Special Circumstances

Do you feel that your situation isn’t addressed by questions on the financial aid application or wasn’t taken into account by the aid decision? For example,  you may be uncertain how to complete the applications if your parents are divorced, separated, or can’t be reached for financial information.  We want to do all we can to take your particular circumstances into consideration.

Parents Do Not Share the Same Household

Incoming Medical Students applying for Boston University financial aid are expected, by University policy, to provide applicant information and financial support from both biological/adoptive parents even if they are divorced, separated, and/or do not share the same household.  To help us distribute scholarship funds equitably, we require that applicants file parental information. Although some parents do not contribute to their children’s education costs, they are still a resource for most students. Thus, viewing the potential family contribution as a whole is the most accurate way to award need-based aid.

If your biological or adoptive parents are divorced, separated, and/or do not share the same household list both parents (and any stepparents if applicable) on your Profile, as instructed. The parent you live with most must provide their information on your FAFSA and Profile. Your other (noncustodial) parent must also complete a Profile, which will be appended to your Profile later. Enter your other (noncustodial) parent’s email address on your Profile, as instructed, so CSS can send them information on how to create their separate Profile account log-in.

Waiving the Requirement for Parental Information

Students applying for Boston University financial aid are expected, by University policy, to provide applicant information and financial support from both biological/adoptive parents even if they are divorced, separated, and/or do not share the same household.  An applicant must contact SFS and are required to submit a written request for a waiver of parental information detailing circumstances that may warrant an exception. Waivers are granted on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the SFS.

Submit a CSS Profile™ Waiver Request for the Noncustodial Parent if getting a CSS Profile™ from the other (noncustodial) parent will be impossible.