Boston University scholarships, student loans and grants

How much does it cost to go to Boston University?

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As you can see, going to BU costs more than just tuition and fees. You also need to cover textbooks, a meal plan and other living expenses during the semester.

Does BU offer a tuition payment plan?

Yes, Boston University offers a payment plan through Nelnet Campus Commerce. The plan breaks up each semester’s tuition into five installments that BU automatically deducts from your bank account on the 15th of each month. You can enroll online by logging in to Student Link and selecting Payment Plan.

Fall semester payments starts in May and end in September. The spring semester payment plan starts in October and ends in February.

Boston University scholarships and grants

BU offers several need-and merit-based scholarships and grants to students, in addition to a student employment option.

To be considered for financial aid, you must complete a student profile and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on time. BU automatically renews need-based scholarships the following academic year, though you might need to reapply for some merit-based awards.

Boston University Grant

• Amount

  Varies based on need

• Eligibility requirements

  You must meet the following criteria to qualify:

  • Eligible for need-based financial aid
  • Strong high school academics
  • Complete at least 12 credits each semester
  • Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA

This need-based award is offered to students whose families can’t afford to cover the full cost of attendance at BU. Since funding is limited, this grant typically goes to students who have the strongest academic record in high school. You’re automatically considered for the BU Grant when you apply for financial aid.

BU Community Service Award

• Amount

  Varies based on need

• Eligibility requirements

  You must meet the following criteria to qualify:

  • First-year or transfer student
  • Graduated from a Boston public high school
  • Qualify for need-based financial aid
  • Complete at least 12 credits per semester
  • Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA
  • Commit to 25 hours of community service per semester

This need-based grant goes to first-year and transfer students who went to a Boston high school and are committed to serving their community. In addition to demonstrating financial need, you also have to dedicate at least 25 hours a semester to community service work. The BU Community Service Award automatically renews each year and increases to reflect any changes in tuition.

Charles River Housing Grant

• Amount

  Varies based on need

• Eligibility requirements

  You must meet the following criteria to qualify:

  • Live in BU-owned housing on the Charles River or Fenway Campus
  • Qualify for need-based financial aid
  • Complete at least 12 credits per semester
  • Maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher

This need-based grant is only available to students who live in BU housing on either the Charles River Campus or Fenway Campus. You can continue to receive the award each year long as you live in eligible housing and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Richard D. Cohen Scholarship

• Amount

  Varies based on financial need

• Eligibility requirements

  You must meet the following criteria to qualify:

  • Exceptional financial need
  • Outstanding academic achievement
  • Complete at least 12 credits per semester
  • Maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher

The Richard D. Cohen Scholarship is a need- and merit-based award for low-income students with a strong academic record. While there are no cutoffs, students with the most competitive GPAs and test scores might have an easier time qualifying. The award amount adjusts each year based on changes in tuition.

Alumni Council Scholarship

• Amount

  $2,500

• Eligibility requirements

  You must meet the following criteria to qualify:

  • Have an immediate family member who’s a BU alumnus
  • Qualify for need-based financial aid
  • Complete at least 12 credits per semester
  • Maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher

This need-based scholarship is designed to help legacy students cover the cost of tuition. There are no academic requirements to qualify, though you need to maintain satisfactory academic progress to remain eligible.

Merit-based scholarships

In addition to need-based scholarships and grants, BU also has several merit-based scholarships for students with exceptional academics.

Each scholarship has different requirements and application processes. Reach out to BU’s financial aid department for more details.

