Expected Family Contribution
BU need-based scholarship eligibility is established in the first year that you apply for and receive scholarship aid and it is guaranteed for each year of undergraduate study; that’s the BU Scholarship Assurance.
BU Financial Assistance calculates your Demonstrated Financial Need with information from the CSS Profile™ and an equitable calculation that provides a fair and reasonable assessment of a family’s financial strength. After your first year, you will not be required to submit the CSS Profile™ again unless you are appealing for reconsideration of your financial aid award.
The BU Promise
Beginning in the 2026–27 academic year, Boston University will meet 100 percent of demonstrated financial need for first-time, first-year students who are US citizens and permanent residents—without loans.
Under this program, admitted first-year students from families with annual household incomes below $200,000 and typical assets can expect to pay no more than $20,000 per academic year toward the cost of attendance. In other words, financial aid will cover full tuition plus a portion of standard housing and dining costs.
Families with a total income of $75,000 or less, with typical assets, can expect to pay nothing.
Families earning more than $200,000 are also encouraged to apply. BU considers each family’s individual financial circumstances—including factors such as multiple children in college or a high cost of living—when determining need-based aid.
What will BU Cost you?
| Total Household Income | Total Financial Aid | Net Cost of Attendance* |
| $0 – $75,000 | Full Tuition + Standard Housing & Dining Plan (SHDP) | $0 |
| $75,001 – $100,000 | Full Tuition + % SHDP | $10,000 or less |
| $100,001 – $150,000 | Full Tuition + % SHDP | $15,000 or less |
| $150,001 – $200,000 | Full Tuition + % SHDP | $20,000 or less |
| $200,000 + | Tailored Financial Aid |
*Table illustrates sample costs for admitted first-year students starting in 2026/2027. Based on total household income with typical assets. Cost of Attendance based on standard Housing and Dining Plan cost for four years and standard Tuition 26/27 – $73,024.
Total Household Income is the combination of annual income from all sources for a given year. This includes Student Taxable Income, Parents’ Taxable Income, and Parents’ Untaxable Income. For two-household families, total household income includes the annual income of both the custodial and noncustodialIf your biological or adoptive parents are divorced, separated, and/or do not share the same household, your noncustodial parent is the parent who provides less support for you than your custodial parent. household.
Typical Assets refer to asset values typical for your family’s income level. BU does not include assets in designated retirement accounts in our analysis of a family’s assets. Assets typically reflect the following:
- Cash, Savings, and Checking Accounts
- Investments
- Equity in real estate other than your home
- Business Equity
Families with significant assets beyond what is typical for their income level, may not qualify for the financial aid eligibility thresholds indicated, even if their household income is below $200,000. These families will instead receive a tailored financial aid package based on their specific circumstances.
With the BU Promise, your financial aid covers 100% of your demonstrated need without student loans. However, Federal Direct Loans may still be offered if you are eligible. While borrowing can be a useful tool to help manage education costs, accepting these loans is optional—you can choose to accept or decline them in your MyBU Student Portal.
*BU need-based financial assistance does not cover more expensive housing options. If students elect to live in more expensive housing, they will be responsible for the difference in cost. Students who elect to commute from home, will also received a tailored financial aid award based on their lower cost of attendance.
BU Financial Assistance, in considering all circumstances impacting a family’s ability to pay for the cost of education, reserves the right to make the final determination of a family’s expected contribution and financial aid award.
Frequently Asked Questions
My family earns more than $200,000 a year. Is it still worth applying for aid?
Who is eligible for the BU Promise?
Demonstrated Financial Need for BU Need-Based Scholarships
Eligibility for Federal and State Financial Aid
Renewal of Aid
BU is meeting my full demonstrated need but I still have a bill?
Learn more about managing college costs
Whatever the amount of your family’s share of the total costs, it’s critical that you and your family plan for this expense before you arrive on campus. For more information, see Your Plan for Managing BU Expenses and Four Steps to Managing the Cost of Your Education.