Navigating Fee Waiver Options for Boston College Applications
Applying to college, especially as a transfer student, involves navigating various requirements and expenses. The application fee is one such expense, and Boston College offers avenues for students to request a waiver. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the fee waiver process for Boston College, drawing upon information relevant to both transfer and graduate applicants.
Understanding the Application Fee
The standard application fee for Boston College transfer applicants is $75. Securing a waiver can significantly ease the financial burden of applying.
Fee Waivers Through the Common Application
Boston College is a member of the Common Application, which offers a straightforward method for requesting fee waivers.
How to Request a Waiver
- Within your Common App account, navigate to the "Profile" section.
- Locate the "Common App Fee Waiver" subsection.
- Answer "Yes" to the question about whether you believe you qualify for a fee waiver.
- Provide a reason that applies to your situation.
Common Application Fee Waiver Criteria
The criteria for a Common Application fee waiver align with benchmarks used for SAT/ACT fee waivers or free/reduced-price lunch programs. These criteria include:
- Being enrolled in or eligible to participate in the Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch program (FRPL).
- Being enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families (e.g., TRIO programs).
- Living in a foster home, being homeless, or being a ward of the state.
- Having a family income at or below the Bureau of Labor Statistics Low Standard Budget.
Direct Contact with Boston College Admissions
If you do not meet the Common Application criteria, it's still possible to obtain a fee waiver. Contact the Boston College admissions office directly to explain your circumstances. In some cases, the transfer admissions staff may provide a college-specific fee waiver code.
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Fee Waivers for Graduate Programs (Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences)
The Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences (MCGS) has its own fee waiver policies for graduate programs.
How to Request a Waiver
All application fee waiver requests must be uploaded to the 'Application Fee Waiver Request' section of the 'Document Uploads' page within the MCGS online application form. Applicants must submit their application form to be considered for a fee waiver. If granted, it will be reflected on the applicant's status page.
Eligibility Criteria for MCGS Fee Waivers
- Current BC Students and Employees: Application fees are waived. Upload correspondence alerting the admissions office to your status for verification.
- Active Duty Military and Veterans: Application fees are waived for active-duty military personnel and veterans. Include official documentation confirming current status with dates.
- Volunteers with Recognized Non-Profit Service Organizations: Current full-time volunteers with recognized non-profit service organizations (e.g., JVC, AmeriCorps, Teach for America, etc.) are eligible.
- Participants in Underrepresented Student Educational Programs: Students participating in underrepresented student educational programs at the time of applying (e.g., McNair Scholars, Institute for the Recruitment of Teachers, etc.) are eligible.
- Financial Hardship: Applicants for whom the application fee would constitute a serious financial hardship may request a fee waiver, accompanied by official documentation demonstrating financial need (e.g., proof of unemployment or government assistance). Currently enrolled students should seek a letter from their financial aid officer.
Important Notes for MCGS Applicants
- Only the MCGS Admissions Office can grant fee waivers.
- Government sanctions, currency exchange rates, and/or difficulties in remitting credit card payments do not constitute 'serious financial hardship' on their own. Official documentation is required.
Additional Financial Aid Considerations
Financial Aid Application Requirements
As part of the file review process, Boston College requires all financial aid applicants to submit copies of their federal tax returns. If you or your parent(s) are not required to file tax returns, an Income Tax Non-filer Verification Form should be submitted.
Business/Farm Supplement
If you, your parent(s), or your noncustodial parent own all or a portion of a farm, submit the Business/Farm supplement (BFS). The BFS must be submitted for each farm owned. If a question does not apply, note “N/A” in the space provided.
Noncustodial Parent's Statement
If your biological parents are divorced, separated, or unmarried living separately, you must submit the Noncustodial Parent’s Statement (NCPS). If a question does not apply, note “N/A” in the space provided. Questions left blank will delay the review of your file.
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Noncustodial Parent Waiver Petition
If the whereabouts of your noncustodial parent are unknown, or if there are extenuating circumstances regarding your situation, complete the Noncustodial Parent Waiver Petition. Provide supporting documentation from a third party. Requests without supporting documentation will not be reviewed.
Dependency Status Appeal
For institutional aid purposes, all undergraduates at Boston College are considered dependent. We will only consider students independent in extreme circumstances. The student should submit a letter appealing dependency status to the Office of Student Services. The appeal letter should outline the student's relationship with his/her parents.
Financial Aid Appeal Process
You may request a secondary review of your financial aid package at any time due to a change in your family’s circumstances. Please submit a detailed letter of explanation regarding your special circumstances, along with the Financial Aid Appeal Form and all other applicable documentation listed on the appeal form, as it pertains to your specific circumstances. Financial Aid Appeals are reviewed within ten business days by a committee.
Summer Financial Aid
Financial aid for Boston College's summer sessions is limited. Federal Pell Grants are awarded to students demonstrating substantial financial eligibility, based on information submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who were enrolled full time for both fall and spring semester and received their maximum Pell award during the academic year are eligible for an additional Pell Grant in the summer.
Additional Tips for Transfer Applicants
Transfer Admission Requirements
A transfer applicant is any student who has completed minimally nine credits prior to the admission deadline for the semester they wish to apply. Each year, around 200 students transfer into Boston College.
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Application Materials
Boston College requires additional materials to supplement your application and provide context into your post-secondary achievements. An instructor's recommendation is helpful in assessing your academic achievement and your contributions to your school. If you have been out of school for more than one year you may submit a recommendation from an advisor, supervisor or employer for consideration.
Transfer Credit Policies
The maximum number of transferable credits is 60 credits. All transfer students must enroll as full time students and spend a minimum of four semesters at Boston College to earn a degree.
Course Selection
Appropriate course selection is one of the most important factors in presenting a strong transfer application. The following guides are intended to help students interested in transferring to Boston College choose courses at their current institutions. We recommend that students take a variety of liberal arts courses that can be used to fulfill requirements in the core curriculum.
Deadlines
- Transfer: for Sept. Admission: Apr. 1; for Jan. Admission: Nov. 1
International Applicants
Students whose first language is not English must have a current TOEFL IELTS, or DET score (within the last two years) and either the SAT or the ACT in order to apply. The TOEFL code for Boston College is: 3276. International students currently studying, for at least two years, at a school where the primary language of instruction is in English may request a waiver from the TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo English test requirement.
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