Admission to Bard is need-blind. Financial need is determined annually by the U.S. Department of Education, the College Scholarship Service of the College Board, and Bard College. Domestic and international students are eligible, based on need and merit, for Bard scholarships and loans. Approximately two-thirds of Bard students receive financial aid.

Financial Aid

Bard requires both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Financial Aid PROFILE registration forms; these forms are available at secondary schools and online. Bard's code number for the FAFSA is 002671; Bard's code number for the PROFILE registration is 2037. The FAFsa and PROFILE should be submitted no later than February 15.

Sixty-five percent of Bard students receive financial aid, including students from abroad. An award of financial aid is need-based and competitive. The stronger the student applications the more likely that some form of financial aid will be granted. In addition, Bard offers several awards in specific programs including the Distinguished Scientist Scholars Program—full-tuition scholarships for four continuous years of study to academically outstanding high school seniors committed to majoring in biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, or mathematics in their undergraduate studies; Bard College Conservatory of Music Distinguished Musician-Scholar Program—full-tuition scholarships for five continuous years of study in the Conservatory and the College to high school seniors of outstanding achievement and talent in both music and academic subjects; Excellence and Equal Cost Program—public high school seniors whose cumulative grade-point average is ranked among the top 10 in their graduating class are considered for a four-continuous award that allows them to attend Bard for what it would cost to attend an appropriate four-year public college or university in their home state; The Levy Economics Institute Scholarships—full-tuition scholarships are awarded to academically outstanding high school seniors who are committed to majoring in economics; New Generations Scholarships—Full-need scholarships to approximately 20 students each year who demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a commitment to academic excellence and whose parents were born abroad and came to the United States within the past 20 years