The expectation is that most students are responsible for $2,300 to help defray the cost of transportation, books, course materials, supplies and equipment, miscellaneous personal expenses, and other educational costs. Students usually earn and save from summer employment.
Understanding Your Aid
Our goal is to help students and parents understand that paying for a college education requires planning. To help you make a plan, here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers. For more information and FAQs, visit our website. We invite you to email or call the Student Aid Office to discuss your situation in more detail.
Financial Aid Notice:
Your financial aid is determined by the difference between your Cost of Attendance and your Family Contribution. Bowdoin will meet 100% of the balance with grant/scholarship assistance and a $2,400 campus job expectation. Grant assistance can come from a variety of sources including federal, state, private, tuition benefits, Veterans Benefits, and Bowdoin. Grants and scholarships do not need to be repaid. To continue to be considered for need-based aid, you must remain a full-time student and apply for aid by the deadline published annually.
Cost of Attendance:
Your Cost of Attendance includes all the Direct Expenses for which you will be billed by the College (i.e., tuition, fees, housing, and food) and other Indirect Expenses that you will need to plan for (i.e., miscellaneous personal expenses, books, course materials, supplies and equipment, and transportation). Because Indirect Expenses vary among students, the college provides an estimate in the student budget to recognize these costs. The Board of Trustees approves the final cost for the coming academic year each May.
Family Contribution:
Your Family Contribution is the family’s share of your educational expenses. It comprises three components—parent contribution, student summer work, and student campus employment. We calculate your parent contribution based on our policies and procedures, and the information provided on your financial aid applications. The Family Contribution is also referred to as the Net Price. See “Outside Scholarships” below for ways to reduce your Net Price.
Student Summer Work:
The expectation is that most students are responsible for earning $2,300 during the summer to help defray the cost of travel, books, personal expenses, and other educational costs.
Student Campus Employment:
You will have the opportunity to earn the amount listed in your aid notice through on-campus employment during the academic year. Students who choose to obtain an on-campus job to meet this expectation will receive an hourly wage and a bi-weekly paycheck. Students should expect to use campus employment earnings for indirect costs (i.e... books, travel, personal expenses). Thus, your work award will not appear on your bill. For more information about jobs on campus, please refer to our Student Employment website.
Outside Scholarships:
Students can use outside scholarships to reduce their summer or school year work expectations. In some cases, the student can use an outside scholarship to reduce part of the parent contribution. For more information on outside scholarships, and how they are included in your financial aid notice, visit our website or contact the Student Aid Office by email at sao@bowdoin.edu or phone at 207-725-3144.
Student/Parent Loans:
While Bowdoin does not package student loans, some families use student or parent loans to finance part of their share of the costs. For more information on student/parent loans, please visit our website.
Additional Information and Next Steps:
Consider these options for managing your family share. Reach out to our office if you have any questions.