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Financial Aid
Financial Aid Opportunities at Bard GPS
Bard Graduate Programs in Sustainability offers financial assistance through scholarships and fellowships, campus employment, and student loans. We encourage prospective students to review the opportunities below to learn more about available funding and eligibility requirements.
All scholarship applications are reviewed during each admissions round, and awards are made as funding is available. Applicants are encouraged to apply by the Priority or Regular Decision deadline for the strongest scholarship consideration. Visit our Admissions page to review application deadlines and timelines.
Bard GPS scholarships and fellowships generally cannot be combined. Please review the Combining Bard GPS Aid section below for additional details and exceptions.
GPS Fellowships and Scholarships (MS, MEd, MBA)
Bard GPS Graduate Fellowships:
Bard GPS Graduate Fellowships provide tuition assistance and do not require additional work or service to the program. All applicants who submit a financial aid application are considered for a fellowship, with awards based on financial need and available funding.
Bard GPS Graduate Fellowships provide tuition assistance and do not require additional work or service to the program. All applicants who submit a financial aid application are considered for a fellowship, with awards based on financial need and available funding.
Bard GPS Higher Ed Sustainability Leaders Scholarship:
The Bard GPS Higher Ed Sustainability Leaders Scholarship (HESL Scholarship) provides funding for individuals that have demonstrated sustainability leadership at an institution of higher education. This scholarship is open to individuals who have worked, or currently work, in a sustainability role – either as college employees or student interns/workers – at an institution of higher education.
Award:
The Bard GPS Higher Ed Sustainability Leaders Scholarship (HESL Scholarship) provides funding for individuals that have demonstrated sustainability leadership at an institution of higher education. This scholarship is open to individuals who have worked, or currently work, in a sustainability role – either as college employees or student interns/workers – at an institution of higher education.
Award:
Students who remain in good standing are eligible to receive the award for the entire time they are enrolled in one of the Bard Graduate Programs in Sustainability.
To Apply: Submit a short essay (maximum 500 words) with your program application through the application portal. The essay should describe how you have demonstrated sustainability leadership and/or innovation at an institution of higher education.
Opportunity Scholars Programs (MS, MEd, MBA)
Bard GPS offers three scholarships and fellowships through its Opportunity Scholars Program.* All three awards provide tuition discounts between 40% and 80% and do not require additional work or service to the program.
First-Generation Scholarship
The First-Generation Scholarship provides need-based tuition assistance to first-generation college graduates. Admitted students who identify as first-generation college graduates and have a FAFSA Student Aid Index (SAI) of $30,000 or less are guaranteed to receive the First-Generation Scholarship.
To Apply: Submit a FAFSA and indicate that you are a first-generation college graduate on your application.
Social Equity Leaders Scholarship
Bard GPS defines sustainability as “Shared Well-Being on a Healthy Planet,”[1] recognizing that environmental sustainability and social equity are deeply interconnected.
The First-Generation Scholarship provides need-based tuition assistance to first-generation college graduates. Admitted students who identify as first-generation college graduates and have a FAFSA Student Aid Index (SAI) of $30,000 or less are guaranteed to receive the First-Generation Scholarship.
To Apply: Submit a FAFSA and indicate that you are a first-generation college graduate on your application.
Social Equity Leaders Scholarship
Bard GPS defines sustainability as “Shared Well-Being on a Healthy Planet,”[1] recognizing that environmental sustainability and social equity are deeply interconnected.
The Social Equity Leaders Scholarship supports students with substantial experience advancing social equity and addressing inequity through their work, communities, or leadership. Strong candidates will demonstrate a sustained record of engagement with these issues, which may be informed by lived experience, and a commitment to integrating social equity and environmental sustainability in their future work. Each year, up to two scholarships are awarded in each degree category: MBA, MS, and MEd.
To Apply: Submit a FAFSA and a scholarship statement (maximum 500 words) that addresses the following prompt —
Describe your experience advancing social equity and addressing inequity through your work, leadership, community engagement, and/or lived experience. What have you done, what role did you play, and what did you learn from that experience? Looking ahead, how do you anticipate continuing to incorporate social equity into your work and leadership?
The scholarship statement must be uploaded with your application for admission.
[1]From the Meadows Memorandum (2019)
ROMBA Fellowship (MBA Only)
Bard MBA partners with Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) to support the development of LGBTQ+ business leaders and allies. Two fellowships are awarded each year.
ROMBA Fellowship (MBA Only)
Bard MBA partners with Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) to support the development of LGBTQ+ business leaders and allies. Two fellowships are awarded each year.
To Apply: Submit a FAFSA and a scholarship statement (maximum 500 words) that addresses the following prompt —
Describe your experience supporting, advocating for, and/or engaging with LGBTQ+ communities through your work, leadership, community engagement, and/or lived experience. What role have you played, and how do you anticipate continuing to advance LGBTQ+ inclusion and leadership in your future work?
The fellowship statement must be uploaded with your application for admission.
*The Opportunity Scholars Program is open to US citizens, permanent residents, refugees in the US, and US asylees. International applicants to the MS and MEd programs should apply to the Wangari Maathai Scholarship (in the Center for Environmental Policy Scholarships section below).
Center for Environmental Policy Scholarships (MS, MEd)
The Bard Center for Environmental Policy offers additional scholarships for students in the MS in Environmental Policy, MS in Climate Science and Policy, and MEd in Environmental Education. Eligibility requirements and award amounts vary by scholarship.
Rachel Carson Scholarship: (MS programs only)
The Rachel Carson Scholarship supports an outstanding U.S. student who demonstrates strong potential for leadership in environmental policy. One $25,000 tuition scholarship is awarded each year and applied toward the recipient’s first year of tuition.
To Apply: Submit a FAFSA and a scholarship statement (maximum 500 words) addressing the following prompt:
Please define and explain leadership in the context of the sustainability challenges we face in the coming decades.
The scholarship statement must be uploaded with your application for admission.
Wangari Maathai Scholarship:
The Wangari Maathai Scholarship supports an outstanding international student who demonstrates strong potential for leadership in environmental policy or education. One scholarship providing a tuition discount of up to 90% is awarded each year.
To Apply: Submit an International Application for Financial Aid and a scholarship statement (maximum 500 words) addressing the following prompt:
Please define and explain leadership in the context of the sustainability challenges we face in the coming decades.
The scholarship statement must be uploaded with your application for admission.
Arctic Climate Change Scholarship:
The Arctic Climate Change Scholarship supports students preparing for careers addressing climate change and its impacts in the Arctic. Two scholarships are awarded to entering students each year, providing a 50% tuition discount per year for two years plus an internship stipend of $4,000 to $10,000.
Recipients complete an internship with an organization addressing Arctic climate change issues, as well as a literature review and Capstone Project focused on climate change in the Arctic. The internship stipend helps cover travel and living expenses and may supplement funding provided by the internship organization.
To Apply: Submit a scholarship statement (maximum 500 words) describing the Arctic region where you are interested in working, the climate change challenge you are interested in addressing, and the environmental or social justice issues presented by climate impacts in that region. The scholarship statement must be uploaded with your application for admission.
Riverkeeper Scholarship:
The Riverkeeper Scholarship is offered in partnership with Riverkeeper, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the Hudson River and safeguarding drinking water supplies. One Riverkeeper Scholar is selected each year and receives a minimum 40% tuition discount for two years of full-time enrollment.
The Riverkeeper Scholar is paired with a Riverkeeper mentor for career guidance and receives priority consideration among Bard graduate students for potential internships and capstone projects with Riverkeeper.
To Apply: Submit a scholarship interest letter with your application for admission describing your interest and/or experience in advocacy, water policy, water ecology, or the Hudson River and Hudson River watershed.
The Riverkeeper Scholar is paired with a Riverkeeper mentor for career guidance and receives priority consideration among Bard graduate students for potential internships and capstone projects with Riverkeeper.
To Apply: Submit a scholarship interest letter with your application for admission describing your interest and/or experience in advocacy, water policy, water ecology, or the Hudson River and Hudson River watershed.
