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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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Prospective Students

    Five minute Video: Filing the FAFSA 

Commonly Asked Questions

What's it like being a financial aid student at Bowdoin?
Financial aid students enjoy all the same privileges and responsibilities as other students at Bowdoin. No special rules or limitations apply. No one really pays much attention to who receives financial aid at Bowdoin. Nearly 75% of all students take advantage of some kind of financial aid program to pay college costs. Forty percent (40%) receive some amount of grant aid.

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Will filing for financial aid hurt my chances for admission?
No. Our admissions process is "need-blind," which means that Bowdoin admissions staff have no idea if your family is "needy" or will require financial support. You are admitted solely on your merits; you are aided based on calculated need.

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How do we file for financial aid?
Detailed filing instructions can be found on the righthand column of this page.

Can I afford the same things that other students afford?
In most cases, yes. Savings from summer employment and campus employment can pay for books and supplies ($900), personal expenses ($1,200) and travel ($100-$1,000). Travel costs vary depending on distance, advance planning and other factors. What you choose to spend above these standard costs is really up to you.

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How does campus employment work at Bowdoin?
The Student Employment Office at Bowdoin is part of the Student Aid Office. They will help you get a job before you arrive on campus. You can also search online for suitable employment through a neat program called JOBX. There are more than 1,000 campus jobs available in most departments and campus offices. Any student can work and earn as much as she or he wishes.

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Can I play a varsity sport and work also?
Varsity sports take a lot of time. It's really up to you, your organizational skills, and your class schedule. Many athletes decide to work during the off season and earn more during the summer. Others work fewer hours during the season. Campus employers often adjust their hours to meet students' schedules.

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Do I have to work in the summer?
No, but it is probably a good idea.... You will need money to pay for books and personal expenses, so your parents can focus on paying tuition, room, board (food) and fees. Most Bowdoin students work and save during the summer. Your calculated family contribution for aid purposes will include about $1,800 in expected summer savings. If you don't work, you may have to borrow more student loan money.

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How do I pay for books?
We advise students to use summer savings to pay for books in the fall. Parents, of course, can help you with this expense. Depending on your course of study, textbooks can be very expensive. You should expect to spend about $400 for first semester books. Check or credit card is fine. Many upper-class students advertise and sell books at discounted prices.

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Will Bowdoin buy me a computer?
No, you and your parents will have to pay for this expense, but you can work with Bowdoin's computer staff to buy a computer through Bowdoin at a discounted price.

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Can I have a car on campus?
Yes. The costs associated with maintaining a car have nothing to do with financial aid eligibility, but they can squeeze a student's budget. Snow tires, for example, might cost you $200.

Are there ATM machines on campus?
Several ATM machines are located in high traffic locations. There are also several local banks within walking distance of campus. Many students open personal checking accounts.

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Must I maintain a minimum grade point average to keep my scholarship?
No. Eligibility for Bowdoin aid is based on calculated "need," not grade point average.

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I don't know anything about student loans...
The Bowdoin trustees eliminated student loans from financial aid packages for all Bowdoin students beginning in September 2008. This means that most Bowdoin students will graduate loan free. Students can now attend graduate school or work in lower paying job sectors without the financial pressure of monthly loan payments. Students may still borrow money from the federal Stafford loan program, if they wish to help parents pay the bill.

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Will I receive the same amount of aid each year?
Probably not...it may go up! We re-calculate "need" each year, based on changes in Bowdoin's costs and changes in parents' income and net worth. If a brother or sister goes to college, financial aid will probably increase; if a brother or sister graduates from college, aid will go down. If parents receive a bonus, an inheritance, or Mom decides to work full-time, financial aid can also go down.

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If I plan to study abroad, will financial aid help pay the bill?
Yes, Bowdon financial aid can be used to pay for costs associated with studying abroad at an approved program. The amount of aid is based on the costs of the specific program.

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Can I keep my local merit scholarships?
In most cases.... Bowdoin has a very generous scholarship integation policy. Most awards will not change, unless the amount of merit money you receive is large. Local scholarships are reviewed at the time these awards are actually received at Bowdoin. These awards do not replace the calculated parent contribution, however. Bowdoin students receive nearly $1.3 million in private merit money from non-Bowdoin sources.

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What special responsibilities will I have?
You may feel some pressure to work and earn, and like most students, you will have to spend wisely within a monthly budget. You will be expected to attend a financial aid workshop at the beginning of the year. You will also need to monitor your email carefully and keep up with financial aid paper work. And maybe we will ask you to attend a group luncheon with Bowdoin alumni or scholarship donors, whose generosity is supporting your Bowdoin education.

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How do I contact you?
The best way to reach us is by email at studentaid@bowdoin.edu. Or you can call us at 207-725-3144.

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Good luck!