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Financial Aid

Let’s get real about tuition and financial aid

At BC, we think tuition should reflect the real cost of an education. That way, you can focus on what really matters—discovering all the connections to great faculty mentors, inspiring classmates and life-changing experiences that prepare you for a career. These incredible opportunities are waiting for you at Bridgewater.

Let us help you discover your cost to attend Bridgewater College by applying to Bridgewater and completing the FAFSA. We’ll do the rest!

Rebecca Hall
Rooms 201-205

Phone: 540-828-5377
Fax: 540-828-5671
finaid@bridgewater.edu

Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30 p.m.

Mailing Address

Office of Financial Aid
College Box 27
Bridgewater College
402 E. College St.
Bridgewater, VA 22812-1599

Staff

Joshua North
Director of Financial Aid
540-828-5376
jnorth@bridgewater.edu

Betsy J. Henderson
Associate Director of Financial Aid
540-515-3798
ehenderson@bridgewater.edu

Kyle Good
Financial Aid Counselor
540-828-5377
kgood@bridgewater.edu

Lauryn Kelley
Financial Aid Counselor
540-828-5378
lkelley3@bridgewater.edu

Jennifer D. Puffenbarger
Financial Aid Coordinator
540-828-5485
jpuffenb@bridgewater.edu

Fall 2024 First-Year Student Scholarships

Guaranteed merit scholarships are based on a student’s cumulative weighted high school grade point average (GPA), and the merit level is established when an admission decision is made. If test scores are submitted, they will be considered during the application review and will not negatively impact the merit scholarship consideration.

Cumulative Weighted HS GPAAmountBC Merit Scholarships
4.00+$5,000Trustee Scholarship
3.74-3.99$4,000Provost’s Scholarship
3.22-3.73$3,000Dean’s Scholarship
3.21 and under$2,500Crimson Scholarship

Students that exemplify high academic achievement are chosen by Bridgewater College to qualify for the following distinctive awards.  BC will inform students of their eligibility after they are admitted to the College.

President’s Merit Award – Full Tuition Scholarship
First year students with a truly outstanding academic record will be invited to compete for Bridgewater’s highest scholarship award, which is open only to members of the Flory Honors Program. This award equals the full cost of tuition, renewable for a total of eight semesters, provided students remain in the honors program. The application process for this scholarship highly competitive and is sent to eligible students after they are admitted. All admission and scholarship requirements must be completed by January 28 in order to be considered. Commuter students are not eligible.

Flory Honors Scholarship
First-year students with a high school GPA of 3.8 or higher, and a strong record of academic achievement, will be invited to join the Flory Honors Program. Students that confirm their enrollment in the Program will receive an annual scholarship of $1,500 in addition to their BC Merit Scholarship.

This $1,000 scholarship is available to students who do not reside in the state of Virginia and who are not eligible for the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant.

Scholarships of $1,000 are available to students who are members of the Church of the Brethren.

Fall 2024 Transfer Student Scholarships

Guaranteed transfer merit scholarships are based on a student’s cumulative college grade point average (GPA), and the merit level is established at the time an admission decision is made. Test scores submitted will be considered in the application review and will not typically affect merit scholarship consideration.

Cumulative College GPAAmountBC Merit Scholarships
3.6 minimum$3,500Transfer Leadership Scholarship
2.8-3.59$2,500Transfer Excellence Scholarship
2.79 and under$1,500Transfer Eagle Scholarship

Students that exemplify high academic achievement are chosen by Bridgewater College to qualify for the following distinctive awards.  BC will inform students of their eligibility after they are admitted to the College.

President’s Merit Award – Full Tuition Scholarship
Entering transfer students with at least 24 credits and cumulative post-secondary GPA of at least 3.9 will be invited to apply for this scholarship. The award equals full-tuition and can be received for a total of six semesters provided the student remains active in the honors program. The application process for this scholarship is highly competitive and is sent to eligible students after they are admitted. All admission and scholarship requirements must be completed by May 12 in order to be considered. Commuter students are not eligible.

