Resources
Are there additional resources for students impacted by the pandemic?
What is HEERF?
Admission Checklist
If I am a first-time student enrolling, when is the deadline for submitting the Student Accounts checklist items?
Online Student Account/Billing
How can the office share information with someone besides the student?
How can I access the online student account (CASHNet/Transact) to view billing statements and/or make payments?
I want my billing information shared with a parent/other individual. How do I authorize someone to access my bill online?
If after following the correlating instructions, you are still experiencing issues logging into your online student account through SSB and you are not using Chrome, please try using chrome. If you are using Chrome, please try using an incognito window.
I am not sure who to contact with my question on my scholarship/bill; where should I go?
I received a scholarship and loan, but it is not appearing on my bill; what should I do?
I have work study, but it is not showing on my bill?
There is a charge on my bill that I am not familiar with, can you provide more information?
Payment
What is the payment schedule for the Fall and Spring semesters?
Financial Aid: Scholarships, Grants, and Loans
Where do I go to complete FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)?
What type of financial aid is available to help with the cost of attendance?
LOANS
Federal Direct (Unsubsidized) Loan
Federal Direct PLUS Loan
Student Health Insurance Plan
I am being billed for student Health Insurance. Can this charge be removed from my bill?
Once completed you will receive a waiver confirmation. Please submit your waiver early! The review process is not immediate. Payment will be expected until Bard receives a waiver approval from Allen J Flood. If you have questions regarding the policy, please contact Allen J Flood at 800-734-9326 or [email protected].
If the student begins the academic year in the Summer semester*, the waiver form is open May 1, and the deadline to submit the waiver form is May 15. Waiver submissions will not be granted beyond the deadline.
If the student begins the academic year for the Fall semester, the waiver form is open May 1, and the deadline to submit the waiver form has been extended to July 25 (previously July 15). Waiver submissions will not be granted beyond the deadline.
If the student begins the academic year for the Spring semester or a student began the academic year for the Fall semester and was granted the Fall semester waiver only, the waiver form is open October 1, and the deadline to submit this form is December 20. Waiver submissions will not be granted beyond the deadline.
For more information please go to: www.bard.edu/studentaccounts/policies. Look for the drop down “Student Health Insurance Plan.”
*Program specific for MFA, MAT, MBA-NYPA, and Summer BGIA
I submitted a waiver for the Student Health Insurance, but it is still showing on my bill.
Tuition Refund Insurance Plan
I am being billed for Tuition Refund Insurance. Can this charge be removed from my bill?
Students enrolled in the Fall semester of the academic year, the waiver site will open May 1. The deadline to submit the waiver form is August 11. Waiver submissions will not be granted beyond the extended deadline.
Students who were not enrolled in the Fall semester of the academic year and begin their enrollment in the Spring semester of the academic year, the waiver site will open October 23. The deadline to submit the waiver form is January 9. Waiver submissions will not be granted beyond the extended deadline.
Please note that payment will be expected until Bard receives the waiver confirmation from A.W.G. Dewar. The tuition insurance plan is an optional charge, and if you do not want to purchase this plan, please submit a waiver form using the following website: tuitionprotection.com/bardcollege
If you are an international student and you are experiencing difficulty accessing the waiver form, please contact our office at [email protected] for additional information.
For more information please go to: bard.edu/studentaccounts/policies. Look for the drop down "Tuition Refund Insurance Plan"
I submitted a waiver for the Tuition Refund Insurance, but it is still showing on my bill.
Account updates will be reflected on the "account activity" page of the online account. The e-bills will not be updated, as they are a snapshot of the account as of the date they are generated.
Part-Time Enrollment
How can I become a part-time student?
Is there a deadline to change to a part time student?
Leave of Absence
I am thinking about taking a leave of absence for the academic year or semester, what steps do I need to take?
Will I be refunded for payments that I made?
Refund Requests
I have a credit (negative balance) on my account, how do I submit a request for a refund check?
If a refund is not requested, the credit (negative balance) will remain on your account to be applied to future semester costs or will be refunded after graduation or withdrawal during account review.
The approximate timeline for a refund check to be available is four weeks from the time that the request is submitted by Student Accounts to the Finance Office. Because of this processing time, you should plan ahead for non-educational expenses such as rent, transportation, and child care.
Submit Student Account Refund Request Form
Student ID and Key(s)
I lost my Bard ID and/or Key, how do I get a replacement?
Once your Bard ID is marked as replaced by the Student Accounts Office, your previous ID(s) will be inactivated and no longer work.
Flex Accounts
What is a Flex account and how can I add money to it?
- The Flex Cafe account is for purchases outside of the board plans, including Bard Bucks, at any of the dining outlets on campus. Students using their flex cafe account are given a discount on their purchases, in the form of tax savings! Flex accounts cannot replace a meal plan. Flex Cafe/Dining has a $50 minimum requirement
- The Flex Print account is for purchases outside of the Bard Print funds ($37.50) given by the College each semester and can be used at any of the printing outlets on campus. Flex Print has a $10 minimum requirement.
- The Flex Bookstore account is for purchases at the Bookstore located on campus in the Bertelsmann Campus Center. Flex Bookstore does not have a minimum requirement.
If you have a credit on your student account and would like to use all or a portion of that credit to make purchases using your Flex Cafe, Flex Print, or Flex Bookstore account, please contact the Student Account office at [email protected] or 845-758-7520. Flex payments will be added to the corresponding Flex account by the end of the next business day. If you need the Flex funds available before the end of the next business day, please let us know.
Flex payments will be added to the corresponding Flex account by the end of the next business day. If you need the Flex funds available before the end of the next business day, once payment is completed, please contact the Student Account office at [email protected] or 845-758-7520 to let us know.
Monies deposited into Flex accounts must be used toward purchases and cannot be refunded or transferred.
More information about Flex accounts can be found on the Policies page or by contacting the Office of Student Accounts at [email protected] or 845-758-7520.
Meal Plan
Do I have to sign up for a meal plan and is it included in my semester charges?
All students who live on campus are required to be enrolled in a meal plan. All regular semester meal plans are the same cost. This cost is included in the board portion of the room and board charge on your student account. There is an additional meal plan cost charged to those student accounts who are enrolled in the Language and Thinking, Citizen Science, and/or Transfer Orientation Workshop. A breakdown of the cost can be found under Undergraduate Tuition and Fees.
All students living off campus are eligible to sign up for the Commuter meal plan. Students who live on campus are not eligible for this plan. The plan cost is $1,250 per semester. Sign up is required each semester. For the Fall 2023 semester, to sign up for the plan after the meal plan selection process, please contact the Office of Student Accounts via email. If sign up is completed after the semester installments are due, payment for the plan is required in full at the time of sign up.
How do I select a meal plan?
Each semester all meal plan eligible students will receive an email from the Office of Residence Life and Housing with information regarding the Meal Plan Selection process. Meal Plan selection generally takes place during the summer months for the Fall semester selections and during the month of December for Spring semester selections. For questions regarding how to select a meal plan, please contact the Office of Residence Life and Housing at [email protected] or 845-758-7455.
I have particular dietary needs, who should I speak to?
Students with particular dietary needs or preferences should consult with the General Manager and Executive Chef from Parkhurst Dining; reasonable requests will be accommodated. Special requests for religious holidays should be discussed in advance.
I would like to be exempt from the meal plan, who should I speak to?
All resident students are required to be on a meal plan. In rare instances due to documented medical reasons, an exemption may be granted. Your first step is to please complete the Disability Offices registration form as well as forward documentation of your needs. You can email documentation to [email protected]. Typically, documentation should include: diagnosis, history of treatment, current functional limitations, and recommendations for accommodations around dining access needs.
Once the Office of Disability Services has that information, they can set up a meeting for you to discuss dining accommodations with the Director of Disability Access Services, as well as Parkhust Dining General Manager and Executive Chef. Please know that documentation does not automatically grant a meal plan exemption. Director of Disability Services always work with Parkhurst dining to see what accommodations options are available for students first.
What dining locations are available on campus?
Kline Commons Dining Hall
Down the Road Cafe (DTR)
Manor House Dining Room
Who do I contact for questions regarding how to select a meal plan?
For questions regarding how to select a meal plan, please contact the Office of Residence Life and Housing at [email protected] or 845-758-7455.
