Frequently Asked Questions

What are the requirements to take Summer Term courses?

With our open enrollment policy, you don’t have to apply for admission to BU in order to take summer courses. Simply register for the courses that interest you. Keep in mind that some courses have prerequisites. It is your responsibility to make sure you have fulfilled the necessary prerequisites before starting a summer course.

How many courses can I take during a summer session?

Summer Term is comprised of two, six-week summer sessions. Students can take up to two courses for a total of 8–10 credits during each six-week summer session. Visiting students wanting to take an overload (more than two courses in a session) need permission from the director of Summer Term. BU students should get approval from their advisor. If approved, the overload course must be added using a Summer Add/Drop form.

Is financial aid available during Summer Term?

Financial aid for BU students enrolled during the summer is limited. BU scholarships are available only to eligible students enrolled in certain courses. Federal grants and loans are available only in limited circumstances. Federal Work-Study and credit-based loans (federal and private) are available for those who qualify. Learn more about financial aid options.

What is the fee to audit a course?

Students who are given approval to audit a course are charged the same tuition as students taking the course for credit. All students attending and participating in a summer course must be officially registered. Students are not allowed to “sit-in” on summer courses. More information about auditing a summer course can be found at Audit & Pass/Fail.

When is the due date to pay tuition and fees?

Payments are due by the first day of each summer session. Late fees may be applied after this date. Charges will appear on your student account soon after you register.

Is the tuition remission benefit for BU employees available during Summer Term?

Yes. Tuition remission is available for eligible BU employees during Summer Term. Information on eligibility for tuition remission benefits is available at the BU HR website.

How do I withdraw from a course?

Students can drop courses on the Student Link or by completing a Summer Add/Drop form until the drop deadlines noted on the Summer Term Calendar. The Student Services fee and lab fees remain after the first day of a summer session. After the drop deadline, there is no credit for tuition or fees. Students can withdraw from courses with a ‘W’ grade until the deadlines noted in the Calendar. Please note that lack of attendance or nonpayment will not drop or withdraw you from a course. Students who do not officially drop a course are held responsible for full tuition and fees.

How do I request an official transcript once I finish my studies at Summer Term?

Information on how to request an official transcript is available on the Registrar’s website. A transcript fee is charged for all official transcripts.

Whom can I contact at BU if I have more questions?

Please contact the Summer Term office with any questions that you have.

What are the requirements to take Summer Term courses?

BU students can register for summer courses using WebReg on the Student Link. An advisor signature is not required to register for summer courses, although it is recommended that you consult with your advisor on all course selection issues.

How many courses can I take during a summer session?

Summer Term is comprised of two, six-week summer sessions. Students can take up to two courses (8–10 credits) during each summer session. Students wanting to take an overload of more than two courses in a session need permission from their BU school or college. The overload course cannot be added on the Student Link, but must be added using a Summer Add/Drop form.

Can I change my registration by adding or dropping courses?

Students can change their courses on the Student Link up until the add/drop deadline for each session.

Is financial aid available during Summer Term?

Financial aid for BU students enrolled during the summer is limited. BU scholarships are available only to eligible students enrolled in certain courses. Federal grants and loans are available only in limited circumstances. Federal Work-Study and credit-based loans (federal and private) are available for those who qualify. Learn more about financial aid options.

What does it cost to attend Summer Term courses?

The Tuition, Fees & Payment page of the Summer Term website lists the per credit cost of summer courses by BU school and college. Tuition amounts are also listed beneath each course description on the summer course listings.

How do I pay tuition and fees?

Payment by US bank account can be made online through the Student Link (see “Money Matters”). International payments can be made using Flywire or Western Union Business Solutions. Payment by paper checks or money orders in US dollars should be made payable to Boston University and sent to Student Accounting Services, 25 Buick Street, Suite 130, Boston, MA 02215.

When is the due date for payment of tuition and fees?

Payments are due by the first day of each summer session. Late fees may be applied after this date. Charges will appear on your student account soon after you register.

Is the tuition remission benefit for BU employees available during Summer Term?

Yes. Tuition remission is available for eligible BU employees during Summer Term. See bu.edu/hr for additional information.

How do I withdraw from a course?

Students can drop courses on the Student Link or by completing a Summer Add/Drop form until the drop deadlines noted on the Summer Term Calendar. The Student Services fee and lab fees remain after the first day of a summer session. After the drop deadline, there is no credit for tuition or fees. Students can withdraw from courses with a ‘W’ grade until the deadlines noted in the Calendar. Please note that lack of attendance or nonpayment will not drop or withdraw you from a course. Students who do not officially drop a course are held responsible for full tuition and fees.