Flory Honors Scholarship
Transfer students with at least 24 credits and cumulative post-secondary GPA of 3.8 or higher will be invited to join the Flory Honors Program. Students that confirm their enrollment in the Program will receive an annual Honors scholarship of $500. Phi Theta Kappa scholarship recipients are ineligible to receive the Honors scholarship.

$500 scholarship for those students who transfer with a membership in Phi Theta Kappa from a community college.

A $1,000 grant is available to transfers who earned an associate degree from a Virginia two-year public institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and who have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC)/Student Aid Index (SAI) from the FAFSA of $12,000 or less. A complete description of eligibility and application requirements is available from this 2023-24 Two Year College Transfer Grant Application (schev.edu) from State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).

This $1,000 scholarship is available to students who do not reside in the state of Virginia and who are not eligible for the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant.

Scholarships of $1,000 are available to students who are members of the Church of the Brethren.

To be considered for these scholarships:
  • Apply to BC
  • Provide a copy of all college transcripts

My Financial Aid Package

To apply for additional assistance, submit the FAFSA at studentaid.gov by the April 1 priority deadline. The financial aid office begins releasing aid packages to prospective students in the early part of 2024 and on a rolling basis. Returning students receive their aid packages in June.

If eligible, institutional aid is posted to your account in the fall and spring semesters. The same process applies to state aid. Federal aid may be available for summer sessions if your annual eligibility is not fully used during the regular academic year.

Renewing your Financial Aid

  • If you filed a 2023-2024 FAFSA, the federal processing center will send a 2024-2025 renewal notification to the email address listed on your 2023-2024 FAFSA.
  • If you did not provide an email address, the notification will be sent to the home address listed on your 2023-2024 FASFA.
  • The Renewal FAFSA can only be filed when the Department of Education makes the 2024-2025 FAFSA available to the public. Bridgewater College’s priority deadline for financial aid is April 1. Include BC’s school code of 003704 on your application.

Students must meet the requirements specified below in order to receive Title IV federal aid.

  • Qualitative Measure: Students must have at least a 1.700 cumulative grade point average by completion of their second semester and at least a 2.000 cumulative grade point average by completion of their fourth semester. A minimum year-end 2.000 cumulative grade point average must then be maintained until graduation.
  • Quantitative Measure: Students must successfully complete at least 67% of the courses they attempt. Withdrawn (W) grades and transfer credits count as attempted hours for this purpose.
  • Maximum Time Frame: Students must complete their program by the time they have attempted 150% of the hours required for their degree program.
  • If a student does not meet the specified requirements, they may make an appeal for aid if extenuating circumstances existed. The financial aid committee rules on all satisfactory academic progress appeals.

Once you receive an academic scholarship, you have a maximum eligibility period of 8 semesters to apply it to your undergraduate degree. In order to renew your academic scholarship, you need a cumulative year-end GPA equal to or greater than the one listed below:

Scholarships Renewal GPA
President’s Merit Award 3.5
Church of the Brethren 2.0

Endowed Scholarships

Numerous endowed scholarships, funded by our generous alumni and other private donors, are also available. Each scholarship has select criteria and eligibility requirements associated with it. BC currently has more than 240 endowed scholarships. You are automatically considered for these scholarships after you submit the FAFSA.

Financial Aid Forms

External Sources of Aid

DISCLAIMER:

Outside scholarships are not affiliated with Bridgewater College. Students should exercise caution when pursuing outside scholarships. The listing of outside scholarships on this page is for informational purposes only. Inclusion in the listing does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Bridgewater College. Any views or opinions expressed by these outside sites do not necessarily represent those of Bridgewater College. Neither Bridgewater College nor its Financial Aid Office can guarantee the accuracy or the timeliness of information found at any of the links in the listing, particularly where deadlines are concerned. Students should review all scholarship materials and information carefully, especially before submitting an application fee of any kind, and apply for scholarships at the student’s own risk and discretion.

See Alert: Scholarship Scams below for information on how to avoid scholarship scams.

