Savanna Hoffman
Paying for student life in Boston can be a challenge, with the city offering a range of higher education institutions, including Boston University and Boston College, both of which offer online billing systems. Students can expect to pay for tuition, housing, food, books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. At Boston College, the total cost is $89,605, with the net price averaging $35,482 for students receiving need-based aid. Boston University offers payment options via the MyBU Student Portal, allowing students to grant access to parents, guardians, or third parties to make payments. Boston College also offers a similar option, allowing third-party payers to view and pay bills. Both universities offer international payment options, with Boston University providing Flywire and Convera, and Boston College partnering with the same vendors for international tuition payments. Students can also explore scholarships, work-study programs, and campus jobs to help fund their education and living expenses.
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What You'll Learn
Scholarships, grants, and work-study programs
The City of Boston Scholarship Fund
The City of Boston Scholarship Fund supports students who plan to attend a post-secondary school in Massachusetts. This scholarship is specifically for those pursuing a degree in high-demand disciplines that address the workforce needs of the Commonwealth. The fields of study include STEM, Health Professions, Education, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Economics, and Business. The scholarship is worth up to $10,000 per year or $5,000 per semester, and applicants must maintain a 3.0 GPA to retain eligibility.
The GRAD (Graduate Ready to Achieve Degree) Fund
The GRAD Fund is a grant program that provides financial support to students nearing college graduation. This fund can help students who are close to completing their degrees but may need some extra assistance to finish.
Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program
The Gates Millennium Scholars Program, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, provides scholarships for outstanding students from diverse backgrounds. The program offers opportunities for undergraduate and graduate degrees in various disciplines, including computer science, education, engineering, and public health.
The Roothbert Fund
The Roothbert Fund was established to help financially needy students further their education. The fund offers scholarships for undergraduate or graduate study at accredited colleges or universities in the United States. The focus is on candidates who are "motivated by spiritual values," and the fund fosters fellowship among its recipients.
Boston College Scholarships
Boston College offers various scholarships and internship programs for its students. One example is the leadership scholarship, which is awarded to juniors with strong academic records and engagement in Asian American issues. Another is the Einstein Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP), which brings together undergraduates with a strong science background to conduct original research at top scientific institutions. Boston College also offers the APAICS Summer Internship Program, providing undergraduates with the opportunity to work in Washington for eight weeks.
These are just a few examples of the many scholarships, grants, and work-study programs available to students in Boston. Be sure to research and apply for those that align with your interests, academic qualifications, and financial needs.
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Student loans and debt
In Boston, 87% of respondents to a city-wide survey on student debt were renters, and only 11% were homeowners. The survey also revealed that 49% of respondents had loans from undergraduate degrees, while 18% had loans from graduate degrees. A significant number of respondents had both public and private loans (41%), and 26% had over $70,000 in public loans.
To address this issue, the city of Boston has implemented income assistance pilot programs, such as Camp Harbor View's program, which provides 50 families with $585 per month for two years, and UpTogether, which offers income support to 1500 families over 18 months. These programs have shown positive results in helping families save money and manage their debt.
Additionally, there are several options available for students in Boston to manage their loan repayments, including income-driven repayment (IDR) plans that calculate payments based on income and family size, and the possibility of loan forgiveness after a certain number of qualifying payments. Students can also consider consolidating their loans, which may result in a longer repayment term, but it's important to note that consolidating can affect IDR forgiveness and the available repayment plans.
Students at Boston University (BU) can utilize the MyBU Student Portal to manage their payments, including enrolling in payment plans and granting access to parents or guardians to make payments on their behalf. Boston College offers a similar electronic billing and payment system called My Bill, where students can authorize third-party payers to view and pay bills. Both universities also provide options for international payments through vendors like Flywire and Convera.
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Budgeting for rent, utilities, and food
Boston is an expensive city, and budgeting can be challenging, especially for students. The cost of living in Boston is 50% higher compared to other US cities. However, with a bit of planning, it is possible to make the most of your money.
Rent
The cost of rent varies depending on location and the type of accommodation. Living alone within a 6-mile radius of campus typically costs around $2,500 per month, whereas sharing accommodations with roommates can reduce your living costs by half. For example, a 3-bedroom apartment shared between three people may cost $1000-1300 per month, per person.
Utilities
The cost of utilities in Boston can be a crucial factor when planning your monthly budget. From electricity and heating to water and the internet, these expenses can quickly add up. When you book with UniAcco, all your utility bills are conveniently included in the rent. Living with roommates can also save you money on utilities since the cost is split among all tenants.
Food
Groceries and transportation costs in Boston are relatively low compared to other parts of the US. If you cook every meal, use all leftovers, and never eat out, you can expect to spend around $250 per month on food. However, if you eat out and spend on fun expenses and transportation, this can increase to $1000-1300 per month. To reduce your food budget, you can shop at local markets, discount stores, or wholesale clubs. Meal prepping for the week can also help reduce costs by limiting impulse buying and eating out.