Whom can I contact at BU if I have more questions?

Please contact the Summer Term office with any questions that you have.

Who is a visiting student?

A visiting student is someone coming to take BU graduate or undergraduate summer courses who is not currently matriculated in a BU degree program. Visiting students include students from other schools and colleges; professionals coming back to refresh a skill area; members of the community looking to take a course for enrichment; graduate students needing to take prerequisite courses for their future studies; BU employees looking to take courses prior to applying to a degree program; recent BU graduates; and others.

How does the enrollment process differ for visiting international students?

Since international students are not US citizens, they need to submit additional documents in order to attend BU Summer Term. Visiting students who are not international can simply register for and attend BU Summer Term without any special paperwork.

What are the requirements to take Summer Term courses?

With our open enrollment policy, visiting students do not need to apply for admission to BU in order to take summer courses. Simply register for the courses that interest you. Keep in mind that some courses may have prerequisites. It is your responsibility to make sure you have fulfilled the necessary prerequisites before starting a summer course.

How many courses can I take during a summer session?

Summer Term is comprised of two, six-week summer sessions. Students can take up to two courses (8–10 credits) during each summer session. Visiting students wanting to take an overload of more than two courses in a session need permission from the director of Summer Term. If approved, the overload course must be added using a Summer Add/Drop form.

How can I register for a summer course as a visiting student?

Students can register using our online registration system or by completing a paper registration form. Learn more about the process.

Is there financial aid available during Summer Term?

Generally, visiting students should apply for loans and any other aid that may be available through their home institution. There are no summer grants or scholarships available from BU.

What does it cost to attend Summer Term courses?

The Tuition, Fees & Payment page of the Summer Term website lists the per credit cost of summer courses by BU school and college. Tuition amounts are also listed beneath each course description on the summer course listings.

When is the due date for payment of tuition and fees?

Payments are due by the first day of each summer session. Late fees may be applied after this date. Charges will appear on your student account soon after you register.

How do I withdraw from a course?

Students can drop courses on the Student Link or by completing a Summer Add/Drop form until the drop deadlines noted on the Summer Term Calendar. The Student Services fee and lab fees remain after the first day of a summer session. After the drop deadline, there is no credit for tuition or fees. Students can withdraw from courses with a ‘W’ grade until the deadlines noted in the Calendar. Please note that lack of attendance or nonpayment will not drop or withdraw you from a course. Students who do not officially drop a course are held responsible for full tuition and fees.

Is it possible to get a syllabus for a BU Summer Term course?

Students can email summer@bu.edu with a request for a syllabus. We have most of these on record from the previous summer.

Do you offer fully online summer courses?

Yes, we offer a number of fully online summer courses. See Online/Distance Education courses for further information.

Are the credits I earn at BU transferable to my college or university?

Most colleges and universities accept BU transfer credits, but you should consult your home institution to confirm that this is the case. You should send an official BU transcript to your home institution once you have completed your Summer Term courses. See the Registrar’s website for more information.

How does a summer visiting student obtain a BU ID card for the summer?

After you have registered for courses, new students can obtain a photo BU Terrier ID card by following the instructions on this webpage.

Where can I get my books?

Textbooks are available at the Barnes & Noble @ Boston University bookstore located at 910 Commonwealth Avenue.

Whom can I contact at BU if I have more questions?

Please contact the Summer Term office with any questions that you have.

Do I need to be accepted into an undergraduate or graduate academic program to take courses at BU during the summer?

You do not have to be accepted into a degree program to take summer courses at BU. For students who want a short-term educational experience in the US, a Summer Term session is ideal. (Please note that to take courses in the fall or spring semesters you will need to formally apply to BU. Open enrollment is only for the summer.)

Do I need to provide English proficiency test results?

Visiting international students are required to submit recent results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English test. Students are expected to have English proficiency levels equivalent to or higher than 84 on the internet-based TOEFL (iBT), 7 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or 110 on the Duolingo English Test. Students can find more information about these requirements here.

How many summer courses can I take?

Visiting international students are encouraged to enroll in Summer Term full time, which is defined as registration for 8 credits if studying in one six-week summer session or 12 credits if studying in both sessions. This qualifies students for F-1 student visa sponsorship. Foreign nationals whose principal purpose of travel is tourism may choose to enroll part time, only if the purpose of attendance is recreational or avocational.

How do I register?

To learn more about the registration process, please visit our How to Register page.

