1. grants and scholarships, which do not require repayment and entail no work obligation;
2. loans, with varying interest rates and payment schedules; and
3. work-study, which is earned for part-time employment on or off campus.
Depending on the type of aid, the program may be administered by Bard College or by external agencies. Typically, financial aid funds administered by the College are awarded on the basis of financial need (as determined by the federal government, the College Scholarship Service, and Bard College), academic achievement, and promise.
Federal Aid
Each student’s eligibility for federal aid programs is determined as part of the process of creating a financial aid package. Federal loans and grants may contribute significantly to the aid package. For more detailed information about federal student aid programs, visit Types of Financial Aid on the Federal Student Aid website. Click here to learn more about federal student loan interest rates, origination fees, processing and disbursement.
Federal Direct Student Loan
Supplemental Unsubsidized Direct Loan: An independent undergraduate student may borrow a supplemental amount as an unsubsidized loan in addition to an individual subsidized or unsubsidized basic Federal Direct Loan as described above. First- and second-year independent undergraduates may borrow up to $4,000 per year. After two years of study, an independent student may borrow up to $5,000 per year. In exceptional circumstances, the financial aid administrator may be able to authorize a supplemental loan for a dependent undergraduate.
Notes on PLUS loans and Federal Direct Loans: Loans are disbursed in two equal payments: the first at the beginning of the academic period for which the loan is intended and the second midway through the academic period. In a standard two-semester program, a disbursement is made each semester.
Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
A Federal Direct PLUS Loan is a low-interest loan available to parents of dependent students. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education, rather than a bank or other financial institution. PLUS loans enable parents with good credit histories to borrow up to the cost of education minus any financial aid per year for each child who is enrolled at least half time and is a dependent student.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Awards can range from $100 to $4,000 per year, but, due to limited funding, the typical award ranges between $1,000 and $1500. Continuing students can expect to have the SEOG award renewed provided that they remain Pell eligible.
As is the case with the Pell Grant, eligibility for the SEOG is limited to the first bachelor degree program.
Federal Work-Study Program (FWS)
The federal government and Bard College fund FWS. It is intended to provide meaningful employment to a student on or off campus, thus providing the student a regular paycheck to help meet educational expenses.
Jobs are not assigned to students. The student must apply to individual departments and complete paperwork with the student employment coordinator in order to be considered for a position.
Eligibility is determined by financial need. The typical FWS allocation is $2,000 per year. This amount provides the student the opportunity to work approximately six hours per week at the minimum wage.
Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant program provides need-based grants to assist low-income undergraduate students in paying college costs. Amounts can change yearly. The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $7,395 for the 2023–24 award year (July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024). Pell Grant eligibility is limited to the first bachelor’s degree program. Grant amounts are dependent on the Student Aid Index (SAI), formerly know as the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), and the student's enrollment status (full-time or part-time). Note: students must be enrolled full-time to receive their Bard Scholarship unless approved to enroll part-time during their final academic year.
State Aid
Your home state may offer grant and scholarship assistance for study at Bard, which may require a separate application. Research aid programs in your state in order to make sure you have explored all your options. Contact your state grant agency or the high school guidance office to learn about your state’s programs and requirements. Bard's Financial Aid Office can assist with application questions for New York State programs, including HEOP and TAP.
Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)
Bard College and New York State fund the Bard HEOP program. This program allows the College to accept a limited number of first-year students from historically economically disadvantaged groups, who are attending high school in New York State. One objective of this programs is to assist students who, by reason of inadequate early educational preparation, do not compete with the average Bard applicant in high school grades, class rank, and College Board scores, but who do possess the ability and motivation for successful study at Bard. Students considered for the HEOP program must be residents of New York State.
The Office of Equity and Inclusion determines the eligibility of the applicant and notifies the Financial Aid Office of its decision. The Financial Aid Office offers a financial aid package including federal, state, and institutional aid for HEOP students that meets the full financial need of the student.
HEOP students must file at least the FAFSA to be considered for this program and the the associated aid programs. The deadline to complete the financial aid applications for prospective students is February 1. Continuing students are required to file the FAFSA by March 31.
Complete the form below if you qualify for one of the following: Bard's High School Early College Opportunity (ECO) program; the New York State Higher Education Opportunity (HEOP) program; or Bard's Opportunity (BOP) program. You can find more information within the scholarship form or on the Office of Equity and Inclusion website.
New York Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
TAP provides grant assistance to New York State residents attending a New York State school on a full-time basis. Awards are computed by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (NYSHESC) based on the New York State net taxable income and the number of full-time college students in the family. The range of awards is $1000 to $5,665. For more detailed information, visit the HESC website.
Bard College Aid
Bard offers a number of scholarships and special programs that are available only to Bard students. All Bard College scholarships and grants are awarded for study at the College’s campus in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. They cannot be applied toward payment of tuition and fees for programs at other institutions in the United States or abroad. These awards are for four continuous years of study, assuming all requirements are met. Students are automatically considered for all Bard College grants or scholarships for which they may be eligible. All Bard College scholarships are need based. Students who do not apply for or are not awarded a themed or named need-based scholarship listed below are still considered for need-based financial aid, which is awarded to students as the Bard Scholarship.
Bard Opportunity Program (BOP)
Bard College and New York State fund HEOP, and Bard College funds BOP. These Equity and Inclusion Programs allow the College to accept a limited number of first-year students from historically economically disadvantaged groups. One objective of these programs is to assist students who, by reason of inadequate early educational preparation, do not compete with the average Bard applicant in high school grades, class rank, and College Board scores, but who do possess the ability and motivation for successful study at Bard. Students considered for the HEOP program must be residents of New York State.
The Office of Equity and Inclusion determines the eligibility of the applicant and notifies the Financial Aid Office of its decision. The Financial Aid Office offers a financial aid package including federal, state, and institutional aid for HEOP students that meets the full financial need of the student. Potentially, BOP students’ full need may be met with federal and institutional aid.
Prospective BOP students must file the FAFSA and the CSS Profile to be considered for financial aid. HEOP students must file at least the FAFSA. The deadline to complete the financial aid applications for prospective students is February 1. Continuing students are required to file the FAFSA by March 31. The CSS Profile is not required after the first year for BOP and HEOP students.
Complete the form below if you qualify for one of the following: Bard's High School Early College Opportunity (ECO) program; the New York State Higher Education Opportunity (HEOP) program; or Bard's Opportunity (BOP) program. You can find more information within the scholarship form or on the Office of Equity and Inclusion website.
Civic Engagement Scholarship
The Civic Engagement Scholarship is awarded to highly motivated students who have been actively involved with social issues at the local, state, national or global levels for most of their educational careers. Transfer students are also eligible for the Civic Engagement Scholarship.
Accepted students receive a scholarship of $1,500/year for up to four years and any additional need-based financial aid that pertains to Bard applicants in general. Recipients are free to pursue any academic major and career interest, but must maintain a grade point average of 3.3 or higher, while earning at least 32 credits per year, complete at least 100 hours of community service per academic year and develop and/or work on projects within the Center for Civic Engagement at Bard for all four years. Please submit the scholarship form, along with your application, by November 1 for early applicants or January 1 for regular decision applicants. For transfers, please submit the scholarship form, along with your application, by November 1 for spring transfers or March 1 for fall transfers. We can not accept scholarship applications after these respective due dates.
Classical Studies Scholarship
The Classical Studies Scholarship recognizes academically outstanding students committed to classical studies. Scholarships are awarded for up to four years and are awarded based on need. Scholarships do not adjust annually. If awarded, a student must maintain a 3.3 grade point average or higher while earning at least 32 credits per year. Recipients are also eligible for a $1,500 stipend for classics-related summer programs (e.g. archaeological excavations, American School at Athens / Rome, language study) following their sophomore or junior year. Transfer students are also eligible for Classical Studies Scholarship funding. Please submit the scholarship form, along with your application, by November 1 for early applicants or January 1 for regular decision applicants. For transfers, please submit the scholarship form, along with your application, by November 1 for spring transfers or March 1 for fall transfers. We can not accept scholarship applications after these respective due dates.