• First-year merit-based scholarships

  The following scholarship programs are available to first-year BU students:

  • Boston/Brookline Firefighters Memorial Scholarship
  • Boston University College of Engineering FIRST Scholarship
  • Brookline High Scholarship
  • Cardinal Medeiros Scholarship
  • Chelsea High and Andrew Quigley Scholarships
  • College of Fine Arts Scholarship
  • Massachusetts Pre-Engineering Program (Mass PEP) Scholarship
  • Methodist Clergy Scholarship
  • Posse Foundation Scholarship
  • Thomas M. Menino Scholarship
  • Trustee Scholarship

• Transfer student merit-based scholarships

  Transfer students can apply to the following scholarships:

  • Bunker Hill Community College Scholarship
  • Massachusetts Bay Community College Scholarship
  • Methodist Clergy Scholarship
  • Phi-Theta Kappa Scholarship
  • Roxbury Community College Scholarship

• MET Scholarships

  Students at BU’s Metropolitan College can qualify for the following scholarships:

  • Alumni Funded Scholarship Program
  • Boston Medical Center Employee Scholarship
  • Bryan D. Willard Scholarship
  • Osher Reentry Scholarship
  • Post-9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program
  • Scholarship for Cancer Patients and Survivors
  • Scholarship for Community College Graduates
  • Scholarship for Parents
  • WSIA Education Foundation

Athletic scholarships

BU offers awards spanning from a few hundred dollars to a full ride to student athletes. The head coach of each sport handpicks students to receive the awards each year. If you’re interested in applying, have your high school coach reach out to the BU Athletics Department for more details.

The following varsity sports are eligible for an athletic scholarship:

Student employment

Students can find a campus job through BU’s Student Employment Office. It runs an online job board and also works to quickly match students with available positions. The only requirement to sign up is to be enrolled in a degree-granting program at BU. While this won’t necessarily cover tuition and fees, your salary can help cover part of your living expenses.

Student loans to pay for Boston University

BU’s financial aid budget is limited, so chances are you’ll need to take out a student loan to cover at least part of your cost of attendance. BU recommends applying for federal loans first, since they typically have lower rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. You can apply for federal loans by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

However, there’s a limit to how much you can borrow and not all students qualify. In that case, you might want to consider private student loans as well.

Compare private student loan providers

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Name	Product	Min. Credit Score	Max. Loan Amount	APR
Ascent private student loans		540	$200,000	2.71% to 12.99%	Get started More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
EDvestinU Private Student Loans		675	$200,000	4.07% to 9%	Straightforward student loans for undergraduate and graduate students.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
LendKey Private Student Loans		Varies by lender		4.99% to 11.06%	This connection service partners with Sallie Mae and WSFS Bank to offer competitive rates.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Advantage Education Loan Refinance Loan		670		Starting at 3.74%	Refinance to a more flexible repayment plan with this nonprofit lender.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Alliant Credit Union Traditional Student Loan		680	$60,000	Starting at 4.56%	All-purpose personal loans from @pl_product_min_loan_amount@ to @pl_product_max_loan_amount@ with rates that stop at @pl_product_var_rate@.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
ChangEd student loan payment app					Securely connect all of your student loans and bank accounts to one place for a painless repayment experience.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Chicago student loans		None	Cost of attendance, up to $50,000	7.53% to 8.85%	No cosigner needed for this fixed-rate financing option.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Citizens Bank Private Student Loans		700	$295,000	1.25% to 10.57%	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Bottom line

Going to BU isn’t cheap, and its financial aid program isn’t as expansive as what you might find at other private schools like Yale or Stanford. To lower the cost, look into federal, private and state scholarships and grants you might qualify for before taking on debt.

Learn more about how to finance your education by reading our guide to student loans.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I apply for a scholarship as an enrolled student?

  You can, though BU typically awards scholarships to first-year and transfer students. You can learn about which scholarships you might be eligible for by reaching out to the BU Fellowships and Scholarships Office.

• Does BU offer scholarships to international students?

  Yes, international students might be able to qualify for several merit-based scholarships. However, need-based funding is limited to US citizens and noncitizens who qualify for federal aid. Contact the Fellowships and Scholarships Office to learn which options are available to you.

• Are there any scholarship options for graduate students?

  Yes, BU offers several scholarships and fellowships to graduate students. Eligibility typically depends on your area of study. Funding options can vary by campus and department. Contact your school’s financial assistance office for more details.