Funding Options

Below, please find information about eligibility for funding, including:

Education Loans

Education Loans

Boston University’s Center for Professional Education offers non-degree certificate programs, and they can qualify for private, credit-based loans.  Our students are not eligible for federal student loans or deferments on existing student loans.

When considering a credit-based loans, we urge you to compare credit-based loan information and terms carefully to determine the best fit for your particular circumstances and we suggest using Credible.com to do so. Credible is a free online loan selection tool that allows you to compare prequalified rates*, terms, and eligibility rules side-be-side in just a few minutes. You can filter your search to sort on key factors most important to you. With your approval, Credible will pull a soft credit inquiry, which will not affect your credit score but will enable you to compare interest rates you qualify for at multiple lenders.

Requesting prequalified rates on Credible is free and doesn’t affect your credit score. However, applying for or closing a loan will involve a hard credit pull that impacts your credit score and closing a loan will result in costs to you. Credible assures users that it is secured with 256-bit encryption technology. The Credible privacy policy can be found here. You are not required to borrow from any of the lenders listed in the Credible marketplace. Only you can decide which loan program is best for you. You are not required to borrow from any of the lenders suggested by Credible and there is no penalty for selecting a different lender, if you prefer.

CPE Program Funding Search:  You can filter your search to sort on key factors most important to you.  We recommend:  "Boston University, Certificate" (under more options), "Less than half-time", "loans with individual lender" and enter $6,001 (even though your loan may be for a lower amount).  After you get possible results, you may see us listed as Boston University Center for Professional Education.  (If you do not see non-credit programs under its own area in the results, look under the Undergraduate options.)   

Enrollment is not guaranteed without payment or confirmation that a loan has been approved and will be disbursed.

* Prequalified rates are based on the information you provide and a soft credit inquiry. Receiving prequalified rates does not guarantee that the Lender will extend you an offer of credit. You are not yet approved for a loan or a specific rate. All credit decisions, including loan approval, if any, are determined by Lenders, in their sole discretion. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Rates from Lenders may differ from prequalified rates due to factors which may include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in your personal credit circumstances; (ii) additional information in your hard credit pull and/or additional information you provide (or are unable to provide) to the Lender during the underwriting process; and/or (iii) changes in APRs (e.g., an increase in the rate index between the time of prequalification and the time of application or loan closing. (Or, if the loan option is a variable rate loan, then the interest rate index used to set the APR is subject to increases or decreases at any time). Lenders reserve the right to change or withdraw the prequalified rates at any time.

Funding for Online Courses

Please contact the appropriate partner agency to find out about payment options for third-party payments, such as your employer, or 529 funds:

Government Sponsored Training Grants

Some states will offer training grants for non-credit certificate classes.  The conditions vary by state.  If you are a government-sponsored student, please provide an official letter issued by the agency specifying the student name, the approved class, and the amount to be paid to Boston University on your behalf. Your seat in a program is not reserved until this documentation is received and approved by the Center for Professional Education.

Pell Grants, Student Loans, and Other Funding

Center for Professional Education courses are non-credit, and do not qualify for Pell Grants or other federally subsidized student loans that use the FAFSA Form.

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