Appeal for Reconsideration
All requests for reconsideration of a need-based financial aid decision are carefully reviewed on a case-by-case basis within our established guidelines for awarding need-based financial aid. Every effort is made to assist qualified students who fully document new or extenuating circumstances.
To provide some guidance, here are some of the most common reasons we may increase financial aid:
- Significant decrease in income reflected on your tax return
- Prolonged unemployment of a parent or spouse
- Requires applicable year tax returns
- Unusually high or unexpected medical expenses paid that are not covered by insurance
- Requires tax returns from tax year of expenses
- Receipt of a one-time income source reported on tax return
While we are not able to increase financial aid awards for all appeals, we encourage you to consider appealing for reconsideration if the net costs appear unmanageable. Many circumstances are taken into account automatically within our initial application review, but new or updated information will always help us to get a better picture of your circumstances and ability to afford BU. At a minimum, we may be able to recommend an affordable financing strategy to supplement your existing financial aid.
Appeal Deadline:
- Admission Deposit – Once you pay your deposit for admission, we will no longer be able to review an appeal for any additional need-based aid in your first year of study. When deciding to enroll at BU, please do so with a financing plan based on the award you have when submitting the deposit.
- Appeals will not be reviewed after the deposit deadline for each admission cycle.
When you receive your financial aid award, if you wish to appeal, please submit the appeal form with all required documentation as soon as possible to allow for BU Financial Assistance to review your appeal prior to the deposit deadline. The priority deadline for May 1st deposit deadlines is April 15th.
Please include a Request for Financial Aid Reconsideration Form with all appeals.
FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS
Award decisions for first-year students for the 24/25 academic year are based on demonstrated financial need. To appeal, download and complete the Request for Financial Aid Reconsideration form and upload it via the MyBU Applicant Portal. If your applicant portal is no longer active, please upload your appeal form and supporting documents to the BU FA Document Portal as “Appeal for Reconsideration of Need-based Aid”.
Submitting your appeal:
- Signed parent and student federal tax returns and W-2 forms must be submitted to BU Financial Assistance before your appeal request can be reviewed. These documents should be uploaded through the BU FA Document Portal with the Request for Reconsideration form.
- For 24/25 BU enrollments starting September 2024 or January 2025, submit 2022 tax year forms.
The following must also be received by BU Financial Assistance before your appeal request can be reviewed:
- A complete and signed, (even if e-filed) copy of your federal income tax return, as submitted to the IRS, with all pages and schedules. If the IRS does not require that you file a tax return, complete the Income Tax Non-Filer Statement form.
- A complete and signed, (even if e-filed) copy of your parents’ federal income tax return, as submitted to the IRS, with all pages and schedules. If the IRS does not require that your parent(s) file a tax return, complete the Income Tax Non-Filer Statement form.
- Copies of all your parents’ 2022 W-2 forms.
Please note: BU cannot access documents you may have sent to CSS IDOC at the request of another university.
While we don’t negotiate financial aid offers or match offers from other schools, we’re always willing to have a discussion with families concerned that they can’t afford BU given the financial aid we have offered.
Deadline: Admission Deposit Deadline
TRANSFER STUDENTS
Award decisions for transfer students are based on demonstrated financial need and the availability of funds for the program of study. To appeal, download and complete the Request for Financial Aid Reconsideration form and upload it via the BU FA Document Portal along with any supporting materials as “Appeal for Reconsideration of Need-based Aid”.
Submitting your appeal:
- Signed 2022 parent and student federal tax returns and W-2 forms must be submitted to BU Financial Assistance before your appeal request can be reviewed.
The following must be received by BU Financial Assistance before your appeal request can be reviewed:
- A complete and signed, (even if e-filed) copy of your 2022 federal income tax return, as submitted to the IRS, with all pages and schedules. If the IRS does not require that you file a tax return, complete the Income Tax Non-Filer Statement form.
- A complete and signed, (even if e-filed) copy of your parents’ 2022 federal income tax return, as submitted to the IRS, with all pages and schedules. If the IRS does not require that your parent(s) file a tax return, complete the Income Tax Non-Filer Statement form.
