Cost of Attendance

Books and supplies are most often part of your family's share of the cost to attend Bowdoin, and many students use summer or on-campus earnings to pay for books. We estimate that students spend approximately $420 on books and supplies each semester, but you may spend more or less depending on your courses. Be sure to have a plan in place to pay for these expenses before you arrive to campus each semester. The Office of Student Aid is happy to help you develop a plan if you need assistance. Our Dollars and Sense publication may also be useful.

Most students will still be responsible for paying for indirect expenses, such as books, personal expenses, housing, meals, or travel (as applicable), as part of their family's contribution. Students whose financial aid exceeds the direct costs may request a refund of excess funds from the bursar's office and use those funds to defray indirect expenses.

Personal expenses include other costs associated with attending college that are not captured within any of the other budget items, and they are often covered by a student's summer or on-campus earnings. Everyone has the same standard allowance built into their financial aid budget, regardless of whether they are studying on or off campus. Examples of personal expenses include clothing, laundry, hygiene products, and recreation. Examples would also include visas, passports, immunizations, local transportation, expenses related to breaks in enrollment, and optional expenses associated with an off-campus study program. Any spending beyond your budgeted amount increases your family’s share of expenses.

Most students will still be responsible for paying for indirect expenses, such as books, personal expenses, housing, meals, or travel (as applicable), as part of their family's contribution. Students whose financial aid exceeds the direct costs may request a refund of excess funds from the bursar's office and use those funds to defray indirect expenses.

Travel between Bowdoin and home is generally part of your family's share of college costs. Many students use summer or on-campus earnings to pay for transportation.

The Office of Student Aid is happy to assist students in making a plan to pay for transportation. We encourage you to review our financial aid calendar and Dollars and Sense publication to get started.

Please note that students who are studying off campus for the fall semester will not have transportation included in their cost of attendance.

Your cost of attendance will include the full 19-meal plan unless we are notified that you have changed your meal plan. If you choose another dining option, your cost of attendance will include the 14-meal plan, regardless of which alternate option you choose. This results in a reduction in Bowdoin scholarship that reflects the difference between the 19-meal plan and the 14-meal plan. Please review our tip sheet for more information.

Bowdoin provides the same allowance for “room” in your cost of attendance budget as if you were living on campus. By living off campus, “room” is no longer billed by the bursar’s office, but instead becomes an unbilled expense that you incur. Your aid will first cover the expenses billed through the bursar’s office (i.e., tuition, fees, meals), and you may request a refund from their office if you have financial aid funds left over to help pay rent. Please review our tip sheet for more information.