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Financial Aid FAQ's

1. The priority deadline for summer financial aid is January 19, 2009. If I don't have my application completed by that date, will I still be eligible for summer financial aid?
2. I plan to apply for summer and fall/spring financial aid. Which FAFSA form do I complete?
3. How do I estimate the number of credits I'll be taking each semester?
4. I haven't received my W-2 form. How do I estimate my taxable income?
5. The Boston College 2009-10 Graduate Financial Aid application asks me to list the sources and amounts of assistance I expect to receive in 2009-10. I received a scholarship from the GSSW in 2008-09. Can I expect to receive the same amount in 2009-10?
6. I plan to apply for a graduate assistantship for 2009-10. What should I list as the expected amount of the stipend and tuition remission?
7. The Boston College 2009-10 Graduate Financial Aid application asks for *untaxed* income. How do I complete that section?
8. How do I decline aid on my award?
9. What should I do if I will be taking more [or less] credits than I originally said on my application?
10. How do I apply for a graduate assistantship?
11. How do I find information on non-BC scholarships?
12. What options do I have if the aid I received is not enough?
13. Do I have to apply for financial aid each year?
14. I missed the deadline for applying for aid, can I still apply now?
15. Do international students receive financial aid?
16. Is it possible for graduate students to be eligible for financial aid for the summer?
17. Is it possible to earn my Federal Work Study award at my GSSW field placement agency?

1. The priority deadline for summer financial aid is January 19, 2009. If I don't have my application completed by that date, will I still be eligible for summer financial aid?
   Yes. The January 19 date is to encourage you to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Boston College 2009-10 Graduate Financial Aid applications as soon as possible. These and other Student Services Forms are available online. (Please note that is the priority deadline for submitting your completed and signed Boston College 2009-10 Graduate Financial Aid Application/Validation form for summer Federal Stafford Loans and/or summer Federal Work Study. This application should be sent to the Boston College Financial Aid Processing Center in Randolph MA, as referenced on page four of the Boston College 2009-10 Graduate Financial Aid application.)
2. I plan to apply for summer and fall/spring financial aid. Which FAFSA form do I complete?
   You only need to complete the FAFSA for 2009-10.
3. How do I estimate the number of credits I'll be taking each semester?
   The total number of credits for the MSW degree is 65 credits (51 credits for the PhD degree). The following MSW degree examples are for illustration purposes only: 
   • Two-Year Program of Study (or 3rd year of Three-Year Program of Study)
     Summer 6 credits (Optional)
     Fall 14 credits (17 credits if not taking 6 credits in the summer)
     Spring 13 credits (16 credits if not taking 6 credits in the summer)
   • Three-Year Program of Study (2nd year of Three-Year Program of Study)
     Summer 3 credits (Optional and on a space-available basis)
     Fall 10 credits
     Spring 10 credits
4. I haven't received my W-2 form. How do I estimate my taxable income?
   If you earned income in 2008, look at your last paycheck for the year-to-date totals.
5. The Boston College 2009-10 Graduate Financial Aid application asks me to list the sources and amounts of assistance I expect to receive in 2009-10. I received a scholarship from the GSSW in 2008-09. Can I expect to receive the same amount in 2009-10?
   The annual GSSW financial aid budget is contingent upon university resources, and the amount of that budget will determine the number and amount of individual financial aid awards. Although individual financial aid awards will not be finalized until the summer, the School generally renews the amount of scholarship awarded in the previous year as long as the student has maintained satisfactory performance and there has been no change in financial status and number of credits to be earned. Note: if you have received a GSSW scholarship for 2008-09, you don't have to apply again.
6. I plan to apply for a graduate assistantship for 2009-10. What should I list as the expected amount of the stipend and tuition remission?
   Graduate assistantships offered through the GSSW award a student a total of $6,000 for the academic year—$3,000 in tuition remission and $3,000 in a stipend ($375 monthly). The amounts of tuition remission and stipends vary for other on-campus assistantships.
7. The Boston College 2009-10 Graduate Financial Aid application asks for *untaxed* income. How do I complete that section?
   You only have to list wages earned during 2008 if you do not expect to file a federal income tax return. You should enter the amounts of income received but not be required to be reported on federal income tax returns, for example, social security benefits, untaxed contributions to retirement/pension plans.
8. How do I decline aid on my award?
   You should indicate the amount of the award you are declining or reducing on that electronic award letter; review your changes and select Submit. Once changes are submitted they are pending approval of the Financial Aid Office.
9. What should I do if I will be taking more [or less] credits than I originally said on my application?
   The student must send Graduate Financial Aid a letter stating the change in number of credits being taken.
10. How do I apply for a graduate assistantship?
    There is a separate application for GSSW assistantships. The application form will be distributed in March by the GSSW. In addition, there are opportunities for assistantships in other departments on campus. View the latest listing of assistantships.
11. How do I find information on non-BC scholarships?
    For external scholarships, view the GSSW on-line scholarship database.
12. What options do I have if the aid I received is not enough?
    Graduate students may consider applying for the Graduate or Professional Student Plus loan or Alternative loans to fill the gap between the aid offered and their budget. Information on the Plus loan and Alternative loan can be found on the Student Services website under Graduate Financial Aid. A student can contact the lender directly to ask about rates and other questions.
13. 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 student's situation may change from the prior year.
14. I missed the deadline for applying for aid, can I still apply now?
    Yes, the deadlines are for priority consideration only. You may still apply for assistance before that enrollment period ends. Also, funding may be limited for late applicants.
15. 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.
16. 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 a Federal Stafford Loan for that period. If you are interested in being considered for this loan, or for summer Federal Work-Study, please be sure to complete the summer enrollment questions on pages one and two of the Boston College 2009-10 Graduate Financial Aid Application/Validation form. If you do qualify for a Federal Stafford Loan for summer enrollment, you may be required to submit a Master Promissory Note.
17. Is it possible to earn my Federal Work Study award at my GSSW field placement agency?
    Yes, most private nonprofit organizations and government agencies are eligible to participate in off-campus work study. If your agency is interested in participating (there is a financial contribution required by them) you should contact the University Student Employment office for details.