First-year students – Regular Admissions

The CSS Profile™ and 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. are both required to apply for Boston University need-based financial aid. Applying for federal aid and state grants requires only 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.. However, most students find that BU-funded financial aid in addition to federal/state aid is essential to being able to pay the cost of attending Boston University.

CSS Profile™

  • The 2025-2026 Profile becomes available October 1, 2024.
  • Use CSS school code 3087 to send your Profile to Boston University.
  • Include your Social Security number on your Profile and on your Common Application for admission. Both forms list it as optional, however BU needs it to process your aid application without delays; delays  that could cause you to miss important deadlines.
  • 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 more financial support for you must provide their information on your Profile. 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 their Profile separately, and CSS will append it 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. If getting a CSS Profile from the 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 a CSS Profile Waiver Request for the 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.

FAFSA

  • The 2025-2026 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. becomes available in the fall of 2024.
  • If your biological or adoptive parents are divorced, separated, and/or do not share the same household, the parent who provides more financial support for you must provide their information on your 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..
  • Use federal institution code 002130 to send your 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. to Boston University.

 

Here’s a link to tips on completing your CSS Profile and FAFSA.