Weather Update
Due to the storm, Barnard College will close at 4pm today, for non-essential personnel. “Essential personnel" include staff in Facilities, Public Safety and Residence Halls.
Friday evening and weekend classes are cancelled but events are going forward as planned unless otherwise noted. The Athena Film Festival programs are also scheduled to go forward as planned but please check http://athenafilmfestival.com/ for the latest information.
Please be advised that due to the conditions, certain entrances to campus may be closed. The main gate at 117th Street & Broadway will remain open. For further updates on college operations, please check this website, call the College Emergency Information Line 212-854-1002 or check AM radio station 1010WINS.
3:12 PM 02/08/2013
Q. Should I wait to find out if I am admitted before applying for financial aid?
A. No. If you think you will need financial aid to attend Barnard, you must apply at the same time you apply for admission and meet the required deadlines.
Q. Is there a way to estimate my financial aid award?
A. Visit Barnard's financial aid calculator to receive an estimate of the amount of financial aid you may be offered if you are accepted to Barnard. The Financial Aid Office will need to see all tax returns and requested documentation before reviewing a financial aid file to determine eligibility.
Q. If I receive an offer of financial assistance in my first year, am I guaranteed assistance in all four years?
A. A student who is admitted to Barnard with a Barnard College Grant may expect grants in future years, provided that she continues to meet economic and academic eligibility and reapplies each year. No student who is admitted to Barnard without financial aid can be guaranteed College grants for future years. Awards are for the academic year only.
Q. Are there merit scholarships at Barnard not based on need?
A. Barnard does not offer any merit scholarships.
Q. How is financial need determined?
A. All federal financial aid administered by Barnard College is based on demonstrated need as determined by the Federal Methodology formula. Need for institutional aid is determined using a Barnard Need Analysis formula which takes into consideration all sources of income and all assets, including home equity.
Q. When can I apply for financial aid as an independent student?
A. A student may be eligible for federal aid as an independent student if she is: 1) 24 years old by December 31 of the current year; 2) a veteran of the Armed Forces of the U.S.; 3) an orphan or ward of the court; 4) a graduate/professional student; 5) a married student; or 6) a student with legal dependents other than a spouse. For those students who meet these criteria and are applying for Barnard College Grants, financial information from parents is still required. A student who marries while in college is still considered as dependent on her parents for Barnard financial aid purposes and parents must continue to supply their financial information. A student who is married at the time of admission may be eligible for Barnard financial aid based on the joint resources of the student and her husband.
Q. Will failure to meet the deadlines affect the possibility of receiving financial aid?
A. Institutional aid is limited and if the deadlines are not adhered to, a late penalty may be imposed, or you may be placed on a financial aid wait list. After the deadline date, there is no guarantee that funds will be available.
Q. When will I be notified of my financial aid decision?
A. Assuming that the deadlines are met, Early Decision applicants will receive their decision letters in mid-December, First-Year regular applicants will receive their decision letters at the end of March, Transfer applicants will begin receiving notification in May and returning students will receive their decision letters in early July.
Q. My parents are divorced and my child support ends when I turn 18. Must my non-custodial parent still submit his/her information?
A. Yes. Barnard requires financial aid information from both parents regardless of when child support ends and regardless of what the divorce decree states.
Q. My parents were never married, so why must I submit both of their financial information?
A. Barnard's policy is to collect financial documentation from both parents, even if they were never married. You may contact the Financial Aid Office if you have any specific questions about this policy.
Q. My older sibling will be in graduate school when I start college. How does that affect what my parents will have to pay for me at Barnard?
A. No allowances are made for siblings in post-college programs. Once a sibling has graduated from college, the formulas on FAFSA and Profile do not take into account any graduate school costs. Students in graduate school programs are generally considered to be independent students, per federal regulations.
Q. If I qualify for financial aid and decide to do a study abroad program for one term, will I still get financial aid?
A. Barnard aid is available to students who attend one of our many approved study abroad programs. Students must meet with a financial aid counselor prior to studying abroad to discuss their financial aid eligibility. A list of approved study abroad programs is available in the Dean of Studies Office.
