boston university parent portal financial aid

Where can I find financial aid information for Boston University programs?

Graduate Students: The Boston University graduate school or college where you enroll has financial aid information specific to your program of study on their website. Information about credit-based loans for graduate students is available here.

What type of mail should I use for my Bu financial assistance?

We recommend using First-Class U.S. Mail. Certified mail cannot be tracked or confirmed by BU Financial Assistance, as it is signed for at the University’s Mail Services. BU Financial Assistance routinely sends important communications to students at their Boston University email accounts.

Does Bu offer financial aid to international students?

Need-based financial aid from BU is not currently available to international students. For general information about financial assistance from other sources, please request the booklet “Financial Planning for Study in the United States” from the US Information Agency or a bi-national advising center in your home country.

How do I find the parent&family programs at BU?

We also highly recommend that you visit the College of General Studies webpage devoted to parents and families. You’ll find a CGS timeline, resources, and a Back2BU guide. As your family navigates BU, rest assured that the Parent & Family Programs’ office is here for you.

See more

How do I check my financial aid BU?

What you need to know if you have a BU financial aid awardView and acknowledge your award via the MyBU portal.Return to the MyBU portal to check on post-award updates.Share financial aid information with anyone helping you with college expenses.

Is Boston University generous with financial aid?

100%. Available to admitted, first-time US students and permanent residents with demonstrated financial need. BU also offers a wide variety of merit scholarships, some covering full tuition. If you receive need-based aid from BU, it is guaranteed thereafter, thanks to the BU Scholarship Assurance.

Does Boston University require CSS Profile for non custodial parent?

If your parents do not share the same household and you are seeking a waiver of the requirement that you provide a CSS Profile from your noncustodial parent, submit the Noncustodial Profile Waiver Request for the Noncustodial Parent form.

Does Boston University meet 100% demonstrated need?

BU meets your full need With affordableBU, BU will meet 100% of the demonstrated financial need for admitted, first-year students who are US citizens or permanent residents. We're offering expanded financial aid packages that will make up the difference between the cost of attendance and what you can afford.

Is Boston College a rich school?

Boston College students reportedly have a median family income of $194,100, ranking 21st out of 65 elite colleges, and 70 percent of students come from the top 20 percent of earners, ranking 22nd, according to the study.

Can you get a full ride to Boston University?

BU offers a wide variety of merit scholarships, some even covering full tuition, to recognize high achieving students who go above and beyond. Most awards are for academic achievement, while others go to talented athletes, performers, and artists.

Does FAFSA require both parents income if divorced?

If your parents live together, even if they are separated, were never married, or are divorced, you file the FAFSA with income information from both of them. If your parents are divorced, separated, or were never married and don't live together, you fill out the FAFSA based on your custodial parent.

Do you have to do the CSS Profile every year Boston University?

Beginning with the 2017-2018 academic year if you previously received BU need-based scholarship aid, you do not need to re-apply for it. The CSS Profile™ application is not required after the first year.

Does Brown use CSS?

Because we use the CSS Profile to consider international applicants for any financial aid resources at Brown University, it is important for international students to complete this form to be considered for any aid.

Why is BU tuition so high?

Why? Because BU meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted, first-year students who are US citizens or permanent residents. Each family's circumstance is unique and BU will create a custom package for you to meet your family's full demonstrated financial need.

Is Boston University worth the cost?

Boston University is ranked #2,505 out of 2,540 for value nationwide. Based on our analysis of other colleges at similar price points, we believe Boston University is overpriced for the quality education it provides.

Is Boston University Ivy League?

Boston College is not officially Ivy League school, though it shares many attributes that we usually think of as typifying an Ivy. The “Ivy League” label technically refers to a subgroup within the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division I conference, which was established in 1954.

What is need based scholarship?

BU’s need-based scholarships are awarded based on a combination of demonstrated financial need and academic merit. To apply, you must complete the two financial aid forms listed above to determine your financial aid need for need-based grants and scholarships.

How Can You Apply?

To receive need-based financial aid from BU, you must submit both the CSS Profile™ and FAFSA, which are used to determine your “expected family contribution.” Be sure to check out our tips for completing the Profile or FAFSA.

Can international students get scholarships at BU?

International students may be eligible for select merit scholarships offered by BU.

