Tuition & Aid
The Boston College School of Social Work is committed to helping academically qualified students afford an exceptional graduate education. We provide scholarships to 100% of accepted MSW students, and the Office of Student Services will support you in applying for financial aid and scholarships to fund your degree—your way.
Contact
McGuinn Hall
617-552-4024
MSW: swadmit@bc.edu
PhD: phdsocialwork@bc.edu
By the Numbers
100%
BCSSW offers scholarships to 100% of accepted MSW students—with no additional application to complete
$1,408
Tuition & fees per credit hour
MSW program, 2023-24
$200,000+
PhD applicants are fully funded with a doctoral fellowship valued at more than $200,000 over four years. This includes tuition, an annual living stipend, health insurance, and conference support.
MSW Tuition and Fees
| Year | Tuition | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First | $42,240 | 30 |
| Second | $49,280 | 35 |
Please note: The tuition rate for MSW students for the 2023-2024 academic year is $1,408 per credit (set annually). Credit hours vary each year depending on the length of the program you are in, yet the overall cost of degree remains the same. To calculate cost per program per year, see the full-time and part-time curriculum plans.
| Year | Tuition | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First | $16,896 | 12 |
| Second | $25,344 | 18 |
| Third | $49,280 | 35 |
Please note: The tuition rate for MSW students for the 2023-2024 academic year is $1,408 per credit (set annually). Credit hours vary each year depending on the length of the program you are in, yet the overall cost of degree remains the same. To calculate cost per program per year, see the full-time and part-time curriculum plans.
| Start | Tuition | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| June | $61,952 | 44 |
| January | $16,896 (first semester) $45,056 (final year) | 12 32 |
Please note: The tuition rate for MSW students for the 2023-2024 academic year is $1,408 per credit (set annually). Credit hours vary each year depending on the length of the program you are in, yet the overall cost of degree remains the same. To calculate cost per program per year, see the full-time and part-time curriculum plans.
- Student ID Fee: $45 one-time charge
- Activity Fee: $50 per year
Applying for Financial Aid
When you submit your application for admission, you are automatically considered for BCSSW scholarships, fellowships, graduate assistantships, and research assistantships. There is no separate aid application for BCSSW.
Financial Aid
Internal Scholarship Opportunities
All admitted MSW students are offered a BCSSW scholarship upon admission. You will be automatically considered for the following BC scholarship opportunities:
Merit-Based Scholarships
All MSW students are offered merit-based awards, which are determined during the application process.
The Dean’s Fellowship
Awarded to select incoming MSW students, the Dean’s Fellowship recognizes academic achievement and a promise for social work leadership.
City Year and Jesuit Volunteer Corps Scholarships
BCSSW is proud to offer additional financial support to alumni of the City Year and Jesuit Volunteer Corps programs.
Irish Famine Memorial Fund
The IFMF provides financial or material support to BC students and alumni who are working to alleviate poverty, disease, famine, and illiteracy.
Field placement stipends
All BCSSW students complete field placements, some of which provide stipends.
Graduate Assistantships
MSW students can also pursue a range of graduate assistantships at BC during their final year. Students who are awarded an assistantship work part-time and receive an annual stipend and partial tuition remission scholarship.
External Scholarship Opportunities
BCSSW has compiled a listing of outside scholarships to aid our students in their search for additional funding. The most recent information is stored in an online scholarship database, which you can access using your BC email and password.
The Council on Social Work Education also maintains a list of student funding opportunities.
U.S. Military Veteran Benefits
BCSSW offers application fee waivers to all U.S. military veterans and participants in the Post-9/11 GI Bill® Yellow Ribbon Program scholarship.
A majority of graduate students finance their degrees using loans, with the option to seek either federal or private loans for educational funding.
Federal Loans
To qualify for federal aid, students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and meet the following eligibility requirements:
- You have been accepted to a degree-seeking program;
- You are enrolled at least half-time each semester, as defined by the Office of Student Services (half-time is generally 6 credits);
- You are not in default on a Federal Stafford or Perkins Loan, and you do not need to pay a federal grant overpayment;
- You are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.*
*International students are not eligible for federal financial aid. Information about aid opportunities is available at bc.edu/gradaid. For more information, visit bc.edu/gradaid.
Completing the FAFSA
BC Federal School Code: 002128
Review the dates for preferred deadlines and award notifications and access a link to the FAFSA and the required Graduate Enrollment form at bc.edu/gradaid.
To access the FAFSA, the Enrollment Form, and a range of other information for both domestic and international students, visit bc.edu/gradaid.
If you have other questions, please contact the Office of Student Services at 617-552-3300 or studentservices@bc.edu.
Private Loans
Students may decide to apply for a private loan in addition to or instead of federal loans. Information about private loans is available at: bc.edu/altloans. Please ensure you review the terms and conditions for any loan you choose.
