Financial Aid

Scholarships

A student may qualify for financial assistance in the form of scholarships or loans, depending on financial need. Financial need is assessed by a uniform method from financial data submitted by the student on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Financial need is the difference between the student’s budget of expenses and the assessed ability of the student to meet those expenses. No student who is in default on a student loan or who owes a refund on a federal grant is eligible for financial aid.
 

Federal Direct Loan

Students who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States and who file a FAFSA are eligible to borrow through the Federal Direct Loan program, which provides subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Eligible students may borrow up to $8,500 annually through a Federal Direct Loan.

Eligible graduate students may also take out a supplemental, unsubsidized direct loan of up to $12,000 annually in addition to the basic subsidized or unsubsidized direct loan awarded, provided the total amount of assistance does not exceed the graduate program’s annual cost.

The loan is subsidized when the student demonstrates financial need according to a federal formula that ascertains the difference between the budgeted educational expenses and the student’s financial strength. In those cases, the federal government pays the interest on the loan while the student is enrolled in school; repayment of the loan principal and remaining interest begins six months after the student ceases to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis.

An unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan does not require demonstration of financial need. The student begins paying interest charges on the loan while enrolled in school; repayment on the loan principal begins six months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time.

Federal Grad PLUS Loan

Graduate students can now access the Federal Grad PLUS Loan Program to pay for the cost of education not covered by other financial aid. This loan is guaranteed by the federal government and may be deferred while the student is enrolled at least half-time. A credit check is required. 

These loans are disbursed in the same way as the Federal Direct Loan.

AmeriCorps Segal Education Award Matching Program

The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award is a post-service benefit received by individuals who complete terms of national service in approved AmeriCorps programs. Upon successful completion of the service, members are eligible to receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award.

The education award may be used to pay educational costs at eligible post-secondary educational institutions, as well as to repay qualified student loans. The dollar amount of a full-time education award is tied to the maximum amount of the U.S. Department of Education's Pell Grant.  Since the amount of a Pell Grant can change from year to year, the amount of an education award can vary.   

More information can be found at: http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/alumni/segal-americorps-education-award

Career Development Grants

Funding: $2,000–$12,000
Opens: August 1
Deadline: November 15

Career Development Grants provide funding to women who hold a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance or change careers or re-enter the workforce in education, health and medical sciences, or social sciences. Primary consideration is given to women of color and women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents whose last degree was received before June 30, 2014. Funds are available for tuition, fees, books, supplies, local transportation and dependent care.

AAUW originally designed Career Development Grants in 1972 to offer “encouragement” funding to AAUW members seeking to renew or resume academic work for credit toward career or employment advancement.

Today, grants support course work beyond a bachelor’s degree, including a master’s degree, second bachelor’s degree, certification program or specialized training in technical or professional fields. Course work must be taken at an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the United States or at a technical school that is fully licensed or accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. Funds are not available for doctorate-level work.

Peace Corps Coverdell Fellows Program

The BardMAT Program is proud of its status as a Coverdell Fellows program, offering additional support to MAT candidates who have served as Peace Corps Volunteers.

The Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program (formerly known as Fellows/USA) offers returned Peace Corps Volunteers financial aid, such as scholarships and stipends, and professional internships to participate in graduate-level work at more than 70 partner schools. Master’s and doctoral degrees combined with substantive internships in underserved American communities prepare Fellows for their careers in a wide range of disciplines. Volunteers who satisfactorily complete their Peace Corps service gain lifetime eligibility for the Coverdell Fellows Program. Bard College’s Master of Arts in Teaching Program (MAT) is a unique teacher preparation program that focuses on in-depth disciplinary study accompanied by a yearlong apprenticeship in secondary schools. Bard MAT is delighted to partner with the Peace Corps in supporting the education of Coverdell Fellows to become excellent teachers in the U.S.

The Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program at The Bard College Master of Arts in Teaching Program                                                   

About the Coverdell Fellows Program

Founded in 1985 at Teachers College, Columbia University (and formerly known as Fellows/USA), the Coverdell Fellows Program is now a network of partnerships between the Peace Corps and more than 90 universities across the country. Competitively selected Coverdell Fellows undertake service internships in high-need American communities and receive financial aid while working toward their graduate degrees. Returned Peace Corps Volunteers may apply to enroll in a Coverdell Fellowship at participating universities at any time after successfully completing Peace Corps service.

Coverdell Fellows at The Bard College Master of Arts in Teaching Program

The Bard College Master of Arts in Teaching Program Coverdell Fellows partnership was founded in February, 2013.

Coverdell Fellows at The Bard College Master of Arts in Teaching Program have the opportunity to earn Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degrees in Biology, English, History or mathematics

Our Coverdell Fellows also undertake year-long service internships in local public schools in New York State.

Requirements

To be accepted to the Bard College Master of Arts in Teaching Program Coverdell Fellows program, interested students must have a B.A. degree from an accredited liberal arts institution and a major or the equivalent in the area they wish to study in the BardMAT.

Financial Support

Coverdell Fellows at the Bard College Master of Arts in Teaching Program receive the following benefits: All Coverdell Fellow applicants have the application fee waived. Fellows selected for the program will receive at least 30% tuition remission, a financial aid package amounting to $13,000.

Program Contacts

To learn more about Bard College Master of Arts in Teaching Program Coverdell Fellowships, please contact:

Cecilia Maple, Assistant Director for Admission and Student Affairs

Master of Arts in Teaching Program at Bard College

Bard College
PO Box 5000
Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504

Phone: 845-758-7145

Fax: 845-758-7149

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.bard.edu/mat/ny 
Peace Corps: https://www.peacecorps.gov/volunteer/university-programs/graduate-school-partners/master-of-arts-in-teaching-program-at-bard-college-new-york-campus/

Yellow Ribbon Program for Veterans

The Yellow Ribbon Program is available for Institutions of Higher Learning (degree-granting institutions) in the United States. The program allows approved institutions of higher learning and the VA to partially or fully fund tuition and fee expenses that exceed the established thresholds under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

More information can be found at: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/yellow_ribbon.asp

Other Resources for Veterans and families:
Maximizing GI Bill Benefits
FAFSA and Financial Aid Guidebook
Scholarships for Veterans
Veterans Guide to Paying for College