{"id":41,"date":"2007-09-14T15:42:14","date_gmt":"2007-09-14T19:42:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/osfs\/facts\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T16:47:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T20:47:15","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/osfs\/resources\/faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a><\/p>\n

General FAQ’s
\n<\/strong> <\/em><\/h2>\n
\n

Where is Student Financial Support?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

Student Financial Support is located on the 4th floor of the Robinson Building, Room B-401.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

What are your hours of operation?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

Our walk-in office hours are Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m*.\u00a0 Our hours of operation for phone and email are Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Please visit the Contact Us<\/a><\/span> page for further information.<\/p>\n

*Our office is closed for walk-ins from 1:00 – 2:00 PM every day and from 1:00 – 3:00 PM on Wednesday. We are still available by phone and email.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

With whom should I meet?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

All Student Financial Support (SFS) staff members are trained to assist all Boston University Medical Campus students with their financial aid options. If you visit SFS during our drop-in times, you will meet with our available staff member(s).\u00a0 Each school has an SFS liaison assigned to manage its student accounts. If you would like to contact the liaison for your school or program, you can reach out by emailing SFS based on your school<\/a><\/span>.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Application FAQ’s<\/em><\/h2>\n
\n

When can I begin the financial aid process?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

The FAFSA for the next academic year (including Summer, Fall, and the following Spring) is generally available October 1 each year. US Citizens, Permanent Residents and Eligible Non-Citizens are encouraged to complete the FAFSA, using their (and spouse\u2019s if applicable) federal tax returns from the prior-prior tax year (i.e. 2024 taxes for the 2026-2027 FAFSA).<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Are there any institutional application requirements?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

Please visit our\u00a0How to Apply<\/a><\/span> page for specific instructions.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

What documents do I need to submit to SFS if I am only applying for the Federal Direct Loan?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

All applicants must complete the FAFSA<\/a> to be considered for Federal student loans.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

What is your FAFSA school code?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

002130
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Should I submit parental information on the FAFSA application?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

Beginning with the 2024-2025 FAFSA graduate and professional students will not be able to provide parent information on the FAFSA.<\/p>\n

For incoming MD students interested in being reviewed for BU need-based scholarships, parental information will need to be provided on the CSS Profile. More information can be found at the Applying for Aid<\/a> <\/span>page
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

What happens if I've forgotten or lost my FSA ID?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

Visit StudentAid.gov<\/a> for FSA ID troubleshooting topics.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Do I have a deadline if I am only applying for federal aid?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

Federal aid can be processed at any point during the school year, but if you are using federal funds to pay for tuition, you will need to apply at least one month before the payment deadline. By Federal regulation we cannot process Federal loans once the academic year has ended and there are no exceptions.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

How Do I Apply for Federal Work Study?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

Students must have a valid FAFSA on file for the year in which they wish to receive Federal Work Study. Because Federal Work Study is a need-based award with limited funding, we cannot guarantee all students will receive work study funding. We typically release a Federal Work Study application<\/a> <\/span>each summer that students must complete to acknowledge their interest in Federal Work Study. Students are notified of Federal Work Study eligibility starting in early August.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

International Student FAQ’s\u00a0<\/em><\/h2>\n
\n

Am I eligible for financial aid?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

International students may apply for credit based loans with a US Citizen, Permanent Resident or Eligible Non-Citizen as a co-signer.\u00a0 For more details, please visit our both our International Students<\/a><\/span> and Loans<\/a> page<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Some international students may be considered eligible non-citizens for Federal financial aid purposes. This can include various immigration statuses including Approved Asylum or Approved Refugee. For a definition of “eligible non-citizen” and requirements, please visit the StudentAid.gov website.<\/a> While we can review any documents to help in determining your financial aid eligibility, we cannot guarantee you will qualify and eligibility is strictly determined by Federal Student Aid.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

How do I learn more about the BU Community?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

Visit the BU Global Programs International Students & Scholars Office website<\/a>.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Award FAQ’s<\/em><\/h2>\n
\n

How do I accept\/decline\/adjust my award?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

For students receiving BU-funded loans, you must complete the institutional loan packet you receive to accept, decline or reduce each amount individually.\u00a0 The packet can be completed electronically but must be submitted through secure email. For all Federal loans you can complete the Loan Adjustment Request form found on our Forms page.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

For scholarship\/grant-based aid, students generally are not required to accept or acknowledge the award as this is gift aid awarded to a student. *Not all BUMC students receive scholarship or grant-based financial aid.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Why has my Federal Direct Loan amount changed this year?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

The annual amount available is calculated based on your school (or discipline) and enrollment term. The Federal Student Loans page<\/a> <\/span>provides specific loan amounts.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

What is the TILA form?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

It’s part of the\u00a0Truth In Lending Clarification Act, HR 4002<\/a>.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Cost of Attendance FAQ’s<\/em><\/h2>\n
\n

Can I increase my cost of attendance for a new computer, childcare and\/or unreimbursed medical expenses?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

Yes, but the amount that can be increased is limited and we cannot guarantee all of your costs will be included as part of a cost of attendance increase. Review the Cost of Attendance Increase<\/a> page for more information. First year medical students are already provided a technology expense as part of their standard cost of attendance to purchase a new computer and tablet. The increase request form is generally available in in late September\/October each academic year.<\/p>\n

Students are\u00a0strongly<\/em> encouraged to limit expenses as much as possible due to this limited increase. As housing costs tend to be the largest expense for BU students we encourage you to start by visiting the Office of Housing Resources<\/a><\/span> site.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Can you help me build a budget? Manage my expenses?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

We’d love to! Visit our Financial Wellness page<\/a><\/span> to get started and keep an eye out for our events. Our staff are also trained to assist students with financial wellness and debt management and students are welcome to visit our office on a walk-in basis.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

What other options are available to meet the cost of attendance if I have borrowed the maximum in Federal Unsubsidized loans?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

More information regarding the Federal Graduate PLUS loan as well as other credit-based loan options can be found on our Loans page.<\/a>
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Student Account FAQ’s<\/em><\/h2>\n
\n

Can I have checks sent to your office?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

Please do not send or have third party checks sent to our office. Our office is not responsible for student account payments and SFS is not responsible for lost or misplaced checks sent to our office in error. Student Financials <\/a>has a secure lockbox in New York for which all personal and third-party checks should be sent:<\/p>\n

Boston University
\nP.O. Box 23656
\nNew York, NY 10087-3656<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

I have a credit on my student account to use for living expenses, how do I receive the funds?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

Complete a direct deposit request in the MyBU Student Portal<\/a> by visiting My Bill & Aid<\/em>, Student Account Inquiry<\/em>, and then Request a Refund<\/em>.\u00a0 You will need to complete a new request each time you have a credit on your account you wish to receive. Student Financials has also provided information on how to set up your direct deposit account<\/a> when requesting a refund.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

But what if it's a pending credit, because the loan hasn't fully disbursed yet?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

For some programs that begin before Federal loans can be received by the University, SFS can issue an advance of the credit on your account balance. Credit Advances are only considered if:<\/p>\n