Distinguished Scientist Scholarship (DSS)
Early College Opportunity (ECO) Scholarship
Bard Early College students who choose to apply to Bard College as Preferred Transfer applicants may also apply for an Early College Opportunity (ECO) Scholarship, an Equity and Inclusion Program that provides scholarships covering up to full tuition. ECO applicants must demonstrate significant financial need and intellectual engagement. ECO Scholars will participate in an expanded Preferred Transfer Orientation program and will be expected to contribute to the civic life of the Bard College campus community.
Complete the form below if you qualify for one of the following: Bard's High School Early College Opportunity (ECO) program; the New York State Higher Education Opportunity (HEOP) program; or Bard's Opportunity (BOP) program. You can find more information within the scholarship form or on the Office of Equity and Inclusion website.
Hyde Park Scholarship for UK citizens applying from the UK
The Hyde Park Scholarship recognizes the historical roots of the liberal arts education at Oxford and Cambridge and the educational philosophy practiced at Bard College. The scholarship recognizes students who have demonstrated superior academic performance during their secondary school career and who are citizens and residents of the United Kingdom. Students who have taken a rigorous program of study during their secondary school career, including their final year, and who write an outstanding college essay will be considered for this scholarship. Accepted students receive a scholarship of $1,500/year for up to four years and any additional need-based financial aid support that pertains to Bard applicants in general. Transfer students are also eligible for the Hyde Park Scholarship. If awarded, a student must maintain a grade point average of 3.3 or higher while earning at least 32 credits per year. Please submit the scholarship form, along with your application, by November 1 for early applicants or January 1 for regular decision applicants. For transfers, please submit the scholarship form, along with your application, by November 1 for spring transfers or March 1 for fall transfers. We can not accept scholarship applications after these respective due dates.
Levy Economics Scholarship
New Generation Scholarship
If you have questions about your eligibility for this scholarship, please reach out to the Admission Office at 845-758-7472 or [email protected].
Performing Arts Scholarship
Each year, scholarships covering up to four years are available for academically outstanding students who have demonstrated interest and strengths in Dance, Theatre & Performance or Music during their educational career to date. These scholarships cover up to four years of continuous enrollment at the College. Scholarships do not adjust annually. Please submit the scholarship form, along with your application, by November 1 for early applicants or January 1 for regular decision applicants. For transfer students, please submit the scholarship form, along with your application, by November 1 for spring transfers or March 1 for fall transfers. We can not accept scholarship applications after these respective due dates.
President’s Scholarship
The President’s Scholarship recognizes students who have demonstrated superior academic performance throughout high school. Students who have taken a rigorous program of study during their high school career (including their senior year), have participated in activities or work and who write an outstanding college essay will be considered for this scholarship. If awarded, a student must maintain a grade point average of 3.3 or higher while earning at least 32 credits per year. Transfer students are also eligible for the President’s Scholarship. Please submit the scholarship form, along with your application, by November 1 for early applicants or January 1 for regular decision applicants. For transfers, please submit the scholarship form, along with your application, by November 1 for spring transfers or March 1 for fall transfers. We can not accept scholarship applications after these respective due dates.
Hudson Valley Community College Student Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to community college students transferring from any accredited community college in the Hudson Valley who have demonstrated superior academic performance during their college careers. Students considered for this scholarship have taken a rigorous program of study (consistent with the classes offered at Bard), maintained an overall college GPA of 3.3 or higher and who write an outstanding college essay. Please submit the scholarship form, along with your application, by November 1 for spring transfers or March 1 for fall transfers. We can not accept scholarship applications after these respective due dates.
