Making College Costs Affordable: Need-Based Financial Aid Bates College charges a single Comprehensive Fee that includes tuition, room, board and fees. For the 2010–11 school year, the Comprehensive Fee is $53,300. Costs for books, personal expenses, and transportation (usually figured as two round trips home) are added to a student’s budget for the purpose of calculating financial need and awarding financial aid. The College provides need-based financial assistance for all of its students, including nonU.S. citizens who cannot fully meet the cost of tuition. Merit and athletic-based scholarships are not offered. Financial aid awards are made on the basis of documented need, and are available only for students who decide to enroll at Bates. There is no particular amount of aid that is offered since each family’s circumstance is unique. The College pledges to meet demonstrated need in full for the duration of the student’s enrollment. Since Bates makes this commitment to provide financial assistance, the competition to be admitted is very intense. A typical international financial aid package includes three parts: a Bates Grant (which does not need to be repaid to the College), a campus job that involves working up to 15 hours per week, and an annual contribution, usually earned through summer employment. In 2009–2010 the average financial aid award for international students was $45,016. Each year international students at Bates receive financial aid packages that meet the full need of their families, totaling approximately $3.6 million. To apply for financial assistance, the appropriate sections of the Bates Financial Statement for International Students form must be completed. Students should enclose any relevant
supplemental information to provide an accurate picture of the family’s financial situation, such as bank statements, a letter from parents’ employers, or tax returns. Students are also encouraged to seek financial assistance through sponsors and outside sources. In many countries, it is often possible to find information at United States Information Service (USIS) posts or at educational advising centers designated by the U.S. Embassy. Some Web sites provide general information about international admissions and financial aid. Here are several that may serve as helpful starting points:
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Institute of International Education: www.iie.org
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NAFSA, Association of International Educators: www.nafsa.org
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EducationUSA: educationusa.state.gov eduPASS: www.edupass.org
Dean James Reese “My life with international students is among the most pleasurable of the many things I do at Bates. I can know each person as an individual here. I can address the individual’s goals as they emerge during various stages of the Bates career and beyond. When I arrived on campus 30 years ago, everyone told me I would have the best job at the College because of the international students. They were right!” — James Reese, associate dean of students, serves as the Designated School Official, advising international students on everything from orientation to Maine to information on visas and other government documents.
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International Education Financial Aid: www.iefa.org
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Council of International Schools: www.cois.org/page.cfm?p=272
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The College Board: www.collegeboard.com
Please direct any questions regarding financial aid to the Office of Student Financial Services: E-mail: finaid@bates.edu Telephone: 207-786-6096 Fax: 207-786-8350
Life After Bates The Bates Career Development Center educates students, alumni, and staff about their changing interests, needs, skills, and values, and empowers them to relate these to a variety of career and life options. Bates is dedicated to helping students and alumni develop a mastery of career/life skills that will lead to independence and empowerment in their professional lives. Various resources are offered: