How to win Boston University Scholarships

Boston University Scholarships – Introduction

The cost of college is undoubtedly a substantial investment. While the Boston University tuition may seem overwhelming, remember that there are Boston University scholarships. These can offset some (or maybe even all) of the cost of college tuition. 

The Boston University tuition is $63,798, making it one of the more expensive universities in the nation. But don’t stress quite yet. While the initial Boston University tuition may seem high, there are Boston University scholarships, such as the Trustee Scholarship at Boston University. The school also offers financial aid to make the cost of college more accessible.

However, winning merit-based scholarships for college can be challenging. Boston University admissions states that they meet 100% of need for their incoming students, awarding over 300 million dollars to undergraduates. However, only 8% of the aid given to help with the Boston University tuition is done so through merit-based scholarships for college. 

So, how can you get one of these elite Boston University scholarships?

At CollegeAdvisor.com, we break down some of the top merit-based scholarships for college across the country to help you finance your college dreams. In this article, we’ll focus on Boston University scholarships, specifically the BU Trustee Scholarship.

What we’ll cover in this “Boston University Scholarships” article: 

• What merit-based scholarships are
• How to win merit-based scholarships
• All about the Boston University merit scholarships, including the Boston University Trustee Scholarship
• Meeting the Boston University scholarships deadlines, and more!

CollegeAdvisor.com is here to help with everything from asking for letters of recommendation to enrolling in college. But, for now, let’s focus on the Trustee Scholarship at Boston University, as well as their other merit-based scholarships

What is a Merit-Based Scholarship?

Merit-based scholarships are the financial support offered to students based on their academic achievements. They differ from financial aid scholarships in that they are not need-based. These scholarships for college are awarded based on other factors: grades, extracurriculars, standardized test scores, community involvement, etc.

The goal of Boston University scholarships is to reward and recognize excellence. Boston University admissions is highly selective. The Trustee Scholarship at Boston University, which covers the full Boston University tuition, is even more competitive. While it’s not impossible to win Boston University scholarships, it does take some early planning and outstanding academics. Specifically, you need to maintain an above-average GPA throughout high school.

The merit-based scholarships awarded to first-year students are the BU Trustee Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship, National Merit Scholarship, College Board National Recognition Programs, and the College of Engineering FIRST Robotics Scholarship. The amounts of these scholarships range from $25,000 to full tuition. 

While the Boston University Trustee Scholarship is the most sought-after merit-based scholarship, BU does offer others. While most Boston University scholarships are based on academics, there are some that are based on a student’s other exceptional abilities (athletics, art, leadership, etc.). 

Interested in finding and applying to merit-based scholarships at other schools? Check out how to win scholarships for college at Vanderbilt and USC. Or learn how to look for and win outside scholarships for college such as the Coca-Cola Scholarship. 

How can I win merit-based scholarships?

Having the full cost of college covered sounds great, right? Indeed, merit-based scholarships are a wonderful opportunity to offset the Boston University tuition. But, what does it take to win the Boston University Trustee Scholarship (or any of the Boston University merit scholarships)?

Winning merit-based scholarships for college is hard. Schools award them on the basis of exceptional talent, whether academic, artistic, or athletic. BU awards the top Boston University merit scholarships to incoming freshmen who were high-achieving academic students who showed leadership through extracurriculars or community involvement. 

The Boston University Trustee Scholarship winners ranked in the top 5% of their graduating class. Further, they had SAT scores over 1500 and ACT scores above 33. Those may be some intimidating statistics, but there are ways to improve your odds and win merit-based scholarships. 

Top tips to win the Boston University Trustee Scholarship (or other Boston University scholarships): 

1. Display academic excellence

Getting high grades in challenging courses is vital to winning the Boston Trustee scholarship. Plan to take AP classes in subjects that you excel in. You’ll need a high GPA for the Trustee Scholarship at Boston University.

2. Demonstrate leadership

Extracurriculars and community involvement will demonstrate your excellent leadership skills. This will help you stand out from the pool of 4.0 GPA-achieving applicants and win Boston University scholarships. Therefore, get involved early in your high school career. Choose activities that interest you and stick with them. 

3. Show off writing skills

You’ll need to show off your writing chops with your Boston University Trustee scholarship essay. This is your chance to say why you deserve the scholarship, but also to impress with some dazzling writing skills. Start early. You’ll want to draft, edit, revise, and repeat. 

4. Meet deadlines

Make sure that you submit everything by the Boston University Trustee Scholarship deadline. That means finishing your Boston University application, supplemental materials, and Boston University Trustee Scholarship essay in time. 

Are there Boston University merit scholarships?

