Foundation Year
Northeastern is proud to recognize the incredible talent of students in the City of Boston and support their successful transition to college through the Foundation Year Program.
Founded in 2009, Foundation Year ensures a smooth transition to university life and allows students to maximize their potential at Northeastern. The program provides a robust academic curriculum and utilizes a cohort model to provide students with a tight-knit community and minimize barriers that can hinder student success in the first year.
Students who successfully complete Foundation Year by meeting grade and GPA requirements are eligible to continue their degree at Northeastern in one of Northeastern’s undergraduate colleges or College of Professional Studies.
“Foundation Year was a great way for me to start college. I felt supported by the faculty and advisers who walked with me through every decision and detail of my first year. As the first person in my family to go to college, I learned so much about being a college student when I was in Foundation Year, and I feel lucky to have had the chance to start in a small program with a team that truly cares about my success.
Yemmy Toribio Infante
DMSB - Business Administration, 4th Year
Program Highlights
There are many advantages to starting at Northeastern in the Foundation Year program. Thanks to a tight-knit cohort and personalized advising, students are continuously supported in academics, community building, systems navigation, and personal development. The program features small class sizes, individualized advising, community building and access to a plethora of resources including textbooks, technological devices and a campus dining plan.
Academic Experience
Foundation Year students earn up to 30 course credits during the fall, spring, and summer terms of their first year within Northeastern's College of Professional Studies. Credits count toward their core academic, elective, and major-specific requirements.
Student Community and Support
Each year, approximately 100 students join the Foundation Year program. In addition to program-specific events and resources, Foundation Year students can take advantage of the Northeastern community and Boston campus by getting involved in extracurricular activities, guest lectures, research, and more.
Tuition, Fees, and Housing
Foundation Year is designed to be accessible to qualified students regardless of family income or ability to pay. Applicants must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and CSS Profile as part of the admissions process.
Typically, students receive generous financial aid packages. After successfully completing Foundation Year and enrolling in an undergraduate degree program at Northeastern, students will receive an updated financial aid award. Northeastern is dedicated to meeting the full demonstrated need for students who are eligible for federal financial aid, based on their CSS Profile data.
University housing is not provided as part of the Foundation Year program. Students commute to campus each day. After completing Foundation Year, students who enroll in a residential undergraduate program are eligible to apply for housing, but university housing is not guaranteed.
Life After Foundation Year
Students who successfully complete Foundation Year by meeting grade and GPA requirements are eligible to continue their degree at Northeastern in one of Northeastern’s undergraduate colleges or College of Professional Studies.
Students who do not meet the progression standards and/or would prefer to transfer to another institution have the full support of the advising team to make their next steps.
Have questions about Foundation Year? Check out our FAQs!
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Students who reside in the City of Boston and meet the university’s admission criteria are eligible for Foundation Year. Graduates from Boston high schools, GED certificate holders who live in Boston, and students enrolled in METCO programs are also eligible for Foundation Year.
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Interested students should apply to Northeastern by the January 1 application deadline using the Common Application or Coalition Application. The Undergraduate Admissions Office selects students who are deemed strong candidates for the university based on academic performance, involvement in their communities, and additional admissions criteria. Students selected for the Foundation Year program will be admitted to Foundation Year which takes place during their first year of college.
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Classes are taught by Foundation Year faculty and are designed to meet core requirements at Northeastern, and/or are courses that are required to transfer into selected majors at Northeastern. Foundation Year students only take courses with other members of their cohort which are taught by dedicated Foundation Year faculty.
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Students can continue at the College of Professional Studies if they have a GPA above a 2.0. They will pursue their degree in this open-access college in Northeastern.
Students can transfer to one of the seven undergraduate day programs at Northeastern’s Boston campus if they meet the following progression standards: Obtain a 3.0 GPA at the end of the year with no grades below C in the fall term and no grades below B- in the spring and summer terms. The undergraduate colleges include:
- Bouvé College of Health Sciences
- College of Art, Media & Design
- College of Engineering
- College of Social Science and Humanities
- College of Science
- Khoury College of Computer Science
- D’Amore McKim School of Business
If a student decides Northeastern is not for them, our advisors are happy to assist them in pursuing other options.
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The Foundation Year faculty are committed to helping students be successful in their first year of college and work alongside the advising team to provide students with holistic support.
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Applicants are required to submit a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and CSS Profile as part of the admissions process. Typically, students have generous award packages that make their year in the Foundation Year program affordable.
After completing Foundation Year, Northeastern uses a different funding strategy to award financial aid. It is likely that financial aid will look different for students in the years after Foundation Year. Students are eligible for many scholarships and loans in order to make Northeastern as affordable as possible after Foundation Year.
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Foundation Year students are not eligible for housing during their time in the program.
Students who complete Foundation Year and continue at one of the seven undergraduate day colleges are considered transfer students. As such, students can apply for housing, but it is not guaranteed.
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The credits earned through Foundation Year are able to be considered for transfer to another degree program. If a student transfers to another institution, it is at the discretion of the new institution whether they accept the Foundation Year credits from Northeastern.
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To be considered for Foundation Year, students must apply to Northeastern using the Common Application or Coalition Application by the January 1deadline. Students must submit a complete application, including all supplemental materials and all financial aid documents. Applicants will be notified of their admission decision by April 1.
Have questions? Contact us at foundationyear@northeastern.edu.