The FAFSA & Your 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 2026 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. Review our frequently asked questions about the FAFSA
Financial Aid Forms
FAFSA FAQs
Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The priority deadline for filing the FAFSA is April 15. BC’s school code is 003704.
The FAFSA is also the approved application for all need-based institutional and state financial aid programs.
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Completing the FAFSA is the first step in exploring your financing options. Most students are eligible for some form of financial aid. Apply each year you are enrolled to find out your eligibility. There are even aid programs for students who don’t qualify for need-based assistance.
If you miss the priority deadline, file your FAFSA as soon as possible. Applications submitted after April 15, will be processed as long as funds are available.
If you are trying to complete your FAFSA and are finding the instructions confusing, contact us. We can often provide a quick answer to put you back on the road to completing your application.
Applying for Aid in Subsequent Years
- If you need a FSA ID or have forgotten your FSA ID, you can visit the FSA ID page.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards
Many types of federal and state aid require students to maintain satisfactory academic progress. You must have a minimum number of credits earned and meet a minimum grade point average, which varies depending on your academic level.
Bridgewater College Scholarships and Grants
Once you receive an academic scholarship, you have a maximum eligibility period of 8 semesters to apply it to your undergraduate degree.
Your Student Aid Report
After the federal processing center completes the analysis of your FAFSA, they will send you a student aid report (SAR). How you receive this depends on how you filed it:
- If you filed the FAFSA online and provided an email address, you will receive a SAR Information Acknowledgment with access information for your SAR online.
- If you filed the FAFSA by mail, or did not provide an email address online, you will receive the SAR by mail.
The SAR includes important comments about your analysis along with the information from your FAFSA. Read it carefully!
If the processor rejected your application, the letter will let you know what you need to do next. We can’t determine your aid eligibility until we receive a valid analysis for you. Your prompt action in providing the processor with more information is vital.
If, for instance, your reported estimated income figures on the original FAFSA and the actual figures are different, you should make the appropriate corrections, sign the SAR and return it for reprocessing at the address provided.
If Bridgewater College is not listed on your student aid report, we will not be able to determine your eligibility for aid. In order to have the analysis sent to the financial aid office, email us. We will need to know your DRN number, located near the top of the first page of the student aid report. We will send a request to the processor to receive your results.
If everything on the SAR is correct and Bridgewater College is listed as a school to receive the analysis, you don’t need to do anything. Good news!YouFAFSA FAQs
Renewing your Financial Aid
- If you filed a 2025-2026 FAFSA, the federal processing center will send a 2026-2027 renewal notification to the email address listed on your 2025-2026 FAFSA.
- If you did not provide an email address, the notification will be sent to the home address listed on your 2025-2026 FASFA.
- The Renewal FAFSA can only be filed when the Department of Education makes the 2026-2027 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.
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 |
|---|---|
Dependent Care
|
|
| Student’s parent died after FAFSA was filed |
|
| Medical/Disability expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance |
|
| Student’s parents separated or divorced after FAFSA was filed |
|
Significant Income Reduction
|
|
| Other special circumstances |
|
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, 2003? | 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, 2026 and June 30, 2027? |
|
| 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, 2027? | 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? |
|
| 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, 2025, 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 2026-2027 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, 2025, were you declared homeless or unaccompanied and at risk of being homeless by:
| Declared Homeless by: | Send Requested Documents to BC Financial Aid Office: |
|---|---|
| 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
Questions? Reach out
Financial Aid Office
Phone: 540-828-5377
finaid@bridgewater.edu
