FAQs

Admission Checklist

If I am a first-time student enrolling, when is the deadline for submitting the Student Accounts checklist items?

The current academic year deadlines for submitting the Student Accounts checklist items are July 20 for the Fall semester and December 20 for the Spring semester.

Online Student Account/Billing

How can the office share information with someone besides the student?

In order for our department to discuss information with an individual other than the student, we must have a completed Information Release Form on file from the student. To ensure FERPA compliance, the Student Accounts Office cannot discuss the student account with anyone other than the student or send to an email address other than the students Bard College email address; this includes billing statements, without this form on file. You can find more information regarding this as well as the form on our website at www.bard.edu/studentaccounts/policies/. Please look for the section titled FERPA. We will need the online form completed by the student. Without this on file, the student will be the only person to receive all account information, and will need to forward the information to those they wish to share it with. Note: The student must be signed into Google docs with their Bard college email before clicking on the link. Please have them sign into Google using their Bard email as the user name and then enter their corresponding password.

How can I access the online student account (CASHNet/Transact) to view billing statements and/or make payments?

The online student account (CASHNet/Transact) allows access to the view student account information in real time, as well as view billing statements, and make payments for tuition, flex accounts, replacement IDs and keys, and summer/winter housing, via credit card, electronic check (ACH), and/or Western Union.

For more information on how to access the online student account to make payments, please go to https://www.bard.edu/studentaccounts/selfservice/.

I want my billing information shared with a parent/other individual. How do I authorize someone to access my bill online?

Students will be the only one with access to view their student account or make payments online unless they set up a Parent/Authorized User. A student may create a Parent/Authorized User Login to allow parents, guardians and other authorized users to access their account information. A Parent/Authorized User Login must be created by the student before it can be used. Information on how to complete this step can be found using the following link: www.bard.edu/studentaccounts/selfservice/ . Please look for the drop down "Creating a User Login for Parents or Authorized Users". Only students can initiate this.

I am experiencing issues logging into the online student account. What should I do?

If you are experiencing issues logging into your online student account through SSB, you will want to ensure you are following the correlating instructions for logging into the online student account.
If after following the correlating instructions, you are still experiencing issues logging into your online student account through SSB and you are not using Chrome, please try using chrome. If you are using Chrome, please try using an incognito window.

I am not sure who to contact with my question on my scholarship/bill; where should I go?

In an effort to ensure the most informed response, please direct initial billing questions to [email protected] and financial aid, scholarships, grants, and loan inquiries to [email protected] or call 845-758-7520 to speak to a Student Financial Services representative.

I received a scholarship and loan, but it is not appearing on my bill; what should I do?

Scholarships are renewed for all students in good academic standing, but you must reaffirm your financial aid (including loans) annually. If you have not already, please review your financial aid package here and accept or decline any offered financial aid that you wish, to ensure that everything is accounted for on your billing.

I have a scholarship or tuition benefit from an outside organization, what should I do?

If you have the scholarship/tuition benefit check, please mail it to our office. If the scholarship/tuition benefit check is made payable to both the student and Bard College, please endorse the back of the check before mailing.

If you do not have the scholarship/tuition benefit check at this time, please send a copy (email or mail) of the letter of intent/award to the Office of Student Accounts and we can memo the expected scholarship to your student account. This will allow us to show the scholarship and calculate your billing statement accordingly to reduce any amount that may be due. A copy of the letter of intent/award should be submitted to the Office of Student Accounts each academic year, even if the scholarship is reoccurring.

I have work study, but it is not showing on my bill?

Federal Work-study is a federal student aid program that provides part-time employment while the student is enrolled in school to help pay his or her education expenses. The student must seek out and apply for work-study jobs at their school. The student will be paid directly for the hours they work and the amount they earn cannot exceed the total amount awarded by the school for the award year. Work-study earnings help pay the student’s education expenses. For more information on student employment at Bard, please visit bard.edu/financialaid/employment/students/ and bard.joinhandshake.com/login.

There is a charge on my bill that I am not familiar with, can you provide more information?

Academic Leave of Absence Fee

Students who take an academic leave of absence are charged an administrative fee per semester.

Campus Facilities Fee

Students who live off campus are assessed the campus facilities fee each semester, which provides access to facilities including but not limited to, the gym, library, and computer centers located on campus. This is a required fee that cannot be waived.

Course Audit Fee

The fee is assessed based on information received from the Office of the Registrar.