For graduate students who will finance their degrees using loans, there are several loan forgiveness and repayment programs available following graduation.
Federal Perkins Loan Cancellation
Students who go on to work in intervention services or services for high-risk children from low-income communities may be eligible to have all or a portion of their Federal Perkins Loan canceled. Check with the Boston College Office of Student Services (617-552-3300) or your employer’s personnel office to determine if you are eligible.
National Health Service Corps
To access the FAFSA, the Enrollment Form, and a range of other information for both domestic and international students, visit bc.edu/gradaid.The National Health Service Corps unites under-served communities with thousands of dedicated clinicians. The NHSC provides a Loan Repayment Program to fully trained providers with qualified educational loans, repaying up to $25,000 if they choose to serve at an eligible site.
Applicants must agree to provide primary care services in a priority Health Professional Shortage Area for a minimum of two years. Clinical social workers can be candidates for the program. Learn more at nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment.
National Association of Social Workers: Massachusetts
Resources on loan repayment options are available from the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps, the domestic Peace Corps, engages more than 40,000 Americans in service each year. After their term of service, AmeriCorps members receive education awards to help pay back their student loans, and alumni of the program can apply these awards toward funding their MSW at BC.
Teach for America
Teach for America (TFA) places its fellows in schools where they are often eligible for loan deferral or forbearance.
Our Guide to Financing Your Education
Your MSW, Your Way
At the Boston College School of Social Work (BCSSW), we know that an MSW is a significant investment in your future and in the future of the communities you’ll serve.
As you plan for your graduate studies, this guide offers a comprehensive overview of the opportunities and resources available here at BCSSW to help you fund your degree—your way.
Financial Aid Checklist
PrintThe Boston College Office of Student Services administers and awards need-based federal financial aid programs. Please review their Graduate Financial Aid website for a complete step-by-step guide and deadlines.
Complete the FAFSA
You should submit your application for federal financial aid as soon as possible. You do not have to wait to be admitted to a degree program to apply for federal financial aid, however notification of your loan package will occur after you receive an admissions decision from BCSSW.
Have the following available when completing your FAFSA:
- Social Security number
- W-2 forms and other records of earnings
- The BC College code: 002128
- Your Federal Income Tax Return (and that of your spouse, if you are married)
- Any foreign tax return
- Untaxed income records—Social Security, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, welfare, or veteran's benefits records, etc.
- Bank statements
- Investment information
- Permanent resident card, if you are not a U.S. citizen
The FAFSA must be signed electronically using a U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID). If you do not already have an FSA ID, you can apply for one. Be sure to maintain a copy of the FSA ID for your records. You will need to use it to make changes to your FAFSA, or to file again in future years.
Once you have submitted your FAFSA for the appropriate year, it will take a few days to process. You should receive an e-mail directing you to your Student Aid Report (SAR). This is the summary of the FAFSA you should keep for your records. Some students may be chosen for verification of the information they submitted on the FAFSA. If you are chosen for verification, please review your SAR to see if any additional information is requested.
Complete the BC Supplemental Information Form
Complete the BC Graduate Student Supplemental Information form. Please upload this form to bc.edu/finaidupload. Detailed instructions are available at bc.edu/gradaid.
You will need to complete this form if you:
- Will be enrolled for more than 6 credits per semester
- Wish to apply for Summer loans, including Direct Unsubsidized loan, the GradPlus loan, or any alternative loans
- Wish to be considered for summer or academic year work-study
- Will be enrolled in a dual degree program at BC
Review Other Resources
Loan Cancellation
Check with Boston College Office of Student Services or your employer's personnel office to determine eligibility. Early intervention services or services for high risk children from low income communities may be applicable.
National Health Service Corps
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) unites underserved communities with thousands of dedicated clinicians. The NHSC provides a Loan Repayment Program to fully trained providers with qualified educational loans if they choose to serve at an eligible site. Applicants must agree to provide primary care services in a priority health professional shortage area for a minimum of two years. Clinical Social Workers are possible candidates for the program.
National Association Of Social Workers - Massachusetts
Resources on loan repayment options are available from the National Association of Social Workers - Massachusetts.
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps, the domestic Peace Corps, engages more than 40,000 Americans in intensive, results-driven service each year. Most AmeriCorps members are selected by and serve with local and national organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, and Boys and Girls Clubs. Others serve in AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) and AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps). After their term of service, AmeriCorps members receive education awards to help finance college or pay back student loans.
Teach for America
Teach for America places members in schools where they are often eligible for loan deferral or forbearance.
Resources for Veterans
Boston College acts as a liaison with the Veterans Administration for students who may qualify to receive veterans' education benefits. Eligible students should apply through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs in order to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility. Applications can be completed online at www.gibill.va.gov or by calling the Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551).
