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 8:30 a.m.-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
Lauryn Kelley
Financial Aid Senior Counselor
540-828-5378
lkelley3@bridgewater.edu
Jennifer D. Puffenbarger
Financial Aid Operations Coordinator
540-828-5485
jpuffenb@bridgewater.edu
Fall 2025 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 GPA | Amount | BC Merit Scholarships |
---|---|---|
4.00+ | $5,500 | Trustee Scholarship |
3.74-3.99 | $4,500 | Provost’s Scholarship |
3.22-3.73 | $3,500 | Dean’s Scholarship |
3.21 and under | $2,500 | Crimson 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 $2,000 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 2025 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 GPA | Amount | BC Merit Scholarships |
---|---|---|
3.6 minimum | $4,000 | Transfer Leadership Scholarship |
2.8-3.59 | $3,000 | Transfer Excellence Scholarship |
2.79 and under | $2,000 | Transfer 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 2024-25 Two Year College Transfer Grant Application (schev.edu) from State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).
This $2,000 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 15 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 2024-2025 FAFSA, the federal processing center will send a 2025-2026 renewal notification to the email address listed on your 2024-2025 FAFSA.
- If you did not provide an email address, the notification will be sent to the home address listed on your 2024-2025 FASFA.
- The Renewal FAFSA can only be filed when the Department of Education makes the 2025-2026 FAFSA available to the public. Bridgewater College’s priority deadline for financial aid is April 15. 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
- 2025-2026 Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program Application (.pdf)
- 2024-2025 Dependent Verification Form (.pdf)
- 2024-2025 Independent Verification Form (.pdf)
- Verifying Your Tax Information Instructions (.pdf)
Professional Judgment Appeals
There are some instances that you may find that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is not a true reflection of your family’s current circumstance. Bridgewater College will review a change to your family’s situation or special expenses not considered on the FAFSA.
Bridgewater College must receive copy of FAFSA before review can be started. If unable to file a FAFSA, please include why in your appeal. If your FAFSA was chosen for the verification process, verification must be completed before your appeal can be reviewed.
Note:
Appeals in the Current School Year – once a current FAFSA has been submitted, a review can be done during the current academic year.
Appeals in the Next School Year – once the student is admitted to Bridgewater College and their FAFSA for the enrolled academic year is available, submitted and imported into Bridgewater College’s database.
You must provide proper written documentation of your appeal (see below for specifics). The documentation will be used to evaluate your changes and determine if an adjustment can be made to a field reported on the FAFSA to present a more realistic picture of your family’s ability to contribute to the cost of education.
Each request is considered on a case-by-case basis. Adjustments of financial aid awards are subject to the availability of funds. You may be asked for further documentation.
If approved, the Financial Aid office will make the necessary changes on the FAFSA to be submitted to the Department of Education, the student will be emailed, and awards updated.
If denied, the student will be notified by email.
Situation | Documentation Required |
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Dependent Care
|
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Student’s parent died after FAFSA was filed |
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Medical/Disability expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance |
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Student’s parents separated or divorced after FAFSA was filed |
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Significant Income Reduction
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Other special circumstances |
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If you have other circumstances not addressed above, please send a signed letter, Parents’ Federal Tax return and W2’s, as well as any documentation supporting your situation. Mail, fax, or scan the necessary documents to the Office of Financial Aid.
Fax: 540-828-5671
Scan/Email: finaid@bridgewater.edu
Mail:
Office of Financial Aid
Bridgewater College
402 E. College St., 27
Bridgewater, VA 22812
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) stipulates certain requirements that you must meet to qualify for financial aid as an independent student. If you do not meet specified criteria, you must be evaluated as a dependent student, meaning your parents must provide their information. In rare instances, a student may have extenuating circumstances that are not identified when completing the FAFSA. This request process allows the student to document special circumstances that may permit a dependency override.
What circumstances DO NOT justify a dependency override?
- Parents refuse to contribute to student’s education;
- Parents are unwilling to provide information on FAFSA or for verification;
- Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for tax purposes;
- Student does not live with or communicate with their parents;
- Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency;
- Student does not “get along” with parent.
