Information About Your Bates Financial Aid Offer for Admitted International Students

To assist you in meeting costs, Bates has provided you with financial aid in the form of a grant that does not need to be repaid, and the opportunity to work on campus to earn money for personal expenses. Bates will provide you with financial assistance for up to eight semesters.


At this time, your estimated cost of attendance includes the following direct and indirect costs:

  • Tuition
  • Food and housing
  • Books, materials, and supplies
  • Personal expenses
  • Transportation

The cost estimates for books, personal expenses and transportation that appear on your financial aid offer are based on standard allowances – actual costs for these indirect expenses may vary in accordance with the choices you make as a student.

Students should arrive on campus with sufficient funds to purchase necessary books and supplies, and you are expected to cover the costs associated with your flight or other means of transportation to campus.

If your contribution is zero and you require assistance facilitating your initial travel to campus, please reach out to our office. You may also be eligible to request a refund of any credit in the fall semester if your Bates Grant exceeds your billed costs.

International students are required to enroll in the college’s student health insurance plan. The cost of health insurance for 2025-26 has not yet been determined, but costs for the 2024-25 year can be viewed here. You may qualify for a full or partial grant subsidy to offset this additional cost, depending on your family contribution toward costs.

The amount of your family’s contribution is based on the information you provided in Section G – Sources of Financial Support of the International Student Application for Financial Aid (ISAFA), which you and your parent or legal guardian have certified to be accurate.

Because we asked you to be transparent and honest in assessing your family’s planned contribution, this determination is final and not subject to negotiation or reconsideration.

Your financial aid will renew automatically each year you are enrolled – you will not be required to submit an updated application. The amount of financial aid you receive will be based on your family’s reported ISAFA contribution for the applicable year, and will be adjusted to reflect annual increases to the cost of attendance.