Financial Aid

Course Catalog

Approximately 45 percent of Bucknell’s undergraduate students receive need-based scholarships directly from the University. When other types of aid are considered – such as grants from sources other than the University, student loans, and campus employment – about 62 percent of our undergraduate students receive some financial assistance in meeting their educational expenses.

Bucknell's scholarship program is a mix of need-based, above-need and no-need awards. This blended approach provides the University with the flexibility to appropriately recognize the achievements of the best and the brightest students within our applicant pool. The majority of scholarships are awarded to students with financial need, and these are re-evaluated annually by considering family income, assets, number of members in the household, and number of children enrolled at least half-time in undergraduate degree-seeking programs. A limited number of scholarships will be awarded to students with no need or who do not apply for aid. Since we have an exceptionally talented pool of students applying for admission, all merit awards are extremely competitive.

First-year aid recipients will continue to receive assistance in subsequent years as long as they continue to demonstrate need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid, maintain satisfactory academic and social standing with the University, and meet the specified financial aid application deadlines. If a family’s financial situation remains essentially the same, a student’s aid will probably remain consistent over his or her four years at Bucknell University. However, changes in income, assets and number of children in the family who are enrolled at least half-time in undergraduate degree-seeking programs can increase or decrease aid eligibility from year to year, so students will need to reapply for aid each year.

Financial aid usually is awarded in a combination of three forms:

Scholarships/Grants are gifts and do not have to be repaid. Funds for need-based scholarships/grants come from the University itself, as well as foundations, corporations, state agencies, and the federal government.

Student Loans are funds borrowed for educational expenses and must be repaid by the student, usually with interest.

Campus Employment provides an opportunity for students to earn funds for their educational expenses. Although students are not assigned specific jobs or placements by the Office of Financial Aid, financial aid recipients are often given preference in campus hiring. Financing for campus employment comes from the University and the federal government. Students who qualify for the Federal Work Study program have additional opportunities for employment in the area of community service.

In order to be considered for financial assistance for a given academic year, prospective first-year regular decision students must complete the College Scholarship Service (CSS) PROFILE (www.collegeboard.com) no later than January 1 of their senior year of high school (Early Decision I applicant deadline is November 15. Early Decision II applicant deadline is January 1.)  Accepted and enrolling students also must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with the federal processor by May 1, and submit tax, verification and any other requested documents to the Office of Financial Aid by May 10. Transfer student applicants must file the same paperwork as first-year applicants, but the transfer CSS deadline is October 1 for spring enrollment and March 15 for fall.  Please refer to our literature for specific application information and procedures.

All inquiries and questions regarding financial aid at Bucknell should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid.