What are the deadlines for graduate students to apply for assistance for 2007-2008?
The priority deadlines for SUMMER LOAN and/or SUMMER WORK STUDY APPLICANTS are as follows:
| Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) submitted for processing by | January 19 |
| 2007-2008 Boston College Graduate Financial Aid Application | February 28 |
The priority deadlines for ACADEMIC YEAR ONLY APPLICANTS are as follows:
| Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) submitted for processing by | March 1 |
| 2007-2008 Boston College Graduate Financial Aid Application | April 17 |
Applicants applying to programs with admission deadlines before February 1 are advised to submit a FAFSA electronically by February 1 and a BC graduate financial aid application by February 15.
How soon should I submit the 2007-2008 FAFSA for processing?
You should apply as early as possible, but NOT before January 1, 2007; and,
the completed and signed FAFSA is to be submitted to the federal processor as
indicated in the instructions.
What are the school codes for Boston College, to ensure that our FAFSA information
is received by the University?
Our school code for the FAFSA is 002128.
Do I have to apply for financial aid each year?
Yes. Both Boston College and the federal government require students to apply
for financial aid each year since it is possible that a family's situation may
change from the prior year.
I missed the deadline for applying for aid, can I still apply now?
Yes. These are priority deadlines. Those who apply first will receive their
awards first. You may still apply for assistance at any time during the academic
year. However, funding may be limited for late applicants.
What is the cost of a Boston College graduate education?
For the academic year 2007-2008 tuition for graduate students are:
| Woods Graduate College of Advancing Studies | $562 per credit |
| Graduate School of Arts and Sciences | $1,092 per credit |
| Lynch Graduate School of Education | $970 per credit |
| Carroll Graduate School of Management | $1,126 per credit |
| Connell Graduate School of Nursing | $970 per credit |
| Graduate School of Social Work | $860 per credit |
Do international students receive financial aid?
There is no Federal financial aid for international students at the graduate
level at Boston College. All international students should make arrangements
for their college financial obligations prior to coming into the country.
Outside Scholarships
I will be receiving a scholarship from a local organization. Will this affect
the financial aid that I have received?
It is possible that outside aid could affect the amount of federal aid a graduate
student receives. Please send copies of any scholarship awards to the Office
of Student Services so that your financial aid can be reevaluated. Your award
will be adjusted if necessary and you will be notified if there are any changes.
Financial aid awards can also be viewed on 
Agora.
Stafford and Perkins Loans
I have been awarded a Federal Stafford Loan. How can I find a lender?
Students are randomly assigned a lender through our electronic certification
process. If you wish to change your lender, contact American Student Assistance
for a new MPN. Write in the name of the lender and return the form to the Boston
College Office of Student Services with a letter stating that you are changing
your lender. If you prefer to use a guarantee agency which is outside of Massachusetts,
contact that agency for a new MPN. For your agency's address and telephone number
or for more information about borrowing, call the Federal Student Aid Information
Center's toll-free number: 800-433-3243.
When do I begin to repay my Federal Stafford or Perkins Loans?
The Federal Stafford Loan has a grace period of six months, and the Federal
Perkins Loan has a grace period of nine months. Repayment begins six months
after graduation or a student leaves school or falls below half-time status
for Federal Stafford Loans and nine months after graduation or a student leaves
school or falls below half-time status for Federal Perkins loans.
Deferments
How do I defer my undergraduate Federal Stafford and Perkins Loans?
On January 1, 1995, Boston College signed a contract with the National Student
Loan Clearinghouse. The National Student Loan Clearinghouse is an organization
that specializes in confirming student statuses for loan guarantors and servicers.
The contract mandates that all student loan deferments must be signed by an
official at the Clearinghouse only.
Under certain circumstances, you may qualify for a deferment for prior federal
education loan(s) that you have borrowed. If you are enrolled at least half-time
in a degree program you may qualify for a deferment. These loans may include
Direct or FFEL Stafford Loans or Guaranteed Student Loans, National Direct Loans
or Perkins Loans. A detailed description of deferment provisions is available
at the United States Department of Education's website.
To obtain further information about a possible deferment of your prior loans, please contact your lender or loan servicer. It will be necessary for you to provide enrollment verification to your lender before your loan(s) can be deferred. Please contact your lender to obtain a Deferment Form.
If you receive repayment requests from your lender after school has begun, submit the completed Deferment Form to the Office of Student Services for processing. Although the staff of the Office of Student Services does not process the Deferment Forms themselves, they will forward the forms to the Clearinghouse. Please do not forward the deferment forms directly to the Clearinghouse.
Work Study
If I have been awarded Federal Work-Study am I guaranteed a job on campus?
No. Federal Work-Study is an opportunity to work. It is not a guarantee of on-campus
employment. Boston College also provides off-campus employment opportunities
with non-profit organizations as well as with city, state and federal government
offices that contract with our University. Federal Work-Study offers a wide
range of employment opportunities, including community service and reading/math
tutors. Please go to the student
employment website for employment opportunities.
Are my Federal Work-Study earnings deducted from my student account?
No. Students have their earnings deposited directly to their bank account or
receive a paycheck.
How do I find a job?
Students may seek employment opportunities on the student
employment website. All arrangements for rate of pay and hours are arranged
with the employer.
Institutional Aid
How do graduate students apply for institutional awards?
Boston College Graduate Institutional funds (assistantships, fellowships, grants,
scholarships, stipends, and tuition remission) are awarded by the individual
graduate schools. Students who wish to be considered for institutional funds
should contact the appropriate graduate school.
Notification of departmental awards are electronically forwarded to the Office of Student Services by the individual graduate schools to insure proper coordination of all University financial aid resources, as required by federal financial aid regulations. It is very helpful for students to send copies of their Institutional Awards to the Office of Student Services Processing Center. Total financial aid cannot exceed total calculated federal eligibility. If your total financial aid resources, including assistantships, fellowships, grants, scholarships, non-service stipends, and tuition remission (but excluding alternative loans) exceeds your total calculated federal eligibility, an adjustment to need-based financial assistance is required. Alternative loan funding may be used to fill the gap between calculated federal eligibility and the total cost of attendance for the academic year.
Depending on the timing of the notification from the academic department, it is very possible that adjustments to your award could be made anytime after the start of the academic year. These adjustments may require the repayment of loans that have already been disbursed.
Summer Aid
Is it possible for graduate students to be eligible for financial aid for
the summer?
Graduate students who enroll at least half-time during the summer (6 credits
in most cases) may be eligible to receive financial aid for that period. If
you are interested in being considered for summer financial aid, please be sure
to complete the summer enrollment questions in Section I of the Boston College
Graduate Financial Aid Application.