Understanding Your Aid

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 Bowdoin Scholarship assistance and a $2,400 campus job expectation. Bowdoin Scholarships are grants which do not have 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 consider (i.e., miscellaneous personal expenses, books, course materials, supplies and equipment). 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 (Net Price):
Your Family Contribution is the family’s share of your educational expenses. It comprises two components – parent contribution and student campus employment. We calculate your parent contribution based on our policies and procedures, and the information provided on your financial aid application. The Family Contribution is also referred to as the Net Price. See “Outside Scholarships” below for ways to reduce your Net Price.

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, course materials, supplies and equipment, transportation, miscellaneous 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 on-campus work expectation. 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. 

Additional Information 
More information about Bowdoin’s financial aid program is available on the Student Aid website. Reach out to our office if you have any questions.