A New Financial Aid Challenge

In 2017, a generous $5 million Financial Aid Challenge was initiated by anonymous donors who matched — dollar for dollar — every gift to endowed financial aid between $50,000 and $250,000. Alumni and parents responded to the challenge by matching all $5 million and establishing 60 new endowed funds.

We are pleased to report that with the support of a generous donor, a second challenge of $5 million is now inspiring new gifts and pledges to endowed financial aid, an important campaign priority.

The new challenge started in June 2019 and seeks to raise at least $5 million in new gifts over the next 24 months.

  • The challenge will offer a dollar-for-dollar match to all new pledges between $50,000 and $250,000 made to endowed financial aid.
  • Donors are strongly encouraged to include an increased Bates Fund commitment in their giving plans for the corresponding number of years.
  • Matching funds will be added to a donor’s gift to create a new named fund, or to continue building an existing fund.

Leveraging the power of matching funds, this challenge offers donors the opportunity to double their impact, in perpetuity, with their endowment gift — while sustaining critical, annual support through the Bates Fund.

For More Information

Erin Brown | Director of Leadership Gifts
207-786-6489 | ebrown3@bates.edu
bates.edu/campaign

Financial Aid at Bates

We demonstrate our commitment to students by consistently meeting 100 percent of every student’s calculated financial need for all four years.

Bates provides more than $37 million in grant aid to our students every year. Nearly half of our students receive financial aid, and the average financial aid award, including grant, loan, and work, is over $50,000. Our entire financial aid budget supports students with demonstrated financial need.

The average federal student loan debt for Bates students who graduated in 2019 was $13,289 — less than half the national average.

“From the moment I stepped foot on campus, I felt a sense of warmth. I know that coming to Bates will change my life forever, and I can’t thank you enough for this opportunity.” — Mike Hogue ’20, Chicago, Illinois

Bates’ commitment to affordability and accessibility demonstrates the vision that inspired the college’s founders: an education that is open to all will ensure that future leaders and problem-solvers emerge from every walk of life.

Offering highly competitive financial aid allows us to draw talent from wherever we find it — from all corners of the United States, from around the world, and from every socioeconomic quarter. With your help and generosity, we will elevate the very core of who we are as a college.

“I am grateful for the Bates community here in Lewiston where I grew up. I feel so lucky to be a Bobcat and without your support, I would not be here. Thank you and I will make you proud.” — Jenny Martin ’21, Lewiston, Maine