Tuition & Aid
Boston College’s Office of Student Services assists graduate students in applying for University and federal aid, and there are several external opportunities as well.
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BCSSW offers scholarships to 100% of accepted students—with no additional application to complete.
MSW Tuition & Fees
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| Year | Tuition | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First |
$42,240 | 30 |
| Second | $49,280 | 35 |
Please note: The tuition rate for MSW students for the 2023-2024 academic year is $1,408 per credit (set annually). Credit hours vary each year depending on the length of the program you are in, yet the overall cost of degree remains the same. To calculate cost per program per year, see the full-time and part-time curriculum plans.
| Year | Tuition | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First |
$16,896 | 12 |
| Second | $25,344 | 18 |
| Third | $49,280 | 35 |
Please note: The tuition rate for MSW students for the 2023-2024 academic year is $1,408 per credit (set annually). Credit hours vary each year depending on the length of the program you are in, yet the overall cost of degree remains the same. To calculate cost per program per year, see the full-time and part-time curriculum plans.
| Start | Tuition | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| June |
$61,952 | 44 |
| January | $16,896 (first semester) $45,056 (final year) |
12 32 |
Please note: The tuition rate for MSW students for the 2023-2024 academic year is $1,408 per credit (set annually). Credit hours vary each year depending on the length of the program you are in, yet the overall cost of degree remains the same. To calculate cost per program per year, see the full-time and part-time curriculum plans.
- Student ID Fee: $45 one-time charge
- Activity Fee: $50 per year
A number of scholarships are awarded to MSW applicants by the Boston College School of Social Work each year. All applicants are considered for scholarship awards during the admission process. No additional application is required for BCSSW scholarships. Award notification will be included with the admission acceptance letter in most cases; however, some awards will be made on a rolling basis.
Awards available through BCSSW include merit-based scholarships, the Dean's Fellowship, scholarships available to City Year alumni, Jesuit Volunteer Corps alumni, and stipends associated with specific field placements. BCSSW graduate assistantships are available for final-year students. Students awarded an assistantship will receive an annual stipend and tuition remission scholarship. Applications are distributed to current students prior to their final year in the program.
The Boston College School of Social Work has compiled an exclusive listing of outside scholarships to aid our students with their search for additional funding. The most recent information is stored in a password-protected online scholarship database (BC username and password required).
The Boston College Office of Student Services administers and awards need-based federal financial aid programs. Please review their Graduate Financial Aid website for information, deadlines, and a step-by-step guide to applying for financial aid. International students should visit the Graduate Financial Aid for International Students webpage. You must meet the following eligibility requirements to receive federal aid:
- You must have been accepted to a degree-seeking program
- You are enrolled at least half-time per semester as defined by the Office of Student Services (half-time is generally 6 credits)
- You must not be in default on a Federal Stafford or Perkins Loan or need to pay a Federal grant overpayment
- You are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- International students are not eligible for Federal financial aid.
For more information on federal financial aid terms and conditions, disbursement, loan repayment, continued eligibility for aid programs, and rights and responsibilities, visit the Graduate Financial Aid website or contact the Office of Student Services at 617-552-3300 or studentservices@bc.edu.
There are a number of external funding opportunities available for students looking to finance their education. The Boston College School of Social Work has compiled an exclusive listing of scholarships to aid our students with their search for additional funding. The most recent information is stored in a password-protected online scholarship database (BC username and password required). The Council on Social Work Education also maintains a list of student funding opportunities.
Loan Cancellation for Federal Perkins Loan
Check with Boston College Office of Student Services (617-552-3300) or your employer's personnel office to determine eligibility. Early intervention services or services for high risk children from low income communities may be applicable.
National Health Service Corps
The National Health Service Corps unites underserved communities with thousands of dedicated clinicians. The NHSC provides a Loan Repayment Program to fully trained providers with qualified educational loans (maximum $25,000) if they choose to serve at an eligible site. Applicants must agree to provide primary care services in a priority health professional shortage area for a minimum of two years. Clinical Social Workers are possible candidates for the program.