To check legitimacy of scholarship search services or individuals, for information about financial aid scams, and tips to avoid being scammed visit these web sites:

Veterans’ educational benefits can be used at Bridgewater College. The process can be started by going to vets.gov/education to request a Certificate of Eligibility. The certificate should then be forwarded to the registrar, Sherry Phelps, for certification. The registrar can be reached at sphelps2@bridgewater.edu and 540-828-5313.

Please visit our Veterans and Military Service page for more information on services and benefits available for veterans and military service members.

Please inform the Office of Financial Aid about outside scholarships by emailing scholarship notifications to finaid@bridgewater.edu.

Outside scholarship checks should be mailed to:

Office of Student Accounts
College Box 27
Bridgewater College
402 E. College St.
Bridgewater, VA 22812-1599

Grants, Loans, and Work Study

By reviewing your FAFSA analysis, we can determine your eligibility for these federal grants:

Federal Pell Grant

  • Amount determined by government calculation
  • Must enroll in at least 12 credits in a semester to receive full funding for that semester

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

  • Award given to selected Pell Grant recipient

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant

  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • Be enrolled in coursework that is necessary to begin a career in teaching or plan to complete such coursework
  • Meet certain academic achievement requirements (generally, scoring above the 75th percentile on a college admissions test or maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25)
  • Must not have earned a bachelor’s degree or post-baccalaureate degree
  • Sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to serve

Note: If a recipient fails to complete the service requirement as described in the TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve, the TEACH Grant will be treated as a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, with interest accruing from the date the grant was disbursed.

For more information about federal financial aid programs, visit the Federal Student Aid website.

If you are a resident of Virginia, you may be eligible for the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG).

Students must meet all the basic eligibility requirements set forth by the General Assembly and detailed in the TAG regulations:

  • Be a full-time domiciled resident of Virginia for at least one year prior to receiving TAG.
  • Be enrolled as a full-time student for a minimum of 12 semester credits at Bridgewater College in an eligible degree program.

You can obtain the application in one of two ways:

  • You will receive a TAG application in your award package from the financial aid office, which you can then submit.
  • You can print out and complete the 2024-2025 application now.

New students must complete the TAG application and submit it to the Financial Aid office by July 31.

*Please note: The estimated award for 2024-2025 has not be determined a this time. The amount for each year depends on the funding allocated by the General Assembly and the total number of eligible applicants. TAG may be received for a maximum of eight semesters.

If funds are not sufficient to make full TAG awards to all eligible students, a priority system is used to determine the size of the awards. Students in the first categories must receive full funding before subsequent categories can be considered:

  • Category 1: Returning students who are eligible for fall and spring terms and received a TAG award in the previous fiscal year.
  • Category 2: New students to the College’s TAG program who are eligible for fall and spring terms, and who apply for the TAG program by July 31. This category includes new students, transfers and returning students who did not receive a TAG award in the previous fiscal year.
  • Category 3: New students to the TAG program who attend the fall term, and who apply between August 1 and September 14.
  • Category 4: All students applying for spring term awards only, and who apply by December 1.

If funding is insufficient to fully award all students, it is possible that some students will receive no award. Upon receipt of fall semester enrollment from eligible institutions, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) will determine whether or not sufficient funds exist to make the official award of $5,000 with a second disbursement of $2,500. If SCHEV finds it necessary to award an amount less than $5,000, Bridgewater College will make an adjustment on the student’s account for spring semester and submit a revised billing.

SCHEV has more information on state financial aid for Virginia residents.

Federal Direct Loans are available to students who have submitted the FAFSA regardless of the demonstration of eligibility for need-based aid.

