Boston University Scholarships 2027 | USA: Merit and PhD Funding Opportunities

Organiser	Boston University
Host Country	United States
Location	Boston, Massachusetts
Level of Study	Undergraduate / PhD
PhD Funding Period	Five years
Deadline	Varies by programme, generally December-January for PhD; aligns with Fall 2027 undergraduate admission
Funding	Merit scholarships for undergraduates; full tuition, stipend, and health insurance for PhD students

Boston University offers a range of competitive scholarships for international students starting in 2027. These awards support both undergraduate and doctoral studies at this renowned institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. Among the most prestigious are the Trustee Scholarship, which covers full tuition and fees for undergraduates, and the Presidential Scholarship, aimed at students with exceptional academic achievements. For those pursuing doctoral degrees, BU guarantees five years of funding that includes full tuition waivers, stipends, and health insurance credits, ensuring strong financial support throughout PhD studies.

It is important to note that Boston University’s merit scholarships for undergraduates are awarded through the admissions process, while doctoral funding is typically included automatically as part of PhD admission offers.

• Fully Funded Scholarships in the USA
• Fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarships in the USA
• Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships
• Fully Funded PhD Scholarships

Boston University Scholarships Summary

• Level of Study: Undergraduate / PhD
• Institution: Boston University
• Study Location: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
• PhD Funding Duration: Five years
• Courses Eligible: Various undergraduate and doctoral programmes
• Scholarship Types: Merit-based undergraduate scholarships; guaranteed doctoral funding

The three scholarships covered in this guide are:

1. Trustee Scholarship
2. Presidential Scholarship
3. Boston University PhD Funding

Boston University Scholarships Deadline

Application deadlines vary by scholarship and programme. Undergraduate merit scholarships require submission of the admission application by the specified deadline for Fall 2027 entry. PhD application deadlines differ by academic department, generally closing between December and January, and applicants should check individual programme dates.

Trustee Scholarship Deadline

First-year international undergraduate students seeking consideration for the Trustee Scholarship must complete their application by the deadline for Fall 2027 admission. This deadline aligns with Boston University’s undergraduate admission timeline.

Presidential Scholarship Deadline

The Presidential Scholarship uses the same application deadline as the Trustee Scholarship. Applicants must submit their full undergraduate admission application to be automatically considered.

Boston University PhD Funding Deadline

PhD application deadlines vary depending on the department and programme. Generally, applications for doctoral programmes close between December and January preceding the academic year. Prospective students should consult the specific programme’s website for exact dates.

Boston University Scholarship Coverage

Trustee Scholarship

The Trustee Scholarship is Boston University’s top merit award for undergraduates, providing substantial financial support for outstanding students globally.

• Full coverage of undergraduate tuition
• Mandatory undergraduate student fees
• University Orientation fee included
• Renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study
• Access to exclusive academic and intellectual opportunities for Trustee Scholars

Note that the scholarship does not cover housing, food, personal expenses, international airfare, books, or other living costs, so recipients should budget for these separately.

Presidential Scholarship

The Presidential Scholarship rewards international first-year undergraduates demonstrating exceptional academic merit and leadership qualities.

• Renewable for the duration of undergraduate study subject to academic performance
• Financial award amounts vary and are specified individually in scholarship offers
• Selection based on a combination of academic excellence, leadership, community involvement, and extracurricular achievements

Boston University PhD Funding

Doctoral students admitted to Boston University receive a comprehensive funding package for five years, contingent on maintaining good academic standing.

• 100% tuition scholarship covering required courses and mandatory fees
• Annual living stipend (amount varies by school and programme)
• Health insurance credit
• Support through fellowships, teaching, or research appointments
• Examples include stipends around US$47,741 for Engineering and US$49,650 for Business doctoral students for the 2026–2027 academic year

Eligibility Criteria for Boston University Scholarships

Applicants must fulfill both the university’s admission requirements and specific scholarship eligibility rules to qualify for these awards.

Trustee Scholarship Eligibility

• Apply as a first-year undergraduate student
• Gain admission to a degree-granting school or college at Boston University
• Demonstrate exceptional academic performance and strong secondary school records
• Show leadership, creativity, or community involvement
• Exhibit potential to contribute positively to the BU community
• Meet international undergraduate admission requirements

There is no fixed GPA or standardized test score guaranteeing selection.

