PhD & MFA: Application Fee Waiver (GRS only)

Graduate Information

Our fall 2027 PhD & MFA applications are now open (except for the programs noted on our Application & Deadlines page). If you have any questions about the program (required application materials, writing samples, test scores, class sizes, research opportunities, career outcomes, decision timelines, etc.) that is not already answered below (or in our Admissions FAQs), please contact the program directly instead of the graduate school’s central admissions office. The program contact information can be found below.

In an effort to reduce financial barriers to attending graduate school, the central admissions office of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GRS) offers application fee waivers to qualifying domestic GRS PhD & MFA applicants. To apply for an application fee waiver, you must first review your eligibility (see requirements under “U.S. Citizens & Permanent Residents” below) and have:

1. added your full biographical information to the application, incl. citizenship information
2. uploaded your CV/resume
3. uploaded your personal statement
4. uploaded your research summary (if required)
5. uploaded copies of your transcripts

Once you have added the required information, please submit the PhD & MFA Application Fee Waiver Request Form that can be found at the bottom of this page. If you meet the fee waiver criteria, our office will waive the fee in the system. You will not receive any type of code.

Please note:

Do not email the Graduate School’s admissions office; instead, follow the instructions below.
The Graduate School’s central admission office does not offer application fee waivers for international applicants. All international applicants must contact the department directly (see “Departmental Recommendation” below).
If you are a Master’s applicant (incl. MFA in Literary Translation), you must visit the Master’s Application Fee Waiver page.
All requests must be received at least five business days prior to the application deadline. Late requests will be denied.
GRS PhD & MFA fee waivers can only be used for the current admissions cycle. If your application fee was waived during a previous admissions cycle, you must reapply for a waiver.
GRS PhD & MFA fee waivers can only be used for GRS PhD & MFA programs.
Non-degree applicants and those applying to programs not offered by GRS are not eligible for GRS application fee waivers.
Application fees cannot be refunded. If you are given a fee waiver, do not submit your application with a payment.
There are many similar sounding programs (ex: Biology, Neurobiology, and Biomedical Engineering are each offered by a different graduate school). If you are applying to a program that is not offered by Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, please reach out to the respective schools directly, for example:

⇒ College of Engineering (ENG): Biomedical Engineering, Computer Engineering, etc.
⇒ Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences (CDS): Bioinformatics
⇒   Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS): Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience, Neurobiology, etc.
⇒   Wheelock College of Education (SED): Counseling Psychology, Social Studies in Education
⇒   Other schools/programs

International Applicants

The central admission office of the Graduate School does not offer application fee waivers to international applicants. We do not provide application fee waivers to international applicants based on unfavorable currency exchange rates, currency conversion barriers and fees, low income, family size, unemployment or under-employment, financial hardship, economic or political challenges in their home country, or any other extenuating circumstances. It is not possible to appeal. Please do not email the central admissions office (grsphd@bu.edu, grs@bu.edu), financial aid office (grsaid@bu.edu), or individual staff. Do not submit the form found at the bottom of this page and select an incorrect answer on purpose.

All international applicants must contact their program of interest directly to inquire about the possibility of the department waiving the fee (see “Departmental Recommendation” below). If you have already contacted the program and received no response, please send them a follow up email or call. Do not contact the central admissions office.

When contacting your respective program you must include your full name, email address used in application (it must match the application, the email will be used to find your application in the system, please make sure you check that it is correct and spelled correctly), CV/resume, personal statement, research summary, and copies of your transcripts in your email. If the department determines that you qualify for a fee waiver based on their criteria, the department will contact our admissions office. Please note that not all programs offer application fee waivers.

Departmental Recommendation

Applicants who do not meet any of the criteria listed on this page must email the department directly to inquire about a departmental application fee waiver. Please do not email the central admissions office (grsphd@bu.edu, grs@bu.edu), financial aid office (grsaid@bu.edu), or individual staff. Do not submit the Application Fee Waiver Request Form that can be found at the bottom of this page.

List of departmental email addresses

U.S Citizens & U.S. Permanent Residents

If you are a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Permanent Resident (“Green Card” holder) you may request an application fee waiver based on one of the following criteria:

Documented financial hardship

First-Generation Applicants

Military service

Special Programs, Events, and Fellowships

University affiliations

If you meet any of the criteria, please submit your request via the PhD & MFA Application Fee Waiver Request Form below. Once the submitted information is reviewed and verified (which may take up to five business days), we will waive the application fee for you. All requests will be reviewed during regular office hours (9am-5pm local time, Monday-Friday), except on holidays and during intersession.

PhD & MFA Application Fee Waiver Request Form

Have you started a PhD or MFA application?*
To request a fee waiver, you must first start an application and select a program. If you have not started an application, please do so before continuing with this form.
First Name*
Last Name*
Email (must match email listed in application)*

This email will be used to find your application in the system. Please verify that it is the correct email and that it is spelled correctly.
Program of Interest*
If the program is not listed, it is not accepting applications for the 2027-28 academic year. Please reach out to grsphd@bu.edu with any questions.
U.S. Citizenship Status*
Fee waiver eligibility*
Fee waiver eligibility*
Special program, event, or fellowship*
Name of the other special program*
Supporting document: proof of participation in a special program, event, or fellowship*
Max. file size: 100 MB.
**IMPORTANT**Be sure to block out sensitive information such as social security numbers or bank account information.
Resume/CV*
Max. file size: 100 MB.
Statement supporting your request (250+ words)*
Parents' highest level of education*

Please list the highest level of education completed for your parents/guardians.
Unofficial transcript submission date*
MM slash DD slash YYYY

Please send your unofficial transcript to grs@bu.edu with the subject line "Supporting documents for fee waiver request- CAS ID 1234567890"
Statement of financial hardship (250+ words)*
Proof of financial hardship submission date*
MM slash DD slash YYYY

Please send your proof of financial hardship to grsphd@bu.edu with the subject line "Supporting documents for fee waiver request- CAS ID 1234567890" **IMPORTANT**Be sure to block out sensitive information such as social security numbers or bank account information.
Sponsorship by an outside organization*
To qualify for a fee waiver based on sponsorship by an outside organization, the outside organization must sponsor your visa and provide stipend funding for your studies. If this is the case, please select your sponsor from the list below and upload proof of sponsorship. If the outside organization will not sponsor your visa and will not provide stipend funding, you do not qualify for this type of application fee waiver. Please select a different reason.
Name of the other sponsoring organization*
Supporting document: proof of sponsorship by an outside organization*
Max. file size: 100 MB.
**IMPORTANT**Be sure to block out sensitive information such as social security numbers or bank account information.
University affiliations*
BU ID*
Name of your unit*
Supporting document: proof of university affiliation*
Max. file size: 100 MB.
**IMPORTANT**Be sure to block out sensitive information such as social security numbers or bank account information.
Supporting document: proof of military service*
Max. file size: 100 MB.
**IMPORTANT**Be sure to block out sensitive information such as social security numbers or bank account information.
Applicants who would like to request an application fee waiver but do not meet any of the criteria listed on this page should email the program directly. Please do not submit the form below, as it cannot be forwarded to the departments. Please contact your respective program accordingly and include your CAS ID, resume, personal statement, and a copy of your transcript(s) in your email. If the department determines that the applicant is eligible, they will provide an application fee waiver.

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