Back to School Newsletter
Welcome to the Student Services Monthly Newsletter!
August/September Highlights: preparing for move-in and the start of the fall semester.
The Office of Student Services wishes students a great start to a new semester.
Key Dates and Deadlines
- Classes for the fall semester begin Monday, August 31.
- Students may add a course or drop a course online through Wednesday, September 9.
- The last day for undergraduates to drop a course in their Associate Dean's office is Thursday, October 8.
- Students may begin purchasing MBTA passes. The deadline to purchase fall semester MBTA passes at a discount is Monday, August 10.
- All Medical Insurance waivers must be submitted by September 25, 2026 for the entire academic year or by January 29, 2027 for the spring semester only.
Preparing for the Fall Semester
Are you an incoming, returning, or transfer student?
Complete the steps outlined in the following checklists:
Review textbook information.
Textbook information for the fall semester is now available on the Course Information and Schedule link at www.bc.edu/myservices. Visit the BC Bookstore website for more information.
Undergraduate day students, interested in taking a course at WCAS?
Undergraduate seniors in MCAS, CSOM, LSEHD, or CSON who want to register for a Fall 2026 or Fall 2026 Half Session 1 course in the WCAS can do so beginning Wednesday, August 26, at 9:00 a.m. for a limited number of seats.
On Thursday, August 27, at 9:00 a.m., sophomores, juniors, and seniors in MCAS, CSOM, LSEHD, or CSON, as well as WCAS students, will be eligible to register for any of the unclaimed seats from the limited number available.
First-year students are not eligible to take WCAS courses. All other students are allowed to enroll in just one WCAS course per term. For more information, including restrictions, visit the Undergraduate Registration page.
Submit your request form for your Professor Notification Letter (PNL) (if applicable).
The PNL Request Form is for Connors Family Learning Center (CFLC) students who have been approved for accommodations.
If you work with Rory Stein at the Disability Services Office, you need to reach out to the DSO Office for your letters.
Billing
Please check your account and make sure your fall semester bill is paid.
Fall semester bills for undergraduate and law students are due on August 10. Fall semester bills for graduate and Woods College students are due on September 4. Any student or family anticipating any difficulty in meeting these deadlines should contact Student Services as early as possible and request to speak to a credit and collections specialist. Please make sure your bill is resolved before your return to school to avoid delays with drop/add or use of your BC ID or meal plan.
For more information, visit the Billing page.
Enroll in QuikPAY Payment Plan (undergraduate and Law students).
Enrollment for the QuikPAY Payment Plan (available to undergraduate and Law students only) for the 2026–2027 academic year is open. For more information, visit www.bc.edu/qppp.
Review changes to Federal Aid Programs.
There have been changes to the Federal Aid Programs, including the PLUS loan program. If you are relying on these for the payment of your tuition, please review the changes on the Federal Aid Updates page.
Waive medical insurance (if applicable).
Waivers must be completed every year. To waive medical insurance, go to www.bc.edu/myservices and select "Medical Insurance Waiver." All waivers must be submitted by September 25, 2026 for the entire academic year or by January 29, 2027 for the spring semester only. Students who do not complete a waiver prior to the deadline will automatically be enrolled in and charged the student-only premium for the student plan. Visit www.bc.edu/medinsurance for more information.
Enroll in optional tuition insurance.
The Dewar Tuition Insurance Plan is an optional private insurance plan. It supplements BC's tuition refund policy by providing a refund throughout the term should a student need to withdraw for medical reasons. To learn more about the Dewar plan costs, benefits levels, contact information, and application, visit their website. You can find information about BC's tuition refund policy on the Tuition and Fees page. Participation in the Dewar plan is optional, and the BC refund schedule is applicable whether or not you enroll in Dewar.
Return to Campus and Weeks of Welcome
Get ready for the Class of 2030 Weeks of Welcome (incoming first-years).
Incoming first-year students can read about the many activities being planned for the Class of 2030 Weeks of Welcome.
Prepare for move-in.
Students are required to sign up for their specific move-in time. Visit the Office of Residential Life website for details and more information.
