Committed to Affordability
We’re dedicated to providing need-based financial assistance and helping students obtain a variety of aid to meet their full, demonstrated financial need.
What is demonstrated institutional financial need?
Financial aid eligibility is based on a family's demonstrated need. Boston College is committed to meeting your demonstrated need with different forms of financial aid funds. Your demonstrated need is the difference between the cost of attendance and the expected family contribution, as determined by Boston College.
| Cost of Attendance |
| – Family Contribution |
| = Demonstrated Need |
Financial Support
#18
Best College Values
Kiplinger
$160M+
Need-based scholarship/grant aid awarded
2020-21 academic year
$46,777
Average need-based scholarship/grant
2020-21 academic year
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STICKER PRICE VERSUS ACTUAL COST
While higher education is an expensive investment, our need-based financial aid policies make Boston College more affordable than you might think. This Forbes article highlights the importance of understanding net price before you apply. After reading it, we encourage you to use our net price calculators below to see how affordable a BC education could be for you.
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Graduate Outcomes
Ninety-six percent of graduates from the Boston College Class of 2021 are employed, in graduate school, or engaged in a fellowship or meaningful volunteer experience. That places BC among the top universities nationwide for graduate career placements.
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BC is #3 for graduating Pell recipients
Boston College has the third-best graduation rate in the country for Pell Grant recipients, a significant benchmark for the University’s efforts to enroll first-generation, low-income students who have been historically under-represented in higher education. BC ranks only behind Cal Tech and Princeton in this category, according to data in the recent U.S. New & World Report survey of colleges and universities.
Learn How BC Supports Low-Income Students
(Current charges are subject to change)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Tuition | $66,410 |
| Mandatory Fees for Resident Student (Campus Health Infirmary & Student Activity Fees)* | $1,270 |
Room and Board Newton Campus, Upper Campus | $17,270 |
| Total Tuition, Fees, Room, and Board | $84,950 |
*Please note that freshmen pay a one-time required charge of $650 for First Year Orientation and their student ID.
**Estimated cost for books and incidental items is $3,150
Estimate your expected family contribution
Quick Cost Estimator
This Quick Cost Calculator tool should only be used for families who have income that is less than $50K, hold no ownership in a business and where the parents are not divorced or separated. All other families should use the Net Price Calculator.
Net Price Calculator
A comprehensive calculator which asks detailed questions and will likely require a student’s and parents’ most recent federal tax returns to accurately complete.
*Upon receiving your estimates using the tools above, we recommend saving a copy for your records.
Types of Aid
The terms "scholarship" and "grant" are used interchangeably at Boston College. Scholarships are need-based aid that do not need to be repaid. Funding for scholarships come from a variety of sources, including more than 500 named scholarships.
Boston College is unable to provide need-based financial aid to students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents. Information for international applicants.
Visit our financial aid website to learn more about the different need-based scholarships available at Boston College.
Questions?
Boston College is committed to keeping student debt at a reasonable level. There are several types of loans that may be included in your financial aid award:
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
A need-based student loan with a fixed interest rate that will reset or change each July. The loan is considered subsidized because you are not charged interest while you are enrolled in school at least half-time and during grace periods and deferment periods.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
If you do not qualify for all or part of the Direct Subsidized Loan program described above, you may qualify for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan. The interest rate is fixed and will reset or change each July. The Direct Unsubsidized Loan accrues interest while you are in school and during the grace and repayment periods. This interest can be paid or deferred until repayment.
Boston College is unable to provide need-based financial aid to students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents. Information for international applicants.
Questions?
Part-time employment opportunities are available to assist you in meeting the costs related to attending Boston College. Opportunities are available on and off campus, and may include community service positions.
Federal Work-Study Employment
A need-based employment program. You will be notified of the maximum amount of work-study for which you are eligible in your financial aid award. This amount is not a guarantee, but rather the maximum amount you can earn through employment each year. You will be paid on a weekly basis.
Other Employment
If you do not qualify for the Federal Work-Study program, you can still apply for student employment on campus. Available openings are posted on the Student Services website at the start of the school year so that all students have an opportunity to apply.
Questions?
Boston College is committed to meeting the full demonstrated need of every admitted student, and therefore we offer a limited number of merit scholarships. In fact, the Presidential Scholarship is our only academic merit-based scholarship, covering full tuition for 18 qualified applicants each year. There is no separate application for the Presidential Scholarship - both Early Decision and Regular Decision candidates are eligible for scholarship consideration as long as their completed application is submitted by the November 1 priority scholarship deadline.
Apply for Aid
ED I Priority Deadline
Nov 1
To Submit Financial Aid Documents:
Applicants must submit all financial aid documents using the College Board's IDOC service.
Please go to Applying for Aid to learn more about required financial aid application materials and the process for submitting your documents.
Questions?
ED II Priority Deadline
Jan 3
To Submit Financial Aid Documents:
Applicants must submit all financial aid documents using the College Board's IDOC service.
Please go to Applying for Aid to learn more about required financial aid application materials and the process for submitting your documents.
Questions?
RD Due Date
Feb 1
To Submit Financial Aid Documents:
Applicants must submit all financial aid documents using the College Board's IDOC service.
Please go to Applying for Aid to learn more about required financial aid application materials and the process for submitting your documents.
Questions?
January Due Date
Nov 1
To Submit Financial Aid Documents:
Applicants must submit all financial aid documents using the College Board's IDOC service.
Please go to Applying for Aid to learn more about required financial aid application materials and the process for submitting your documents.
Questions?
Fall Transfer: Due Date
April 1
To Submit Financial Aid Documents:
Applicants must submit all financial aid documents using the College Board's IDOC service.
Please go to Applying for Aid to learn more about required financial aid application materials and the process for submitting your documents.
Questions?
Spring Transfer: Due Date
Nov 1
To Submit Financial Aid Documents:
Applicants must submit all financial aid documents using the College Board's IDOC service.
Please go to Applying for Aid to learn more about required financial aid application materials and the process for submitting your documents.