MBA in Sustainability Scholarships
Bard MBA offers scholarship opportunities for qualified MBA in Sustainability students. Eligibility requirements and award amounts vary by scholarship.
Emerging Leaders Scholarship
The Emerging Leaders Scholarship recognizes an outstanding incoming student who demonstrates strong potential for leadership in sustainable business. One $25,000 tuition scholarship is awarded each year and applied toward the recipient’s first year of tuition.
To Apply: Submit a scholarship statement (maximum 500 words) addressing the following prompt:
To Apply: Submit a scholarship statement (maximum 500 words) addressing the following prompt:
Describe an experience that demonstrates your leadership. What role did you play, what impact did you have, and what did you learn from the experience? Looking ahead, how do you hope to build on your leadership experience to address sustainability challenges through your career?
The scholarship statement must be uploaded with your application for admission.
Sustainable Business Employee Scholarship
Full-time employees of Certified B Corporations, B Lab, and Clif Bar, as well as their immediate family members, are eligible for a 20% tuition discount through the Sustainable Business Employee Scholarship.
To Apply: Indicate your qualifying employment or family relationship on your application for admission.
ROMBA Fellowship
Bard MBA partners with Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) to support the development of LGBTQ+ business leaders and allies. Two fellowships are awarded to incoming MBA students each year.
See the Opportunity Scholars Program section above for award details, eligibility, and application requirements.
Sustainable Business Employee Scholarship
Full-time employees of Certified B Corporations, B Lab, and Clif Bar, as well as their immediate family members, are eligible for a 20% tuition discount through the Sustainable Business Employee Scholarship.
To Apply: Indicate your qualifying employment or family relationship on your application for admission.
ROMBA Fellowship
Bard MBA partners with Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) to support the development of LGBTQ+ business leaders and allies. Two fellowships are awarded to incoming MBA students each year.
See the Opportunity Scholars Program section above for award details, eligibility, and application requirements.
Military | Peace Corps | AmeriCorps | SCA | City Year Scholarships
Bard GPS is proud to support those who have served in American service organizations as they pursue graduate education:
- Yellow Ribbon Program: Bard GPS is a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program for U.S. Military Veterans. Please contact the Admission Office for more information.
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Peace Corps Scholarship: As part of the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program, Bard CEP provides partial tuition fellowships in the first year worth at least 33 percent of tuition to returned Peace Corps volunteers admitted to the Bard Center for Environmental Policy. Applicants must provide verification of Peace Corps service by submitting a signed copy of their Description of Service to receive this fellowship. MS/MEd students who are using their Peace Corps service to count for their CEP internship are eligible for a fellowship of $10,500 in the second year.
- AmeriCorps Fellowship: Awarded to one or more exceptional AmeriCorps volunteers who have successfully completed their term of service, this fellowship assists public service–oriented individuals in continuing their work as professionals through advanced educational training in the Bard Graduate Programs in Sustainability. To qualify, applicants must submit a description of service with application for admission, and if selected, Bard GPS will match any AmeriCorps Education Award funds that the student wishes to apply towards Bard’s tuition.
- City Year Scholarship: Bard GPS provides partial tuition fellowships worth at least 30 percent of tuition to City Year Alum. Applicants must provide an employment verification from City Year in order to receive this fellowship.
Student Employment
CEP Student Employment (MS/MEd)
Bard CEP offers student employment positions to first-year students. All students who apply for a position will receive one, pending availability. Applicants should indicate on their online application if they are interested in a position. The projects are environmentally focused, require 10 hours of work per week during each semester, and come with a moderate stipend ($4,500/year). Applicants are notified if they have been awarded a position upon receipt of their financial aid package. Completion of a FAFSA is also required to qualify.
Positions vary each year, but in the past have included:
- C2C/Solve Climate Fellow
- Campus Sustainability
- Bard Farm TA
- Bard Arboretum RA
- Admissions/Social Media
Bard MBA Student Employment
Bard MBA offers Course Assistant and Teaching Assistant positions to current students. Program Assistants support up to 3 professors in managing their online courses. Teaching Assistants support one professor with course delivery. Positions are accompanied by Campus Employment stipend and are paid out over the course of the semester. Interested students must apply to the positions when employment openings are announced to the Bard MBA community.
