Apply for Financial Aid

Bates offers need-based aid to make your education affordable.

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. 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.


Determining Eligibility

Bates uses the Institutional Methodology guidelines of the College Board to measure family ability to meet college costs and determine 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. A family’s contribution comes mainly from parent income and assets, but also includes a contribution from the student’s expected summer earnings and savings. Other resources such as tuition benefits offered through a parent’s employer are also included in the family’s contribution. The family contribution subtracted from Bates’ cost of attendance equals financial need.

Bates meets 100 percent of the calculated need of our enrolled students through a combination of grant aid, student loans, and student employment. Student loans and/or employment assistance may be offered if a student’s calculated need is low.


Application Requirements

First Year and Transfer Applicants

We encourage any family concerned about paying for college to apply for need-based financial aid from Bates. To be considered, you must indicate that you will be applying for financial aid on your admission application and provide all of the materials shown below by the applicable deadline. Please note that Bates is committed to meeting 100% of the full demonstrated financial need of every admitted student, regardless of citizenship or immigration status.

2024-25 FAFSA Information and FAQ

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is used by Bates to calculate eligibility for federal financial aid. While the 2024-25 FAFSA is now available, there have been reports of delays in accessing and completing the form. To allow families sufficient time to complete the FAFSA, and in recognition of the fact that FAFSA data will not be sent to colleges until mid-March, the 2024-25 FAFSA is not due for Bates until February 15th. All other financial aid application materials, including the CSS Profile and supporting tax documentation should be submitted by the applicable deadline.

How is the FAFSA Used by Bates?

At Bates, the FAFSA is used solely to determine eligibility for federal financial aid (grants, loans and student employment.) It is not used to calculate eligibility for need-based institutional grant aid. 

I’m planning to apply through Early Decision. Should I wait until the FAFSA is available to submit my financial aid application?

No, you should submit the CSS Profile (available October 1) and provide requested tax documentation by the applicable deadline – November 15 for Early Decision 1, and January 10 for Early Decision 2 and Regular Decision. The FAFSA can be completed when it becomes available. 

Will Bates be able to determine my eligibility for financial aid without the FAFSA?

Yes, we will be able to calculate eligibility for institutional need-based aid using the CSS Profile and tax documentation. We will still require the FAFSA to be completed when it becomes available, but we will use it only to calculate eligibility for federal aid.

Will the changes to the FAFSA impact my eligibility for Bates financial aid? I’ve heard that the FAFSA no longer considers siblings in college.

While the formula used to calculate eligibility for federal aid has changed for 2024-25, this will have no impact on the way in which Bates calculates eligibility for need-based institutional aid. Bates will continue to use its institutional need formula (which recognizes sibling undergraduate enrollment) to calculate financial aid eligibility.

How can I estimate my financial aid eligibility?

Domestic students can use the MyinTuition College Cost Estimator or the Bates Net Price Calculator to estimate costs and see potential financial aid eligibility.

Additional Resources:


Requirements for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
  • 2024-25 CSS Profile — The CSS Profile must be completed by your parents (custodial and noncustodial) if you are requesting institutional financial aid from Bates. You do not need to complete these forms if you are requesting only federal financial aid. Our Profile school code is 3076.
  • 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — The FAFSA is required if you are requesting institutional and/or federal financial aid. Our federal school code is 002036. The 2024-25 FAFSA is not due for Bates College until February 15th.
  • 2022 Federal Income Tax Returns and W-2 Forms — You and your parents (custodial and noncustodial) must submit copies of 2022 tax returns with all schedules, attachments, and W-2 forms to the College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC). If you or your parents did not file a 2022 income tax return, please complete a Non-Tax Filer Statement available on IDOC.
  • Business Tax Returns — If your parents hold an interest in a partnership or corporation, please submit a copy of the corporate or partnership tax return with all pages and schedules to IDOC.

Requirements for Undocumented and DACA Applicants
  • 2024-25 CSS Profile — The CSS Profile must be completed by your parents (custodial and noncustodial) if you are requesting institutional financial aid from Bates. Our Profile school code is 3076. The 2024-25 Profile form will be available on October 1, 2023.
  • 2022 Federal Income Tax Returns and W-2 Forms — You and your parents (custodial and noncustodial) must submit copies of 2022 tax returns with all schedules, attachments, and W-2 forms to the College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC). If you or your parents did not file a 2022 income tax return, please complete a Non-Tax Filer Statement available on IDOC.

Students who are accepted to Bates will receive information regarding their institutional aid eligibility with their letter of acceptance, if their application is complete.

Students who apply but are not eligible for need-based financial aid at the time of their admission may reapply for financial aid each year.

Students who do not apply for aid as incoming students are welcome to apply for financial aid in the year following their first year of attendance if family circumstances change.

Please note that the FAFSA is the only application required for students seeking only federal financial aid.

Currently Enrolled Students

Financial aid at Bates is renewable for up to four years, provided that financial aid application forms are submitted on time, the student’s family continues to demonstrate eligibility according to institutional standards and the student meets prescribed academic progress standards. Families applying for renewal of Bates financial aid must complete the CSS Profile and FAFSA and provide copies of family income tax returns and other materials annually by May 1.


