Application and Financial Aid Process
a worthwhile investment
The admission and financial aid process can be a daunting experience. With proper planning, however, it is a manageable process which will leave you with time and energy for other things. Because every school is different, it is critical that you organize and understand all of the details of the admission process at each of the schools you plan to apply to. With the completion of your application you're almost at the finish line but there are still a few more steps necessary to complete your journey.
While complete information about the Financial Aid Process can be found here, we hope that the additional information below will be useful to you as you navigate the financial aid and application process.
AFFORDING COLLEGE
On the surface, paying for college can seem like an impossible goal for many. In reality, it is often far more attainable than students think. At Boston College, for example, the University is committed to providing funds to meet the full demonstrated need of every admitted student who has applied for financial aid. Because Boston College does not award merit or academic financial aid, the students who are in need receive our financial aid resources. There are, however, some things you should know about our financial aid process.
- As mentioned, Boston College meets the full demonstrated need of all admitted students.
- Boston College offers a variety of grants, loans and employment to assist students in financing a Boston College education.
- All financial assistance, with the exception of the Presidential Scholars Program is awarded on the basis of need.
- We are a need blind institution, an application for financial aid will in no way influence admission decisions.
- Financial aid applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA code number for Boston College is 002128. Students who wish to be considered for institutional grant funds should also complete the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile Application form. The CSS code number for Boston College is 3083.
- All applicants must also submit a copy of parent and student tax returns and W-2 statements. Other forms, such as the CSS Business/Farm Supplement and/or the CSS Non-custodial Parent's Statement, may be required. Complete instructions and deadlines will be included in the Secondary Application.
- Click here for complete information regarding financial aid at Boston College.
HELPFUL HINTS
Here are a few key tips to help ensure a smooth process.
1. Always pay attention to deadlines.
Deadlines are one of the most important details when applying to colleges. Some schools are very strict with their deadline policies and you do not want to be left behind because you were not aware when materials were due.
2. Pay close attention to details.
Be sure you have read all the your schools' web sites or printed materials that have been mailed to you. If you don't have everything you need, contact the schools directly to ensure that you have submitted all the required materials. Do not wait until the last minute to check whether or not your materials were received. Many colleges, including Boston College, will send back a receipt that indicates the materials that have arrived and those that are missing.
3. Make copies of your admission and financial aid applications.
Be sure you make copies of every document you send to colleges and universities. It is critical that you also make copies of any financial information you submit. Even if you submit all your application materials on-line, be sure to print an extra copy for yourself. It is rare that files are misplaced, but in the slight chance they are, you will be able to replace them immediately without additional stress.
FINANCIAL AWARDS
An initial conditional financial aid offer is made to incoming freshman and transfer students and usually accompanies notification of their acceptance to the University.
Admitted students who have received a financial aid award and who have decided to attend Boston College will be required to submit a copy of the parents' and student's most recent tax returns, the Boston College Validation Form, and any other required documents. The financial aid application will then be finalized during the summer, after verification of this additional information. If these new documents include substantial differences from those previously submitted, it may result in changes to the financial aid award. We encourage all candidates to file application materials before the published deadlines.
Financial aid awards are made to incoming students on the basis of demonstrated need. Financial need is the difference between the estimated total cost of attending Boston College and the family's calculated ability to contribute toward these costs, as determined using federal and institutional need analysis formulas. Boston College is committed to providing funds to meet the full demonstrated need of every admitted student who has filed the required paperwork to apply for financial aid. If a financial aid award is made, it will generally combine various forms of assistance available (grant, loan and work) into a financial aid "package."
Boston College need-based grant and scholarship awards are made to students who have financial need and who demonstrate the potential for academic success. Federal financial aid awards, including Pell Grants, Perkins Loans and Stafford Loans, are offered to students based on need with eligibility determined by a formula approved by Congress. The Federal Work-Study Program provides on- and off-campus employment opportunities during both the summer and academic year to qualified students. Additional information on financing a Boston College education is available from the Office of Student Services.
OBTAINING FINANCIAL AID FORMS
Now that your are aware of Boston College's financial aid process, here's where you can go to get the forms necessary to complete this task.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Here are some helpful web sites you may want to check out later that list scholarship opportunities for AHANA students:
Black Excel
Black Student Fund
Fast Web
FinAid: The Smart Guide to Financial Aid
Gates Millennium Scholarship
Goldman Sachs
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship
McDonalds Education Scholarship
Project Excellence Scholarships (Washington DC area only)
Ron Brown Scholarship Program
The Indian American Scholarship Fund