Navigating Boston College: A Comprehensive Guide to Programs, Admissions, and Financial Aid (School Code: 002128)

Boston College, renowned for its Gothic architecture, strong liberal arts curriculum, and distinguished alumni, offers a wide range of academic programs and a commitment to accessible education. This comprehensive guide provides essential information for prospective and current students, covering academic programs, the admissions process, and financial aid opportunities, including the all-important school code (002128) needed for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Academic Programs at Boston College

Boston College offers a diverse array of undergraduate and graduate programs across its various schools and colleges.

Master of Social Work (MSW) Program

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program offers prospective students several information sessions during the academic year. Accepted applicants can defer enrollment for one year by submitting the tuition deposit and response form. While the GRE is not required for the standard MSW program, it can strengthen an application. However, the GRE is required for the PhD and MSW/PhD programs, though there is no minimum score. Each case is evaluated individually.

Advanced Standing MSW Program

Students who have earned a B.S.W. degree from an accredited Council of Social Work Education program within the previous five years may apply for advanced standing, potentially receiving up to 21 credits. Those enrolling in June through the Advanced Standing program will graduate the following May, completing the program in 12 months. Advanced standing students may apply for the Global Practice concentration by taking a 16-month Advanced Standing curriculum that begins with January enrollment.

Field Placements and Cross-Registration

MSW Advanced Standing students will complete field placements as part of their curriculum. Students may cross-register for one social work-related elective per semester in another graduate school or department at Boston College, such as the Lynch School of Education, Carroll School of Management, School of Theology and Ministry, Sociology Department, or Psychology Department.

Transfer Credits

Students may request transfer of not more than six graduate credits taken before admission, with some exceptions. Only courses with a grade of B or better that have not been applied to a prior degree will be accepted. If approved, the transfer course and credit, but not the grade, will be recorded on the student’s academic record. Credit received for courses completed five years before a student’s admission to their current degree program are not acceptable for transfer. Students who earned course and/or field work credits in an accredited M.S.W. program may receive up to 32 credits needed for graduation.

Online Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) Degree

Boston College offers an online Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree program with three convenient start dates per year: Fall, Spring, and Summer. Each course is seven weeks long, and students can take two courses per semester with a one-week break in between. The program typically takes one to two years to complete.

Admission Requirements for MHA

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution is required to enroll in the program. The minimum undergraduate GPA for full acceptance is 3.0. Conditional acceptance may be considered for applicants with a GPA below 3.0. Experience in the healthcare sector is not required.

MHA Tuition and Fees

The tuition for the MHA program is $1,510 per credit, and the program requires 36 credits. A comprehensive fee helps to support the cost of providing the online courses, online library access, academic support, career services, and more. On-campus services are available upon request.

MHA Financial Aid

The minimum number of credits to qualify for Federal Financial Aid at Boston College is six credits per semester. Students can elect to take two, four-credit courses during any given semester, or a four-credit course and a two-credit course.

MHA Curriculum

The Healthcare Administration graduate program curriculum reflects Boston College’s commitment to helping prepare students to become engaged and moral world citizens. Students engage in rigorous and sustained conversations about emerging issues and develop analytical and critical thinking skills that allow them to impact health outcomes. The Healthcare Administration graduate program continuously adapts the course content by incorporating current health-related crisis situations and considers contemporary challenges that the health industry faces in the fast-changing future across the health ecosystem.

Law School

Boston College Law School offers a range of programs and scholarships to support its students.

Public Service Scholarships

Boston College Law School awards full-tuition Public Service Scholarships to highly qualified applicants committed to practicing public service law after graduation. Applicants must have at least nine months of full-time professional experience in public service prior to the start of law school. Internships, co-ops, and similar experiences completed while enrolled in a degree program do not qualify. Applicants must submit an additional essay and an additional letter of recommendation specific to this scholarship. Finalists must be available for interviews.

Public Service Scholarship Requirements

Public Service Scholarship recipients must sign a statement acknowledging their intention to enter a career in public service and their moral obligation to repay BC Law the pro-rated value of the scholarship if the minimum, five-year commitment to working in public service after graduation is compromised. Recipients must reapply each year for the award and are expected to take a substantial leadership role in the BC Law public interest community.

Ruth-Arlene W. Howe Black Student Leadership Program

The Ruth-Arlene W. Howe Black Student Leadership Program brings together current students and alumni who have demonstrated a commitment to the Black/African descent community at the law school and/or underrepresented communities. The program will award two scholarships to current students.

Read also: History of the BU Bridge

Applying to Boston College

To apply to Boston College, prospective students should be aware of the following requirements and deadlines.

General Application Requirements

Boston College asks applicants to complete a supplemental essay. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more.

Standardized Tests

1455 is the median SAT score and 34 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Boston College. Boston College is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily.

Application Deadlines

Students must apply by January 2 to enroll at Boston College during the fall semester. At Boston College students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision.

