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.

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is used by Bates to calculate eligibility for federal financial aid and is required of all applicants requesting Bates or federal financial aid who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States.

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, while the CSS Profile is used to determine eligibility for 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. All first-year applicants must complete the FAFSA by January 10.

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 by January 10, 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 changed in 2024-25, this has had no impact on the way in which Bates calculates eligibility for need-based institutional aid. Bates continues to recognize sibling undergraduate enrollment when calculating institutional 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 Domestic Applicants (U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Undocumented Applicants)
  • 2025-26 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.
  • 2023 Federal Income Tax Returns and W-2 Forms — You and your parents (custodial and noncustodial) must submit copies of 2023 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 2023 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.
  • 2025-26 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
  • 2025-26 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.
  • 2023 Canadian Income Tax Returns and T4 Forms — You and your parents (custodial and noncustodial) must submit copies of 2023 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 2023 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.

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