Students who demonstrate financial need according to Bates' standards of eligibility are usually awarded a grant that does not have to be repaid, a low-interest student loan and a campus job (although students with very little need may receive only loan and work assistance.) 

First-year students should note that financial aid awards are not considered final until all required documents, including family tax returns and W-2 forms, are received and matched against PROFILE and FAFSA information previously submitted.

Need-Based Grants

All scholarship aid at Bates is awarded on the basis of financial need.  Bates does not offer any merit scholarships.  Students whose need has been determined by Bates may be offered assistance from one or more of the following sources:

Bates Scholarships are awarded to students on the basis of financial need and do not have to be repaid.  These awards often come from gifts that have been made by alumni and other friends of the College.

Federal Pell Grants are awarded to students with the greatest need, according to federal guidelines.  The amount awarded varies according to financial need and the amount appropriated by the federal government.

Bates awards Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) to students with high need, usually those already receiving Federal Pell Grants.

State grants may be awarded to students from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.  Residents of these states should contact their state's higher education agency for deadline and eligibility information.

Outside Scholarships

Students who receive outside scholarships from private organizations other than Bates are required to notify the College of the amount and source of these funds by August 30.  Renewable outside scholarships must be reported to the College each year.

Bates has a generous outside scholarship policy. Outside scholarships can be used first to reduce the loan and/or work portions of a financial aid package. A student’s Bates Scholarship may be reduced when the combination of scholarship aid from all sources (Bates, federal, state, or other) exceeds the student’s calculated cost of attendance or the student’s federal eligibility for financial aid.

Federal Student Loan Programs

Federal Perkins Loans are awarded to students on the basis of financial need and usually comprise part of the financial aid package.  Recipients are chosen by Bates based on the eligibility of the recipient and the fund availability. Perkins Loans have a 5 percent fixed interest rate, and repayment of principal and interest is deferred until 9 months after the student ceases enrollment.

Federal Stafford Loans are often used by students to supplement the financial aid awarded by the College.  Students who wish to borrow this type of loan must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and provide copies of federal tax returns and W-2 forms.  Federal Stafford Loans have an interest rate of 5.6% and a 6 month repayment grace period after the student graduates from Bates.  First-year students may borrow up to $3,500, sophomores up to $4,500, and juniors and seniors up to $5,500. 

Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are available for students who are ineligible for the Federal Stafford Loan (or whose parent has been denied a Federal PLUS Loan).  All interest charges are the responsibility of the borrower, and the interest rate is fixed at 6.8%.  In this program, students may borrow a base amount equivalent to the limits for the subsidized Stafford Loan, plus an additional $2,000 per year.  Students whose parents have been denied a Federal PLUS Loan may borrow an additional $6,000 to $7,000 per year, depending upon the student's grade level.

Although they are not included as part of the financial aid package, Federal PLUS Loans can be used to help offset the parental contribution.  Parents may borrow any amount up to the cost of education minus any financial aid received.  A credit check is required by the lender, and students whose parents do not qualify for a PLUS loan due to credit become eligible for additional assistance through the Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan program.  PLUS loans have a 10-year repayment period, and repayment begins upon loan approval.

Campus Employment/Federal Work-Study

Federal Work-Study assistance is usually included as part of a student's financial aid package, although any student can apply for a campus job.  Students have the option of working as many or as few hours as they wish, up to a recommended 10-12 hours per week.  Students are paid on a bi-weekly basis and may use earnings to help pay for personal expenses.  Job opportunities exist on and off campus, in academic and administrative departments.  Service-learning, community service and reading/math tutoring opportunities also exist.

The Student Employment Office helps students obtain positions in a variety of college offices and departments.  During new student orientation and the first week of classes, students submit job applications and are contacted by employers.  During the first two weeks of classes, only students eligible for Federal Work-Study may be hired for open positions on campus.  Students who are not eligible for Federal Work-Study can also work on campus, if there are sufficient funds for this purpose.

Please keep in mind that Federal Work-Study funds are earned by the student, and are not applied against account balances.  Students receive a paycheck from the College according to the number of hours worked.  Federal Work-Study funds are intended to be used to help offset a student's personal expenses during the year.