Incoming Students

We are the liaison between the University and the VA & DOD, and will assist with processing VA benefits such as Ch. 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill®, Ch. 35 Dependents Educational Assistance, Ch. 31 Veteran Readiness and Employment, as well as DOD Military Tuition Assistance, and more.

The information below will help you begin VA or DOD benefits at Boston University. If you have questions after reviewing this information please email veterans@bu.edu or call 617-353-3678.

Step 1: Consider the Cost of Attendance

You may review Undergraduate costs of attendance and Graduate costs of attendance for specific costs at your college or program. As a reminder, the Post 9/11 GI Bill® covers less than half of Boston University’s full-time tuition and fees.

All students, especially full-time students, are encouraged to apply for financial aid.

Part-time students who are 100% eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill® are typically able to cover the full cost of part-time tuition and fees as long as they do not exhaust benefits mid-semester (this does not include the Questrom Part-time MBA, which exceeds the Post 9/11 GI Bill® annual tuition and fee maximum.)

Undergrad applicants are actively encouraged to apply for financial aid by navigating to the appropriate links and following the instructions on the Undergraduate Financial Assistance page. Remember to complete both the FAFSA and CSS Profile before the deadline to be considered for the full amount of financial aid you may be eligible to receive.VA education benefits do not effect federal financial aid. However, the combination of VA benefits, outside scholarships, and Boston University need-based aid cannot exceed your demonstrated financial need, as calculated by BU Financial Assistance. More information on VA benefits and financial aid is available on our FAQ page.
Graduate and Professional students should contact their graduate financial aid office for more information on financing options. You may review the list of Graduate Financial Aid Offices for contact information and links to other helpful resources.

Step 2: Apply for admission to Boston University

Please review our Admissions and Financial Aid pages to navigate to the appropriate undergraduate, graduate, or non-college degree application information.

Step 3: Apply to use VA benefits or Military Tuition Assistance

VA Benefits: If you plan to use VA education benefits such as Ch. 33, 31, 35, etc., and you have been offered admission to BU and paid your enrollment deposit, you must apply to use your benefits at Boston University by completing the online VA application. Failure to submit your VA application will delay your VA benefits.

The VA should send you your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) within 30 days of receiving your application. Please email a legible copy of your Certificate of Eligibility with your BUID to veterans@bu.edu. In place of your COE, you may send a PDF or legible screenshot of your Education Statement of Benefits from www.va.gov once it’s available after you submit the online VA application.

If your first semester begins sooner than 30 days please submit your VA application as soon as possible and then email veterans@bu.edu confirming that you submitted your application and we will follow up with more information. Please include your BUID to help expedite our response.
Once we receive your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and project your benefit, amounts disbursed through Boston University may be used to settle your student account even if the VA has not yet issued payment.

Military Tuition Assistance: Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is approved through your unit or company’s Education Liaison Officer/Education Approval Officer (this person may have a different title in your unit or company). Per credit tuition rates, as prescribed by the Department of Defense (DOD), by academic program are posted here. If you are approved for TA, your ELO/EAO will give you an authorization form that you email veterans@bu.edu with your BUID.

As a reminder, students are responsible for paying any balance beyond what VA or TA benefits will cover prior to the normal payment deadline using other funds.

Step 4: Send your Certification Request Form before each semester (VA benefits only)

VA Benefits: Please send your Certification Request Form as early as possible before the beginning of each semester. If your request is not received before the first day of the semester the University is required to cancel your certification. Please email questions to veterans@bu.edu and include your BUID.

If possible, please finalize your enrollment before sending your Certification Request Form each semester. However, Boston University recognizes the importance of building a schedule that supports your success. If you drop and/or add classes after your initial request, please send a new Certification Request Form listing all added or dropped courses to ensure your benefits are not delayed.

Students are required to submit a Certification Request Form for any enrollment changes during a semester for which they use VA benefits. If you have questions please email veterans@bu.edu.

Military Tuition Assistance students are not required to complete the Certification Request Form unless they are using VA education benefits with TA.

Step 5: Understand Your VA and DOD Benefits

Boston University Veterans and 军事服务 makes every attempt to provide the most accurate information concerning students’ VA and DOD education benefits, but it is the student’s responsibility to understand their VA and/or DOD benefits, including eligibility, remaining entitlement, exhaustion/delimiting dates, and more.

If you have specific questions about your VA eligibility you may contact the VA directly at 1-888-442-4551. Questions about Military Tuition Assistance should be directed to your unit/company’s Education Liaison Officer/Education Approval Officer.

If you have questions about how your benefits apply at Boston University, please email veterans@bu.edu or call 617-353-3678.