Once the Certificate of Eligibility has been received, the student should contact Linda Malenfant, the VA Certifying Official in the Office of Student Services. The Certifying Official will then certify the student's enrollment information to the Regional Processing Office (RPO). The RPO will process payment of benefits directly to the student.
PhD Fellowships
The Boston College School of Social Work awards named fellowships to as many as two doctoral students each academic year.
Carolyn Thomas Doctoral Fellowship
Doctoral student Sophia Eisenberg is the recipient of the 2024 Carolyn Thomas Doctoral Fellowship, which recognizes the accomplishments and anticipated contributions that a social work doctoral student has made/will make to scholarship related to the well-being of family and children.
Elaine Pinderhughes Doctoral Fellowship
Doctoral student Charles Currie is the recipient of the Elaine Pinderhughes Doctoral Fellowship, which recognizes the accomplishments and anticipated contributions a Black/African American doctoral student has made and will continue to make to social work scholarship.
Print
You may still be eligible for summer federal financial aid (Federal Direct Stafford Loan and/or Federal Work-Study) if you submit your application after the preferred deadline, however Federal Work-Study funding may be limited or not available. Therefore, you should plan to complete and sign your Boston College Graduate Supplemental Information form (this and other forms are available at the Boston College Graduate Student Aid website) and upload the form per instructions on the form or website. Also complete your FAFSA online by that preferred deadline.
You only need to complete the FAFSA for the upcoming academic year.
The total number of credits for the MSW degree is 65 credits. The total number of credits for the PhD degree is 51 credits. The number of credits per semester varies by program.
If you earned income last year, look at your last paycheck for the year-to-date totals.
The annual BCSSW financial aid budget is contingent upon university resources, and the amount of that budget will determine the number and amount of individual financial aid awards. Although individual financial aid awards are not finalized until the summer, the School generally renews the amount of scholarship awarded in the previous year as long as the student has maintained satisfactory performance and there has been no change in financial status and number of credits to be earned. If you received a BCSSW scholarship last year, you do not have to apply again.
Graduate assistantships offered through BC Social Work award a student a total of $7,000 for the academic year—$4,000 in tuition remission and $3,000 in a stipend ($375 monthly). The amounts of tuition remission and stipends vary for other assistantships in other departments.
You only have to list wages earned last year if you do not expect to file a federal income tax return. You should enter the amounts of income received but not required to be reported on federal income tax returns (e.g., workers' compensation, untaxed contributions to retirement/pension plans).
If you wish to borrow less than what you have been awarded, you must notify the Boston College Office of Student Services in writing or through the "Financial Aid Notification" in Agora Portal of your intent to cancel or reduce your loan. Click the "Edit" button to reduce the amount of your award, then click "Continue" to submit the request to your Financial Aid counselor. Since these changes are done manually and not electronically, please allow up to two weeks for them to be processed.
Send a letter to Graduate Financial Aid at Boston College Office of Student Services stating the change in number of credits being taken.
There is a separate application for BCSSW assistantships. The application form will be distributed in March by the BCSSW. In addition, there are opportunities for assistantships in other departments on campus.
For external scholarships, view the BC School of Social Work Scholarship Database. A BC username and password is required to login.
Graduate students may consider applying for the Graduate or Professional Student PLUS loan or Alternative loans to fill the gap between the aid offered and their budget. Information on the PLUS loan and Alternative loan can be found at Graduate Students Financial Aid website (bc.edu/gradaid) under 'Types of Financial Aid.' Students applying for the Alternative loan should contact the lender directly to ask about rates and other questions.
Yes. Both Boston College and the federal government require students to apply for financial aid each year since it is possible that a student's situation may change from the prior year.
It is still possible to apply for financial aid after the FAFSA preferred deadline. In order to be considered for federal financial aid, your application and processed FAFSA must be received by the Office of Student Services before the end of that enrollment period. Refer to "Late Applicants" on the first page of the Graduate Student website (bc.edu/gradaid) under "Applying for Aid" tab.
Although international students are not eligible for Federal financial aid there are other options for funding your education. The Boston College Office of Student Services has a list of resources on their website that you might find helpful.
Graduate students who enroll at least half-time during the summer (6 credits in most cases) may be eligible to receive a Federal Direct Stafford Loan for that period. If you are interested in being considered for this loan, or for summer Federal Work-Study, please complete the summer enrollment questions on pages one and two of the Boston College Graduate Supplemental Information form. If you do qualify for a Federal Direct Stafford Loan for summer enrollment, you may be required to sign a Master Promissory Note and complete Entrance Counseling.
Yes, most private nonprofit organizations and government agencies are eligible to participate in off-campus work study. If your agency is interested in participating (there is a financial contribution required by them), contact the Boston College Office of Student Services for details.
Yes. BCSSW offers applications fee waivers for U.S. Military Veterans as well as benefits through the Post 9/11 GI Bill® Yellow Ribbon program. There are also a number of on-campus resources available to Veterans.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website.