Finance Fee (applied by Bard College)

A student account with a past due balance is assessed a fee of 1% of the past due balance.

Graduation Fee

Students who are part of the graduating class are assessed the graduation fee which includes the cap and gown, and diploma with binder. This is a required fee that cannot be waived.

Health & Counseling Fee (Formally, Campus Health Services Fee)

Students are assessed the Health and Counseling fee each semester, which provides access to the health and counseling center located on campus. This is a required fee that cannot be waived.

Private Music Lesson Fee

Students taking private lessons for credit are assessed the private music lesson fee per each course taken. The fee is assessed based on information received from the Music Department and the Office of the Registrar. This is a required fee that cannot be waived.

Security Deposit

Students are assessed a one-time-only security deposit charge during their first semester attendance. This is refundable at the completion of a students' course of study at the College.

Financial Aid: Prospective Students

I am applying to Bard. What applications are necessary for financial aid consideration?
Please see ‘Financial Aid for First-Year and Transfer Students’ or ‘Financial Aid for International Students’ on our website for information about how to apply for financial aid at Bard.

What are the financial aid application deadlines for 2024-25?
November 1 - first-year international students who apply as an early applicant
November 1 - first year non-international students who apply Immediate Decision Plan (IDP)
December 1 - first year non-international students who apply as an early applicant (Early Decision I, Early Action, Bard Entrance Exam)
January 1 - first year international students who apply Early Decision II or Regular Decision
February 1 - first year non-international students who apply Early Decision II or Regular Decision

For additional info: https://www.bard.edu/financialaid/applying/deadlines/

How do I know if my financial aid applications were received?
Check the financial aid section of your applicant portal. Outstanding items will have a red ‘X’ next to them. Satisfied requirements will have a green checkmark next to them. Items are not satisfied immediately – some processing time is required. Please allow for 3 to 5 days for the item to be satisfied.

Does Bard offer merit aid?
No, Bard offers need-based financial aid. The College is a need-based aid only institution and prioritizes its financial aid for students who could not afford to enroll without the College’s support. For more information, visit Financial Aid Award Procedures (bard.edu) , Types of Aid at Bard and Undergraduate Admission (bard.edu).

I don’t have contact with my Non-Custodial parent. How do I apply to waive the Non-Custodial Profile requirement?
If a student has no contact and does not receive financial support from the non-custodial parent, a waiver of the NCP may be requested. The request must consist of legal documentation or a letter of explanation from a third-party; such as a school counselor, clergy member, or court official. All NCP waiver documentation should be emailed to: [email protected].

I am an admitted student. How do I appeal my financial aid award offer?

Log into the student’s Bard Applicant Portal
Go to Checklist Tab
Click the Financial Aid section
Click on the megaphone button which will walk you through the process of appealing

Students are notified of decisions via email

Financial Aid: Scholarships, Grants, and Loans

Where do I go to complete FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)?

Visit StudentAid.gov/fllingout for details about the application process.

What type of financial aid is available to help with the cost of attendance?

Financial aid to pay for college is available from a variety of sources. Student aid includes grants, scholarships, work-study jobs, and loans. More information can be found at https://studentaid.gov/h/understand-aid

Loans

https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans

https://studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/direct-loan-basics-students.pdf

Federal Direct (Subsidized) Loan

Federal Direct Subsidized loans are loans made to eligible undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need to help cover the costs of higher education at a college or career school. The federal government generally pays the interest that accrues while the borrower is in an in-school, grace, or deferment status. Current interest rates can be found at https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized#what-are-the-current-interest-rates

Federal Direct (Unsubsidized) Loan

Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans are loans made to eligible undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, but eligibility is not based on financial need. The borrower is fully responsible for paying the interest regardless of the loan status. Interest on unsubsidized loans accrues from the date of disbursement and continues throughout the life of the loan. Current interest rates can be found at https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized#what-are-the-current-interest-rates

Federal Direct PLUS Loan

The U.S. Department of Education makes Direct PLUS Loans to eligible parents and graduate or professional students through schools participating in the Direct Loan Program. A Direct PLUS Loan is commonly referred to as a parent PLUS loan when made to a parent, and as a grad PLUS loan when made to a graduate or professional student. More information can be found studentaid.gov website. Current interest rates can be found at https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized#what-are-the-current-interest-rates

Student Health Insurance Plan (2024-2025)

I am being billed for student Health Insurance. Can this charge be removed from my bill?

