Tuition & Aid

The Boston College School of Social Work is committed to helping academically qualified students afford an exceptional graduate education. We provide scholarships to 100% of accepted MSW students, and the Office of Student Services will support you in applying for financial aid and scholarships to fund your degree—your way.

Contact

McGuinn Hall
617-552-4024
²Ñ³§°Â:Ìýswadmit@bc.edu
±Ê³ó¶Ù:Ìýphdsocialwork@bc.edu

By the Numbers

100%

51²è¹ÝSSW offers scholarships to 100% of acceptedÌýMSW students—with no additional application to complete

$1,408

Tuition & fees per credit hour
MSW program, 2023-24

$200,000+

PhD applicantsÌýare fully funded with a doctoral fellowship valued at more than $200,000 over four years.ÌýÌýThis includes tuition, an annual living stipend, health insurance, and conference support.Ìý

MSW Tuition and Fees


Applying for Financial Aid


When you submit your application for admission, you are automatically considered for 51²è¹ÝSSW scholarships, fellowships, graduate assistantships, and research assistantships. There is no separate aid application for 51²è¹ÝSSW.

Financial Aid


Internal Scholarship Opportunities

All admitted MSW students are offered a 51²è¹ÝSSW scholarship upon admission. You will be automatically considered for the following 51²è¹Ý scholarship opportunities:

Merit-Based Scholarships
All MSW students are offered merit-based awards, which are determined during the application process.

The Dean’s Fellowship
Awarded to select incoming MSW students, the Dean’s Fellowship recognizes academic achievement and a promise for social work leadership.

City Year and Jesuit Volunteer Corps Scholarships
51²è¹ÝSSW is proud to offer additional financial support to alumni of the City Year and Jesuit Volunteer Corps programs.

Irish Famine Memorial Fund
The IFMF provides financial or material support to 51²è¹Ý students and alumni who are working to alleviate poverty, disease, famine, and illiteracy.Ìý

Field placement stipends
All 51²è¹ÝSSW students complete field placements, some of which provide stipends.Ìý

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Graduate AssistantshipsÌý

MSW students can also pursue a range of graduate assistantships at 51²è¹Ý during their final year. Students who are awarded an assistantship work part-time and receive an annual stipend and partial tuition remission scholarship.


External Scholarship Opportunities

51²è¹ÝSSW has compiled a listing of outside scholarships to aid our students in their search for additional funding. The most recent information is stored in an online scholarship database, which you can access using your 51²è¹Ý email and password.Ìý

The also maintains a list of student funding opportunities.Ìý


U.S. Military Veteran Benefits

51²è¹ÝSSW offers application fee waivers to all U.S. military veterans and participants in the Post-9/11 GI Bill® Yellow Ribbon Program scholarship.Ìý

A majority of graduate students finance their degrees using loans, with the option to seek either federal or private loans for educational funding.

Federal Loans

To qualify for federal aid, students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • You have been accepted to a degree-seeking program;
  • You are enrolled at least half-time each semester, as defined by the Office of Student Services (half-time is generally 6 credits);
  • You are not in default on a Federal Stafford or Perkins Loan, and you do not need to pay a federal grant overpayment;
  • ÌýYou are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.*

*International students are not eligible for federal financial aid. Information about aid opportunities is available at bc.edu/gradaid. For more information, visit bc.edu/gradaid.Ìý


Completing the FAFSA

51²è¹Ý Federal School Code: 002128

Review the dates for preferred deadlines and award notifications and access a link to the FAFSA and the required Graduate Enrollment form at bc.edu/gradaid.

To access the FAFSA, the Enrollment Form, and a range of other information for both domestic and international students, visit bc.edu/gradaid.

If you have other questions, please contact the Office of Student Services at 617-552-3300 or studentservices@bc.edu.


Private Loans

Students may decide to apply for a private loan in addition to or instead of federal loans. Information about private loans is available at: bc.edu/altloans. Please ensure you review the terms and conditions for any loan you choose.Ìý

Office of Student Services

617-552-3300
studentservices@bc.edu

For graduate students who will finance their degrees using loans, there are several loan forgiveness and repayment programs available following graduation.

Federal Perkins Loan Cancellation

Students who go on to work in intervention services or services for high-risk children from low-income communities may be eligible to have all or a portion of their Federal Perkins Loan canceled. Check with the Boston College Office of Student Services (617-552-3300) or your employer’s personnel office to determine if you are eligible.


National Health Service Corps

To access the FAFSA, the Enrollment Form, and a range of other information for both domestic and international students, visit bc.edu/gradaid.The National Health Service Corps unites under-served communities with thousands of dedicated clinicians. The NHSC provides a Loan Repayment Program to fully trained providers with qualified educational loans, repaying up to $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 can be candidates for the program. Learn more at nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment.


National Association of Social Workers: Massachusetts

Resources on loan repayment options are available from the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.Ìý


AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps, the domestic Peace Corps, engages more than 40,000 Americans in service each year. After their term of service, AmeriCorps members receive education awards to help pay back their student loans, and alumni of the program can apply these awards toward funding their MSW at 51²è¹Ý.Ìý


Teach for America

Teach for America (TFA) places its fellows in schools where they are often eligible for loan deferral or forbearance.Ìý

Office of Student Services

617-552-3300
studentservices@bc.edu

Our Guide to Financing Your Education


Your MSW, Your Way

At the Boston College School of Social Work (51²è¹ÝSSW), we know that an MSW is a significant investment in your future and in the future of the communities you’ll serve.Ìý

As you plan for your graduate studies, this guide offers a comprehensive overview of the opportunities and resources available here at 51²è¹ÝSSW to help you fund your degree—your way.Ìý

Financial Aid Checklist

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The Boston College Office of Student Services administers and awards need-based federal financial aid programs. Please review theirÌýGraduate Financial Aid websiteÌýfor a complete step-by-step guide and deadlines.

Graduate Financial Aid

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 51²è¹ÝSSW.

Have the following available when completing your FAFSA:

  • Social Security number
  • W-2 forms and other records of earnings
  • The 51²è¹Ý 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,Ìýyou can apply for one.ÌýBe 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.ÌýIf you are chosen for verification, please review your SAR to see if any additional information is requested.

About Verification

Complete the 51²è¹Ý Supplemental Information Form

Complete theÌý51²è¹Ý Graduate Student Supplemental Information form. Please upload this form to bc.edu/finaidupload. Detailed instructions are available at bc.edu/gradaid.Ìý

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 51²è¹Ý

Graduate Student Supplemental Info Form

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.

Loan Repayment Info

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 onÌýloan 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 atÌýwww.gibill.va.govÌýor 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 contactÌýLinda 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 Fellowships


The Boston College School of Social Work awards named fellowships to as many as two doctoral students each academic year.

Carolyn Thomas Doctoral Fellowship

Doctoral student Sophia Eisenberg is the recipient of the 2024 Carolyn Thomas Doctoral Fellowship, which recognizes the accomplishments and anticipated contributions that a social work doctoral student has made/will make to scholarship related to the well-being of family and children.

Elaine Pinderhughes Doctoral Fellowship

Doctoral student Charles Currie is the recipient of the Elaine Pinderhughes Doctoral Fellowship, which recognizes the accomplishments and anticipated contributions a Black/African American doctoral student has made and will continue to make to social work scholarship.

Financial Aid FAQ

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Campus Resources


The 51²è¹ÝSSW library connects students and alumni to a robust collection of books, journals, and databases. Visit the ground floor of McGuinn to use carrels, computers, printers, scanners, smart televisions, and group study spaces or to borrow iPads, laptop chargers, adapters, and other technology.

Our supportive and inclusive culture begins on our campus with student groups and extends to our alumni network. 100% of SSW students and alumni have access to 51²è¹ÝSSW’s dedicated Career Services, including individualized guidance, social work recruitment fairs, workshops, mock interviews, and more

Graduate students have access to a robust number of campus resources including things like theÌýCenter for Student Wellness, which provides programs, services, and resources for the mind, body, and soul. Graduate students can also purchase a membership to 51²è¹Ý’s244,000-square-footÌýMargot Connell Recreation Center.Ìý

Questions?

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