What makes a student Independent?
Your student dependency status is based on your responses to specific questions on the FAFSA. For financial aid purposes, regulations define an independent student as one who meets at least one of the following conditions.
FAFSA Independent Questions | Required Documentation |
---|---|
Were you born before January 1, 2002? | Your submitted FAFSA confirms your birthdate |
As of today, are you married? (Also answer “Yes” if you are seperated but not divorced.) | Copy of marriage certificate |
Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training? | Documentation to support you are serving on active duty |
Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces? | Copy of your DD214 (military separation form) |
Do you now have or will you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026? |
|
Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2026? | Letter explaining that your dependents receive half of their support from you |
At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court? |
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Does someone other than your parent or stepparent have legal guardianship of you as determined by a court in your state of legal residence? This does not include custody agreements. |
Court determination that student was in legal guardianship or an emancipated minor before the age of 18 |
At any time on or after July 1, 2024, did a
Determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless? |
Letter from • High school or school district homeless liaison • Director or designee of a HUD-funded shelter • Director or designee of a Federal TRIO program or GEAR UP program. |
A student who does not meet any of the above conditions is classified as a Dependent student.
Mail/fax/scan the necessary documents in regards to your situation listed above to the Office of Financial Aid.
Fax: 540-828-5671
Scan/Email: finaid@bridgewater.edu
Mail:
Office of Financial Aid
Bridgewater College
402 E. College St., 27
Bridgewater, VA 22812
What circumstances MAY justify a dependency override?
Unusual Circumstances
- Parental alcohol abuse
- Parental substance abuse
- Parental mental incapacity
- Abusive home situation which is dangerous to student’s physical or mental well-being
- Death of a parent in a single family household
- Other special circumstances
Required Documentation
1. Completed 2025-2026 FAFSA (FAFSA.gov)
2. Student’s Personal letter including
- explanation of special circumstances
- current relationship status with parents
- last date you lived with and communicated with parents and current living arrangements
- how you provide own necessities (shelter, food, transportation, medical care)
3. Professional letter (signed) on letterhead or notarized explaining the special circumstances. Letter should include a phone number and address where the individual can be contacted if we have any questions. Acceptable examples of professionals:
- Counselor, teacher, medical authority, attorney, government agency (police or court official), social worker or clergy
4. Reference letter (signed) from someone whom has personal knowledge of the situation. Letter should include a phone number and address where the individual can be contacted if we have any questions. Reference examples:
- Friend, grandparents, other family members
Additional documentation that may be helpful includes:
- Court documentation
- Police report
Please note that an independent determination by another institution is not binding to Bridgewater College. The decision made by the BC financial aid administration is final and cannot be appealed.
Regulations require that the determination of special circumstance(s) be made each award year. A determination of independence in one year does not mean automatic independent status in a subsequent award year. Documentation must be provided each award year.
Mail/fax/scan the necessary documents in regards to your situation listed above to the Office of Financial Aid.
Fax: 540-828-5671
Scan/Email: finaid@bridgewater.edu
Mail:
Office of Financial Aid
Bridgewater College
402 E. College St., 27
Bridgewater, VA 22812
The FAFSA states that to qualify as a homeless or unaccompanied youth the student must submit documentation which demonstrates that you are either homeless or unaccompanied and at risk of being homeless, or any combination thereof. Please submit the documentation for the scenario which best describes your situation.
To qualify as a Homeless or Unaccompanied Youth you must be either:
- Unaccompanied and homeless or,
- Unaccompanied, self-supporting, and at risk of being homeless,
FAFSA Definitions of Unaccompanied and Homeless:
- Unaccompanied: not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian, (this means parents or guardians are unable to provide fixed, regular, and adequate housing).
- Homeless: lacking fixed, regular, and adequate housing
- Self-supporting: pays all living expenses, including fixed, regular, and adequate housing
- At risk of being homeless: student’s housing may cease to be fixed, regular, and adequate.
