Apply For Financial Aid

Need-based aid to make your education affordable.

A Bates education is a worthwhile investment, one that requires careful planning. We recognize the challenges families face in managing costs. This is why we offer need-based financial aid to eligible admitted students, and why we meet the full calculated need of our students.

Should I apply?

Yes. We recognize that each family’s circumstances are different, and for that reason, we encourage any family concerned about paying for college to apply for institutional need-based financial aid. We don’t want cost to be the determining factor in making a decision about Bates.

Cost – Calculated Family Contribution = Need

We calculate your family’s contribution by using federal and institutional need-analysis formulas, reviewing each application carefully and taking your set of circumstances into consideration. Your family’s contribution comes mainly from your parent’s income and assets, but also includes a contribution from your expected summer earnings and savings. Your family contribution subtracted from Bates’ cost of attendance equals your financial need.

Bates meets 100 percent of the calculated need of its enrolled students through a combination of Bates scholarship, federal and state grants, student loans and student employment. Loans and/or employment assistance may be offered if a student’s calculated need is low.

How Does Bates Calculate the Family Contribution?

Bates uses the Institutional Methodology guidelines of the College Scholarship Service in measuring family ability to meet college costs and determining eligibility for Bates institutional grant aid. We carefully evaluate family finances, considering factors such as family income and asset strength, family size, the number of siblings enrolled as undergraduate college students, and unusual or emergency expenses that can be documented. Private secondary school expenses for younger siblings are not factored into our evaluation. Students are expected to help contribute to the family’s share of expenses through summer earnings and a portion of savings. Other resources such as tuition benefits offered through a parent’s employer are also included in the family’s contribution.

Divorced/Separated Parents

When a student’s parents are divorced or separated, a contribution from the noncustodial parent is included as part of the calculated family contribution. A noncustodial parent’s ability to contribute is measured in the same manner as the custodial parent’s, according to income and asset strength. Willingness (or a lack of willingness) to contribute toward expenses is not a factor in our evaluation, nor are payment agreements that may exist between the custodial and noncustodial parent.

Noncustodial parents must complete the College Board Noncustodial PROFILE and provide copies of their federal income tax returns and W-2 forms to Student Financial Services.

Do Contributions Change From Year to Year?

Financial Aid at Bates is renewable, provided that a student’s application is submitted on time and the student’s family continues to demonstrate eligibility for aid based on federal and institutional guidelines. Increases/decreases in family income, changes in family size and changes in the enrollment status of siblings enrolled as undergraduates are examples of key factors that can influence the family contribution from one year to the next.

Special Circumstances

Bates accepts requests for reconsideration of a family’s contribution under certain circumstances, when documentation supporting a significant change can be provided. Examples of significant changes might include loss of employment, death or disability of a parent, one-time non-recurring income, unreimbursed medical expenses or termination of income from child support.