Barnard College

Barnard College Financial Aid

To apply for financial aid at Barnard you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as the CSS Profile.

The FAFSA and CSS Profile use financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the forms even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.

The FAFSA code for Barnard is 002708 and the CSS Profile Code is 2038.

The FAFSA is completely free, while the CSS Profile charges a fee for each college you send it to. If you have demonstrated financial need, you may qualify for a CSS Profile fee waiver.

If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:

• How to Complete the FAFSA
• How to Complete the CSS Profile

Using State Grants at Barnard

If you are a New York State resident considering Barnard, be sure to investigate the TAP program. If you are attending a qualifying program and meet financial need requirements, you may receive thousands of dollars per year to put towards your education. Additionally, if you apply to a CUNY or SUNY school, you could be eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship, which would make your education tuition-free.

Barnard College QuestBridge Scholarships

Barnard is a member of QuestBridge, which is a prestigious scholarship program that supports high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. Students who are “matched” to Barnard College through QuestBridge receive a four year, full ride scholarship to the school. If you are interested in learning more about QuestBridge, you can check out our QuestBridge Scholarship guide.

Barnard College’s 100% Need-Met Guarantee

Barnard meets 100% of admitted students’ financial need. Using the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile, they calculate your need and offer a combination of scholarships and federal loans to cover any costs you and your family cannot pay.

Pell Grants at Barnard College

16% of students at Barnard College receive Pell Grants.

The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

Outside Scholarships

Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at Barnard. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:

• Top scholarships for high school seniors
• Top scholarships for college students
• Scholarship database

Barnard College Financial Aid Resources

For more information about financial aid at Barnard, or for questions that are specific to your financial situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!

Here’s how you can get in touch:

• Website: https://barnard.edu/finaid
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 212-854-2154

1466 is the median SAT score and 33 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Barnard. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.

Coalition Colleges

Barnard is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to Barnard via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.

Does Barnard have a supplemental essay?

Yes, Barnard College includes a supplemental essay in their application. Luckily, Scholarships360 has a free guide to help you answer Barnard's essay prompt and stand out in the application process.

Is Barnard test-optional?

Barnard College is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you aren’t sure whether to submit your standardized test scores, Scholarships360’s guide on whether to submit your test scores to test-optional schools can help.

What test scores do you need to get into Barnard College?

Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, or CLT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Barnard College receive between a 32 and a 34 on their ACT, or a 1417 and a 1535 on their SAT.

Can students submit their SAT or ACT Superscore to Barnard?

Yes, applicants can submit their SAT or ACT Superscore when they apply to Barnard College. You should be able to find your superscore for either test on your student portal. Keep in mind that some colleges only allow Superscores for one of the two tests, so be sure to check their website for exact details on the Superscore policy.

What is the application deadline at Barnard?

Students must apply by January 4 to enroll at Barnard during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.

At Barnard students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by November 1.

Is Barnard College need-blind?

Yes, Barnard College has need-blind admissions, which means they do not take financial need into account when they decide who to accept. If your FAFSA and/or CSS Profile indicate that you would need substantial financial aid, you will still be on equal footing with applicants who do not require any aid at all.

What is the graduation rate at Barnard College?

93% of students who start at Barnard College finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 35% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

How much do graduates of Barnard College go on to earn?

The median income of students 10 years after starting at Barnard College is $80,516. This is $30,125 more than the national median.

This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from Barnard College who received federal financial aid.

Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.

How much do students at Barnard take out in loans?

Graduates of Barnard take out a median of $18,000 in federal student loans. This is $4,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.