Overview
The Trustee Scholarship is Boston University's top merit award, distinct from the university's standard need-based financial aid — it's awarded to a small number of especially strong applicants each year based on the full strength of their application, not financial need.
How It Differs From Regular Aid
Standard BU financial aid (need-based, subject to BU's need-aware policy for international applicants) is separate from Trustee consideration; a student can potentially receive both a Trustee award and additional need-based aid, since they're assessed independently.
Eligibility and Selection
There's no separate application for Trustee Scholarship consideration — every applicant admitted through the regular process is automatically considered, with selection based on exceptional academic achievement, essays, and overall application strength relative to that year's applicant pool.
Tips
- Because Trustee selection happens automatically from your regular application, focus on making that single application as strong as possible rather than looking for a separate form.
- A distinctive, well-written essay is frequently cited as a differentiator at this level once academic qualifications are already strong.
- Apply for need-based aid separately and in parallel — don't assume Trustee consideration replaces it.
Always confirm current deadlines, wages, and eligibility directly with the official program, university, or the US Department of Labor / USCIS (bu.edu/finaid) before applying — these details change from year to year.