This summer, Bard’s financial aid office told me that they only meet financial need. I was still confused because their website lists several scholarships that appear to be merit-based from the description, but maybe you have to have financial need as well? I asked this question several times & never got a direct answer.The FAQs on their website say that they only offer need-based aid:
Does Bard offer merit aid?
No, Bard offers need-based financial aid. The College is a need-based aid only institution and prioritizes its financial aid for students who could not afford to enroll without the College’s support. For more information, visit Financial Aid Award Procedures (bard.edu) , Types of Aid at Bard and Undergraduate Admission (bard.edu).
Bard was also the only school whose net price calculator indicated that they would not meet our (moderate) financial need, although they say they meet need for EA applicants (I’ve run probably 40 NPCs & never gotten another result like this–it showed a gap of $18,000). The financial aid office was unable to explain this result when I asked.
My S25 would need merit aid + financial need met for Bard to work, so in the end he did not apply, even though we had a great visit there. I know that Bard prioritizes supporting high-need students and I love that about them. But it didn’t seem like they were going to be a financial fit for our family.
Last summer, I asked on here about Bard’s ambiguity around merit/need-based $ & received this answer:
I still think Bard is a great school; hope the finances end up working out for you!