The Boston University Scholarships 2027 support international students pursuing undergraduate and PhD programmes at Boston University in the United States. International first-year students can compete for BU’s prestigious merit awards, including the Trustee Scholarship, which covers full undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees, and the Presidential Scholarship, which supports students with exceptional academic records. At the doctoral level, Boston University guarantees PhD students in good academic standing five years of funding that includes a 100% tuition scholarship, stipend support, and a health insurance credit. Undergraduate merit scholarships are considered through the admission application, while PhD funding is normally included automatically with doctoral admission. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about the Boston University Scholarships, including their benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
The main scholarships covered in this guide are:
- Trustee Scholarship
- Presidential Scholarship
- Boston University PhD Funding
International undergraduate students should note that Boston University does not provide need-based financial aid to international students. Their main university-funded opportunities are competitive merit scholarships.
Boston University Scholarships Summary
- Level of Study: Undergraduate / PhD
- Institution: Boston University
- Study Destination: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- PhD Funding Period: Five years
- Courses Offered: Eligible undergraduate and doctoral programmes
Boston University offers programmes across engineering, computer science, business, health sciences, communication, social sciences, humanities, fine arts, education, public health, and many other fields. International students are eligible for BU’s Trustee and Presidential undergraduate scholarships.
Boston University Scholarships Application Deadline
For students entering Boston University in Fall 2027, applications for undergraduate merit scholarship consideration must be completed by:
December 1, 2026
This applies to first-year international students seeking consideration for major BU merit scholarships such as the Trustee and Presidential Scholarships.
PhD application periods vary by academic programme. Applications generally close between December and January, although each department publishes its own schedule.
Boston University Scholarship Coverage
Trustee Scholarship
The Trustee Scholarship is Boston University’s most prestigious undergraduate merit scholarship and is available to outstanding students from the United States and other countries.
It covers:
- Full undergraduate tuition
- Mandatory undergraduate student fees
- University Orientation fee
- Funding renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study
- Access to the academic and intellectual opportunities available to BU Trustee Scholars
The scholarship does not normally cover the complete cost of:
- Housing
- Food
- Personal expenses
- International airfare
- Books
- Other living expenses
Students should therefore budget separately for costs beyond tuition and covered university fees.
BU merit awards can generally be renewed for up to eight fall and spring semesters when recipients meet the relevant academic and scholarship conditions.
The Trustee Scholarship is merit-based rather than need-based. Financial circumstances are not the primary selection criterion.
Presidential Scholarship
The Presidential Scholarship is another major Boston University merit award available to international first-year students.
It is awarded to students with exceptionally strong academic records.
Selection considers qualities such as:
- Outstanding academic performance
- Intellectual ability
- Leadership
- Community involvement
- Extracurricular achievement
- Potential contribution to the Boston University community
The Presidential Scholarship is renewable for undergraduate study provided recipients meet BU’s academic and scholarship requirements.
Boston University currently does not display one fixed Presidential Scholarship amount on its main public scholarship page. Applicants should therefore use the value stated in their individual scholarship offer rather than relying on outdated figures published on third-party websites.
Boston University PhD Funding
Boston University provides substantially stronger financial support to doctoral students.
BU guarantees all PhD students in good academic standing five years of funding, including:
- 100% tuition scholarship
- Living stipend
- Health insurance credit
- Support through fellowships, teaching appointments, or research appointments
For Graduate School of Arts & Sciences PhD students, funding includes full tuition for courses required by the degree, mandatory student services and wellness fees, health insurance support, and a living stipend. Both domestic and international PhD students are eligible.
Funding may come through:
- Dean’s Fellowship
- Departmental fellowship
- Teaching Fellowship
- Doctoral Research Fellowship
- Research Assistantship
- Faculty research grant
- External fellowship
The exact stipend depends on the school and programme.
For example, Boston University College of Engineering lists a US$47,741 stipend for 2026–2027 for its Distinguished Departmental Fellowship and Dean’s Fellowship, together with full tuition, basic individual health insurance, and the student services fee.