All enrolled students at Bard College are required to have health insurance coverage. The student health insurance plan through Bard is included in your semester billing statement.

Students who elect to have alternate private plans must submit proof of coverage at www.mystudentmedical.com for confirmation that, upon review, provides all essential benefits including non-emergency services without referral while on campus in NY. Waivers must be completed every year. If you have questions regarding the policy, please contact Allen J Flood at 800-734-9326 or [email protected].

Once completed you will receive a waiver confirmation. Please submit your waiver early! The review process is not immediate. Payment will be expected until Bard receives a waiver approval from Allen J Flood. If you have questions regarding the policy, please contact Allen J Flood at 800-734-9326 or [email protected].

If the student begins the academic year in the Summer semester*, the waiver form is open May 1, and the deadline to submit the waiver form is May 20. Waiver submissions will not be granted beyond the deadline.

If the student begins the academic year for the Fall semester, the waiver form is open May 1, and the deadline to submit the waiver form is July 15. Waiver submissions will not be granted beyond the deadline.

If the student begins the academic year for the Spring semester or a student began the academic year for the Fall semester and was granted the Fall semester waiver only, the waiver form is open October 30, and the deadline to submit this form is December 15. Waiver submissions will not be granted beyond the deadline.

For more information please go to: www.bard.edu/studentaccounts/policies. Look for the drop down “Student Health Insurance Plan.”

*Program specific for MFA, MAT, MBA-NYPA, and Summer BGIA

I submitted a waiver for the Student Health Insurance, but it is still showing on my bill.

Waivers can take a minimum of one week to be sent to our office from the appropriate outside company. Until we receive the needed information from the appropriate company, the charge cannot be deducted and payment is expected as billed. We receive waiver reports from Allen J. Flood USA weekly (usually on Mondays). Once we receive the report that shows the waiver for you, the charge will be removed.

Account updates will be reflected on the "account activity" page of the online account. The e-bills will not be updated, as they are a snapshot of the account as of the date they are generated.

Tuition Refund Insurance Plan (2024-2025)

I am being billed for Tuition Refund Insurance. Can this charge be removed from my bill?

Bard College offers Tuition Refund Insurance through A.W.G. Dewar, for full-time enrolled undergraduate students. If your student is unable to complete classes for the semester due to an approved medical leave, Tuition Refund Insurance, provided by Dewar, can help refund the tuition, fees, and room and board charges, if your student is unable to complete the semester due to an covered medical reason. This insurance program complements and enhances our school's refund policy. Dewar can help refund a percentage of costs that are not refunded under the College's refund policy. For questions regarding the tuition insurance plan, please contact A.W.G. Dewar, Inc. at (617) 774-1555 or [email protected]. DEWAR's Frequently Asked Questions can be found here.

Students enrolled in the Fall semester of the academic year, the waiver site will open May 1. The deadline to submit the waiver form is August 8. Waiver submissions will not be granted beyond the extended deadline.

Students who were not enrolled in the Fall semester of the academic year and begin their enrollment in the Spring semester of the academic year, the waiver site will open TBD. The deadline to submit the waiver form is January 7. Waiver submissions will not be granted beyond the extended deadline.

Please note that payment will be expected until Bard receives the waiver confirmation from A.W.G. Dewar. The tuition insurance plan is an optional charge, and if you do not want to purchase this plan, please submit a waiver form using the following website: tuitionprotection.com/bardcollege

If you are an international student and you are experiencing difficulty accessing the waiver form, please contact our office at [email protected] for additional information.

For more information please go to: bard.edu/studentaccounts/policies. Look for the drop down "Tuition Refund Insurance Plan"

I have taken an official medical leave or withdrawal from the college, how do I submit a claim?
Submission of Claim Forms
Claim forms should be submitted as indicated on the forms within 30 days of the medical leave of absence date. Please use the following link to obtain these forms: tuitionrefundplan.com/parents under C ollege or University Claim Forms.

I submitted a waiver for the Tuition Refund Insurance, but it is still showing on my bill.

Waivers can take a minimum of 1 week to be sent to our office from the appropriate outside company. Until we receive the needed information from the appropriate company, the charge cannot be deducted and payment is expected as billed. We receive waiver reports from A.W.G DEWAR Inc weekly (usually on Mondays). Once we receive the report that shows the waiver for you, the charge will be removed.

