<p>i love bard, but i was wondering if they give any kind of merit aid and how common that is- the school is an academic safety for me but i’m hoping for the possibility of aid that can make it affordable. how common is merit aid at bard and how competitive is it to get merit aid if it is offered? (i have a 4.36 gpa and 2350 sat, and i’m decently involved in extracurriculars, though nothing extraordinary)
thanks for letting me know :)</p>
<p>They do offer significant Merit Aid at Bard but it is very specifically targeted.</p>
<p>From the website:
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.</p>
<p>In addition, Bard offers several awards in specific programs including the Distinguished Scientist Scholars Programfull-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;</p>
<p>Bard College Conservatory of Music Distinguished Musician-Scholar Programfull-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;</p>
<p>Excellence and Equal Cost Programpublic 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;</p>
<p>The Levy Economics Institute Scholarshipsfull-tuition scholarships are awarded to academically outstanding high school seniors who are committed to majoring in economics;</p>
<p>New Generations ScholarshipsFull-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.</p>
<p>Thanks for your response 
I read that on the website, I’m just a little unclear as to if these are the only programs (since I’m pretty sure none of them would apply to me) and how many students get merit aid, and it doesn’t seem like they have much information available about that. I suppose I’ll probably just have to wait to see what they offer me and go from there…</p>
<p>I don’t think they offer merit aid other than those specific programs mentioned above - except in the conservatory - but I could be wrong. They certainly offer financial aid, though, if you have need. My advice is to apply to the schools which I saw on your list on another post, file all your financial aid paperwork, and then see what offers you get. Bard sounds like it could be a good fit for you, because of your interests - but your list looks well thought out and the other schools are also good choices.</p>
<p>D2 received a generous merit award that doesn’t seem to fit any of those descriptions. She was in the top 10% of her class and had a strong GPA and ECs but relatively modest test scores. Financial aid is definitely one of the important factors in your final decision!</p>