Questrom School of Business offers admitted doctoral students a fully funded fellowship for up to five years with full tuition, student fees, health insurance, and a US$49,650 graduate assistantship for 2026–2027.
The final stipend for students beginning in 2027 may change, so applicants should use the amount stated in their individual funding offer.
Eligibility Criteria for Boston University Scholarships
Trustee Scholarship
Applicants should:
- Apply as first-year undergraduate students
- Be admitted to a Boston University degree-granting school or college
- Demonstrate exceptional academic performance
- Have a strong secondary-school record
- Demonstrate leadership, creativity, or community involvement
- Show the potential to contribute positively to BU
- Meet the international undergraduate admission requirements
International students are eligible for the Trustee Scholarship.
There is no single GPA or test score that guarantees selection.
Presidential Scholarship
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Exceptional academic achievement
- A challenging secondary-school curriculum
- Strong intellectual ability
- Leadership or extracurricular accomplishment
- Community involvement
- Strong overall admission credentials
International students can receive the Presidential Scholarship.
SAT and ACT Requirements
Boston University is test-optional for first-year students applying through Fall 2028 and Spring 2029.
This test-optional policy also applies to BU scholarship programmes. Applicants may therefore choose whether SAT or ACT scores strengthen their application.
Students with strong scores can submit them, while applicants who believe their academic record better represents their abilities may apply without SAT or ACT results.
English-Language Requirements
International applicants whose first language is not English must normally submit an accepted English-language test.
Boston University accepts:
- TOEFL
- IELTS
- Duolingo English Test
Competitive applicants generally present:
- IELTS: Around 7.0 or higher
- Duolingo English Test: Around 125–135 or higher
- TOEFL: Strong performance equivalent to the competitive range stated by BU for the applicable TOEFL scoring system
Applicants should also check whether their educational background affects the English requirement.
You can read our guide to scholarships without IELTS for other funding opportunities that may accept alternative proof of English proficiency.
PhD Funding Eligibility
Applicants must first receive admission to an eligible Boston University PhD programme.
Strong applicants normally demonstrate:
- Excellent undergraduate or postgraduate academic performance
- Relevant academic preparation
- Research experience
- Strong recommendation letters
- Clear research interests
- Good alignment with BU faculty
- Appropriate English proficiency
- Programme-specific academic requirements
International and domestic students admitted to BU PhD programmes can receive the university’s five-year funding guarantee provided they remain in good academic standing.
How to Apply for Boston University Scholarships?
Trustee and Presidential Scholarships
(1) Choose an eligible Boston University undergraduate programme and review its academic requirements.
International applicants can apply to programmes in areas such as engineering, business, computing, sciences, humanities, communication, education, health sciences, and fine arts.
(2) Complete the Common Application.
International first-year applicants generally submit:
- Common Application
- Secondary-school records
- Senior-year grades
- Counselor recommendation
- School Report
- Teacher evaluation
- English proficiency evidence
- Financial documentation
- Passport data page
(3) Prepare a strong overall admission application.
BU merit scholarships consider more than grades alone. Academic achievement remains central, but the university also looks for leadership, initiative, creativity, community impact, and evidence that applicants will contribute to the BU community.
Use specific examples from your education and activities rather than generic claims.
(4) No separate general Trustee or Presidential scholarship application is required.
Boston University states that students interested in first-year merit scholarship consideration simply need to complete the admission application during the merit scholarship application period.
(5) Submit English proficiency evidence if required.
International applicants should arrange for an accepted TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test result if their circumstances require one.
(6) Monitor the MyBU Applicant Portal.
Boston University uses the applicant portal for additional documents, application updates, and eventual scholarship information.
Boston University PhD Funding
(1) Choose a Boston University PhD programme closely aligned with your academic and research background.
Review:
- Faculty research interests
- Laboratories and research groups
- Programme requirements
- Funding information
- English requirements
- Required application documents
(2) Identify potential research supervisors where appropriate.
Read recent faculty publications before contacting professors.
A short email can explain:
- Your academic background
- Previous research
- Proposed research area
- Technical skills
- Publications or conference work
- Why their research interests you
Attach a concise academic CV.