Account updates will be reflected on the "account activity" page of the online account. The e-bills will not be updated, as they are a snapshot of the account as of the date they are generated.

Refund Requests

I have a credit (negative balance) on my account, how do I submit a request for a refund check?

A refund request can be submitted electronically by the student using the link provided below. The Student Accounts office will review and process the request. During the review process, additional information may be requested. Once Student Accounts submits the request to the Finance Office, a confirmation email will be sent.

If a refund is not requested, the credit (negative balance) will remain on your account to be applied to future semester costs or will be refunded after graduation or withdrawal during account review.

The approximate timeline for a refund check to be available is four weeks from the time that the request is submitted by Student Accounts to the Finance Office for processing. Our office submits refund requests once per week to the finance office, typically on Mondays. Factoring in the time it takes for review and processing, the total approximate timeline for a refund check to be available is six weeks from the date of your electronic submission. Because of this processing time, you should plan ahead for non-educational expenses such as rent, transportation, and child care.

Example: If our offices receives your electronically submitted request on Tuesday, our office will review and submit the request on the following Monday to the finance office for processing. The estimated date given will be four weeks from that Monday. Please complete the form accurately and completely to avoid delays in processing your request. Our office will reach out to you via your Bard email if additional information is needed as well as to confirm the status of your electronic refund request submission.

Credits (negative balances):

For students with a drop/add period, credits created by financial aid cannot be processed until after the Drop/Add period has ended and the financial aid has been paid to the account, typically mid-September for the Fall semester and mid-February for the Spring semester. Refer to the academic calendar for the date each semester. Refund requests can be submitted after the add/drop date to be processed.
For students without a drop/add period, credits created by financial aid cannot be processed until first day of classes and the financial aid has been paid to the account

If the student is a Title IV financial aid recipient and if Title IV funds exceed allowable charges (tuition, required fees, room, board) before non federal aid or direct payments are applied, these funds will be automatically returned to the student/parent within 14 days of payment to the student account unless the student/parent has authorized the school to hold these funds toward payment of other allowable institutional charges. For all other credit balances for a students' account, please complete the electronic Student Account Refund Form to request such a refund.

Submit Student Account Refund Request Form

Note: You must be signed into Google docs with your Bard college email before clicking on the link. Please sign into Google using your Bard email as your user name and then enter your corresponding password.

Flex Accounts

What is a Flex account and how can I add money to it?

Students have the option of adding money to three different FLEX accounts; Flex Cafe, Flex Print, and Flex Bookstore. A flex account acts like a debit card to be used for purchases on campus. Flex accounts are managed by the Student Accounts Office.

The Flex Cafe account is for purchases outside of the board plans, including Bard Bucks, at any of the dining outlets on campus. Students using their flex cafe account are given a discount on their purchases, in the form of tax savings! Flex accounts cannot replace a meal plan. Flex Cafe/Dining has a $50 minimum requirement

The Flex Print account is for purchases outside of the Bard Print funds ($37.50) given by the College each semester and can be used at any of the printing outlets on campus. Flex Print has a $10 minimum requirement.

The Flex Bookstore account is for purchases at the Bookstore located on campus in the Bertelsmann Campus Center. Flex Bookstore does not have a minimum requirement.

If you would like to add money to your Flex Cafe, Flex Print, and/or Flex Bookstore account(s), payment can be made on your online student account. Once logged into your online student account, you will select "Make a Payment" and then select the corresponding "Flex Dining Payment" "Flex Print Payment" and/or "Flex Bookstore" option(s). Flex payments will be added to the corresponding Flex account by the end of the next business day. If you need the Flex funds available before the end of the next business day, once payment is completed, please contact the Student Account office at [email protected] or 845-758-7520 to let us know.

If you have a credit on your student account and would like to use all or a portion of that credit to make purchases using your Flex Cafe, Flex Print, or Flex Bookstore account, please contact the Student Account office at [email protected] or 845-758-7520. Flex payments will be added to the corresponding Flex account by the end of the next business day. If you need the Flex funds available before the end of the next business day, please let us know.

Flex payments will be added to the corresponding Flex account by the end of the next business day. If you need the Flex funds available before the end of the next business day, once payment is completed, please contact the Student Account office at [email protected] or 845-758-7520 to let us know.

