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Financial Aid

Financial Aid Opportunities at Bard GPS


Bard GPS offers financial assistance in the form of fellowships, scholarships, project assistantships, campus employment, and student loans. Financial aid is awarded each year on the basis of academic achievement, financial need, and available funding. Awards are made without regard to sex, sexual orientation, race, color, age, marital status, religion, ethnic or national origin, or handicapping conditions.  

Bard GPS Financial Assistance Options

GPS Fellowships/Scholarships (MS, MEd, MBA)

Bard GPS Graduate Fellowships: 
The Bard GPS Graduate Fellowships are a tuition reduction and do not require additional work or service to the program. All applicants who submit a financial aid application are eligible to receive a Fellowship. Fellowships are awarded on a need basis. External awards can be held concurrently with a Bard GPS Graduate Fellowship. 
 
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. 

The HESL Scholarship will provide a minimum 15% tuition scholarship per year to those individuals who have an SAI above $30,000; and a tuition scholarship of at least 30% per year to those individuals with an SAI below $30,000. 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. 
 
Interested applicants to the MS in Environmental Policy, MS in Climate Science and Policy, MEd in Environmental Education or MBA in Sustainability programs should submit an essay with their application that speaks to how they have demonstrated sustainability leadership and/or innovation at an institution of higher education. The essay should be no more than 500 words and should be submitted via the application portal at the time they apply.  

Opportunity Scholars Programs (MS, MEd, MBA)

Bard GPS offers two funding opportunities under its Opportunity Scholars Program.*
 
First-Generation Scholarship
The First-Generation Scholarship provides a limited number of need-based scholarships offering tuition discounts between 40% and 90% to admitted students who are first-generation college graduates. Interested candidates should submit a FAFSA as well as a statement that:
  • Verifies that they are the first in their family to graduate college; and
  • Provides additional background information on their high financial need that may not be evident on their FAFSA.

Note that first-generation graduates who do not have high financial need (FAFSA SAI above $20,000) should apply to the JEDI Scholarship (below).

Bard JEDI Scholarship
The Bard JEDI Scholarship provides scholarship funding to applicants from historically excluded communities** in support of the Bard GPS JEDI + Anti-Racism Commitment. The JEDI Scholarship provides merit- and need-based tuition support of between 20% and 90% to admitted students.
 
Interested applicants should submit a FAFSA as well as a scholarship statement of no more than 500 words that addresses the following prompt: Please explain the historically excluded community/ies you identify with and speak to the need for diverse leadership in addressing the social and environmental challenges faced by historically excluded, under-resourced, and underrepresented communities in the coming decades. Statements should be uploaded into the general online application for admissions at the time of general application submission.
 
Applications will be reviewed based on this statement, application materials, and financial need, and finalists may be interviewed by the selection committee. Finalists will receive a 50-90% tuition discount; applicants who are not selected as finalists will receive a guaranteed 20-40% discount based on financial need.
 
ROMBA Fellowship (MBA Only)
Bard MBA is proud to partner with Reaching Out MBA to support their mission of increasing the influence of the LGBTQ+ community in business. Bard MBA awards two ROMBA Fellowships each year to incoming LGTBQ+ students. 
 
To apply for the Fellowship, applications should submit a scholarship statement of no more than 500 words addressing the following prompt: please speak to the need for LGBTQ+ leadership in addressing the social, economic and environmental challenges we face in the coming decades. Statements should be uploaded into the general online application for admissions at the time of general application submission.
 
Applications will be reviewed based on this statement, application materials, and financial need. Finalists will receive a 50-90% tuition discount.
 
*This program is open to US citizens, permanent residents, refugees in the US, and US asylees. MS/MEd International applicants should apply to the Wangari Maathai Scholarship.
**Bard GPS is supporting populations historically excluded from sustainability leadership, including applicants from BIPOC, low-income, differently abled, LGBTQ+!, first-generation American, and first-generation college graduate communities.
! LGBTQ+ applicants should consider also applying for the ROMBA Fellowship as well.

MS Programs Scholarships

The Bard Center for Environmental Policy also offers the following scholarships for qualified MS in Climate Science and Policy or MS in Environmental Policy students:

  • Rachel Carson Scholarship: U.S. students are eligible to apply for a merit scholarship as part of the Rachel Carson Scholars program. This program grants one $20,000 scholarship per year to a top applicant who shows promise of a leadership career in environmental policy. Interested students should submit a application of no more than 500 words with their application to the program on the following topic:
    Please define and explain leadership in the context of the sustainability challenges we face in the coming decades.
    Finalists will be reviewed based on this statement and their application materials.. Applicants must be accepted to the Bard CEP masters program and have completed a FAFSA in order to qualify. Applications are are reviewed as received, so early application to the program in encouraged.
  • Wangari Maathai Scholarship: Funding is available for one outstanding international student as part of the Wangari Maathai Scholars program. This program grants scholarships offering 30-90% tuition discounts to international students who shows promise of a leadership career in environmental policy.
    Interested students should submit a application of no more than 500 words with their application to the program on the following topic:
    Please define and explain leadership in the context of the sustainability challenges we face in the coming decades.
    Finalists will be reviewed based on this statement and their application materials. Applicants must be accepted to the Bard CEP masters program and have completed an International Application for Financial Aid in order to qualify. Applications are reviewed as received, so early application to the program is encouraged.
  • Arctic Climate Change Scholarship:
    The Bard CEP Arctic Climate Change (ACC) Scholarship will provide funding for two entering students per year for two years to train for a career tackling climate change issues in the Arctic. The ACC Scholarship will provide a 50% scholarship per year plus an internship stipend. The recipient of the scholarship must complete a literature review and Capstone Project on a topic related to climate change in the Arctic and an internship at an organization addressing Arctic climate change issues (either in the US or abroad). The internship funding will range from $4000-$10,000 per student and is intended to supplement any funding the student receives from the internship organization to cover travel and living expenses. Recipient students will submit an internship budget to the Associate Director for approval (that includes host organization's funding, if applicable) to receive internship stipend. 
     
    Interested applicants to the MS in Environmental Policy, MS in Climate Science and Policy, or MEd in Environmental Education programs should submit an essay with their application that speaks to the Arctic region they are interested in working in, the climate change challenge they are interested in addressing, and the environmental/social justice issue presented by climate impacts in this particular region. The essay should be no more than 500 words and should be submitted via the application portal at the time they apply.  
  • Riverkeeper Scholarship: Under this program, the Riverkeeper Scholar (RS) will receive a scholarship equal to 30% of tuition for two years of full-time enrollment. The scholarship may be awarded with additional Bard support, such as fellowships, student employment, and loans. The RS will have the opportunity to work with a designated Riverkeeper mentor, who will meet with the student at least twice a year to discuss career interests and development. The RS will receive priority among Bard graduate students for potential internships and capstone projects/theses completed in conjunction with Riverkeeper. One RS is selected at the time of admission each year. Students interested in applying for this position should include a scholarship interest letter along with their application for admission stating their interest and/or experience with any of the following: advocacy, water policy, water ecology, or the Hudson River/Hudson River watershed.
    Riverkeeper is a member-supported organization that protects and restores the Hudson River from source to sea and safeguards drinking water supplies, through advocacy rooted in community partnerships, science and law. See more at riverkeeper.org

MBA in Sustainability Scholarships

Bard GPS also offers the following scholarships for qualified MBA in Sustainability students:
  • ROMBA Fellowship: Bard MBA is proud to partner with Reaching Out MBA to support their mission of increasing the influence of the LGBTQ+ community in business. Bard MBA awards two ROMBA Fellowships each year to incoming LGTBQ+ students.
    To apply for the Fellowship, applications should submit a scholarship statement of no more than 500 words addressing the following prompt: please speak to the need for LGBTQ+ leadership in addressing the social, economic and environmental challenges we face in the coming decades. Statements should be uploaded into the general online application for admissions at the time of general application submission.
     
    Applications will be reviewed based on this statement, application materials, and financial need. Finalists will receive a 50-90% tuition discount.
  • B-Corp Employee Scholarships: Full-time employees of Certified B-Corps and their immediate family members qualify for a 20% tuition discount at the Bard MBA.
  • Clif Bar + B-Lab Scholar Programs: Full-time employees of Clif Bar and B-Lab and their immediate family members qualify for a 20% tuition discount at the Bard MBA.
  • MBA Leaders Scholarship: Bard MBA awards a limited number of merit scholarships ranging in value from $4,000-$10,000 per year (for full-time students, reduced proportionately for part-time students) to top applicants to the MBA program. Recipients will bring strong professional and academic experience as well as demonstrated drive to create a more just, sustainable world. 
  • C2C Fellowships: All C2C Fellows are eligible for partial scholarships to attend Bard MBA program. This scholarship guarantees a minimum financial aid award of $8000/year for full-time students (reduce for part-time students to members of the C2C Fellows Network. 

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.
  • 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 in 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

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 and GradPLUS programs.

All eligible graduate students automatically qualify for $20,500 per 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:

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 CEP for fall 2025 enrollment will receive a guaranteed minimum Fellowship of $15,000 for their first year at CEP. A FAFSA/International Financial Aid Application 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. Recipients of more than one form of award (e.g. the AmeriCorps match + Riverkeeper Scholar) will receive a combination of funds plus the additional benefits associated with the award, but not the full value of each award independently. The combination may be higher than the value of either independent award, but is not guaranteed to be higher than the highest individual 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 Admissions, Katie Boyle (kboyle@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.