Boston University admissions offers merit-based scholarships for college to eligible incoming freshmen. The Boston University Trustee Scholarship covers recipients’ full Boston University tuition. However, the competition is fierce. 

Aside from the BU Trustee Scholarship, there are other Boston University scholarships based on academic achievement available. Check out these merit-based scholarships for incoming freshmen. 

Furthermore, there are Boston University merit scholarships for students who excel in areas other than academics, such as athletics and the arts. Check out the full list of Boston University scholarships for college. 

What is the Trustee Scholarship?

Since the Boston University Trustee Scholarship offers its scholars a full ride, it’s no wonder the Boston University Trustee Scholarship has caught your attention. The Boston Trustee Scholarship is the most elite scholarship that the university offers. Winners of the Boston University Trustee Scholarship receive full tuition and the cost of undergraduate mandatory fees. If all criteria are met, scholars can renew their Boston University Trustee Scholarship for their four years at a university. 

Only 20 exceptional students receive the Boston University Trustee Scholarship each year. The Boston University Trustee Scholarship winners rank at the top of their high school class and have perfect 4.0 GPAs in high school. Recipients of the Boston Trustee scholarship show not only academic excellence but also achievements that go beyond the classroom. Boston University Trustee Scholarship winners also are intellectually curious and creative leaders. 

If you’re interested in applying to the BU Trustee Scholarship, submit your Boston University application via the Common App (with all required materials) by December 1^st. In addition, you must complete the Boston University Trustee Scholarship essay. This will be found on the Common Application, as part of your Boston University application. 

We’ll expand more on the eligibility requirements for the Boston University Trustee Scholarship later in this “Boston University Scholarships” article. 

What does the BU Trustee Scholarship cover?

Boston University tuition is high. Luckily, if you’re eligible, you can get financial aid and Boston University scholarships. The Boston University Trustee Scholarship is the most prestigious of the Boston University scholarships offered to incoming freshmen. 

The Trustee Scholarship at Boston University covers the full tuition cost and mandatory undergraduate student fees. Boston University Trustee Scholarship winners can renew their BU Trustee Scholarship yearly if they meet certain criteria. 

For more specific details on what the Boston Trustee Scholarship covers, you can contact the financial aid office at 617-353-2320.

How hard is it to win the Boston University Trustee Scholarship?

The cost of universities across the nation is high. For this reason,  all merit-based scholarships are competitive. The Boston University Trustee Scholarship is no exception. The BU acceptance rate is just below 19%, making Boston University admissions highly selective. Even so, the Boston University Trustee Scholarship is even more selective.

Amongst students Boston University admissions decides to admit, only 20 will receive the Boston University Trustee Scholarship. Boston University Trustee Scholarship winners are well supported with the cost of college. Those who receive the BU Trustee Scholarship will have their full tuition and mandatory undergraduate fees covered. The Boston Trustee Scholarship is renewable for scholars’ four years at school. 

Academics are extremely important in obtaining the elite Trustee Scholarship at Boston University. The winners of the Boston University Trustee Scholarship have perfect 4.0 GPAs throughout high school, high standardized test scores, and rank high in their graduating class. Therefore, focus on maintaining high grades throughout high school. 

If you want to win a Boston University Trustee Scholarship, extracurriculars and community involvement are also vital. Choose activities that you enjoy and can commit to early on in your school career. Boston University Trustee Scholarship winners are exceptionally well-rounded, high-achieving students.  

Trustee Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

In order to win Boston University scholarships, you must excel academically and meet all other eligibility requirements. When applying for merit-based scholarships for college, the first step is to check the requirements to make sure you submit everything correctly and on time. 

Firstly, for the most complete and up-to-date information, always check the eligibility requirements for Boston University scholarships on their website. 

The Boston Trustee Scholarship requirements are straightforward. To apply for the Boston Trustee Scholarship, students must submit the Common App with all required materials and the Boston University Trustee Scholarship essay by December 1^st. These required materials include all the regular Common App requirements and one additional 600-word essay. You will find more information on that essay below.

Only 20 students will receive the Trustee Scholarship at Boston University. Therefore, only apply if you are a top-ranked student, with a high GPA, and outstanding extracurriculars and/or community involvement. 

The Boston University Trustee Scholarship Application

There aren’t many additional requirements when applying for the Boston University Trustee Scholarship. Students need to fill out their Boston University application in Common App with all the required supplemental materials by December 1^st. 

In addition to the regular admissions Common App materials, in order to be in with a chance of winning the Boston Trustee Scholarship, you’ll also need to submit the Boston University Trustee Scholarship essay. You should submit the Boston University Trustee Scholarship essay in addition to your other Boston University application essays, as a part of the Common App. 