National Association of Social Workers: Massachusetts
Resources on loan repayment options are available from the National Association of Social Workers - Massachusetts.
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps, the domestic Peace Corps, engages more than 40,000 Americans in intensive, results-driven service each year. Most AmeriCorps members are selected by and serve with local and national organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, and Boys and Girls Clubs. Others serve in AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) and AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps). After their term of service, AmeriCorps members receive education awards to help finance college or pay back student loans.
Teach for America
Teach for America places members in schools where they are often eligible for loan deferral or forbearance.
PhD applicants are fully funded with a doctoral fellowship valued at more than $200,000 over the course of four years This includes tuition, an annual living stipend, health insurance, and conference support.
Financial Aid Checklist
PrintThe Boston College Office of Student Services administers and awards need-based federal financial aid programs. Please review their Graduate Financial Aid website for a complete step-by-step guide and deadlines.
Complete the FAFSA
You should submit your application for federal financial aid as soon as possible. You do not have to wait to be admitted to a degree program to apply for federal financial aid, however notification of your loan package will occur after you receive an admissions decision from BCSSW.
Have the following available when completing your FAFSA:
- Social Security number
- W-2 forms and other records of earnings
- The BC College code: 002128
- Your Federal Income Tax Return (and that of your spouse, if you are married)
- Any foreign tax return
- Untaxed income records—Social Security, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, welfare, or veteran's benefits records, etc.
- Bank statements
- Investment information
- Permanent resident card, if you are not a U.S. citizen
The FAFSA must be signed electronically using a U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID). If you do not already have an FSA ID, you can apply for one. Be sure to maintain a copy of the FSA ID for your records. You will need to use it to make changes to your FAFSA, or to file again in future years.
Once you have submitted your FAFSA for the appropriate year, it will take a few days to process. You should receive an e-mail directing you to your Student Aid Report (SAR). This is the summary of the FAFSA you should keep for your records. Some students may be chosen for verification of the information they submitted on the FAFSA. If you are chosen for verification, please review your SAR to see if any additional information is requested.
Complete the BC Supplemental Information Form
Complete the BC Graduate Student Supplemental Information form. Please upload this form to bc.edu/finaidupload. Detailed instructions are available at bc.edu/gradaid.
You will need to complete this form if you:
- Will be enrolled for more than 6 credits per semester
- Wish to apply for Summer loans, including Direct Unsubsidized loan, the GradPlus loan, or any alternative loans
- Wish to be considered for summer or academic year work-study
- Will be enrolled in a dual degree program at BC
Review Other Resources
Loan Cancellation
Check with Boston College Office of Student Services or your employer's personnel office to determine eligibility. Early intervention services or services for high risk children from low income communities may be applicable.
National Health Service Corps
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) unites underserved communities with thousands of dedicated clinicians. The NHSC provides a Loan Repayment Program to fully trained providers with qualified educational loans if they choose to serve at an eligible site. Applicants must agree to provide primary care services in a priority health professional shortage area for a minimum of two years. Clinical Social Workers are possible candidates for the program.
National Association Of Social Workers - Massachusetts
Resources on loan repayment options are available from the National Association of Social Workers - Massachusetts.
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps, the domestic Peace Corps, engages more than 40,000 Americans in intensive, results-driven service each year. Most AmeriCorps members are selected by and serve with local and national organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, and Boys and Girls Clubs. Others serve in AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) and AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps). After their term of service, AmeriCorps members receive education awards to help finance college or pay back student loans.
Teach for America
Teach for America places members in schools where they are often eligible for loan deferral or forbearance.
Resources for Veterans
Boston College acts as a liaison with the Veterans Administration for students who may qualify to receive veterans' education benefits. Eligible students should apply through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs in order to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility. Applications can be completed online at www.gibill.va.gov or by calling the Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551).
