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.