Who do I contact for questions regarding the meal plan options?
For questions regarding the meal plan options, please contact the Student Accounts Office or the General Manager with Parkhurst at Bard College, Frederick Aichelmann at [email protected]
Which meal plans are available?
The various meal plan options available can be located in a few places: Below, ResLife Resources, and Parkhurst Dining.
For the 2023-2024 academic year, all plans, except the Anytime Access Plan, have the ability to swipe for a Board “Meal Exchange” or "Cash Equivalency" at DTR and Manor during the Fall and Spring semesters up to three times a day, during associated meal periods.
Meal exchange includes a choice from a predetermined Board list of an entree, side, beverage, and dessert. Board Cash Equivalency will allow up to $6.00 to be applied as Board. If your purchase goes beyond the $6.00 cash equivalency limit, it will require payment for the overage to be paid with Bard Bucks, Flex Cafe funds, cash, or Credit/Debit card.
Meal Periods
RESIDENT 19 | The Resident 19 plan allows 19 Board meals each week, plus $100 Bard Bucks. Board meals can be used at Kline Commons, or a Board “Meal Exchange” or Board "Cash Equivalency" can be used at DTR or Manor during the Fall and Spring semesters up to three times a day, 1 per associated meal periods. Bard Bucks can be spent throughout the semester at the Down the Road Cafe & Coffee Shop and Manor Cafe, and Kline Commons. The weekly meal total resets each Tuesday, and unused meals do not roll over to the next week. The 19 meal plan was designed to allow for 5 days of 3 meals and 2 days of 2 meals, but you can use them as you need to up to 19 meals for the week. - just be careful not to run out! | All students are eligible for this plan. If you do not select a plan by the selection deadline, your plan will default to this plan automatically. |
ANYTIME ACCESS PLAN | The Anytime Access plan gives each resident Unlimited meals each week at Kline Commons, plus $50 Bard Bucks to spend throughout the semester at the Down the Road Cafe & Coffee Shop and Manor Cafe. This plan does not include “Meal Exchange” or "Cash Equivalency". Bard Bucks can be spent throughout the semester at the Down the Road Cafe & Coffee Shop and Manor Cafe, and Kline Commons. | All students are eligible for this plan. |
RESIDENT 10 | The Resident 10 plan allows 10 Board meals each week, plus $600 Bard Bucks. Board meals can be used at Kline Commons, or a Board “Meal Exchange” or Board "Cash Equivalency" can be used at DTR or Manor during the Fall and Spring semesters up to three times a day, 1 per associated meal periods. Bard Bucks can be spent throughout the semester at the Down the Road Cafe & Coffee Shop and Manor Cafe, and Kline Commons. The weekly meal total resets each Tuesday, and unused meals do not roll over to the next week. The 10 meal plan was designed to allow designed to allow for 3 days of 2 meals and 4 days of 1 meal, but you can use them as you need to up to 10 meals for the week. - just be careful not to run out! | All returning/graduate students are eligible for this plan. First-Year students are not eligible for this plan. |
RESIDENT 14 | The Resident 14 plan allows 14 Board meals each week, plus $400 Bard Bucks. Board meals can be used at Kline Commons, or a Board “Meal Exchange” or Board "Cash Equivalency" can be used at DTR or Manor during the Fall and Spring semesters up to three times a day, 1 per associated meal periods. Bard Bucks can be spent throughout the semester at the Down the Road Cafe & Coffee Shop and Manor Cafe, and Kline Commons. The weekly meal total resets each Tuesday, and unused meals do not roll over to the next week. The 14 meal plan was designed to allow for 2 meals per day, but you can use them as you need to up to 14 meals for the week. - just be careful not to run out! | All returning/graduate students are eligible for this plan. First-Year students are not eligible for this plan. |
Commuter Plan | The Commuter plan gives each non-resident student 4 meals each week, plus $225 Bard Bucks. Board meals can be used at Kline Commons, or a Board “Meal Exchange” or Board "Cash Equivalency" can be used at DTR or Manor during the Fall and Spring semesters. 1 per associated meal periods. Bard Bucks can be spent throughout the semester at the Down the Road Cafe & Coffee Shop and Manor Cafe, and Kline Commons. The weekly meal total resets each Tuesday, and unused meals do not roll over to the next week. | Students who are billed as living off campus are eligible for this plan. Students who are billed as living on campus are not eligible for this plan. |
1098-T Tax Information
What is a 1098-T?