- Copies of all your parents’ 2022 W-2 forms.
Please note: BU cannot access documents you may have sent to CSS IDOC at the request of another university.
While we don’t negotiate financial aid offers or match offers from other schools, we’re always willing to have a discussion with families concerned that they can’t afford BU given the financial aid we have offered.
Deadline: Admission Deposit Deadline
CURRENT STUDENTS
Current students are awarded BU financial aid consistent with the terms of the BU Scholarship Assurance. To request reconsideration of a need-based financial aid, please submit:
- Submit the 2024-2025 FAFSA.
- Submit the 2024-2025 CSS Profile™.
- If your biological or adoptive parents are divorced, separated, and/or do not share the same household list both parents (and any stepparents if applicable) on your Profile, as instructed. The parent who provides the majority of your financial support must provide their information on your Profile and FAFSAThe Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine eligibility for state and federal grants, scholarships, and loans. The FAFSA can be completed on the Federal Student Aid website.. Your other (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.) parent must complete a Profile also, which will be appended to your Profile later. Enter your other (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.) parent’s email address on your Profile, as instructed, so CSS can send them information on how to create their separate Profile account log-in.
- Submit a CSS Profile™ Waiver Request if getting a Profile from your other (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.) parent will be impossible.
- Submit income confirmation and other required documentation directly to BU Financial Assistance.
- Submit an Appeal for Financial Aid Reconsideration.
Request for Financial Aid Reconsideration forms and supporting documentation should be uploaded to the BU FA Document Portal.
Deadlines:
- Fall – Fall Payment Deadline
- Spring – Spring Payment Deadline
Priority Deadlines
- First-year students starting in September, expect a reply by your enrollment deposit due date if your appeal is submitted by April 15.
- We begin reviewing appeals from current students in mid-July after issuing initial awards. Please do not submit an appeal until after you have received your award renewal for that upcoming year.
Current students who experience changes in financial circumstances after September 15th may submit a Request for Financial Aid Reconsideration for the spring semester, which is due by the first Monday of November.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request reconsideration for a merit award decision?
Merit-based scholarship recipients are selected by the Board of Admissions and selection decisions are final. Scholarship terms and conditions, including award amounts, are pre-established. If you were not selected for a merit award or were selected and believe you need additional financial assistance, we encourage you to explore need-based financial aid and credit-based loans.
Does BU consider family consumer debt when calculating financial need?
No. Although consumer debt (car loans, credit card payments, etc.) is a very real expense for families, it is not considered in the analysis. We make every effort to treat all families equally, and allowing for consumer debt would give families who owe money an unfair advantage over families who do not.
As a current student, do I have to meet a certain grade point average (GPA) to request reconsideration?
Yes, current students must meet a 2.00 grade point average (GPA) and other academic standards to be eligible to receive financial aid and for a financial aid decision to be reconsidered.
What if my financial situation worsens after the start of the academic year?
Current students who experience changes in financial circumstances after the appeal deadline may submit a Request for Financial Aid Reconsideration for the spring semester, which is due by the first Monday of November. Complete appeal forms received after mid-September will be considered for appeal funding beginning in the spring semester. If you have already appealed for the academic year and your financial circumstances have not improved you may appeal a second time during the second semester appeal window for additional assistance.
My appeal request was denied. Can I appeal again next year?
Yes, you can always re-apply for financial aid next year and appeal for reconsideration in the future. We encourage you to bring any new or changed circumstances to our attention. However, we urge you to carefully consider your options and whether resources currently available to you are sufficient to support the net cost of your studies at BU.
When and how will I be notified of your decision on my appeal request?
We make every effort to respond to all appeal requests as quickly as possible. Any changes made to your award can be viewed on the MyBU Student Portal. In addition, if you are a first-year student and you submitted a complete appeal including income verification by the April 15 deadline, you will be sent a decision notification email before the May 1 deposit deadline so you can make a well informed enrollment decision.