Does BU offer financial aid?

In addition to need-based BU scholarships, many other forms of financial aid are available for those who apply for aid and qualify. Financing and payment plan options are also available.

Does affordable BU have financial aid?

With affordableBU, BU will meet 100% of the demonstrated financial need for admitted, first-year students who are US citizens or permanent residents. We’re offering expanded financial aid packages that will make up the difference between the cost of attendance and what you can afford.

Who We Are

Since our founding in 1839, Boston University has opened its doors to all students regardless of religion, gender, race, or place of origin. We are proud of our community of over 16,000 undergraduates from every state in the US and nearly 100 countries who enrich campus life.

What we teach

Our faculty are leaders from every field—creative giants, computer whizzes, business titans—who work at the cutting edge of research and knowledge. We educate our students to become entrepreneurs and archaeologists. We develop filmmakers and mechanical engineers. We nurture poets and environmentalists.

The Association of American Universities

President Robert A. Brown and Provost Jean Morrison discuss BU’s invitation to join the Association of American Universities AAU —a prestigious association of top research universities in the United States and Canada.

Next Steps for Parents

The 2022/2023 BU Academic Calendar is also available to help you plan holidays and vacation schedules for next year.

Acknowledge Your Award Offer

Aid recipients are encouraged to acknowledge their award packages online. Please allow 3 to 5 business days before checking your application status to confirm that your acknowledgment of your award offer has been updated to your financial aid application record.

Admitted Students

Admitted students can acknowledge their financial aid packages through the MyBU portal.

Enrolled Students

Currently enrolled students can acknowledge an offer of financial aid through the Student Link.

What do you include in your Boston University student ID?

Include your full name and Boston University student ID number in all communication.

How many pages can you fax to BU?

Please do not fax documents that exceed ten (10) pages without prior approval from a BU Financial Assistance staff member. Our receipt of documents faxed to us can be confirmed only after two business days.

What time is the phone number for a financial aid counselor?

Telephone: 617-353-2965. Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern Time. Since most questions are answered in our literature, we strongly encourage you to carefully review financial aid publications and our website prior to calling. Telephones are generally less busy later in the week, before noon or after 2 p.m. E.T.

Can BU Financial Assistance send certified mail?

We recommend using First-Class U.S. Mail. Certified mail cannot be tracked or confirmed by BU Financial Assistance, as it is signed for at the University’s Mail Services .

Does Boston University offer scholarships to international students?

International Students: At Boston University international students are considered for a limited range of financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

What is MyBU portal?

Your MyBU portal is where you can monitor the status of your admissions and financial aid application and view your admission decision when it is posted.

Do I need a BU web account?

Do I really need a BU Web Account? Yes, you must have a BU Web Account in order to log in and access your personalized information in the MyBU portal.

Does Boston University send email?

Boston University will send email correspondence to all applicants containing BU Web account set up information. If you do not have the email message or you get a message that your PIN is invalid or has expired, BU Web Account setup information can be sent to you at the email address you provided to Boston University.

How long does it take to get financial aid?

Please keep in mind, it can take up to two weeks to process a financial aid application and determine eligibility.

What to do if you receive an outside scholarship?

If you receive an outside scholarship after submitting your application, please submit a copy of the notification letter to SFS.

Do you have to have your biological parents on your FAFSA?

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 you live with most must provide their information on your FAFSA and CSS Profile ™. Your other (noncustodial) parent must also complete a CSS Profile™, which will be appended to your Profile later. Enter your other (noncustodial) 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.

Is parent information required for track 1?

Parent information is required for Track 1 applicants. Application Track 2: If you are applying solely for the Federal Direct Loan, submit all documents indication in Application Track 2. Parent information is not required for Track 2 applicants.

Do parents contribute to medical expenses?

To help us distribute scholarship funds equitably, we require that applicants file parental information. Although some parents do not contribute to their children’s medical education costs, they are still a resource for most students. Thus, viewing the potential family contribution as a whole is the most accurate way to award need-based aid.

Does Boston University require a Social Security number?

Your Social Security Number (SSN) is required in order for Boston University to receive your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Should CSS and FAFSA be completed at the same time?

It is important that information on the CSS Profile™ and FAFSA be consistent. If at all possible, they should be completed at the same time.