(3) Prepare your graduate application.
Typical documents include:
- Academic transcripts
- Academic CV
- Statement of purpose
- Recommendation letters
- English-language evidence
- Research experience
- Programme-specific materials
Use our statement of purpose guide and scholarship recommendation letter guide while preparing your documents.
(4) Submit the application to your selected PhD programme.
Standard doctoral funding is normally considered alongside admission. Applicants do not usually submit a separate central application for BU’s five-year PhD funding package.
(5) Review your funding offer carefully if admitted.
Confirm:
- Tuition scholarship
- Annual stipend
- Health insurance
- Mandatory fee coverage
- Funding period
- Teaching responsibilities
- Research responsibilities
- Academic progress requirements
The individual admission offer is the best source for the exact financial package.
Documents Required for Boston University Scholarships
Undergraduate Documents
International applicants should prepare:
- Common Application
- Secondary-school transcripts
- Senior-year grades or predicted results
- Counselor recommendation
- School Report
- Teacher evaluation
- TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo result where required
- Financial support documentation
- Passport data page
- Certified English translations where necessary
- SAT or ACT results if the applicant chooses to submit them
International applicants must provide financial documentation demonstrating their ability to meet the cost of study for visa purposes, even when applying for a merit scholarship.
PhD Documents
Requirements vary by programme, but applicants should generally prepare:
- Online graduate application
- Bachelor’s degree transcript
- Master’s degree transcript where applicable
- Academic CV
- Statement of purpose
- Recommendation letters
- English-language test results where required
- Research statement where requested
- Writing sample where applicable
- Publications or research evidence
- Programme-specific documents
Applicants can use these ScholarshipRoar resources:
Website
For more information about Boston University Scholarships, visit:
- Boston University Merit Scholarships for First-Year Students
- Boston University Merit-Based Scholarships
- Boston University PhD Funding
- Boston University College of Engineering Scholarships and Fellowships
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Boston University offer scholarships to international students?
Yes. International first-year students are eligible for competitive Boston University merit scholarships, including the Trustee and Presidential Scholarships.
International students are not eligible for BU’s undergraduate need-based financial aid.
Is the Boston University Trustee Scholarship fully funded?
The Trustee Scholarship covers full undergraduate tuition and mandatory undergraduate fees. It does not normally cover all living expenses such as housing, food, travel, and personal expenses.
It is therefore best described as a full-tuition scholarship, not a complete fully funded scholarship.
Does the Trustee Scholarship cover housing?
No. The scholarship primarily covers full undergraduate tuition and mandatory university fees.
Students should plan separately for housing, meals, books, transportation, and personal expenses.
Can international students receive the Presidential Scholarship?
Yes. Boston University specifically allows international students to compete for both the Trustee and Presidential Scholarships.
Does Boston University provide need-based aid to international students?
No. Boston University states that international undergraduate students are not eligible for need-based financial assistance from BU, the state, or the US federal government.
Do I need a separate scholarship application?
For BU’s main first-year merit scholarships, the university currently states that applicants only need to complete their admission application during the scholarship consideration period.
Is Boston University PhD fully funded?
Yes. Boston University guarantees PhD students in good academic standing five years of stipend support, a 100% tuition scholarship, and health insurance support.
The exact stipend and funding arrangement vary by programme.
How much is the Boston University PhD stipend?
The amount varies by school and programme.
For 2026–2027, Boston University Engineering lists a US$47,741 annual stipend for several doctoral fellowship arrangements, while Questrom lists a US$49,650 graduate assistantship as part of its fully funded doctoral fellowship.
The final amount for students beginning in 2027 may differ.
Is SAT or ACT required for Boston University Scholarships?
No. Boston University is test-optional for first-year applicants through Fall 2028 and Spring 2029, and this policy applies to scholarship programmes.
Is IELTS compulsory?
Not necessarily IELTS specifically.
International applicants who need to demonstrate English proficiency may use TOEFL, IELTS, or the Duolingo English Test.
