Summer Students
Boston University Grants and Merit Scholarships
Scholarships and University grants are generally available only during the academic year.
Undergraduate students enrolled in certain programs taking specific courses during the summer term may be eligible for certain BU grants and scholarships. Those programs/courses and requirements are as follows:
BU Students
- College of Arts & Sciences Accelerated Medical Program.
- Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences Athletic Training or Physical Therapy majors.
- Must be enrolled in certain required Sargent College courses for summer term.
- One summer 2025 course that qualifies for HUB credit from the following list:
| CAS AN 234 | Evolutionary Psychology |
| CAS AR 280 | Eating and Drinking in the Ancient World |
| CAS CS 111 | Introduction to Computer Science 1 |
| CAS CS 131 | Combinatoric Structures |
| CAS EC 101 | Introductory Microeconomic Analysis |
| CAS EC 102 | Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis |
| CAS EN 176/CAS CI 200 | Introduction to Film & Media Aesthetics |
| CAS LC 111 | First-Semester Chinese |
| CAS LC 112 | Second-Semester Chinese |
| CAS LS 111 | First-Semester Spanish |
| CAS LS 112 | Second-Semester Spanish |
| CAS MA 113 | Elementary Statistics |
| CAS MA 121 | Calculus for the Life and Social Sciences |
| CAS PH 100 | Introduction to Philosophy |
| CAS PH 155 | Politics and Philosophy |
| CAS PO 316/CAS AA 319 | Race and the Politics of Criminal Justice Policy |
| CAS PS 101 | General Psychology |
| CAS PS 231 | Physiological Psychology |
| CAS RN 103 | Religions of Asia |
| CAS SO 100 | Principles in Sociology |
| CAS SO 241/CAS WS 241 | Sociology of Gender |
| CFA ME 377 | Arts Engagement as Active Hope: Attuning, Reflecting, and Writing Our Way Towards a Sustainable Future |
| CFA TH 401 | Classic Theatre through a Contemporary Lens |
| SAR HP 353 | Organization and Delivery of Healthcare in the United States |
| WED LS 560 | Introduction to Language and Language Acquisition |
| SHA HF 100 | Introduction to Hospitality |
| WED DE 382 / DE 582 | American Sign Language 2 |
- BU HUB Course need-based scholarship/grant aid is available for only one qualifying course during Summer 25. Additional qualifying courses will not be covered by BU need-based scholarship/grant aid.
- BU HUB Course need-based scholarships for Summer 25 will be awarded prior to the start of the summer session.
To be eligible for BU HUB Course need-based scholarship/grant aid to cover all or a portion of the tuition and fee charges for these courses a student must be a recipient of BU need-based scholarship/grant aid. The Summer HUB Course Scholarship covers the same percentage of the HUB course tuition as your academic year BU need-based scholarship covers for academic year tuition.
To be considered, complete the Summer 2025 HUB Course Scholarship Application.
Review of Summer HUB Course Scholarship Applications will begin after May 1st.
Federal and State Grants
Federal Pell Grant is awarded to students based on information submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSAThe Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine eligibility for state and federal grants, scholarships, and loans. The FAFSA can be completed on the Federal Student Aid website. The Boston University FAFSA school code is 002130.) and the Federal Pell Grant Formula. Boston University will determine summer Pell Grant eligibility using FAFSAThe Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine eligibility for state and federal grants, scholarships, and loans. The FAFSA can be completed on the Federal Student Aid website. The Boston University FAFSA school code is 002130. data from either the prior or upcoming academic year. Other federal and state grants are generally not available for summer enrollments.
Federal Student Loans
A student may be eligible to borrow the Federal Direct Loan for the summer term if the student did not borrow all of their annual loan limit during the prior academic year or will not be borrowing the annual loan limit for the coming academic year due to attendance for only one semester. In addition, a student is eligible to borrow if the summer term is the student’s final enrollment period. Students must also be enrolled at least half-time (six credit hours) over the course of both summer sessions to be eligible. To apply, complete the Summer Federal Direct Loan (Undergraduate Students) request form.
