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

If you would like an estimate of your calculated family contribution for planning purposes, Bowdoin suggests that you use the Expected Family Contribution calculators located at www.collegeboard.com or www.finaid.org. Be sure to use the "Institutional Methodology."

Financial aid calculators are designed to provide students and parents with estimated "family contribution" information in the awarding of need-based financial aid. The accuracy of this estimate depends on the accuracy and timeliness of your answers to specific questions.

These calculators have predictive limitations in cases where parents own a business or parents are separated or divorced. Financial aid calculators provide formulaic family contributions without benefit of human intervention. They may not be representative of award decisions made by experienced financial aid officers. Bowdoin assumes no responsibility for information provided by these calculators and cautions applicants in their use. For an understanding of need analysis at Bowdoin, see Understanding Need Analysis on this website.

Calculators are designed for U.S. citizens and offer only marginal help for Canadian and international families.