  • Aid analysis determines type of Direct Loan
    • Subsidized: Government pays interest until six months after the student graduates, drops below half-time status or withdraws
    • Unsubsidized: Student responsible for interest accrued while in school
  • Maximum eligibility for Direct Loan funds each year depends on academic level
    • First Year Students (0-25 credits): $5,500
    • Sophomores (26-59 credits): $6,500
    • Juniors/Seniors (60+ credits): $7,500
  • For loans disbursed between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024, the interest rate will be fixed at 5.50% for subsidized and unsubsidized loans.
  • Repayment begins 6 months after you graduate, drop below half-time status, or withdraw.
  • If your parent has an adverse credit history, consider having him or her apply for the PLUS Loan. A dependent student whose parent is denied a Federal PLUS Loan may borrow an additional unsubsidized Direct Loan, which has a better interest rate and terms than most private alternative loans. The maximum, additional unsubsidized amount is $4,000 for first year students and sophomores, and $5,000 for juniors/seniors.
  • Students who borrow Federal Direct Loans will have their loan information submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). This information will be accessible to guaranty agencies, lenders, and institutions determined to be authorized users of the system.
  • New borrowers need to complete a Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note and Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling on StudentLoans.gov. You will need your FSA ID to sign in. To apply for a FSA ID, please proceed first to the Create a New FSA ID Site

Additional information about Federal Direct Loans, repayment plans and a federal/private loan repayment estimator is available at StudentAid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans.

The PLUS loan is for parents. The student must still file the FAFSA for eligibility.

  • For loans disbursed between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024, the interest rate is a fixed 8.05%.
  • Repayment begins within 60 days after final disbursement. However, it is possible to postpone principal and interest payments while the student is enrolled.
  • Request the PLUS Loan at Student Loans.gov. You should request the amount you wish to borrow for the academic year. The financial aid office will schedule half of the loan to disburse to the student’s account shortly after the beginning of each semester.
  • When a parent is denied a PLUS loan based on adverse credit, the student is allowed to borrow an additional unsubsidized loan. The maximum, additional unsubsidized amount is $4,000 for first year students and sophomores, and $5,000 for juniors/seniors.
  • Parents who borrow Federal Direct PLUS Loans will have the loan information submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). This information will be accessible to guaranty agencies, lenders, and institutions determined to be authorized users of the system.
  • A parent borrower must complete a Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note on the Federal Student Aid website if this is the first time you are borrowing for your student.

Additional information about Federal Direct PLUS Loans is available at the Federal Student Aid website.

We encourage students and parents to take advantage of the federal loan programs before opting for private loans, which generally have higher interest rates and higher fees than federal loans. Private loans are offered by private lending institutions and are not guaranteed by the federal government.

These funds are available to students who may not be eligible for federal financial aid or who may need to bridge the gap between the actual cost of education and their federal financial aid.

  • The lender will interpret credit history and other determining factors to see if the student is eligible. A cosigner is recommended in order to obtain the best rate and terms available.
  • Interest rates are normally variable and can change on a quarterly basis. Students are responsible for researching the terms and conditions of these loans.
  • Private loans are not federally guaranteed. Therefore, they do not have the same deferment, cancellation, and consolidation benefits as federal loans.
  • Private loan lenders are required to provide borrowers with three separate disclosure statements. Please read these disclosures carefully and be aware you have to actively accept the terms of your loan and complete a self-certification form in order for the loan to be disbursed.

Bridgewater College does not have a preferred lender list or any preferred lender arrangements.

A student can choose to borrow from any lender that offers private alternative loans. Please use the self-certification form your lender sends you or provides online. If you need assistance completing the form or need a blank form, please contact the office of financial aid. Bridgewater College will certify (based on eligibility) a private/alternative loan from any lender the student chooses.

Alternative Loan Lenders

Below is a comprehensive list of alternative loan lenders from which students at Bridgewater College have borrowed during 2018-2023. Lenders that are no longer offering private alternative loans have been removed from the list. The list is in alphabetical order only. Bridgewater College does not endorse any lender and expresses no opinion with respect to any lender.

*Requires membership

In order to be part of the Federal Work-Study Program, you must submit a FAFSA and be eligible for work on the basis of financial need.

If federal work-study is listed on your aid package, you will be contacted by August regarding job placement and required employment documentation.

For more information check out student employment.

Questions? Reach out

Financial Aid Office
Phone: 540-828-5377
finaid@bridgewater.edu