IDs for incoming freshmen will be available at check-in, provided students supplied a photo over the summer as requested.
Returning students: do you have your Eagle ID?
If you do not have your Eagle ID, contact the Office of Student Services now, and we will reprint a new one for you. The new Eagle ID will be delivered to your Residential Hall to be picked up at the check-in table, avoiding the need to come to Student Services first.
Order a parking permit (if applicable).
Graduate and approved undergraduate resident students may request a parking permit by visiting www.bc.edu/myservices and selecting "Parking Permits and Citations." Once the order is submitted, permits can be picked up at the Office of Student Services in Lyons Hall 103.
Purchase a MBTA pass for the fall semester.
Students may begin purchasing MBTA passes. The deadline to purchase fall semester MBTA passes at a discount is August 10. Visit the MBTA Passes and Parking Permits page for more information.
Have you moved? Update your local and home (permanent) address information.
Enrolled students may update their location information at any time via Boston College's institutional Agora Portal, under the "Account and Personal Info" section. Applicants to Boston College may update their location information through the application system appropriate to their program or may contact their program's Office of Admission.
Review mandatory meal plan options.
Students on a mandatory meal plan now have the ability to choose to opt up to a premium plan or opt down to the light plan to match their dietary needs. Students have been automatically enrolled in the middle base plan. If this plan is best for you, you do not need to do anything. Those wishing to opt up or down have until September 5 to do so. The ability to select a plan is on the My Services page of the Agora Portal. More information may be found on the Dining site.
Purchase the Gold Pass.
The Gold Pass gives you access to regular-season home football, mens and women's hockey, and mens and womens basketball games. The Gold Pass is $275 and can be charged to the student account prior to August 10. Visit bceagles.com or call the ticket office at 617-552-GOBC for more information.
Extended Hours at Student Services
Note the Extended Hours at Student Services for the opening of the fall semester, beginning August 26.
Avoid the rush on the first day of classes, August 31! The Office of Student Services will be open for all your Student Services needs on Sunday, August 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The fall extended service hours are available on the Hours page.
Additional Reminders
August Graduates: diplomas will be mailed.
Diplomas will be mailed out beginning in mid-September to your address on file.
Looking for a job?
Academic year job opportunities are available on the Job Listings page. Students who have secured an on-campus job for the first time must complete their Form I-9 at the Office of Student Services and bring forms of identification (such as but not limited to, a valid U.S. Passport, or a combination of a valid driver's license or BC Eagle ID Card AND Social Security Number card or a U.S. birth certificate) in original formats. No pictures or photocopies will be accepted. A full list of acceptable documents for Form I-9 completion can be found on the USCIS website. International F-1 students will need to bring in their valid Foreign Passport along with their Forms I-94 and I-20 and Employment Authorization Letter from the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS).
Register to vote.
September 15 is National Voter Registration Day.
BC has partnered with bc.turbovote.org to provide you with the information and materials you need to vote in every election from local to presidential. TurboVote allows you to easily register to vote online, verify or update your voter registration, request an absentee ballot form by mail, and sign up for text and/or e-mail election reminders.
Review notices and disclosures.
Students should review the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) information on our Notices and Disclosures page.
Update your Social Security Number (U.S. citizens only).
All U.S. citizens should update their Social Security Number on the Agora Portal. Your Social Security Number is necessary for federal reporting purposes related to your 1098T, Financial Aid, and Enrollment reporting requirements. You will be prompted to update your Social Security Number in the Agora Portal when required.
Ongoing Reminders
Sign a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (if applicable).
Visit the Federal Student Aid website for more information.
Complete Title IV Authorization (if applicable).
Federal regulations require that Title IV funds credited to your student account be applied only to cover allowable charges, unless Boston College obtains authorization to apply these funds to all other charges on your student account. You may submit your authorization electronically at www.bc.edu/myservices. For more information, visit the Billing page.
Complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling (if applicable).
Visit the Federal Student Aid website for more information.
Enroll in direct deposit for student account refunds (if applicable).
We recommend that all students use direct deposit when requesting refunds. Refunds processed via direct deposit are faster and do not require pickup. Visit the Billing page for instructions and more information.