Visual Arts Scholarship
Each year, scholarships covering up to four years are available for academically outstanding students who have demonstrated interest and strengths in Architecture, Art History and Visual Culture, Film and Electronic Arts, Photography or Studio Arts during their educational career to date. Scholarships do not adjust annually. Please submit the scholarship form, along with your application, by November 1 for early applicants or January 1 for regular decision applicants. For transfer students, please submit the scholarship form, along with your application, by November 1 for spring transfers or March 1 for fall transfers. We can not accept scholarship applications after these respective due dates.
Bard Scholarship
Nonrepayable grants are awarded to full-time students enrolled in the regular undergraduate program on the basis of financial need and academic achievement and promise. Typically, Bard Scholarships range from $5,000 to $60,000 annually for full-time enrollment. Bard scholarships are funded by various philanthropic sources. Subject to the wishes of the benefactors, a recipient may be advised of the source of his or her scholarship. Named scholarships are listed in the Bard College Catalogue.
Programs for Current Students
Distinguished Scientist Scholars Program for Continuing Undergraduates
Foreign Language Intensive/Immersion Programs
- enroll in and successfully complete an intensive or immersion language program during the semester and participate in the study abroad program during intersession or summer;
- file for financial aid and demonstrate financial need as determined by federal government and Bard College guidelines;
- receive a financial clearance from the Office of Student Accounts.
Other Types of Aid
The Posse Program
Bard College partners with the Posse Foundation to recruit talented young leaders from diverse backgrounds as Bard students. Posse Scholars receive full-tuition scholarships from Bard, where they attend as members of a team. Other supports include eight months of pre-college training leading up to matriculation and faculty mentoring once enrolled. Bard Posse Scholars attend from Atlanta and Puerto Rico.
Golden Door Scholars
Bard College is a partner of Golden Door Scholars, an organization supporting access to college for undocumented students. Golden Door Scholars selects their student scholars through a rigorous selection process that takes place before students apply to college. Golden Door Scholars who apply and are admitted to Bard receive financial and wrap-around support from both Golden Door Scholars and Bard College. Students who have not already been selected as Golden Door Scholars before applying to Bard are not eligible for this scholarship. To learn more about Golden Door Scholars please visit their website.
Private Sources
Although Bard requires students who receive outside scholarships to inform the Financial Aid Office of any awards that are received, the College encourages students to pursue outside scholarship sources; thus the Financial Aid Office does not routinely reduce Bard scholarship awards by the amount received through outside scholarships. Any such adjustments are made systematically and equitably.
Tuition Exchange Program
Bard College is a member of the Tuition Exchange Program consisting of over 700 schools in the United States. This is not a guaranteed award; students must first meet the admission and awarding criteria to be eligible for Tuition Exchange.
Each institution defines who is the beneficiary dependent. Check with your institution’s employee handbook for the employer’s definition of beneficiary dependent.
The value of the Tuition Exchange award is a set annual rate. For the 2024–25 academic year, this set rate is $42,000.
You must apply for federal, state, and institutional financial aid to be considered for the Tuition Exchange Grant. If a student has been awarded a Bard need-based scholarship and is subsequently chosen to receive a Tuition Exchange Grant, these funds will replace all or a portion of the already awarded Bard scholarship. If the Tuition Exchange grant exceeds the originally awarded Bard scholarship, only a Tuition Exchange Grant will be awarded.
Each institution has a different process to notify students of admission to their institution and acceptance into the Tuition Exchange Program. Notification of acceptance into the Bard College Tuition Exchange program will be on or about March 31.
For additional information please contact the Tuition Exchange liaison at your home institution or visit About TE.
Contact Student Financial Services
| Bard College Student Financial Services PO Box 5000 Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504-5000 | Location: Brook House, 11 Woods Ave Phone: 845-758-7520 Fax: 845-758-7336 E-mail Undergraduate: [email protected] E-mail Graduate: [email protected] |