How do I withdraw from a course?

Students can drop courses by completing a Summer Add/Drop form and sending it to sumintl@bu.edu, until the drop deadlines noted on the Summer Term Calendar. The Student Services fee and lab fees remain after the first day of a summer session. After the drop deadline, there is no credit for tuition or fees. Students can withdraw from courses with a ‘W’ grade until the deadlines noted in the Calendar. Please note that lack of attendance or nonpayment will not drop or withdraw you from a course. Students who do not officially drop a course are held responsible for full tuition and fees.

If I want to find out more about a BU Summer Term course, is it possible to get the syllabus?

Please contact the Summer Term office and we will help you obtain a copy of a course syllabus.

Do I need to apply for an I-20 from BU to study this summer?

If you are planning to travel to the United States for the purpose of taking courses at Boston University, you must apply for an I-20 immigration document from BU and a student visa. For BU to issue an I-20, you must study full time. Full-time study is defined as registration for a minimum of 8 credits in one summer session or 12 credits over both sessions. For further information about summer visas, click here.

How long will it take for me to get my I-20 from BU?

Once you have filled out all of your forms and provided us with all necessary documentation, it will take us approximately 15 business days to process and send your I-20. Once you receive your I-20, you will then need to pay the SEVIS fee and schedule an interview with your local US Embassy or Consulate to obtain approval of your visa (instructions will be provided with the I-20).

If I attend school at another college in the US on an I-20, what do I need to do?

If you currently attend a degree program at a college/university full time on a valid I-20 and are planning to return to that school in the fall, you can attend BU Summer Term on a part-time or full-time basis. All visiting international students must complete the International Student Online Enrollment Form, submit copies of their immigration paperwork, and check in with the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) at the start of the session. Health forms showing up-to-date immunizations are also required. Please visit the How to Register page for more information.

Are there any scholarships or financial aid for visiting international students who study at BU during the summer?

There are no scholarships or financial aid available during the summer for visiting international students. All visiting international students must provide their own funding for summer study.

Where will I live?

On-campus housing and meal services are available to interested students. Information about applying for on-campus housing will be emailed to visiting international students after they have been registered for courses. Traditional-style and apartment-style residences are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Students may also choose to live in off-campus apartments or with family members. Boston is a wonderful city to experience during the summer regardless of which housing option you choose.

How does a summer international student obtain a BU ID for Summer Term?

When you are registered for your courses, you will be assigned a BU ID number, which will be emailed to you with your registration confirmation. Once you have your BU ID number, you can obtain a BU Terrier Card by following the instructions on this webpage.

Do I need to bring my own computer?

It is always convenient to have your own computer and all University residences are equipped with wireless internet access. Students at BU have access to a wide variety of computing resources for communication, coursework, instruction, and research. Visit Information Technology to learn more.

Do I need University health insurance?

All students enrolled at BU during the summer must have a valid US-based health insurance plan. For more information, please visit our Health Records & Medical Insurance page. Students who are not automatically enrolled in BU’s Student Health Insurance Plan as part of their summer enrollment may contact Student Accounting Services at insmed@bu.edu for more information on purchasing coverage.

Where will my bill be sent and how do I pay?

Your bill will be sent to the home address indicated on your registration form. Please note that you must pay your charges by the start of the session in which you are enrolled, even if you have not yet received a bill by email or in the mail. After you arrive on campus, if you have not paid your bill already, please visit Student Accounting Services in person. Student Accounting Services is located at 25 Buick Street, Suite 130. Their phone number is 617-353-2264. Click here for more information about payment options.

Is there anything I must do once I arrive in Boston?

Regardless of immigration status, all visiting international students studying from within the US are required to check in with the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO). For F-1 visa BU-sponsored students, ISSO is required to notify the Department of Homeland Security about your arrival and full-time registration; for these students, failure to report to ISSO and study full time will jeopardize lawful student status in the United States. Visit our Arriving on Campus page for more information.

Where can I get my course materials?

Textbooks and other school supplies are available at the Barnes & Noble @ Boston University bookstore located at 910 Commonwealth Avenue.

If I attend BU full time during the school year, do I need to complete the summer forms for international students?

No. If you attend BU during the school year and you will continue in the same academic program at BU in the fall, you can simply enroll in summer courses using the Student Link. No additional paperwork is needed unless you complete a program in the spring and/or will begin a new program in the fall.

How do I request an official transcript once I finish my studies at Summer Term?

Information on how to request an official transcript is available on the Registrar’s website. A transcript fee is charged for all official transcripts.