Tassels for Terriers

Commencement is one of the most exciting times of year at any university as friends and family arrive on campus to celebrate with their graduating students. Here at BU, campus comes alive with a sea of red as students flock up Comm Ave to Nickerson Field. Along the way they may stop to tiptoe across the seal or say goodbye to the buildings they have called home for the last four years. However, there is something missing from this picture. Every year, dozens of students who face financial hardship must skip out on these celebrations because they cannot afford to purchase graduation regalia. To prevent this, Boston University created the Tassels for Terriers program to provide caps, gowns, and other graduation regalia to both undergraduate and graduate students in need. Because at BU, we believe that everyone deserves to graduate with pride.  

This initiative is managed by the Office of the Dean of Students, and was funded by generous students, families, alumni, and other members of the university community through a successful crowdfunding campaign. 

How to Apply 

Tassels for Terriers is intended to support students who are low income or students who are facing an immediate financial situation that is preventing them from purchasing their regalia. To determine who qualifies for the fund, representatives from the Office of the Dean of Students will review a student’s account along with a short personal statement submitted at the time of application. The personal statement should be a brief essay, 1 to 3 paragraphs, that documents a student’s financial circumstances and any additional challenges they have faced while at BU.

If you think you may qualify, please click here to apply. Deadline to apply is Sunday, March 23. Students should anticipate receiving a response in 2-3 business days. Please feel free to reach out to the Office of the Dean of Students at dos@bu.edu, or 617-353-4126 with any questions.  

Please note that the dental school provides resources for DMD, DMD AS, Dental CAGS, and MSD students, and the medical school provides resources for MD student.  

Dental students can refer to this website for more information. Please reach out to Amanda Modelevsky at apwarren@bu.edu with any questions.  

For questions regarding regalia for MD students, please reach out to Nichole Ciccarelli at ngcicca@bu.edu.