Financial Information for Visiting Exchange Students
Visiting Exchange Students pay tuition directly to their home institutions. Pursuant to visa requirements, they must submit to BU Law financial documentation that demonstrates the availability of funds to cover living expenses for the duration of study.
Estimated Living Expenses
The cost of living in Boston is very expensive. Students can expect to pay an average of $1,000/month for a studio apartment and higher for a one-bedroom apartment. Shared apartments can often be found for lesser costs, but students should plan on spending at least $1,000/month in rent, with an additional $100-$200/month in utilities. Estimated living expenses for a single law student living off-campus for the nine-month 2009-2010 academic year were as follows:
| Full-Year Exchange Students | Single Semester Exchange Students | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Insurance | ||
| Student Health Fee | $196 | Student Health Fee | $98 |
| Medical Insurance | $1,517 or $2,067* |
Medical Insurance * | Fall - $714 or $944* Spring - $1,068 or $1,438* |
| Living Expenses** | Living Expenses ** | ||
| Rent and Food | $15,744 | Rent and Food | $7,872 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,189 | Books and Supplies | $595 |
| Personal (clothing, etc.) | $5,325 | Personal (clothing, etc.) | $2,662 |
| Total | $23,971 | Total | Fall - $11,941 Spring - $12,295 |
Proof of Financial Support
To obtain a visa, an entering international student must prove to the satisfaction of Boston University, the American Consul, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) that s/he has sufficient funds for at least his/her period of study. Taking into account standard anticipated increases in living expenses and personal spending, for purposes of obtaining a visa, exchange applicants for enrollment in fall 2009 are required to submit financial documentation indicating the availability of funds in an amount of at least $17,055 for a full-year of study, or $8,550 for a single semester of study.
Law students are automatically enrolled in the Boston
University Medical Insurance Plan and their student accounts are charged
for the coverage ($1,517 in academic year 2009-2010).
Massachusetts
law requires full-time and three-quarters time students registered through
institutions of higher education to have health insurance that meets
state requirements.
In addition, Boston University policy requires all
international students to have health insurance that meets state and
(when applicable) federal requirements. Students who do not wish to participate
in the University insurance plan must complete a medical insurance waiver
certifying that their U.S.-based coverage is comparable to the Boston
University Medical Insurance Plan. Waivers must be submitted it to Student
Accounting Services by the waiver deadline (usually August 13th).
Students will receive detailed information on the insurance plan upon
matriculation.
* The basic medical insurance plan, the Student Complete Plan, costs $1,517 and is automatically charged to your student account unless waived, or if you choose the Student Plus Plan ($2,067) which is a more comprehensive plan that offers additional coverage.
** Estimates based on current student costs. Actual costs may vary depending on the individual student’s situation.