Student Loans
Graduate students may be eligible for Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans. To be eligible, students must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States and file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
All eligible graduate students may borrow up to $20,500 per academic year in federal student loans. Students requiring additional financial assistance above their Bard-granted aid and Federal Direct Loans often apply for GradPLUS loans to cover additional costs associated with tuition, fees, and living expenses.
Applying for Student Loans:
Repayment:
Please note that the borrower of an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan is responsible for interest payments while in school. You have the option to defer payments of interest and principal until after you graduate. Repayment of the loan begins six months after graduation, or after a student ceases to be enrolled at least part-time.
The interest rate for the Direct Unsubsidized Loan is always fixed for the life of that loan. However, interest rates will be determined each June for new loans being made for the upcoming award year, which runs from July 1 to the following June 30. Please visit studentaid.gov for the most current interest rates and additional loan information.
Lastly, for those who are pursuing a career in public service, it is important to note that in the future, it may be possible to receive loan forgiveness. You can learn more here.
$15,000 CEP Fellowship*
All students admitted to the Bard Center for Environmental Policy (MS in Environmental Policy, MS in Climate Science and Policy, or MEd in Environmental Education) for Fall 2027 enrollment will receive a guaranteed minimum fellowship of $15,000 for their first year. A FAFSA (U.S. students) or International Financial Aid Application (international students) must be completed to qualify.
Applying for Financial Aid
Students requesting any form of financial aid (scholarships, fellowships, student employment) must apply for financial aid at the time they submit their application for admission. U.S. citizens should submit a FAFSA and international students should submit an International Application for Financial Aid. Applicants should use code 002671 when submitting the FAFSA.
Award packages will indicate per-year funding, based on enrollment status, for the duration of the student's expected time the program.
Combining Bard GPS Aid
Please note that fellowships/scholarships are not additive. Students will receive one scholarship or fellowship from Bard GPS, with one exception:
Students applying their AmeriCorps Segal Education Award toward Bard tuition may be eligible for both a GPS Fellowship and Bard’s AmeriCorps Match Scholarship. The total award amount depends on the value of the Segal Award. CEP students are not guaranteed to receive both the full $15,000 GPS Fellowship and the full AmeriCorps Match if their Segal Award exceeds $5,000.
*If a CEP student qualifies for a scholarship other than the $15,000 GPS Fellowship, that scholarship will replace the GPS Fellowship. Students will not receive both a GPS Fellowship and a secondary CEP scholarship.*
Please feel free to email Margo Bogossian if clarification is needed on how Bard scholarships and fellowships are award.
External Sources of Funding
Bard GPS strongly encourages applicants to pursue outside sources of funding in the form of scholarships and grants that will support the tuition costs and living expenses of the program, including the internship and master’s capstone research. Many states sponsor loan programs. Commercial banks also offer private loans for students. Grant monies are available from a number of national organizations and private corporations that support education at the graduate level. International applicants are encouraged to seek support for educational expenses from their governments, foundations, or private agencies. External awards can be held concurrently with a Bard GPS fellowship award, and students are encouraged to notify Bard GPS about any external funding they have received.
Appeals to Financial Aid Awards
Incoming students who wish to appeal a financial aid award may do so in writing, explaining the reasons for seeking additional funding to support their graduate degree. Appeals are considered by the Graduate Committee, and if approved the student will be issued a revised financial aid award letter. Students will not be penalized for requesting additional funding, but should keep in mind there are limited program funds available to support all students in the program. Appeals will be processed through the admissions office, and letters may be sent directly to Director of Enrollment & Marketing, Margo Bogossian (mbogossian@bard.edu). Please include your reasons for requesting additional funding, any extenuating circumstances, and a list of foreseeable expenses for the academic year in question.
Current students may appeal their financial aid award if circumstances outside their control have negatively impacted their financials.