Once the Certificate of Eligibility has been received, the student should contact Linda Malenfant, the VA Certifying Official in the Office of Student Services. The Certifying Official will then certify the student's enrollment information to the Regional Processing Office (RPO). The RPO will process payment of benefits directly to the student.
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PhD student Sarah Neville, recipient of the 2020 Carolyn Thomas Doctoral Fellowship
PhD Fellowships
The Boston College School of Social Work awards named fellowships to as many as two doctoral students each academic year. Doctoral student Sarah Neville received the 2020 Carolyn Thomas Doctoral Fellowship, which honors students who have made outstanding contributions related to the well-being of children and families.
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You may still be eligible for summer federal financial aid (Federal Direct Stafford Loan and/or Federal Work-Study) if you submit your application after the preferred deadline, however Federal Work-Study funding may be limited or not available. Therefore, you should plan to complete and sign your Boston College Graduate Supplemental Information form (this and other forms are available at the Boston College Graduate Student Aid website) and upload the form per instructions on the form or website. Also complete your FAFSA online by that preferred deadline.
You only need to complete the FAFSA for the upcoming academic year.
The total number of credits for the MSW degree is 65 credits. The total number of credits for the PhD degree is 51 credits. The number of credits per semester varies by program.
If you earned income last year, look at your last paycheck for the year-to-date totals.
The annual BCSSW 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 are not 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. If you received a BCSSW scholarship last year, you do not have to apply again.
Graduate assistantships offered through BC Social Work award a student a total of $7,000 for the academic year—$4,000 in tuition remission and $3,000 in a stipend ($375 monthly). The amounts of tuition remission and stipends vary for other assistantships in other departments.
You only have to list wages earned last year if you do not expect to file a federal income tax return. You should enter the amounts of income received but not required to be reported on federal income tax returns (e.g., workers' compensation, untaxed contributions to retirement/pension plans).
If you wish to borrow less than what you have been awarded, you must notify the Boston College Office of Student Services in writing or through the "Financial Aid Notification" in Agora Portal of your intent to cancel or reduce your loan. Click the "Edit" button to reduce the amount of your award, then click "Continue" to submit the request to your Financial Aid counselor. Since these changes are done manually and not electronically, please allow up to two weeks for them to be processed.
Send a letter to Graduate Financial Aid at Boston College Office of Student Services stating the change in number of credits being taken.
There is a separate application for BCSSW assistantships. The application form will be distributed in March by the BCSSW. In addition, there are opportunities for assistantships in other departments on campus.
For external scholarships, view the BC School of Social Work Scholarship Database. A BC username and password is required to login.
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 at Graduate Students Financial Aid website (bc.edu/gradaid) under 'Types of Financial Aid.' Students applying for the Alternative loan should contact the lender directly to ask about rates and other questions.
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.
It is still possible to apply for financial aid after the FAFSA preferred deadline. In order to be considered for federal financial aid, your application and processed FAFSA must be received by the Office of Student Services before the end of that enrollment period. Refer to "Late Applicants" on the first page of the Graduate Student website (bc.edu/gradaid) under "Applying for Aid" tab.
Although international students are not eligible for Federal financial aid there are other options for funding your education. The Boston College Office of Student Services has a list of resources on their website that you might find helpful.
Graduate students who enroll at least half-time during the summer (6 credits in most cases) may be eligible to receive a Federal Direct Stafford Loan for that period. If you are interested in being considered for this loan, or for summer Federal Work-Study, please complete the summer enrollment questions on pages one and two of the Boston College Graduate Supplemental Information form. If you do qualify for a Federal Direct Stafford Loan for summer enrollment, you may be required to sign a Master Promissory Note and complete Entrance Counseling.
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), contact the Boston College Office of Student Services for details.
Yes. BCSSW offers applications fee waivers for U.S. Military Veterans as well as benefits through the Post 9/11 GI Bill® Yellow Ribbon program. There are also a number of on-campus resources available to Veterans.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website.