Credit-Based Educational Loans
Most credit-based loans, including the Federal PLUS Loan, are available to eligible borrowers for summer enrollment. Eligibility is based on the credit capacity of the borrowerThe borrower is the person legally responsible for repayment of a loan and who has signed the promissory note. and/or co-borrowerThe person who applies for a loan with and signs a promissory note agreeing to be responsible for repayment if the borrower fails to meet the terms of repayment. This person’s creditworthiness may make the borrower eligible for a lower interest rate, lower fees, and/or other more favorable terms., as determined by the lender, the student’s enrollment status, and various other factors.
Visiting Non-BU Students
Boston University Grants and Scholarships
Students enrolled as degree candidates at other institutions who are taking classes at Boston University as visiting students during the summer term are not eligible for grants and scholarships administered by Boston University.
Financial Aid from Your Home Institution
Financial aid may be available to visiting students through their home institution. A consortium agreement between your home institution and Boston University may be required to receive financial aid from the home institution. Contact the home institution with any questions or concerns.
Credit-Based Educational Loans
Certain credit-based loans are available to eligible borrowers who are visiting students for summer enrollment. Eligibility is based on the credit capacity of the borrowerThe borrower is the person legally responsible for repayment of a loan and who has signed the promissory note. and/or co-borrowerThe person who applies for a loan with and signs a promissory note agreeing to be responsible for repayment if the borrower fails to meet the terms of repayment. This person’s creditworthiness may make the borrower eligible for a lower interest rate, lower fees, and/or other more favorable terms., as determined by the lender, the student’s enrollment status, and various other factors.
Summer Pell Grant Eligibility
Students may receive a Federal Pell Grant for summer courses if they meet certain eligibility requirements.
Summer Pell Grant Eligibility Requirements:
- Complete a 24/25 and or 25/26 FAFSAThe Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine eligibility for state and federal grants, scholarships, and loans. The FAFSA can be completed on the Federal Student Aid website. The Boston University FAFSA school code is 002130.
- Have a Pell Eligible Student Aid IndexCollege financial aid offices use the Student Aid Index (SAI) to determine how much federal student aid you may be able to receive. The SAI is calculated using information from your FAFSA form. BU Financial Assistance uses information reported on the CSS Profile to determine eligibility for Boston University scholarships, not the SAI. (SAI)
- Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
- Have Remaining Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility
- All Prior Student Account Balances Under $200 Total
Lifetime Pell Eligibility
A Summer Pell Grant will count towards the Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) of a student. Students may receive Pell Grant for up to the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters or 600%. A full-time semester of Pell Grant equals 50% LEU.
Example of Pell Grant Disbursements and LEU:
| Enrolled Credits | Lifetime Eligibility Used |
| Full-Time Enrollment (12+ Credits) | 50% |
| Three Quarter Time Enrollment (9-11 Credits) | 37.5% – 46% |
| Half-Time Enrollment (6-8 Credits) | 25% – 33% |
| Quarter-Time Enrollment (1-5 Credits) | 4% – 21% |
*Note: The actual LEU percentage will depend on the specific number of credits taken.
Students can check their remaining Pell LEU by logging onto the StudentAid website using their FSA ID.
Example of Summer Pell Grant Eligibility
An example of Federal Pell Grant eligibility for a full-time student with a -1500 SAI enrolled for 4 credits in summer.
| Fall | Spring | Summer |
| Enrolled Credits | 12 Credits (Full Time) | 12 Credits (Full Time) | 4 Credits |
| Pell Grant | $3,698 | $3697 | $1,220 |
| LEU | 50% | 50% | 17% |
Summer Pell Grant FAQ’s
Will summer Pell Grant impact my future Pell Grant eligibility?
Summer Pell Grant will not impact the amount of Pell Grant students can receive in future semesters but it does count towards a student’s Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU). Using Summer Pell Grant will reduce the number of future semesters that you can continue receiving a Pell Grant.
What happens if I withdraw from a summer course while receiving a Summer Pell Grant?
Withdrawing from a class may reduce or cancel your Summer Pell Grant depending on your attendance. Withdrawing from a course may result in a balance due to Boston University.
What happens if I receive a Summer Pell Grant and a BU Summer HUB Scholarship?
If you receive a HUB scholarship during the summer, it may be adjusted if you also receive a Summer Federal Pell Grant.