Students must choose to respond to one of the following prompts (600-word max): 

Prompt #1:

Nobel laureate and BU professor Elie Wiesel once said: “There is divine beauty in learning… To learn means to accept the postulate that life did not begin at my birth. Others have been here before me, and I walk in their footsteps. The books I have read were composed by generations of fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, teachers and disciples. I am the sum total of their experiences, their quests.” Is there a book, film, podcast or life- experience that has made you feel more connected to your personal history/identity, and what is the most important thing you learned from it?

Prompt #2

Describe a time when you felt out of your comfort zone or marginalized in a situation. How did you respond to that moment and how has it informed your actions moving forward?

To give yourself the best chance of winning the Trustee Scholarship at Boston University, choose the essay topic that most excites you. Start brainstorming ideas early. Give yourself plenty of time to draft, edit, and revise. You’ll want to answer the prompt, show your personality, and display your writing style all with impeccable mechanics. 

The Common App opens on August 1^st. Make sure to start your Boston University application early. This way, you’ll have plenty of time to craft your Boston University application in a way that showcases your abilities in the best manner. Finally, be sure to check the site for the most up-to-date essay BU Trustee Scholarship requirement information.

What are the other Boston University merit scholarships?

The Boston University Trustee Scholarship is the most prestigious of the Boston University merit scholarships, but it certainly isn’t the only one. There are many other Boston University scholarships that can help students fund the cost of college. 

Let’s review the details of four Boston University merit scholarships for first-year students, besides the Trustee Scholarship at Boston University. 

Boston University’s Presidential Scholarship

The Presidential Scholarship is awarded to students who excel academically. Winners of this scholarship will also need to show leadership ability and skills outside of the classroom through extracurriculars and community involvement. 

The Presidential Scholarship awards $25,000 towards Boston University tuition. You don’t need to submit any additional requirements in order to apply. Just be sure to submit your regular application with all required materials by December 1^st. 

National Merit Scholarship

Boston University offers the National Merit Scholarship to students who are finalists in the National Merit Competition. To enter, finalists must state BU as their first choice college with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation by March 1^st. Winners of these Boston University scholarships are awarded a $25,000 renewable scholarship towards tuition (the Presidential Scholarship). To give yourself the best chances, start preparing early. 

Interested? Find out more about how to enter the National Merit Competition below. 

College Board National Recognition Program

Another way to win the Presidential Scholarship is through the College Board National Recognition Programs. You’re eligible if you have been recognized by the College Board National Recognition Program, and have a strong academic record. The scholarship awards $25,000 to its recipients, which is renewable for four years. Students identifying as Indigenous, Latinx or Hispanic, African American, and those who attend a small, rural school are eligible to apply. This Boston University application needs to be submitted by January 1st. If College Board does select you, the Board of Admission and the Scholarship Committee at BU will consider you for the Presidential Scholarship. 

Boston University College of Engineering Scholarship

The College of Engineering FIRST Robotics Scholarship is another $25,000, four-year renewable scholarship to cover tuition. To be eligible, you need to have taken part in the FIRST Robotics program during high school for at least one season. You also need to have gained acceptance to the College of Engineering at BU. You need to submit the application to the College of Engineering, with all additional materials, by January 4^th. In addition, you must submit a recommendation form and letter of recommendation found here by February 1^st. You must also be a US citizen or US permanent resident. 

Boston University Scholarship Deadlines

Meeting the eligibility requirements for the Boston University Trustee Scholarship and the other Boston University scholarships is extremely important. That means meeting all of the deadlines for these merit-based scholarships for college, including the Boston University Trustee Scholarship deadline. Submit late and BU won’t consider you for the BU Trustee Scholarship or any of the other Boston University merit scholarships. 

Here is a table with some important deadlines for the Boston University merit scholarships: 

Start your applications early in order to ensure you complete all the requirements before these Boston University scholarships deadlines. Staying organized throughout the college application process is key. The fall of senior year is always hectic. It can be difficult to juggle applications for merit-based scholarships at the same time as college applications. Try to create (and stick to) a timeline that will ensure you have plenty of time to complete all materials and meet your deadlines. 

Boston University Scholarship – FAQs

We’ve delved into many of the details on the Boston Trustee Scholarship, including the Boston University Trustee Scholarship deadline and application requirements. Applying to scholarships for college and financial aid can be tough. But everyone has similar questions about Boston University Scholarships. 

So, let’s go over some of the FAQs pertaining to the BU Trustee Scholarship and other Boston University merit scholarships. 

How much do the BU Scholarships award students?

The amounts BU awards to students will depend on the Boston University merit scholarships they receive. The Trustee Scholarship at Boston University awards students their full tuition and mandatory undergraduate fees. The other scholarships for college mentioned awarding $25,000 towards tuition. 