Financial Aid at Boston College

Boston College is committed to meeting the full demonstrated institutional financial need of its undergraduate students throughout their years of attendance, and, at Messina College, offers financial aid to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need. This section outlines the various financial aid options available, including grants, loans, work-study programs, and scholarships. Boston College's school code is 002128.

Applying for Financial Aid

Students who wish to be considered for financial aid must apply each year. To apply for federal and/or state aid, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), using your FSA ID. The FAFSA form is available in October. As a part of the launch of a brand-new application, the site will be unavailable periodically for maintenance. We strongly suggest that families wait until later in January/February to attempt to complete the FAFSA.

CSS Profile

By completing only the FAFSA, Boston College is not able to determine your eligibility for institutional need-based grants. You should complete the CSS Profile with your information. After submitting this data, CSS will determine if you are eligible for a fee waiver. There is a fee associated with this application. Students are automatically considered for a fee waiver by the College Board. Boston College does not provide fee waivers.

Financial Aid Application for Divorced or Separated Parents

Yes, your custodial parent should file the FAFSA and the CSS Profile Application, and your noncustodial parent should complete the Noncustodial Parent's Profile. It is the position of the University that the responsibility for funding a student's education rests primarily with the student and family.

Financial Aid Award and Verification

If your award file status is conditional, that means we have prepared an estimated award for you based on the information currently on file. Your award status will change to verified once all documents are received and reviewed. Once your financial aid award is verified, institutional grant funds can be disbursed to the student account. Federal and state grant funding may take longer to be disbursed.

Types of Financial Aid

Financial aid is a combination of grants/scholarships, loans, and work-study that helps you afford college. Federal aid includes Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Direct Loans, both subsidized and unsubsidized, Nursing loans, and Work-Study. State aid varies by state.

Need-Based Aid

All financial aid offered at Boston College is need-based. The Boston College financial aid team uses a rigorous and holistic approach to accurately determine a student’s financial need and provides a financial aid offer that best reflects the information submitted in the financial aid application. It is our policy to meet every student’s full demonstrated need each year.

Merit-Based Aid

The Office of Student Services does not offer merit-based financial aid.

Grants and Scholarships

Your scholarship, grants, and/or loans will pay your bill or direct expenses first. If your financial aid covers more than the charges on your bill, a refund can be requested and funds may be used to pay for your indirect expenses such as books and personal and travel expenses.

Loans

The Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is awarded on the basis of need according to federal eligibility standards. Interest on this loan does not accrue while the student remains in school at least half-time. First-time borrowers need to complete Entrance Counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note for Direct and Nursing loans.

Work-Study

Federal Work-Study is a type of self-help financial aid that is awarded based on financial need. Students may earn up to the amount awarded through their work-study position. It is important to note that funds earned from a work-study position are paid directly to the student and do not reduce the student account bill. Work-study positions are typically posted just before the start of the fall semester. Your work-study award is never deducted from your bill; it must be earned. The amount of your work-study award listed on your award letter is the maximum eligibility level, not a guarantee.

Financial Aid for Specific Programs and Situations

Graduate Students

Graduate students who enroll half-time during the summer (6 credits in most cases) may be eligible to receive federal financial aid for that period.

International Students

There is no federal financial aid for international students at the graduate level at Boston College. All international students should make arrangements for their college financial obligations prior to coming into the country.

Veteran Students

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. Boston College is proud to participate in the Post-9/11 GI Bill® Yellow Ribbon Program.

Additional Financial Aid Information

Cost of Attendance

The cost of attendance is an average cost based on whether you will be living on campus, off campus, or commuting. It includes costs that will appear directly on your bill, such as tuition, fees, housing, and food, as well as indirect expenses that will not appear on your Boston College bill, such as books and personal and travel expenses.

Dependency Status

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.

Expected Family Contribution

Demonstrated need is the difference between the cost of attendance and the expected family contribution, as determined by Boston College.

Financial Aid Adjustments

If your family's financial situation has changed significantly since the time of your financial aid application, please contact your financial aid counselor to discuss the specific details to determine if your analysis should be reviewed.

Refunds

When a student has a credit balance on their account after the bill is paid they can take the credit as a refund to use for living and educational expenses. Refunds can be processed by direct deposit into your checking or savings account.

Resources and Tools

Successful Start Program

Successful Start is a program offered at Boston College to ensure that students are financially literate for their lifetime by offering a series of workshops and seminars, led by Boston College employees and expert guest speakers, related to all aspects of personal financial management.

IDOC Service

Submit all financial aid documents using the CollegeBoard's IDOC service.

IRS Data Retrieval Tool

The IRS Data Retrieval tool is a feature of the FAFSA that enables the automatic transfer of tax return data from the IRS directly to your online application. It is strongly encouraged that you use this feature if it is available to you.

Campus Life and Environment

Boston College is known for the Gothic gargoyles on its campus, its strong liberal arts curriculum, and its famous alumni, who include John F. Kerry, Amy Poehler, and Leonard Nimoy. Boston College is affiliated with the Roman Catholic faith.

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