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Payment methods and plans
Boston University (BU) offers several payment methods and plans for students. Students can grant access to parents, legal guardians, or another third party to make payments on their student account. This can be done by selecting the “Manage Guests” link in the MyBU Student Portal. If you do not have an active BU login account, you can make electronic payments using the link provided under Payment Options at bu.edu/payment. Alternatively, you can send a check made out to "Boston University" to the following address:
> Boston University
> P.O. Box 23656
> New York, NY 10087-3656
For overnight delivery services, use the following address:
> Boston University Student Accounting Services
> 25 Buick Street, Suite 130
> Boston, MA 02215
Ensure that your name and BU ID number are included on the front of the check. Students attending BU on a part-time basis during the academic year or visiting students enrolled in the summer may pay by credit card (American Express, VISA, MasterCard, or Discover). Payment can be made through the MyBU Student Portal by selecting “My Bill & Aid,” “Student Account Balance Due,” then “Nelnet Payment & Payment Plans.” From the Nelnet main page, select “Make a Payment” from the left navigation menu.
International students at BU have two options for paying their student account balance: Flywire and Convera. These vendors provide a tailored interface for international payments to BU. A payment plan is available to students during each summer session, allowing students to defer 75% of their billed amount each session. A down payment and fee are due upon enrollment, which can be done through the MyBU Student Portal by clicking on the “Nelnet Payment and Refunds” button from the “Student Account Balance” page.
Boston College offers several payment methods and plans for students as well. Students can pay their tuition and other fees through the My Bill online billing system, accessible through the Agora Portal account. Boston College has partnered with Flywire and Convera to offer an innovative and streamlined way to make international tuition payments. Students can also authorize third-party payers, such as parents or guardians, to view and pay bills. Additionally, guests who are not authorized third-party payers can make online payments using the web payment method if they know the student's Eagle ID number and date of birth.
Students at Boston College can also consider financial aid, scholarships, and loans to help with the cost of attendance. The total cost of attendance, including tuition, housing, food, books, and supplies, is approximately $89,605, with the net price after aid and scholarships being $35,482 for the average student receiving need-based aid. The median federal loan debt among undergraduate borrowers is $19,000, with a median monthly payment of $201. Additionally, 11% of graduating students took out private loans, with an average debt of $30,784. Scholarships are another option, with some students receiving enough scholarship money to cover their tuition and living expenses. Need-based scholarships consider a student's financial status, while merit-based scholarships are awarded for academic or athletic achievement.
When budgeting for living expenses as a student in Boston, there are several costs to consider. Rent for a shared apartment can range from $900 to $1,500 per person, depending on the location and type of apartment. Utilities can cost an additional $100 to $200 per month. For transportation, a monthly transit pass for the bus or metro is $90, and a bus pass for Harvard is $50 per month. For food, cooking most meals at home can cost around $200 per month, while eating out or utilizing dining plans will increase this expense.
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Third-party payments
Students at BU can grant access to parents, legal guardians, or another third party to make payments on their student account. To grant access, students can select the “Manage Guests” link in their MyBU Student Portal. If students do not have an active BU login account, they can make electronic payments using the link provided under Payment Options at bu.edu/payment.
Students can also make payments by credit card (American Express, VISA, MasterCard, or Discover) through the MyBU Student Portal. They can do this by selecting “My Bill & Aid,” “Student Account Balance Due,” then “Nelnet Payment & Payment Plans.” From Nelnet’s main page, they can select “Make a Payment” from the left navigation menu.
For international payments, BU offers two options: Flywire and Convera. These vendors provide a tailored interface for international payments to BU.
Boston College's electronic student account billing and payment system is called My Bill. Students and authorized third-party payers can make an online payment using My Bill. Students should log into their Agora Portal account and select "My Bill". To authorize third-party payers, students must select the "My Bill" link in their Agora Portal account and select "Authorize Payers" from the menu bar. Once authorized, third-party payers can view and pay bills at www.bc.edu/mybillparent. Guests can make a tuition payment or add money to a student’s Dining account without having to log into My Bill.
Boston College has partnered with Flywire and Convera (formerly Western Union Business Solutions) to offer a streamlined way to make international tuition payments.
The University of Massachusetts Boston works with an external vendor, Flywire, to process e-check and online credit payments. Third-party payments cannot be used as a monthly payment while on the payment plan. However, a third-party payment will reduce the overall balance, creating a smaller monthly payment.
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Frequently asked questions
Boston University offers multiple ways to pay your fees. You can pay through the MyBU Student Portal by selecting “My Bill & Aid,” “Student Account Balance Due,” then “Nelnet Payment & Payment Plans.” Alternatively, you can submit your credit card payment at bu.edu/payment. You can also grant access to your parents, legal guardians, or another third party to make payments on your student account.
The fees for Boston University are dependent on various factors such as food and housing, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. The total cost for a student is $89,605, while the net price comes to $35,482 for the average student receiving need-based aid.
As a student in Boston, there are various ways to manage your budget. Firstly, consider sharing an apartment with roommates, which can bring down your rent to $900-1500 per person. Secondly, opt for a monthly transit pass for $90 instead of paying for each ride. Additionally, cooking your own meals can help you budget about $200 per month for food.
Boston College offers an online billing system called My Bill, where students can view their billing statements and make payments. Students can also authorize third-party payers such as parents or guardians to view and pay their bills. Payments can be made via check or money order, made payable to "Boston College."
Yes, there are various scholarships and financial aid options available for students in Boston. Scholarships are typically need-based or merit-based, and you can also qualify based on community service involvement, unique hobbies, personal background, or a parent's affiliation. Additionally, financial aid is generally awarded based on need or merit, and you can apply for funding through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
