![Nuns from Jangchub Choeling Nunnery in Mundgod, South India, begin the creation of the Medicine Buddha Sand Mandala at the Peter J. Gomes Chapel in Lewiston, Maine, as part of the Jangchub Jamtse Tour, on June 24, 2024. The mandala is part of the Jangchub Jamtse Tour and aims to generate positive energy and mend physical, emotional, spiritual, and environmental ailments.The event is open to the public until June 28, 2024. (Theophil Syslo | Bates College)](https://www.bates.edu/news/wp-content/blogs.dir/174/files/2024/06/4x6_-400x267.webp)
In Gomes Chapel, a Buddhist healing ritual grows, one grain o…
Created in Gomes Chapel this week by Tibetan nuns, the colorful, exquisite sand mandala will be dissolved into Lake Andrews, but its healing energy will remain.
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:
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.
Students who do not apply for aid as incoming students are welcome to apply in subsequent years if their family circumstances change.
Please note that the FAFSA is the only application required for students seeking only federal financial aid.