StudyDesk Scholarships
About the scholarship
The Trustee Scholarship is Boston University’s most prestigious merit-based undergraduate award. Each year, BU selects around 20 Trustee Scholars — students described as intellectually and creatively adventurous, typically finishing high school at or near the top of their class — and covers their full undergraduate tuition plus mandatory undergraduate student fees for four years. It applies across all of BU’s undergraduate schools and colleges.
Both US citizens and international students are considered for the Trustee Scholarship. It does not cover living expenses, accommodation, travel or health cover — families plan separately for those.
Eligibility
- Applying as a first-year (freshman) applicant to Boston University’s undergraduate programmes.
- An exceptional academic record — current and past Scholars typically finished high school at the top of their class with near-perfect grades.
- Evidence of intellectual curiosity, creativity and achievement beyond the classroom — leadership, service and extracurricular distinction matter as much as grades.
- Meets BU’s standard admission requirements, including English-language proficiency (e.g. TOEFL/IELTS) for international applicants.
- Corroborating sources report that successful applicants commonly present SAT scores above 1500 or ACT scores above 33, but BU does not publish a fixed cutoff in the material reviewed for this article — treat these as indicative of the cohort’s level, not an official threshold.
Benefits
- Full undergraduate tuition plus mandatory undergraduate student fees at Boston University.
- Renewable for four years, provided the scholar maintains the required academic and conduct standards.
- Admission into the Trustee Scholars community — intellectual, cultural and social opportunities across campus.
Documents required
No separate scholarship form exists — consideration is part of the admission application. Prepare:
- The Common Application with all BU admission materials (transcript, recommendations, test scores where applicable).
- The Trustee Scholarship essay (about 600 words) on one of the topics provided on the Common Application.
- Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS) for applicants from non-English backgrounds.
How to apply
- Start your Common ApplicationSubmit your application for admission to one of BU’s undergraduate programmes — the scholarship consideration rides on this same application.
- Write the Trustee essayComplete the Trustee Scholarship essay (around 600 words) on the Common Application before the deadline. This essay is the main differentiator between admission and the award.
- Submit by 1 December 2026File the complete application by the scholarship-consideration deadline for the current admission cycle. Late submissions are not considered for the award.
FAQs
Yes. International students are considered for the Trustee (and Presidential) scholarships; US citizens, permanent residents and eligible non-citizens are considered for all merit awards.
Approximately 20 each year, making it one of the most competitive undergraduate awards in the US.
No. It covers full tuition and mandatory undergraduate fees; accommodation, living costs and travel are not included.
Aggregators report that strong candidates typically present SAT scores above 1500 or ACT above 33, but no fixed cutoff is published by BU — the overall record and essay carry the decision.
Yes — annually for four years, provided you maintain the required academic performance and community standards.
Verified 21 Oct 2026 via 4 agreeing aggregator pages (deadline 1 Dec 2026; ~20 awards; full tuition + mandatory fees renewable 4 yrs; 600-word Trustee essay on the Common App; US + international eligibility). Exact scholarship pages: thecollegemonk (deadline 12/01/2026), scholarshipsguider (deadline 1 Dec 2026, 20 awards), cigmapedia (FAQs: international eligibility, renewal, 600-word essay), wap9ja (renewal terms, essay length).