Monies deposited into Flex accounts must be used toward purchases and cannot be refunded or transferred. Flex balances roll over from semester to semester. Any flex balances remaining after a student graduates or withdraws from the college are forfeited.

More information about Flex accounts can be found on the Policies page or by contacting the Office of Student Accounts at [email protected] or 845-758-7520.

Meal Plan

Do I have to sign up for a meal plan and is it included in my semester charges?
All students who live on campus are required to be enrolled in a meal plan. All regular semester meal plans are the same cost. This cost is included in the food portion of the housing and food charge on your student account. There is an additional meal plan cost charged to those student accounts who are enrolled in the Language and Thinking, Citizen Science, and/or Transfer Orientation Workshop. A breakdown of the cost can be found under Undergraduate Tuition and Fees.

All students living off campus are eligible to sign up for the Commuter meal plan. Students who live on campus are not eligible for this plan. The 2023-2024 plan cost is $1,250 per semester. Sign up is required each semester. To sign up for the plan, please contact the Office of Student Accounts via email. If sign up is completed after the semester installments are due, payment for the plan is required in full at the time of sign up.

How do I select a meal plan?
Each semester all meal plan eligible students will receive an email from the Office of Residence Life and Housing with information regarding the Meal Plan Selection process. Meal Plan selection generally takes place during the summer months for the Fall semester selections and during the month of December for Spring semester selections. For questions regarding how to select a meal plan, please contact the Office of Residence Life and Housing at [email protected] or 845-758-7455.

I have particular dietary needs, who should I speak to?
Students with particular dietary needs or preferences should consult with the General Manager and Executive Chef from Parkhurst Dining; reasonable requests will be accommodated. Special requests for religious holidays should be discussed in advance.

I would like to be exempt from the meal plan, who should I speak to?
All resident students are required to be on a meal plan. In rare instances due to documented medical reasons, an exemption may be granted. Your first step is to please complete the Disability Offices registration form as well as forward documentation of your needs. You can email documentation to [email protected]. Typically, documentation should include: diagnosis, history of treatment, current functional limitations, and recommendations for accommodations around dining access needs.

Once the Office of Disability Services has that information, they can set up a meeting for you to discuss dining accommodations with the Director of Disability Access Services, as well as Parkhust Dining General Manager and Executive Chef. Please know that documentation does not automatically grant a meal plan exemption. Director of Disability Services always work with Parkhurst dining to see what accommodations options are available for students first.

What dining locations are available on campus?
Kline Commons Dining Hall
Down the Road Cafe (DTR)
Manor House Dining Room

Who do I contact for questions regarding how to select a meal plan?
For questions regarding how to select a meal plan, please contact the Office of Residence Life and Housing at [email protected] or 845-758-7455.

Who do I contact for questions regarding the meal plan options?
For questions regarding the meal plan options, please contact the Student Accounts Office or the General Manager with Parkhurst at Bard College, Frederick Aichelmann at [email protected]

Which meal plans are available?
The various meal plan options available can be located in a few places: Below, ResLife Resources, and Parkhurst Dining.

2023-2024 Regular Semester Resident and Non Resident Student Meal Plan Options

For the 2023-2024 academic year, all plans, except the Anytime Access Plan, have the ability to swipe for a food “Meal Exchange” or "Cash Equivalency" at DTR and Manor during the Fall and Spring semesters up to three times a day, during associated meal periods.
Meal exchange includes a choice from a predetermined food list of an entree, side, beverage, and dessert. Food Cash Equivalency will allow up to $6.00 to be applied as Board. If your purchase goes beyond the $6.00 cash equivalency limit, it will require payment for the overage to be paid with Bard Bucks, Flex Cafe funds, cash, or Credit/Debit card.

