Where do I begin?

Welcome and Congratulations! As a graduate student you are about to embark on an exciting, fulfilling, and rigorous adventure towards a graduate degree. The Financial Aid Officers are committed to helping you navigate the process of applying for federal financial aid and alternative loans. The following steps will help make applying for financial aid easier and more understandable.

In order to apply for federal financial aid you must meet the following criteria:

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (see FAFSA for details)
• Accepted into a graduate or professional degree or certificate program
• Be enrolled at least half-time each semester you wish to be considered for aid. (half-time is generally 6 credits)
  

Step 1 Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

• Online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
• Earliest date to submit FAFSA for the next academic year is January 1st.
• A PIN is necessary to electronically sign your FAFSA online. If you do not have one or have forgotten your PIN go to www.pin.ed.gov to obtain one before starting the FAFSA online.
• You will need to have your 2008 Federal Tax information handy to complete the FAFSA.
• Boston College's Federal School Code is 002128.

Step 2 Complete the Boston College Graduate Financial Aid Application

• You can download a copy of the application, or you can obtain an application from the Office of Student Services in Lyons Hall.
• Be sure to answer all the questions on this application.
  • Missing information can delay the processing of your application.
  • If a question does not pertain to you please note "NA" in the space provided.

Remember to keep a copy of the application before mailing it to the Boston College Financial Aid Processing Center, P.O. Box 489, Randolph, MA 02368. Also note that it is the student's responsibility to ensure that all required forms are received by the stated deadlines.

Graduate Student Deadlines