Bread Loaf School of English

As a Bread Loaf student, you may be eligible for need-based grants, as well as on-campus student jobs that are available at our Vermont campus. In addition, Bread Loaf offers a limited number of fellowships and scholarships that are made possible through special funding. Please refer to Bread Loaf Special Funding for more information on our fellowships and scholarships and to apply.  Monthly payment plans and private education loans are also available.

During the summer of 2025, approximately 69 percent of Bread Loaf students received grants and/or special funding, with an average award of $8,316.

Process

You should apply early for financial aid, as funds are limited. Do not wait for an admissions decision before you apply for aid.  Follow these steps:

1. Submit your Bread Loaf application for admission or, for returning students, re-enrollment.
2. Beginning late October 2025, within a few days after you have submitted your admissions application or re-enrollment, you will receive an email with the subject “Middlebury Financial Aid Information” that includes instructions on how to access and complete the Middlebury Summer Schools Financial Aid Application in the Middlebury Financial Aid Portal.
3. Applications for Bread Loaf Special Funding are available in January.

Financial aid will be awarded in two main rounds in February and April 2026, according to the schedule in the Awarding for Summer 2026 section below, and then continue on a rolling basis until funds are depleted.

Requirements

To be considered for need-based grants from Middlebury you must:

• Be admitted to Bread Loaf or, for returning students, officially re-enrolled
• Complete a Middlebury Summer Programs Financial Aid Application for Bread Loaf, available in late October.

Deadlines

There are specific deadlines for some Bread Loaf special funding opportunities. Refer to the individual scholarship application instructions for details. The Middlebury Summer Schools Financial Aid Application for Bread Loaf becomes available in beginning in late October, after applying for admission or re-enrollment. Deadlines for need-based grants awarded during the two main rounds are outlined below. After March 31, need-based grants are awarded on a rolling basis. Grant funds are limited and do run out so students are encouraged to apply early.

Awarding for Summer 2026

Need-based financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the later of one of these two dates, as follows:

• The date your completed financial aid application was received by the Office of Student Financial Services
• The date you completed your Bread Loaf application for admission or re-enrollment form. 

Students will receive their financial aid notification in two main blocks, depending on the completion of their Bread Loaf enrollment.

• To receive an aid decision by February 13, 2026: new students will need to complete their Bread Loaf applications for admission and financial aid by January 23, 2026; returning students will need to submit their re-enrollment forms and financial aid application by February 6, 2026.
• To receive an aid decision by April 17, 2026: new students will need to complete their Bread Loaf applications for admission and financial aid by March 13, 2026; returning students will need to submit their re-enrollment forms and financial aid application by March 27, 2026.
• Anyone who is enrolled after March 31, 2026 will receive a decision on a rolling basis.

Bread Loaf will review and award special fellowships and scholarships across two periods following the February 13 and April 17 aid awarding dates. For best access to financial aid and special funding, apply and enroll early.