Meal Periods

Monday - Friday Saturday - Sunday

Breakfast 7:30 AM - 10:59 AM Brunch 9:00 AM - 4:59 PM

Lunch 11:00 AM - 4:59 PM Dinner 5:00 PM - Midnight

Dinner 5:00 PM - 7:59 PM
Late Night 8:00 PM - Midnight

RESIDENT 19	The Resident 19 plan allows 19 food meals each week, plus $100 Bard Bucks. Food meals can be used at Kline Commons, or a food “Meal Exchange” or Food "Cash Equivalency" can be used at DTR or Manor during the Fall and Spring semesters up to three times a day, 1 per associated meal periods. Bard Bucks can be spent throughout the semester at the Down the Road Cafe & Coffee Shop and Manor Cafe, and Kline Commons. The weekly meal total resets each Tuesday, and unused meals do not roll over to the next week. The 19 meal plan was designed to allow for 5 days of 3 meals Monday-Friday and 2 days of 2 meals Satuday-Sunday.	All students are eligible for this plan. If you do not select a plan by the selection deadline, your plan will default to this plan automatically.
ANYTIME ACCESS PLAN	The Anytime Access plan gives each resident Unlimited meals each week at Kline Commons, plus $50 Bard Bucks to spend throughout the semester at the Down the Road Cafe & Coffee Shop and Manor Cafe. This plan does not include “Meal Exchange” or "Cash Equivalency" at DTR and Manor. Bard Bucks can be spent throughout the semester at the Down the Road Cafe & Coffee Shop and Manor Cafe, and Kline Commons.	All students are eligible for this plan.
RESIDENT 10	The Resident 10 plan allows 10 Food meals each week, plus $600 Bard Bucks. Food meals can be used at Kline Commons, or a Food “Meal Exchange” or Food "Cash Equivalency" can be used at DTR or Manor during the Fall and Spring semesters up to three times a day, 1 per associated meal periods. Bard Bucks can be spent throughout the semester at the Down the Road Cafe & Coffee Shop and Manor Cafe, and Kline Commons. The weekly meal total resets each Tuesday, and unused meals do not roll over to the next week. The 10 meal plan was designed to allow for 3 days of 2 meals and 4 days of 1 meal, but you can use them as you need to up to 10 meals for the week. - just be careful not to run out!	All returning/graduate students are eligible for this plan. First-Year students are not eligible for this plan.
RESIDENT 14	The Resident 14 plan allows 14 Food meals each week, plus $400 Bard Bucks. Food meals can be used at Kline Commons, or a Food “Meal Exchange” or Food "Cash Equivalency" can be used at DTR or Manor during the Fall and Spring semesters up to three times a day, 1 per associated meal periods. Bard Bucks can be spent throughout the semester at the Down the Road Cafe & Coffee Shop and Manor Cafe, and Kline Commons. The weekly meal total resets each Tuesday, and unused meals do not roll over to the next week. The 14 meal plan was designed to allow for 2 meals per day, but you can use them as you need to up to 14 meals for the week. - just be careful not to run out!	All returning/graduate students are eligible for this plan. First-Year students are not eligible for this plan.

Commuter Plan

The Commuter plan gives each non-resident student 4 meals each week, plus $225 Bard Bucks.

Food meals can be used at Kline Commons, or a Food “Meal Exchange” or Food "Cash Equivalency" can be used at DTR or Manor during the Fall and Spring semesters. 1 per associated meal periods.

Bard Bucks can be spent throughout the semester at the Down the Road Cafe & Coffee Shop and Manor Cafe, and Kline Commons.

The weekly meal total resets each Tuesday, and unused meals do not roll over to the next week.

Students who are billed as living off campus are eligible for this plan.

Students who are billed as living on campus are not eligible for this plan.

1098-T Tax Information

What is a 1098-T?

The IRS Form 1098-T is an informational form filed with the Internal Revenue Service by eligible education institutions to report qualified tuition and related expenses, adjustments, and scholarships and grants during the calendar year.

Related expenses do not include:

Charges and fees for room, board, insurance, medical expenses, transportation, and similar personal, living, or family expenses.
Amounts paid for any course or other education involving sports, games, or hobbies, unless the course or other education is part of the student’s degree program or is taken to acquire or improve job skills.

Scholarships and grants exclude payments from family members and loan proceeds

Payments are applied on the date received in office of the calendar year. Please be advised that if payments are received during the time the College is closed for holiday break in December, they may not be processed until January of the following calendar year.

Fall charges are applied in May and Spring charges are applied in October of the calendar year. Fall scholarships and grants are paid to the account in August/September and Spring scholarships and grants are paid to the account in January/February of the calendar year.

Example: Fall 2023 charges are applied in May 2023 and Spring 2024 charges are applied in October 2023. Fall 2023 scholarships and grants are paid to the account in August/September 2023 (are reflected on 2023 1098-T) and Spring 2024 scholarships and grants are paid to the account in January/February 2024 (are reflected on the 2024 1098-T, not the 2023 1098-T)

Do I have to file my 1098-T?

