Boston University runs two standout merit awards for incoming international undergraduates, alongside a fully funded structure for its PhD candidates. Between the two tracks, BU offers one of the more accessible fully funded paths among major private US research universities.
| Quick Facts | Detail |
|---|---|
| Trustee Scholarship | Full tuition and mandatory fees, renewable four years |
| Trustee Scholars Selected Annually | Around 20 |
| Presidential Scholarship | $25,000 per year, renewable four years |
| PhD Funding | 5 years, full tuition, stipend, health insurance credit |
| Application Deadline (Merit) | December 1 |
| Separate Scholarship Application | Not required for undergraduate merit awards |
Overview Of Boston University Scholarships
BU folds its top merit scholarships directly into the standard admissions review, so international applicants do not need to track down a separate scholarship form. Submitting the Common Application by the December 1 deadline is enough to be considered.
At the doctoral level, funding works differently and more consistently. PhD students in good academic standing are guaranteed five years of support, a structure that removes much of the financial uncertainty graduate applicants often face elsewhere.
Both tracks share one quality: strength of the core application matters more than a separately crafted scholarship pitch, since the review happens through the same file used for admission itself.
BU does not ask international students to prove their case twice. One strong application carries both the admissions decision and the scholarship review together.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility differs by scholarship, but a few requirements run consistently across BU’s top awards:
- Submission of the Common Application to BU by December 1 for Trustee and Presidential consideration
- Status as an incoming first-year student, since both merit scholarships target new undergraduates
- Strong academic record, typically including top class rank and standardized test performance where submitted
- International student or permanent resident status, both explicitly eligible for Trustee and Presidential awards
- Good academic standing for PhD students seeking continued five-year funding
BU is test-optional for first-year applicants through Fall 2028 and Spring 2029, and that policy extends to its scholarship programs as well, so a strong application can still compete without submitted test scores.
Scholarship Benefits
BU’s flagship awards differ meaningfully in size and structure:
- The Trustee Scholarship covers full undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees, renewable for four years with satisfactory academic progress
- The Presidential Scholarship provides $25,000 annually, also renewable across four years
- PhD funding includes 100% tuition, a graduate assistantship stipend, and a health insurance credit for five years
- Neither undergraduate award requires a separate essay or application beyond the standard admissions file
- Students not selected for Trustee or Presidential awards remain eligible for other need-based or merit aid through the standard financial aid process
Living costs, including housing, meals, and books, sit outside these scholarships and should be budgeted separately.
Types Of Boston University Funding
The Trustee Scholarship stands as BU’s most prestigious undergraduate award, selecting around 20 students each year for a scholars program that covers tuition and fees in full. Selection leans heavily on exceptional academic and leadership achievement.
The Presidential Scholarship recognizes a wider group of outstanding applicants with a $25,000 annual award, a strong option for students who may not land a Trustee spot but still show clear academic strength. At the doctoral level, individual schools within BU, including the Questrom School of Business, extend their own fully funded fellowship structures on top of the university-wide PhD funding guarantee.
Applicants comparing BU against other merit-based paths sometimes look at broader guides like postgraduate courses in the USA to see how BU’s funding compares with similar research universities.
Required Documents
Because BU’s merit scholarships run through the standard admissions process, the document list overlaps closely with the application itself:
- Completed Common Application, including required essays
- Official high school transcripts
- Standardized test scores, optional under BU’s current testing policy
- Letters of recommendation, as requested by the admissions office
- Financial documentation for students also seeking need-based aid alongside merit consideration
No separate scholarship essay or supplemental form is required for the Trustee or Presidential Scholarship specifically.
How To Apply
Applying for BU’s fully funded and merit scholarships follows a fairly direct sequence:
- Submit the Common Application to Boston University by December 1
- Complete all required admissions essays and supporting documents by the same deadline
- Decide whether to submit standardized test scores under BU’s test-optional policy
- Wait for a combined admissions and scholarship decision, since both are reviewed together
- For PhD applicants, confirm funding terms directly with the specific school or department upon admission
Because the December 1 deadline precedes BU’s regular decision date, applicants aiming for Trustee or Presidential consideration should treat it as their real deadline rather than the standard one.
Other Fully Funded Opportunities
Students building a broader scholarship list sometimes compare BU against similar merit-based programs at other private universities. The Boston University Trustee Scholarship page offers a closer look specifically at that award’s selection process and benefits.
International applicants weighing government-funded alternatives might also review the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, which funds graduate study broadly across the US rather than at one specific university.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do International Students Need A Separate Application For BU Merit Scholarships?
No. Submitting the Common Application by December 1 is enough to be considered for both the Trustee and Presidential Scholarships.
How Many Trustee Scholarships Does BU Award Each Year?
Around 20 students are selected annually for the Trustee Scholars Program, which covers full tuition and mandatory fees.
Is PhD Funding At BU Guaranteed?
Yes, for students in good academic standing. BU guarantees five years of funding, including full tuition, a stipend, and a health insurance credit.
Can International Students Compete For The Presidential Scholarship?
Yes. International students and permanent residents are both explicitly eligible for the Presidential Scholarship, alongside the Trustee Scholarship.
Does BU Require Standardized Test Scores For Scholarship Consideration?
No. BU is test-optional for first-year applicants through Fall 2028 and Spring 2029, and this policy applies to scholarship review as well as general admission.