At any time on or after July 1, 2024, were you declared homeless or unaccompanied and at risk of being homeless by:
Declared Homeless by: | Send Requested Documents to BC Financial Aid Office: |
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A McKinney-Vento school district liaison (Every school district in the U.S. is required to have a liaison.) |
McKinney-Vento letter designating homeless or risk of homelessness status. |
The director or designee of a HUD funded emergency or transitional shelter, street outreach program, homeless youth drop-in center, or other program serving individuals who are experiencing homelessness. | Documentation from program which declared you homeless or at risk. |
The director or designee of a Federal TRIO program or a Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program (GEAR UP) grant. | Documentation from Trio or GEAR UP programs. |
A Financial Aid Professional at another College or University. | Documentation of previous decision, and documents provided to College or University. |
I do not have any documentation, but still believe I am homeless, at risk of being homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless. | Write a personal letter explaining your situation. *This may require additional documentation; the Financial Aid Office will reach out with further instructions after receiving the letter. |
I do not qualify under any of the above scenarios. | Please correct the FAFSA to no longer reflect that you are homeless or at risk of being homeless, and provide parent’s financial information for the FAFSA and re-submit the FAFSA with parent e-signature. |
Regulations require that the determination of homeless and unaccompanied youth be made each award year. A determination in one year does not mean automatic independent status in a subsequent award year. Documentation must be provided each award year. All decisions are at the discretion of the Financial Aid Office.
*The financial aid office will use the email provided on the FAFSA to contact you with additional questions or information.
Mail/fax/scan the necessary documents in regards to your situation listed above to the Office of Financial Aid.
Fax: 540-828-5671
Scan/Email: finaid@bridgewater.edu
Mail:
Office of Financial Aid
Bridgewater College
402 E. College St., 27
Bridgewater, VA 22812
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.
- College Savings Plan Network
- Private College 529
- Virginia Invest 529
1-888-567-0540 - Virginia Prepaid 529
1-888-567-0540
- ACS Scholars Program
- AFCEA STEM Teacher for America’s Future
- BAM Scholarship
- Epsilon Sigma Alpha Foundation Scholarships
- The Gates Millennium Scholars Program
- GE-Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Scholarship Program
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund
- Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
- The Jackie Robinson Foundation
- J.T. – Minnie Maude Charitable Trust
- Mary Blackwell Barnes Memorial Scholarship
- National Merit Scholarship
- Ron Brown Scholar Program
- Ronald McDonald House Charities
- Rhodes Scholar
- Tillman Military Scholars Program
- Arlington Community Foundation
- Central Blue Ridge Community Foundation
- The Community Foundation of Richmond and Central Virginia
- The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia
- Community Foundation of the Dan River Region
- Community Foundation of the Virginias, Inc.
- Hampton Roads Community Foundation
- Peninsula Community Foundation of Virginia
- Shenandoah Community Foundation
- Southeast Virginia Community Foundation
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.
New students must complete the 2025-2026 TAG application and submit it to the Financial Aid office by September 15.
*Please note: The estimated award for 2025-2026 is $5,250. 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 September 15. 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 September 16 and October 1.
- 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 $5,250 with a second disbursement of $2,625. If SCHEV finds it necessary to award an amount less than $5,250, 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, 2024 and June 30, 2025, the interest rate will be fixed at 6.53% 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, 2024 and June 30, 2025, the interest rate is a fixed 9.08%.
- 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.
- *ABNB Federal Credit Union
- *Anheuser-Busch Employee’s Credit Union
- Ascent
- Citizens
- Monogram/Custom Choice
- College Avenue Student Loans
- College Foundation of North Carolina – NC Residents Only
- *CommonWealth One Federal Credit Union
- Funding U
- Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) – MA Residents Only
- *Members 1st Federal Credit Union
- *Navy Federal Credit Union
- New Hampshire Higher Education Loan Corporation
- NYMEO Federal Credit Union
- PA Forward Student Loans – PA Residents Only
- Sallie Mae Student Loans
- SoFi Student Loans
- *State Employee’s Credit Union of Maryland
- *Thrivent Federal Credit Union
- York Educational Credit Union
*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