There is no IRS requirement that you must claim education deductions or credits on your personal taxes. Claiming education tax benefits is a voluntary decision for those who may qualify and should be discussed with a tax preparer or advisor.

Neither Bard nor ECSI can answer tax questions or provide tax advice, you must contact your tax professional.

When will I receive my 1098-T?

In January Bard College generates the IRS Form 1098-T and sends via USPS using a third party; Heartland ECSI; to students whose accounts were billed for tuition and applicable fees, as well as applicable payments received during the calendar tax year. Bard will no longer be reporting charges billed. The IRS tax laws state that all tax documents must be mailed or electronically available by January 31st.

If you would like to receive your 1098-T electronically, you can do so by filling out the ELECTRONIC CONSENT APPLICATION located on Heartland ECSI's website. By signing up for an electronic version, no paper 1098-T statement will be mailed to you. When your statement is ready, an email will be sent to you with instructions on how to access your 1098-T statement online. In order to protect your privacy, the email will contain no information specific to you or your financial information. Disclaimer: If consent to receive the statement electronically is not received, a paper copy will be provided. This consent is for every subsequent year you are eligible to receive a tax statement. You can change your consent at any time by signing into your ECSI eConsent or by contacting ECSI. To view an electronic statement, the recipient will need to sign into their ECSI eConsent. All tax statements will be accessible on line for a minimum of 5 years.

I lost or did not receive my 1098-T in the mail, how can I obtain a copy?

If you did not receive or lost the physical copy of your 1098-T, you can obtain a copy online. For more information, including instructions on how to access an online click HERE.

I did not receive a 1098-T in the mail or online, can you explain why and how can I request one?

Per IRS regulations Bard is not required to send a 1098-T form to students if:

Courses for which no academic credit is offered, even if the student is otherwise enrolled in a degree program;
Nonresident alien students, unless requested by the student;
Students whose qualified tuition and related expenses are entirely waived or paid entirely with scholarships; and
Students for whom you do not maintain a separate financial account and whose qualified tuition and related expenses are covered by a formal billing arrangement between an institution and the student’s employer or a governmental entity, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense.

If a 1098-T was not generated, but you would like one, an emailed request to [email protected], must be received on or before March 1 of the 1098-T tax year that was processed in January that the form was generated. Please note that once the 1098-T is generated it cannot be retracted, as it is sent to the IRS.

Example: 2023 1098-T tax year, mailed January 2024; email required by March 1, 2024.

The Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) on my 1098-T is missing or incorrect. What should I do?

The IRS reporting requirement is that we include your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification (ITIN) when reporting Form 1098-T data. It is important that we have your complete and accurate information on file. The IRS requires that an institution files the statement without the individual’s SSN or ITIN, but with all other required information. We will leave the SSN box blank in cases of invalid SSN or ITIN numbers.

To update your SSN or ITIN, complete the IRS Form W-9, “Request for Student’s or Borrower’s Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification” and fax or mail it to our office. This form allows students to provide their correct SSN or ITIN to an educational institution. The form can be located on the IRS website located HERE.
For students who do not have an SSN or ITIN on file by January 1st, the 1098-T may be generated with a blank in the SSN field and this information will be reported to the IRS.
If you do not provide a valid SSN or ITIN, the IRS may fine you or require you to return the credits claimed if you fail to update your SSN or ITIN.

Additional information

Information regarding 1098-T, can be found at:

IRS Publication 970, page 9
https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1098-t
Student Accounts Policies under the "1098-T Tax Information" drop down.

IRS Exceptions: Eligible educational institutions do not have to file Form 1098-T or furnish a statement for:

Courses for which no academic credit is offered, even if the student is otherwise enrolled in a degree program;
• Nonresident alien students, unless requested by the student;
• Students whose qualified tuition and related expenses are entirely waived or paid entirely with scholarships; and
• Students for whom you do not maintain a separate financial account and whose qualified tuition and related expenses are covered by a formal billing arrangement between an institution and the student’s employer or a governmental entity, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense.

IRS: Qualified tuition and related expenses.
Qualified tuition and related expenses are tuition, fees, and course materials required for a student to be enrolled at or attend an eligible educational institution. The following are not qualified tuition and related expenses.

Amounts paid for any course or other education involving sports, games, or hobbies, unless the course or other education is part of the student’s degree program or is taken to acquire or improve job skills.
Charges and fees for room, board, insurance, medical expenses (including student health fees), transportation, and similar personal, living, or family expenses.

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