Bates offers need-based aid to make your education affordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We recognize the challenges families face in managing costs. This is why we offer need-based financial aid to eligible admitted students, and why we meet the full calculated need of our students. We recognize that each family\u2019s circumstances are different, and for that reason, we encourage any family concerned about paying for college to apply for institutional need-based financial aid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bates uses the Institutional Methodology guidelines of the College Board to measure family ability to meet college costs and determine eligibility for Bates institutional grant aid<\/strong>. We carefully evaluate family finances, considering factors such as family income and asset strength, family size, the number of siblings enrolled as undergraduate college students, and unusual or emergency expenses that can be documented. Private secondary school expenses for younger siblings are not factored into our evaluation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Bates meets 100 percent of the calculated need of our enrolled students through a combination of grant aid, student loans, and student employment. Student loans and\/or employment assistance may be offered if a student’s calculated need is low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/em> admitted student, regardless of citizenship or immigration status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n *U.S. citizens or permanent residents, regardless of country of residence, and undocumented applicants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Non-U.S. citizens (excluding Canadian and undocumented applicants) requesting financial assistance must submit the Bates International Student Application for Financial Aid (BISAFA) through the\u00a0Bates application portal<\/a>. 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\u2019s admission application. Additional information and application instructions\u00a0can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bates College is proud to partner with QuestBridge<\/a>, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization that connects high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds with leading institutions of higher education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you apply through the National College Match program<\/a>, 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<\/a> to learn more about direct and indirect costs at Bates.) Visit the QuestBridge website<\/a> for detailed information about application requirements and additional materials to complete your application for financial aid at Bates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Students who are accepted to Bates will receive information regarding their institutional aid eligibility with their letter of acceptance, if their application is complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Please note that the FAFSA is the only application required for students seeking only federal financial aid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Financial aid at Bates is renewable for up to four years, provided that financial aid application forms are submitted on time, the student’s family continues to demonstrate eligibility according to institutional standards and the student meets prescribed academic progress standards.<\/a><\/strong> Families applying for renewal of Bates financial aid must complete the CSS Profile and FAFSA and provide copies of family income tax returns and other materials annually by May 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continuing students currently receiving need-based financial aid from Bates are eligible for automatic renewal of their aid and do not need to submit an updated application for 2026-27.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continuing students requesting need-based financial aid for the first time must complete and submit the 2026-27 CSS Profile<\/a><\/strong> and upload documentation of parental income and taxes paid or withheld for 2024, including a statement of 2024 income and benefits from each parent’s employer, to IDOC<\/a> <\/strong>by May 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Currently enrolled students will receive information regarding their financial aid eligibility in June if their financial aid application is complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Students who apply but are not eligible for need-based financial aid at the time of admission may reapply for financial aid each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Please note that the FAFSA is the only application required for students seeking only federal financial aid.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Bates meets the full demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, regardless of citizenship status, for all four years. <\/span>Although Bates is not need-blind for non-U.S. citizens, the college offers one of the most generous and inclusive financial aid programs in the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n International students seeking assistance from Bates must indicate their intent to apply for need-based financial aid on the admission application prior to being admitted to Bates. <\/strong>Requests for need-based financial aid after a student has been admitted to Bates will not be considered.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Students who qualify can receive financial aid for up to eight semesters, in the form of a grant (that does not need to be repaid) and on-campus employment (up to 20 hours per week during the academic year.) Bates does not include loans in the aid awards for non-U.S. citizens.<\/span><\/p>\n Non-U.S. citizens* requesting financial aid must submit the Bates International Student Application for Financial Aid (BISAFA) through the Bates application portal<\/a>. 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n *Financial aid information for citizens of Canada can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bates encourages students to seek assistance through sponsors and outside sources. In many countries, it is often possible to find information at U.S. Information Service (USIS) posts or at educational advising centers designated by the U.S. Embassy.<\/p>\n When parents are divorced, separated, or were never married, a contribution from the student’s noncustodial parent is included as part of the calculated family contribution. The noncustodial parent’s ability to contribute is measured in the same manner as the custodial parent’s, according to income and asset strength, and parental unwillingness to contribute toward educational costs is not a factor in our determination of financial aid eligibility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Noncustodial Parent Waiver Process<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We understand that some families face exceptional circumstances. In rare cases, the college may waive the requirement for a noncustodial parent to participate in the financial aid process. If you believe you qualify for a waiver due to extreme circumstances, please complete a waiver request <\/a><\/strong>and upload it through IDOC<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Required Documentation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Please note that your waiver request must include<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Important Information:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Questions?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We’re here to help. If you have questions or concerns about the noncustodial parent requirement, please don’t hesitate to contact Student Financial Services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nApplication Requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
First Year and Transfer Applicants<\/h3>
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\n\n\n\nRequirements for Domestic Applicants*<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nRequirements for Canadian Citizens<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nRequirements for International Applicants<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nQuestbridge<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nCurrently Enrolled Students<\/h3>
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\n\n\n\nRequirements for Domestic Applicants<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nRequirements for Canadian Citizens<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nRequirements for Continuing International Students<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nInternational Students<\/h3>
\nResources for International Students<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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\n\n\n\nInformation for Noncustodial Parents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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