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.

Please note that Bowdoin has replaced the 2020-2021 summer earnings expectation and on-campus work expectation with additional Bowdoin Grant for aid recipients due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 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.

Please note that Bowdoin has replaced the 2020-2021 summer earnings expectation and on-campus work expectation with additional Bowdoin Grant for aid recipients due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 grant that reflects the difference between the 19-meal plan and the 14-meal plan. Please review our tip sheet for more information.

Please note that students who are studying off campus for the Fall 2020 semester will not be charged for room and board by the College, but we have included a standard allowance for housing and meals in the cost of attendance to account for expenses incurred while studying off campus. Students who are studying on campus for the Fall 2020 semester will be charged by Bowdoin for room and board from September through November. We have included a standard allowance for housing and meals in the cost of attendance to account for expenses incurred will studying off campus for the last month of the semester. This amount will not be charged by Bowdoin.

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.

Please note that the room and board component for students living off campus for the Fall 2020 semester is different from the room and board component for students living on campus. The cost of attendance for the off-campus fall semester will apply to any student who is not living in campus housing. Please contact the student aid office if you are a student who has signed a lease in Brunswick and have questions or concerns about your living expenses.

All students are required to have adequate health insurance coverage. Each student is automatically enrolled in the Bowdoin health insurance plan each fall semester. You may waive the coverage if you have adequate insurance already. If you need the insurance and receive aid from Bowdoin, you may apply to have the cost covered by an additional aid credit. Families receive information about health insurance in July and may contact Cathy Hayes with questions.

Bowdoin allows you to take your financial aid with you if you decide to study away for a semester or a year for Bowdoin degree credit. In addition to working closely with the Office of Off-Campus Study, we recommend that all students who are considering off-campus study review our tip sheet and meet with a student aid counselor to discuss how aid will work for their study away experience.