Boston University
PA-7: Affordability and Access

In Fiscal Year 2018 BU provided almost $205,600,000 in need-based aid to over 6,300 undergraduate students, and entering freshmen with need-based grants had 92% of their calculated financial eligibility met. Need-based grants are awarded based on a combination of calculated financial eligibility and academic merit. 16% of BU's enrolled full-time undergraduate population received a federal Pell grant.

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Upward Bound (UB) at Boston University is a federally funded college preparatory program for potential first-generation college and low-income Boston public high school students. The program, which is a part of BU Wheelock’s College Access and Student Success office, serves 86 students who are recruited from one of five target high schools or one of four target neighborhoods. The high schools served are Brighton High School, Community Academy of Science and Health, The English High School, Margarita Muñiz Academy, and Snowden International High School at Copley. The target neighborhoods are Dorchester, East Boston, Mattapan, and Roxbury. Program services include an academically intensive six-week summer residential program and an after-school program of tutoring and academic courses during the school year. Upward Bound services are located on the Boston University campus, which provides students with access to the University's resources. The program is free and, in addition, students are paid a small stipend for their participation. Upward Bound Math Science (UBMS) is a part of the federally funded TRIO programs, whose purpose is to prepare low-income and first-generation college bound students for success in higher education. The goal of Upward Bound Math Science is to help students recognize and develop their potential to excel in math and science and to encourage them to pursue postsecondary degrees in those subjects. The UBMS program has been at Boston University since 2007. The program serves 50 students from Boston Green Academy, Josiah Quincy Upper School, Chelsea High, and Charlestown High School. This model provides integration with academic researchers at Boston University and offers expanded opportunities for program participants to prepare in greater depth for study in the STEM fields at the post-secondary level. Services are based on campus and include after-school tutoring and classes held weekday afternoons, hands-on science vacation weeks, and an academically intensive six-week summer residential program. Students participate in both the school year and summer components upon entry to the program in 9th or 10th grade through high school graduation. All program services are free and students receive a small stipend for their participation. Federal Work-Study is a federally subsidized program that provides jobs to help eligible students meet educational expenses. Since Federal Work-Study funding is limited, it is not included in all student awards. Priority is given to students with higher calculated need who indicate on the FAFSA that they are interested in student employment. While not directed exclusively at low-income students, BU’s University Service Center offers programs and services designed to welcome and support first-generation college students. Among those programs and services are summer orientation welcome receptions, periodic workshops and social events, and a monthly newsletter highlighting important dates, campus events and resources, and first-generation peers. BU offers mentorship programs to first-generation college students, graduates of Boston Public High Schools, Posse Scholars, and students affiliated with our partner community-based organizations.

Beginning with the September 2017 entering freshman class, Boston University began offering the Cohen need-based Scholarships to high achieving Pell Grant recipients as entering freshman. Additionally, BU offers scholarships to graduates of Boston public high schools and students affiliated with our partner Community-based organizations. These scholarships meet the students' full need without loans.

BU visits students from over 2,000 high schools world-wide, over 100 Community Based Organizations (CBOs) across the country. Additionally, BU hosts interviews for students in key markets specifically targeting students from low-income and first-generation to college backgrounds. We also host virtual programming to attract students who may not be able to afford a visit to Boston. BU recently signed on to the American Talent Initiative as one of just over 100 institutions to reinforce our commitment to attracting, admitting, enrolling and graduating students from low-income backgrounds. Locally, BU has partnered with Boston Public Schools (BPS) and created annual programming that gives students early exposure to college through summer and fall programming. Additionally, BU hosts an annual counselor breakfast specifically for BPS Guidance Counselors. Boston University is the institutional partner to the College Advising Corps (CAC), an organization with the mission to increase the number of low-income, first-generation college, and underrepresented high school students who enter and complete higher education. CAC has over 30 counselors who are embedded in local high schools, supporting students through the college application process.

In order to be accessible and affordable to students from all backgrounds, BU has partnered with several organizations and school districts across the United States.  Every year, BU awards 10 full-tuition scholarships to students from Atlanta, Georgia and 10 full-tuition scholarships to students from the Bay Area in California in partnership with the Posse Foundation. Similarly, BU has partnered with the YES Prep school district in Houston to enroll five “Impact Scholars” annually. Additionally, BU partners with other National organizations like Say Yes to Education, and regional organizations like Chicago Scholars to ensure access and success from students from underserved communities. BU’s partnership with the Boston Public Schools also serves as a conduit for accessibility and affordability through the Thomas M. Menino Scholarship Program and the BU Community Service Award. The Thomas M. Menino Scholarship Program awards at least 25 full-tuition scholarships annually to students from BPS high schools. To date, over $185 million in scholarship grants have been award to 2.345 seniors graduating from Boston Public Schools from both programs. An additional $941,865 has been awarded to Transfer students. BU provides additional resources to BPS students in the form of application fee waivers and free TOEFL testing. Beginning with the September 2017 entering freshman class, Boston University began offering the Cohen need-based Scholarships to high achieving Pell Grant recipients as entering freshman. Additionally, BU offers scholarships to graduates of Boston public high schools and students affiliated with our partner Community-based organizations. These scholarships meet the students' full need without loans.

The Scholarship for Community College Graduates is a tuition scholarship for individuals who have graduated from one of BU's six partner community colleges (Bunker Hill Community College, Roxbury Community College, Middlesex Community College, Mass Bay Community College, Northern Essex Community College and Quinsigamond Community College) with a 3.0 GPA or above and are US citizens or permanent residents. This is a 50% scholarship that allows students to enroll part-time or to a maximum of 12 credits. BU’s Metropolitan College Director of Undergraduate Student Services and faculty routinely meet with faculty and staff from MET’s six partner community colleges to review curriculum, courses, and to establish course equivalencies between their respective institutions. Also, MET’s advisors are available to meet with any prospective student. Prospective students may submit transcripts prior to application for admission for review, a tentative award of transfer credit and a tentative outline of remaining coursework. This program is especially helpful for first-generation students, students who have attended multiple schools over an extended period of time, older, non-traditional students, and students who have started at MET on a non-degree basis.

Boston University has two childcare centers on campus. The Boston University Children’s Center is a full-time early childhood education program. The children of Boston University students, faculty and staff may attend the Center if they are between the ages of two and five years old, space allowing. Admission is based on the number of spaces available each year. The Boston University Children’s Center does not discriminate in admissions, educational policies and services to children (including those with disabilities) and their families on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, cultural heritage, political beliefs, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. As a part of the University, the Children's Center is a not-for-profit program. Human Resources offers dependent care reimbursements, which allows for pre-tax payroll deductions, and many families who are paid through the University choose to take advantage of this option. The Center provides families with information on how to access State-provided financial support in an effort to help families cover the cost of tuition. The Preschool is a part-time program affiliated with the School of Education Early Education teacher preparation program. Their enrollment is open to the local community. Additionally, 15 Lactation Rooms, located on both the Charles River Campus and the Medical Campus, are available to nursing mothers who are faculty, staff, or students at the university.

The Office of Undergraduate Student Services, which is affiliated with the Boston University’s Metropolitan College (MET), has a staff of three academic counselors and a Director who advise non-traditional students on what courses they should take, reviews transcripts from previous colleges attended, and assists them from application to graduation.

URL: http://www.bu.edu/family/childcare-centers-on-campus/