Do the Boston University scholarships renew each year?

All of the Boston University merit scholarships mentioned in this article, including the BU Trustee Scholarship, renew yearly if students meet certain criteria. Make sure you know the criteria if awarded one of the Boston University merit scholarships. 

How competitive are BU scholarships?

The Boston University acceptance rate is highly competitive, and their merit-based scholarships are even more competitive. Boston University Trustee Scholarship winners are held to the highest academic standards. In order to improve your chances of winning one of the merit-based scholarships, make sure you excel academically and get involved in extracurriculars. 

How do you receive your funding from the BU scholarships?

BU will send the Boston University merit scholarships directly to your student account. The tuition cost you’re responsible for covering will have your scholarship amount factored into it unless you receive the BU Trustee Scholarship, which covers full tuition. 

Can I apply for merit-based scholarships if I don’t qualify for financial aid?

Students are able to apply for merit-based scholarships if they don’t qualify for financial aid. BU states that it covers 100% of demonstrated need of its students. That’s done through a combination of work study, BU scholarships, and grants. If requiring financial aid, do so through affordableBU, and make sure to complete your CSS Profile and the FAFSA before the deadlines. 

The cost of college is an important factor in the college decision process. Make sure you know all the facts and meet the deadlines. And remember – there’s no way you can obtain the BU Trustee Scholarship without meeting the Boston University Trustee Scholarship deadline.

Need motivation when applying to scholarships? Check out this webinar to learn all about BU from an admissions expert and get excited about your potential future college home.  

5 Tips to win Boston University Scholarships

Merit-based Boston University scholarships for college are competitive, but not impossible. Boston University merit scholarships are difficult to obtain, especially the Boston University Trustee Scholarship. For this reason, we’ve compiled some tips to give you the best odds at winning scholarships for college. 

1. Achieve high grades

If we look at the BU Trustee Scholarship for guidance, then academics are most important. Work to achieve high grades throughout high school. Take AP and IB courses that interest you to help increase your GPA. Boston University Trustee Scholarship winners had an average GPA of 4.0 throughout high school and ranked high in their graduating class. In short, academic achievement is key in obtaining merit-based Boston University scholarships, so plan early and focus on your studies. 

2. Do some test prep

While submitting standardized test scores is currently optional, high test scores could help your Boston University application stand out. Students granted the Boston Trustee Scholarship who submitted scores had an SAT score of over 1500 and an ACT score above 33. Start prepping for exams early on and sign up for a test by the beginning of your junior year. 

3. Participate in extracurriculars

The Trustee Scholarship at Boston University is awarded to 20 well-rounded and high-achieving students yearly. Winners need to have impressive extracurriculars that show leadership and academic curiosity. Don’t sign up for every school club, though. Choose extracurriculars that interest you and enable you to grow as a leader. 

4. Get involved in your community

Community involvement is important when it comes to gaining merit-based scholarships. This could be tied into the extracurriculars you dot. Being an active participant and leader in your community will impress Boston University admissions. When combined with academic achievement, it will make you a competitive candidate for Boston University merit scholarships. 

5. Compelling essays

Essays are important in the application process. The same goes when it comes to obtaining merit-based scholarships for college. Really focus on your BU Trustee Scholarship essay. Start writing it early. You should carefully and thoughtfully respond to the prompt while demonstrating your writing style, and showing impeccable mechanics. 

As well as these tips, make sure you meet the Boston University Trustee Scholarship deadline or the other Boston University scholarships deadlines. This will give you the best shot at winning one of the Boston University scholarships for college. 

How to win Boston University scholarships- Final Thoughts

In this “Boston University Scholarships” article, we’ve learned all the details on the Boston University Trustee Scholarship and touched on some other Boston University merit scholarships. We’ve covered everything from academic importance to the Boston University Trustee Scholarship deadline. 

When working on your Boston University application, keep in mind the Boston University merit scholarships deadlines, especially the Boston University Trustee Scholarship deadline since it requires the Boston University Trustee scholarship essay. 

Merit-based scholarships for college are an excellent way to offset the high cost of college. Guidance and support can be especially helpful when applying for competitive merit-based scholarships for college such as the Boston Trustee Scholarship. CollegeAdvisor is here to support you throughout your journey, as you apply to merit-based scholarships, finalize your college list, and write your essays. If you’re keen to get into the school of your dreams with a merit-based scholarship, get in touch! 

This article was written by Sarah Kaminski. If you want to get help with your college applications from CollegeAdvisor.com Admissions Experts, register with CollegeAdvisor.com today. Also, check out our other guides to Merit-Based Scholarships as you embark on your college application journey!