Academic Awards

Academic awards are available through the Graduate School to ensure that outstanding, academically qualified students have financial support while they work toward their degrees.  Stipends and scholarships are offered in the form of Graduate Assistantships, Research Assistantships, Teaching Assistantships, Teaching Fellowships, University Fellowships, and Tuition Scholarships.

To apply for these academic awards, a separate application is not required.  Individuals whose applications are complete will routinely be considered for academic aid by the department in which they hope to study.  All of these awards are made by the Graduate School and are usually renewable given satisfactory performance. The amounts of the awards and the number of years for which they are renewable may vary by department. Graduate students may not receive University financial aid (stipends and/or tuition scholarships) from two schools or departments simultaneously. Graduate students who hold fellowships or assistantships may not be employed full-time without Dean's approval.  Recipients will receive official notification from the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.  For more information, continue on to the Departmental Financial Aid page.

Research Grants

Research grants obtained under University auspices by members of the faculty represent another source of financial assistance for graduate students. The availability of such grant funds change from year-to-year and vary markedly among the academic disciplines, with the natural sciences being by far the largest beneficiary. Students are routinely considered by the principal investigator for financial assistance those funds afford.

Student Loans and Work-Study

Since the Graduate School cannot provide financial support for all of its students, it is important to research other sources of funding to assist you in financing your studies. The Boston College Office of Student Services is responsible for administering and awarding the following need-based federal financial aid programs: Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans, and Federal Work-Study.

Aid Eligibility

Students must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-U.S. citizens, as defined by the U.S. Department of Education to qualify for all programs. Federal regulations and University policy severely limit the types of financial assistance for international students. Boston College admissions policy requires that international students have adequate resources to meet their expenses throughout their education.

Applying For Federal Student Aid

1.  Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the federal processor. Boston College School Code 002128. FAFSAs are available on request from Office of Student Services or www.fafsa.ed.gov.

2.  Submit the Boston College Graduate Financial Aid Application to Office of Student Services.

3.  If requested by Student Services, submit a signed copy of your (and your spouse’s if married and filed separately) most recent Federal Income Tax Return.

4.  Upon receipt of these documents and the Graduate School’s notification of the applicant’s acceptance, Office of Student Services will review the application and notify the student regarding the aid for which he/she is eligible.

For information on financial aid terms and conditions, disbursement, loan repayment, continued eligibility for aid programs, and rights and responsibilities, contact:

Boston College

Office of Student Services

Lyons Hall

140 Commonwealth Avenue

Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

(617) 552-3300

www.bc.edu/offices/stserv