How Aid Works
Boston College remains committed to the practice of admitting students solely on the basis of the strength of their application. Students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, who are not in default on a Federal student loan and who demonstrate financial need, will be assisted in meeting that need through different financial aid funds. A family's demonstrated financial need is the difference between the cost of attendance and the expected family contribution.
The cost of attendance is the average cost of attending Boston College. It is based on whether you will be living on campus, off campus or commuting. The cost of attendance includes costs that will appear directly on your bill, such as tuition, fees and, if you are living on campus, room and board. It also includes allowances for indirect expenses that will not be on your Boston College bill, such as books, supplies, personal expenses, travel expenses and, if you will be living off campus, room and board.
Your cost of attendance will not match your bill because it includes these indirect costs that are not billed by Boston College. Students must plan ahead and be prepared to pay for books and/or off-campus living expenses until the funds have been disbursed.
Boston College's costs for the nine-month 2019–2020 academic year:
| Incoming Resident Student |
Current Resident Student |
Off-Campus Student |
Commuter Student |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $56,780 | $56,780 | $56,780 | $56,780 |
| Fees | $1,705 | $1,130 | $600 | $600 |
| Room and board | $14,826 | $15,500 | $11,550 | $1,500 |
| Books/misc. | $2,850 | $2,850 | $2,850 | $3,150 |
| Total (Rounded) | $76,161 | $76,260 | $71,780 | $62,030 |
Please note: Student budgets can vary depending upon on- or off-campus residency. Students must notify the Office of Student Services in writing if their housing status changes.
Boston College does not meet the expected family contribution determined by the FAFSA. We meet 100% of your need based on your determined institutional expected family contribution.
Federal Methodology includes factors such as:
- Income (prior-prior tax year)
- Assets (excluding home equity, family-owned small business/farm equity)
- Family size
- Number of dependent children enrolled in college or graduate school
Institutional Methodology includes factors such as:
- Income (prior-prior tax year)
- Assets (including home equity, all business/farm equity)
- Family size
- Number of children who are full-time undergraduates*
- If parents are separated, divorced, or were never married, financial information for both biological parents is reviewed
*Boston College does not include graduate siblings in the number in college. Boston College verifies sibling enrollment each Fall through the Sibling Enrollment Verification process.
- The student income portion of the Expected Family Contribution is based on the expectation that each student will work during the summer to invest in his or her own education. Standard amounts for the academic year are $2,400 for incoming students and $2,500 for returning students. If the student earned higher than the standard minimum contribution during the prior-prior tax year, the determined contribution will be calculated based on a percentage of income.
- A portion of reported assets
Our goal is to accurately review your family’s ability to contribute toward your educational costs and provide the most appropriate financial aid package based upon the information provided to our office. We make every effort to provide assistance to all students who qualify. Please be aware that all financial aid awards are need-based.
You may request a review of your financial aid package at any time due to a change in your family’s circumstances or in light of new information regarding unusual situations that your family may be facing. Information presented in your appeal should be either new information or information that has changed significantly from your initial application. Please complete all sections of the Financial Aid Appeal Form as completely and accurately as possible. If you have not yet submitted your federal tax returns to our office, please do so. Federal taxes are required for all appeal processing in order to make sure that your application is based on accurate numbers.
The Appeals Committee will review all Appeal Forms and supporting documentation. Appeals are reviewed within ten business days. Additional processing time may be needed if more information is required. If additional financial assistance is offered, the student will receive a revised Financial Aid Award Letter. If additional financial assistance is not offered, the parent(s) will receive communication via email or regular mail.
Special Circumstances do not include the following:
- Student or parent(s) who does not wish to borrow to cover educational expenses
- Parent(s) refusal to contribute to educational expenses
- Parent(s) payment of student loans for older sibling
- Expenses such as credit card debt, wedding expenses, sports, enrichment activities, etc.
When a significant change occurs in parental income due to unemployment, long-term illness, disability, or death of a parent, you may contact the office at any time during the year for reconsideration of your aid eligibility. Please provide:
- Financial Aid Appeal Form
- Most recent pay stubs
- Copy of termination letter
- Information about unemployment or disability payments
- Information regarding insurance and Social Security benefits
Note: Financial aid appeals related to a parent’s loss of income will be considered only after ten consecutive weeks of unemployment. If your financial aid award is revised based on projecting income, you will be required to verify that estimated income earned with actual federal tax information in January. Significant discrepancy between estimated and actual income may result in an adjustment to your financial aid award and a possible balance due.
You have the right to appeal your financial aid decision in the event you feel there are extenuating circumstances. Examples could include extraordinary unreimbursed medical and/or dental expenses, or one-time capital gain or distribution.
- Submit a completed Financial Aid Appeal Form and any necessary documentation, along with an explanation of your circumstances.
- Appeals will be reviewed only after all requested supporting materials are received.
- Appeals are reviewed within ten business days.