BU Community Service Award

Boston University enjoys a dynamic engagement with the City of Boston. Boston University’s commitment to meet, without loans, the full demonstrated financial need of any admitted Boston public high school graduate is a strong and tangible component of that engagement.

For full consideration, applicants must be admitted to the University and promptly submit all necessary financial aid application materials. This award is offered with a few unique requirements and features established to enhance the quality of students’ learning experiences and maximize their chances for success at BU.

• A mentor, who is a Boston University faculty or staff member, is provided for each recipient and serves throughout the student’s entire undergraduate enrollment as a resource and support.
• After the first academic semester recipients must perform 25 hours of community service per semester. Recipients are guided through their community service projects by their mentor.
• Recipients must maintain a 2.00 cumulative grade point average and successfully complete at least 12 credits each semester.
• Eligibility is established the first year based on the CSS Profile™, the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), and income verification documents. All financial and other eligibility requirements, including deadlines, must be met. After the first year the BU Scholarship Assurance guarantees that the Boston University need-based scholarship aid will be renewed each year at the same level and recipients are not required to file the Profile™. The 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. is required each year to apply for federal and state financial aid.
• A special provision of the BU Community Service Award ensures that it will increase each year at the same percentage rate as any future tuition increase.

Of course, students offered the BU Community Service Award may choose to take loans to help with educational expenses that go beyond their demonstrated need. However, the student’s full calculated eligibility will be met without loans. The recipient’s total grant amount is based on the cost of attendance and the student’s demonstrated needThe amount of financial aid you are eligible for based on the total annual cost of attendance minus the amount BU Financial Assistance determines you and your family are able to contribute toward those costs using the information provided on your CSS Profile application. . This presents BPS graduates with an opportunity to graduate from Boston University with a world class education and with little or no debt.