Grants and Scholarships
Grants are gifts that do not need to be repaid and may come from institutional, federal, state or private sources.
Bates Grant
Bates grant aid is offered to students who demonstrate financial need. This type of aid is funded by endowment earnings, the annual operating budget of the college and gifts from alumni parents and friends.
Federal Pell Grants
Federal Pell Grants are awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need according to a federal need formula. The range of Federal Pell Grant in any year depends on appropriations made by Congress — award amounts for the 2024-25 academic year range from $740 to $7,395.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
FSEOG is a federal program administered by Bates. The program provides grants of up to $4,000 a year to students with exceptional financial need. Preference is given to Federal Pell Grant recipients.
State Scholarships
Students who live in certain states may qualify for scholarships or grants offered through their state higher education authority. Students should consult their high school guidance counselor or state scholarship office for eligibility and deadline information.
Outside Scholarships
Bates has a generous outside scholarship policy that rewards students who seek out and apply for these awards, and will not reduce the Bates grant in a package unless the combination of grant aid from all sources (Bates, federal, state or other) exceeds the student’s calculated cost of attendance. Outside scholarships can be used to reduce the loan and/or work components of a financial aid package or supplement the family contribution. Outside scholarships must be reported to ensure that financial aid awards remain in compliance with federal regulations and can be reported online through the Student Financial Services menu of the Garnet Gateway.
Tuition Benefits Through a Parent’s Employer
Tuition benefits received from an employer (usually a college or university) are considered resources that reduce financial need. A tuition benefit cannot be used to replace a family’s calculated contribution.
Next: Loans