Estimated Expenses & Financial Information

Estimated expenses for students requesting a Boston University summer I-20 document

The estimates below are for visiting international students studying at BU during Summer Term 2026, whether enrolling in a single, six-week summer session (Summer 1 or Summer 2) or both summer sessions.

The minimum amount on financial documentation is the amount that students must demonstrate they have in financial support in order to be issued a Boston University I-20 document for summer study. Actual expenses incurred may vary for the following reasons:

• Tuition: The above tuition estimate is for undergraduate courses. Tuition for graduate courses is typically higher and varies by BU school or college. Students enrolling in a graduate course can find the actual tuition listed in the course’s description. Students who are taking 16 credits over 12 weeks will incur a higher tuition expense than what is listed above for 12 credits.
• University fees: Some courses also carry lab or additional fees, which can be found in the course’s description.
• Housing and Dining: The rate listed above is for a multiple-occupancy, air-conditioned room in a traditional-style residence, with a dining plan of 10 meals per week. Alternative housing and dining arrangements will result in different charges.
• Books, supplies, and incidentals: Actual expenses may vary depending on courses taken and lifestyle. The estimates above do not include airfare.

Boston University does not offer scholarships for visiting international students to participate in Summer Term. If you intend to use an external scholarship towards your payment for summer studies, please contact BU’s Student Financials office at studenta@bu.edu for assistance.

Estimate for dependents

A dependent is defined as the student’s spouse or child (under the age of 21). Students bringing dependents should contact the Summer Term office for estimated costs associated with dependents.

Financial information

Visiting international students who need an I-20 from Boston University must provide proof of adequate funding in order to enroll at Boston University Summer Term. All financial documents submitted for evaluation will become the property of BU and will not be returned to you. It is recommended that you request multiple copies of the documentation you submit to BU to retain a copy for your own records. Please refer to the table above for the breakdown of fees and for the minimum funds required.

All declarations of financial support must:

1. Reflect the minimum amount of support required in US dollars (refer to the table above).
2. Include a date and be no more than one year prior to the intended date of enrollment.
3. Be written in English.
4. Reflect funds that are readily available for tuition payments (i.e., checking or savings accounts). Certain investment accounts such as stocks, salary documents, property holdings, etc., do not reflect available funds and will not be accepted.

Additional financial support requirements