Requirements for Currently Enrolled Students who are U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
  • 2024-25 CSS Profile — The CSS Profile must be completed by your parents (custodial and noncustodial) if you are requesting institutional financial aid from Bates. You do not need to complete these forms if you are requesting only federal financial aid. Our Profile school code is 3076.
  • 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — The FAFSA is required if you are requesting institutional and/or federal financial aid. Our federal school code is 002036. The 2024-25 FAFSA will be available on December 31, 2023, and data submitted by applicants will be provided to colleges in late January, 2024.
  • 2022 Federal Income Tax Returns and W-2 Forms — You and your parents (custodial and noncustodial) must submit copies of 2022 tax returns with all schedules, attachments, and W-2 forms to the College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC). If you or your parents did not file a 2022 income tax return, please complete a Non-Tax Filer Statement available on IDOC.
  • Business Tax Returns — If your parents hold an interest in a partnership or corporation, please submit a copy of the corporate or partnership tax return with all pages and schedules to IDOC.

Requirements for Undocumented and DACA Applicants
  • 2024-25 CSS Profile — The CSS Profile must be completed by your parents (custodial and noncustodial) if you are requesting institutional financial aid from Bates. Our Profile school code is 3076.
  • 2022 Federal Income Tax Returns and W-2 Forms — You and your parents (custodial and noncustodial) must submit copies of 2022 tax returns with all schedules, attachments, and W-2 forms to the College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC). If you or your parents did not file a 2022 income tax return, please complete a Non-Tax Filer Statement available on IDOC.

Currently enrolled students will receive information regarding their financial aid eligibility in June if their financial aid application is complete.

Students who apply but are not eligible for need-based financial aid at the time of admission may reapply for financial aid each year.

Students who do not apply for aid as incoming students are welcome to apply in subsequent years if their family circumstances change.

Please note that the FAFSA is the only application required for students seeking only federal financial aid.

International Students

Bates meets the full demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, regardless of citizenship status, for all four years. Although Bates is not need-blind for non-U.S. citizens, the college offers one of the most generous and inclusive financial aid programs in the United States.

The intent to apply for need-based financial aid for the first year must be indicated prior to the release of your admission decision from Bates. Requests for need-based financial aid after admission notifications will not be considered. Students reapply for need-based financial aid yearly at Bates so enrolling students, regardless of financial aid eligibility during the first year, can apply by the financial aid deadline in future years.

Students who qualify can receive financial aid for up to eight semesters, in the form of a grant (that does not need to be repaid) and on-campus employment (up to 20 hours per week during the academic year). Bates does not include loans in the aid awards for non-U.S. citizens.

Bates uses an institutional formula to determine the parent contribution and considers factors such as parent income, parent assets, number of dependents in the household, and number of dependent children attending undergraduate institutions in the United States. 


Requirements for First Year Applicants
  • 2024-25 CSS Profile – Complete the 2024-25 CSS Profile and submit it to the College Board, being sure to designate Bates College as a recipient (our CSS Profile code is 3076.) Please use your local currency to report your family’s financial information. If your parents are divorced or separated, each parent will complete their own CSS Profile, using different login credentials. If the CSS Profile application fee will create a financial hardship to you and your family, you may complete the International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA) and upload it to your application status page. Applying for financial aid using the ISAFA will not change your financial aid eligibility – both forms are considered equally. 
  • Income/Wage DocumentationDuring the review of your financial aid application, Student Financial Services may request employer-provided documentation of your family’s income and taxes paid. Do not submit income documentation until you receive instructions from Bates. 

Requirements for Canadian Citizens
  • 2024-25 CSS Profile — The CSS Profile must be completed by your parents (custodial and noncustodial) if you are requesting institutional financial aid from Bates. Our Profile school code is 3076. The 2024-25 Profile will be available on October 1, 2023.
  • 2022 Canadian Income Tax Returns and T4 Forms — You and your parents (custodial and noncustodial) must submit copies of 2022 tax returns with all schedules, attachments, and T4 forms to the College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC). If you or your parents did not file a 2022 income tax return, please complete a Non-Tax Filer Statement available on IDOC.

Requirements for Currently Enrolled Students
  • 2024-25 International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA)
  • Copy of parents’ most recently filed government income tax return (translated into English, if applicable) for your country of residence
  • Statement from your parents’ employer(s) indicating current annual gross wages, bonuses, and benefits (automobile, housing and education allowances), along with taxes paid.

Applications for currently enrolled students should be emailed to sfs@bates.edu and are due on May 1.


Resources for International Students

Bates encourages students to seek assistance through sponsors and outside sources. In many countries, it is often possible to find information at U.S. Information Service (USIS) posts or at educational advising centers designated by the U.S. Embassy.


Information for Divorced/Separated Parents

When parents are divorced or separated, a contribution from the student’s noncustodial parent is included as part of the calculated family contribution. The noncustodial parent’s ability to contribute is measured in the same manner as the custodial parent’s, according to income and asset strength. A parent’s willingness (or unwillingness) to contribute toward educational costs is not a factor in our determination of financial aid eligibility, nor is eligibility affected by payment agreements that exist between the custodial and noncustodial parent.

Noncustodial parents must complete the CSS PROFILE and submit copies of federal income tax returns and W-2 forms to the College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC).