Boston University Presidential Scholarship 2027 in USA | Half Tuition
Last checked: 15 November 2026
The Boston University Presidential Scholarship is a merit award for students from any country who want to start a bachelor’s degree at BU in Fall 2027. It now pays half of tuition every year, and BU considers you automatically if your admission application is complete by 1 December 2026.
| Host | Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
| Level | Undergraduate (first-year bachelor’s students) |
| What it covers | Half of tuition each year |
| Who can apply | International students, US citizens and permanent residents |
| How to apply | Direct: complete the BU first-year admission application (no separate scholarship form) |
| Deadline | 1 December 2026 (time zone not stated on the official page) |
| Status | Open |
Boston University Presidential Scholarship Benefits
According to the BU merit scholarship page, the award changed for students entering from Fall 2026. Older articles still quote a flat $25,000, but that figure is out of date.
- Half tuition every year: BU lists 2026–27 tuition at $73,024, so half tuition is about $36,512 a year. However, BU has not yet published the 2027–28 rate.
- Up to four years: The BU College of Engineering says the scholarship renews for up to eight semesters if you keep at least a 2.00 GPA.
- No extra essays: You do not fill in a scholarship form or write additional essays.
- Engineering extras: Presidential Scholars in the College of Engineering also get paid research time in a faculty lab for one semester. In addition, they get automatic admission to a BU Master’s in Engineering program if they keep a 3.40 GPA.
- Not covered: The other half of tuition, plus housing, food, fees, books and health insurance. For 2026–27, BU estimates the total cost of attendance at $98,419.
- Not covered: Visa fees, summer or winter housing, and any tax on your scholarship, according to BU Financial Assistance.
Also check: Full Ride USA Scholarships 2027 | Fully Funded for International Students
Eligibility for the Presidential Scholarship
- You must apply as a first-year student to a BU undergraduate program.
- International students, US citizens and permanent residents can all be considered.
- Your admission application must be complete by 1 December 2026.
- SAT or ACT scores are optional. BU is test optional for first-year applicants through Fall 2028, and this also applies to its scholarships.
- Not eligible: Transfer applicants, because BU lists separate merit scholarships for transfer students.
- Not eligible: Students whose application is completed after 1 December 2026, and graduate applicants.
BU does not publish the number of awards or a minimum grade on its current page. Still, an older BU merit page said typical recipients ranked in the top 5% of their class, so expect strong competition.
Required Documents
The BU international applicant checklist asks first-year applicants for these items:
- Secondary school records
- Senior year grades
- Counselor recommendation and school report form
- Teacher evaluation
- English proficiency test results
- Documentation of financial support
- InitialView or Vericant interview (optional)
BU also charges an $80 undergraduate application fee.
How to Apply for the Boston University Presidential Scholarship
- Choose your program: First, pick the BU school and major you want to study.
- Start the first-year application: Next, open the BU first-year admission application from the official admissions page.
- Request school documents early: Ask your counselor and teacher to send their forms and your records several weeks before the deadline.
- Add your English test: Then send your English proficiency results to BU.
- Prepare financial proof: After that, collect the documentation of financial support that BU asks international applicants for.
- Submit by 1 December 2026: Finally, pay the $80 fee and submit. Since BU does not state a time zone, aim to finish a few days early.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying in January: A later admission round does not count for this award, so finish by 1 December.
- Waiting on your school: A missing counselor or teacher form can leave your file incomplete on the deadline.
- Planning only for half: The award covers half of tuition, so budget for the rest before you apply.
There is no separate scholarship form or fee, so ignore anyone who asks for payment to “secure” this award.
Also check: 12 Scholarship Application Mistakes That Get You Rejected
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Scholarship consideration deadline | 1 December 2026 (time zone not stated) |
| Scholarship results | Not confirmed on the official page |
| Studies start | Fall 2027 |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It covers half of tuition each year, so you still pay the other half plus housing, food and fees.
Yes. BU lists international students as eligible, and since BU offers no need-based aid to international students, this is its main funding route for them.
No. BU considers you automatically when your first-year admission application is complete by 1 December 2026.
No. BU is test optional for first-year applicants through Fall 2028, and the policy also covers its scholarships.
BU states the value as half tuition, not a fixed amount. At the 2026–27 tuition of $73,024, that is about $36,512 a year.
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- Fully Funded Scholarships 2027 | Cambridge, KAUST, UBC + More
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- Study in USA Scholarships
Know someone applying to US universities this year? Share this guide with them before 1 December.
Khalid Amin
Founder of Insurab | Global Opportunities Researcher
Khalid Amin is the founder of Insurab, a resource for international students and young professionals searching for scholarships, fellowships, internships, conferences, free online courses and study abroad guidance. He tracks opportunities across Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East, and verifies every program against its official source before it is published. Articles are reviewed regularly and updated when deadlines, eligibility rules or benefits change.
