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.

Requirements for Domestic Applicants
  • 2026-27 CSS Profile — The CSS Profile must be completed by you and your parents (custodial and noncustodial) if you are requesting institutional financial aid from Bates. You do not need to complete the Profile if you are requesting only federal financial aid. Our Profile school code is 3076.
  • 2024 Federal Income Tax Returns and W-2 Forms — You and your parents (custodial and noncustodial) must submit copies of 2024 tax returns with all schedules and W-2 forms to the College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC). If you or your parents did not file a 2024 income tax return, please complete a Non-Tax Filer Statement available on IDOC.
  • Corporations and/or Partnerships: If your parents own an interest in a business corporation, submit a copy of the corporate tax return and/or a copy of IRS Form 1120S, Schedule K-1. If your parents have income from a partnership, submit a copy of the partnership tax return and/or a copy of IRS Form 1165, Schedule K-1. These materials can be submitted through IDOC.
  • 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — The FAFSA is required of all applicants requesting Bates or federal financial aid who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Our federal school code is 002036.
Requirements for Canadian Citizens
  • 2026-27 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.
  • 2024 Canadian Income Tax Returns and T4 Forms — You and your parents (custodial and noncustodial) must submit copies of 2024 income tax returns with all schedules and T4 forms to the College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC). If you or your parents did not file a 2024 income tax return, please complete a Non-Tax Filer Statement available on IDOC.

If you have questions about financial aid at Bates for students matched to Bates through the QuestBridge National College Match program or about applying for financial aid in general, please contact the Student Financial Services at sfs@bates.edu.

Requirements for International Applicants

Non-U.S. citizens* requesting financial aid must submit the Bates International Student Application for Financial Aid (BISAFA) through the Bates application portal. The BISAFA is used by Bates to determine financial need for the four years the student will be at Bates and is part of an applicant’s admission application. Additional information and application instructions can be found here.

*Note: If you are a Canadian citizen or U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or undocumented applicant applying for need-based financial aid, see details above.

Questbridge

Bates College is proud to partner with QuestBridge, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization that connects high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds with leading institutions of higher education.

If you apply through the National College Match program, rank Bates, and are matched with Bates, your financial aid will cover all direct costs each semester for eight semesters. You and your family will be responsible for covering indirect expenses (visit this page to learn more about direct and indirect costs at Bates.) Visit the QuestBridge website for detailed information about application requirements and additional materials to complete your application for financial aid at Bates.

If you choose to not participate in the QuestBridge Match process, are not selected as a finalist, or you are not matched with any college and apply to Bates in Early Decision I, Early Decision II, or Regular Decision, you should follow the instructions shown above.

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.

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