Currently Enrolled Students

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. 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.

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is used by Bates to calculate eligibility for federal financial aid and is required for all U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents. We are aware that challenges in completing the application persist for some applicants and are closely following updates from the Department of Education with regard to the delivery of FAFSA data to colleges and universities.

If you have not completed the FAFSA, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible.

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.) It is not used to calculate eligibility for need-based institutional grant 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 has changed for 2024-25, this will have no impact on the way in which Bates calculates eligibility for need-based institutional aid. Bates will continue to use its institutional need formula (which recognizes sibling undergraduate enrollment) to calculate financial aid eligibility.

How do I check the status of my FAFSA?

To see if your FAFSA has been processed, log into StudentAid.gov with your FSA ID (username and password). Once your FAFSA has been processed, the status will be updated from In-Review to Processed.

Additional Resources:

Requirements for Currently Enrolled Students who are U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
  • 2024-25 CSS Profile — The CSS Profile must be completed by your parents (custodial and noncustodial) if you are requesting institutional financial aid from Bates. You do not need to complete these forms if you are requesting only federal financial aid. Our Profile school code is 3076.
  • 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — The FAFSA is required if you are requesting institutional and/or federal financial aid. Our federal school code is 002036.
  • 2022 Federal Income Tax Returns and W-2 Forms — You and your parents (custodial and noncustodial) must submit copies of 2022 tax returns with all schedules, attachments, and W-2 forms to the College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC). If you or your parents did not file a 2022 income tax return, please complete a Non-Tax Filer Statement available on IDOC.
  • Business Tax Returns — If your parents hold an interest in a partnership or corporation, please submit a copy of the corporate or partnership tax return with all pages and schedules to IDOC.
Requirements for Undocumented and DACA Applicants
  • 2024-25 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.
  • 2022 Federal Income Tax Returns and W-2 Forms — You and your parents (custodial and noncustodial) must submit copies of 2022 tax returns with all schedules, attachments, and W-2 forms to the College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC). If you or your parents did not file a 2022 income tax return, please complete a Non-Tax Filer Statement available on IDOC.

Currently enrolled students will receive information regarding their financial aid eligibility in June if their financial aid application is complete.

Students who apply but are not eligible for need-based financial aid at the time of 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.