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MeritPlaybook / Take-home research

Boston College
Decision sheet

Massachusetts · Research checked 2026-07-02 · School research, not an aid offer

The starting point

A private Jesuit university that explicitly states all financial aid is need-based, with the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program (full tuition, approximately 15-18 students per year) as the sole academic merit award. Only 1.4% of freshmen receive any non-need institutional merit. BC meets 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students.

Selection beyond grades and scores. These awards are not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read each award's selection rules, application steps and dates. Meeting a minimum is not an award offer.

Awards to discuss

The 1 award in this school's research. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.

Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program

Full tuition ($72,180/year for 2025-2026), regardless of financial need. If the merit award does not cover full financial need, scholars receive additional grant aid to meet full demonstrated need. · Published coverage or package

Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.

Eligibility: Competitive. 18 incoming freshmen selected annually per the program's official page. Candidates typically ranked in the top 1-2% of the national applicant pool. Based on superior academic achievement and promise, leadership potential, and demonstrated commitment to service to society. No minimum GPA or SAT score requirement published. Must apply by November 1 priority scholarship deadline. ED I, ED II, and Regular Decision applicants all eligible (verbatim per program FAQ). No separate application required. International students eligible (verbatim per program FAQ); transfer students not eligible (verbatim per program FAQ).

Renewal: Renewable for four years. Requires 3.6 cumulative GPA and remaining a model citizen of the BC community.

Other terms: Currently 67 scholars enrolled across all class years. Additional benefits include four years guaranteed on-campus housing, fully funded summer programs (service learning, international experience, professional internship), and study abroad support without scholarship loss. Three additional Stamps Scholars per year are selected from the Gabelli cohort.

https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/academics/sites/gabelli-presidential-scholars-program.html

Ask before you decide

  1. Which entering-year policy and residency category apply to us? What are the admission and scholarship deadlines?
  2. What grades and credits are required to renew, and for how many terms?
  3. How would other school awards or outside scholarships change the offer?

Recorded stacking policy: Outside scholarships first replace loans and work-study. Once self-help is eliminated, additional outside scholarships reduce BC institutional grants dollar-for-dollar because total aid cannot exceed demonstrated need. BC meets 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students.

Our unanswered questions / Family notes

Keep the sources with the decision

Full research, award details and source context: https://meritplaybook.com/colleges/boston-college/merit-aid

The research date is not a guarantee that a policy still applies. Confirm current amounts, deadlines and conditions with the school before making a financial decision.