Presidential Scholarship Eligibility

• Exceptional academic achievements in a challenging secondary curriculum
• Strong intellectual and leadership abilities
• Active participation in community and extracurricular activities
• International students are eligible

SAT and ACT Requirements

Boston University has adopted a test-optional policy for first-year applicants through Fall 2028 and Spring 2029, including scholarship applicants. Submission of SAT or ACT scores is optional and should be based on whether they strengthen the application.

English-Language Requirements

International applicants whose first language is not English typically must submit TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test scores. Competitive applicants generally present scores around IELTS 7.0 or higher, Duolingo 125–135 or above, or equivalent TOEFL results.

PhD Funding Eligibility

• Admission to an eligible Boston University doctoral programme
• Excellent academic performance at undergraduate or postgraduate levels
• Relevant research experience and strong recommendation letters
• Clear research interests aligned with BU faculty expertise
• Appropriate English proficiency and programme-specific requirements
• Good academic standing to maintain funding for five years

How to Apply for Boston University Scholarships?

Application procedures differ between undergraduate merit scholarships and doctoral funding. Below is a guide to each process.

How to Apply for the Trustee and Presidential Scholarships?

1. Choose an eligible undergraduate programme at Boston University that fits your academic interests.
2. Complete the Common Application with required materials such as secondary school records, counselor and teacher recommendations, and proof of English proficiency if needed.
3. Prepare a comprehensive admission application highlighting academic achievements, leadership, creativity, and community involvement.
4. No separate scholarship application is required; submitting the undergraduate admission application by the deadline automatically enters you into merit scholarship consideration.
5. Submit English proficiency test scores if applicable.
6. Regularly check the MyBU Applicant Portal for updates and scholarship notifications.

How to Apply for Boston University PhD Funding?

1. Select a doctoral programme aligned with your academic and research background.
2. Research potential faculty supervisors and contact them with a brief academic CV and research interests if appropriate.
3. Prepare the graduate application, including transcripts, CV, statement of purpose, recommendation letters, and English language evidence.
4. Submit your application directly to the chosen PhD programme; funding is typically included with admission offers.
5. Review your funding offer carefully upon admission to understand tuition coverage, stipend, health insurance, and other terms.

Documents Required for Boston University Scholarships

The required documents vary depending on the scholarship and level of study. Applicants should prepare to submit academic records, test scores, letters of recommendation, and proof of English proficiency as applicable.

Trustee and Presidential Scholarships Documents

1. Common Application form
2. Secondary school transcripts and senior-year grades
3. Counselor recommendation and school report
4. Teacher evaluation
5. Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo), if required
6. Financial documentation and passport information

Boston University PhD Funding Documents

1. Academic transcripts
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Statement of purpose outlining research interests
4. Recommendation letters
5. English proficiency evidence
6. Additional programme-specific materials as required

Website

Applicants are encouraged to visit Boston University’s official scholarship pages for the most accurate and updated information on these funding opportunities.

• 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

Are Boston University scholarships available to international students?

Yes, international students are eligible to apply for Boston University’s Trustee and Presidential undergraduate scholarships, as well as PhD funding opportunities.

Does Boston University provide need-based financial aid to international undergraduates?

No, Boston University does not offer need-based financial aid to international undergraduate students; the main awards are merit-based scholarships.

Is there a separate application for Boston University merit scholarships?

No separate application is required. Applying for undergraduate admission by the scholarship deadline automatically considers applicants for the Trustee and Presidential Scholarships.

What does the Trustee Scholarship cover?

The Trustee Scholarship covers full undergraduate tuition, mandatory fees, and orientation fees, renewable for up to four years.

How long is PhD funding guaranteed at Boston University?

PhD students in good academic standing are guaranteed funding for five years, including tuition, stipend, and health insurance support.

Are SAT or ACT scores required for scholarship consideration?

Boston University has a test-optional policy for first-year applicants through Fall 2028, so submitting SAT or ACT scores is optional for scholarship applicants.

What documents are needed to apply for Boston University scholarships?

Applicants typically submit academic transcripts, recommendation letters, test scores, proof of English proficiency, and personal statements depending on the scholarship and programme.

Software Engineer & Scholarship Consultant…

Software Engineer and Scholarship Consultant at Scholarship Roar, focusing on international student mobility, with expertise in guiding applicants through global scholarship and fellowship opportunities.

Reviewed by Muhammad Faizan, PhD Researcher · Last verified June 2024. Faizan is an experienced academic with a profile on University of Adelaide and contributions on Google Scholar.