Related sites
Sites of interest
Podcast Extras

Making Sense of Financial Aid
Learn about the differences between various offers of student aid; how to evaluate those offers; and questions to ask before accepting a particular aid package.
more »

The Myths of Financial Aid
A discussion with the Director and Associate Director of Student Aid at Bowdoin.
more »

Information for Guidance Counselors

Important Information

View a five-minute video on filling out the FAFSA!

Determining need

Types of awards

Paying the bills

Applying for Bowdoin Aid

Determining Need

Financial Aid at Bowdoin
Bowdoin awards financial aid to students who could not otherwise attend Bowdoin without some form of financial assistance. Referred to as "need-based aid," Bowdoin financial aid awards are based on a family's ability (not a family's willingness) to afford a share of college costs. Evidence of need is not a factor in the admission decision.

« Back to top

Merit Aid
With the exception of a few $1,000 scholarships associated with the National Merit Scholarship Program, Bowdoin does not offer merit money of any kind. Although merit plays a significant part in the decision to admit an applicant, it plays no part in the decision to aid an applicant. Consistent with this commitment to need-based aid, Bowdoin does not "negotiate" financial aid awards or attempt to match first-year aid awards offered by other colleges.

« Back to top

Need Analysis
Bowdoin determines a student's financial aid award from information submitted on the CSS Profile, federal FAFSA, and federal income tax returns. Bowdoin uses Institutional Methodology, not federal methodology, as the conceptual basis for its calculations of need. Aid administrators may deviate from standard methodology using their professional judgment. They also review complicated tax returns, trust documents, and other financial information to craft award decisions. Need analysis is an objective measure of family financial strength designed to treat families with similar financial profiles similarly.

« Back to top

Aid Calculators
The NCAA prohibits member colleges from giving families specific financial aid award information before their customary published deadlines. While financial aid calculators can serve as general planning tools, Bowdoin cautions families that their use can sometimes raise expectations or mislead applicants. Financial aid administrators at most colleges make independent judgments about family financial information. A calculator processes information with no human intervention or evaluation. Calculators have limited practical use for international applicants. If you wish to use a calculator, try calculators on www.collegeboard.com or www.finaid.org. Be sure to click on "Institutional Methodology."

« Back to top

Bowdoin Grant Support
Bowdoin awards over $26,000,000 in need-based grant to forty percent (40%) of students attending Bowdoin. The average grant award is $35,000. Awards are renewable each year, if "need" continues. Awards change each year as a function of changes in costs, family income, net worth including home and business equity, family size, and number of children attending undergraduate college on a full-time basis. Graduate school costs are not considered. 

« Back to top

Bowdoin National Merit Scholars
   Please see Bowdoin National Merit Scholars. 

« Back to top

Student Loans
The Bowdoin trustees eliminated student loans from financial aid packages for all students at Bowdoin beginning in September 2008. This means that Bowdoin students have the opportunity to graduate loan free. Students can now attend graduate school or work in lower paying jobs without the financial pressure of monthly loan payments. Students may still elect to borrow money from the federal Stafford loan program, if they wish to help parents pay the bill.


Parent Loans
Parent educational loans continue to represent an excellent means of leveraging parent assets or extending current payment obligations over longer periods of time. Because of the relative convenience and tax benefits associated with home equity borrowing, many Bowdoin families pay their share of costs using home equity lines of credit.

Other families use the federal Direct Loan PLUS loan program. PLUS is a credit-based parent loan with reasonable rates and an extended repayment period. Repayment begins 30-60 days after the initial disbursement. PLUS interest is fixed at 7.9%.


Private, Non-Bowdoin Merit Scholarships
Bowdoin students receive nearly $1,500,000 in private merit money from non-Bowdoin sources each year. Bowdoin attempts to integrate merit scholarships into financial aid awards without reducing grant awards. Larger awards require that grant be reduced to prevent an over-award. Awards are reviewed when they are received by the college Bursar.


Graduate Scholarships
Bowdoin offers alumni and students from Maine over $400,000 in graduate scholarship assistance each year for students enrolled in qualifying medical and business school programs. In 2008-09, 150 students benefited from this assistance.

Tuition Payment Plans
Bowdoin contracts with private lenders to administer short-term tuition payment plans on behalf of enrolled Bowdoin families. Tuition payment plans are a convenient way to spread large semester payments over 9-12 months. A small fee, but no interest, is charged. Payment plan information is available at the Bursar's Office.

« Back to top

Personal Web Portal
Bowdoin grant recipients are assigned a personal financial aid web portal which provides access to filing and award information any time day or night from any place in the world. Supporting web site links and a library of relevant forms are housed on this portal available for instant download and use.
Back to top


Student Employment
The Student Employment Office at Bowdoin is part of the Student Aid Office. Staff members help students locate suitable on-campus employment. There are over 1,000 campus jobs available in most departments and offices at Bowdoin. 


Payment Partnership
Affording Bowdoin involves several partners, including governments, private entities, grandparents, parents, students and the College. Students can be very important to the success of the financing partnership. Bowdoin expects students to work on campus and work during the summer to earn sufficient funds to pay for books, supplies, personal expenses and travel. We counsel parents to focus only on net billed charges each semester, that is, the balance due after grant and loans are credited to your bill.


Filing Instructions, 2010-11

Families wishing to apply for financial aid for 2010-11 should click on Financial Aid Filing Instructions, 2010-11. Please print the instructions and follow them carefully.

Families who withhold a financial aid application in the first year of attendance will be aided on a funds-available basis in the upper class years, unless they can substantiate a significant change in family financial circumstances prompting a new application.

Families should meet published deadlines and respond immediately to requests for additional information. Grant funds are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.


Early Decision Applicants
Early Decision applicants must submit the CSS Profile on or before published deadlines (see deadlines in right hand column) and the federal FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible. Accurate estimation of 2009 and 2010 income is essential to the determination of an accurate financial aid award and obviates the need for an award adjustment once the 2009 income taxes are submitted to Bowdoin in May.


Comparing College Financial Aid Programs
Financial aid programs differ in many ways. To help you focus on what we feel are the most important consumer financial aid issues, please read Comparing College Financial Aid Programs.


Contact Us - Student Aid Office
Email: studentaid@bowdoin.edu
Phone: 207-725-3144
Fax:    207-725-3864
Address:
    Bowdoin College
    5300 College Station
    Brunswick ME 04011