollment at Boston University).
• Documented extenuating circumstances.

To Appeal:

• BU Financial Assistance must receive all three (3) sections of the completed Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form by August 1. To submit your appeal electronically, download and save a copy of the form to your computer. (Do not try to complete the form in your browser.) Complete and save your copy of the form, then submit it as instructed.

BU Financial Assistance does not make academic decisions. If circumstances warrant, we will request the cooperation and assistance of your academic dean.