- Related expenses do not include room and board, Language and Thinking meal plan, Citizen Science meal plan, Transfer Orientation meal plan, health insurance, tuition insurance, or security deposit.
- Scholarships and grants does not include loans
- Payments are applied on the date received in office of the calendar year. Please be advised that if payments are received during the time the College is closed for holiday break in December, they may not be processed until January of the following calendar year.
- Fall charges are applied in May and Spring charges are applied in October of the calendar year. Fall scholarships and grants are paid to the account in August/September and Spring scholarships and grants are paid to the account in January/February of the calendar year.
Do I have to file my 1098-T?
Neither Bard nor ECSI can answer tax questions or provide tax advice, you must contact your tax professional.
I lost or did not receive my 1098-T in the mail, how can I obtain a copy?
If you have an international address and a 1098-T has been generated, you can obtain a copy online at https://heartland.ecsi.net. You will need to create an account on the Heartland website (https://heartland.ecsi.net) and then call (888-549-3274) or online chat with Heartland to obtain a "key". They will email you the key once you contact them. When calling or chatting, you will need to provide the following information to them:
- Let them know you are trying to access your 1098-T, however you do not have a zip code and would need a "key" to link to your account
- Provide the last 4 of your SSN or your student ID number
- Provide the address that is on your 1098-T form. If you are unsure of the address, please email [email protected] for more information.
- The student is not a US citizen, unless the student requests Bard to file the 1098-T with the IRS
- The students' scholarships and grants exceed the reportable payments
- Students whose qualified tuition and related expenses are entirely waived or paid entirely with scholarships
The Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) on my 1098-T is missing or incorrect. What should I do?
- The IRS reporting requirement is that we include your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification (ITIN) when reporting Form 1098-T data. It is important that we have your complete and accurate information on file. The IRS requires that an institution files the statement without the individual’s SSN or ITIN, but with all other required information. We will leave the SSN box blank in cases of invalid SSN or ITIN numbers.
- To update your SSN or ITIN, complete the IRS Form W-9, “Request for Student’s or Borrower’s Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification” and fax or mail it to our office. This form allows students to provide their correct SSN or ITIN to an educational institution. The form can be located on the IRS website at: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf
- For students who do not have an SSN or ITIN on file by January 1st, the 1098-T may be generated with a blank in the SSN field and this information will be reported to the IRS.
- If you do not provide a valid SSN or ITIN, the IRS may fine you or require you to return the credits claimed if you fail to update your SSN or ITIN.
Additional information
IRS Publication 970, page 9
https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1098-t
Student Accounts Policies under the "1098-T Tax Information" drop down.
IRS Exceptions: Eligible educational institutions do not have to file Form 1098-T or furnish a statement for:
• Courses for which no academic credit is offered, even if the student is otherwise enrolled in a degree program;
• Nonresident alien students, unless requested by the student;
• Students whose qualified tuition and related expenses are entirely waived or paid entirely with scholarships; and
• Students for whom you do not maintain a separate financial account and whose qualified tuition and related expenses are covered by a formal billing arrangement between an institution and the student’s employer or a governmental entity, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense.
IRS: Qualified tuition and related expenses.
Qualified tuition and related expenses are tuition, fees, and course materials required for a student to be enrolled at or attend an eligible educational institution. The following are not qualified tuition and related expenses.
• Amounts paid for any course or other education involving sports, games, or hobbies, unless the course or other education is part of the student’s degree program or is taken to acquire or improve job skills.
• Charges and fees for room, board, insurance, medical expenses (including student health fees), transportation, and similar personal, living, or family expenses.
Contact Bard Financial Aid
Bard College Office of Financial Aid PO Box 5000 (30 Campus Road) Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504-5000 | Location: Physical Plant, Rm 108 Phone: 845-758-7526 or 845-758-7525 Fax: 845-758-7336 E-mail Undergraduate: [email protected] E-mail Graduate: [email protected] |