Financial Aid

Financial aid and special funding help make a Bread Loaf education affordable.

Financial aid is available in the form of grants and loans. Grants do not need to be repaid. Aid is awarded on the basis of financial need and scholastic achievement on a first-come, first-served basis. There are also on-campus student jobs available in Vermont.

In addition, Bread Loaf offers a limited number of fellowships and scholarships that are made possible through special funding. Please refer to our special funding page for more information on our fellowships and scholarships. Monthly payment plans and private education loans are also available.

During the summer of 2024, approximately 66 percent of Bread Loaf students received grants, with an average award of $7,817.

Applying for Student Aid

You should apply early for financial aid, as funds are limited. Do not wait for an admissions decision before you apply for aid. Offers are made through Middlebury’s Office of Student Financial Services. They will be your contact throughout the financial aid application process and can help you with any questions you have about your aid application or the timing of your aid decision.

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

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.

New and returning students who wish to be considered for financial aid offered through Middlebury College should follow these instructions:

Submit your Bread Loaf application for admission or, for returning students, re-enrollment.
Beginning late October 2024, 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 your Middlebury Financial Aid portal. You do not need to complete the FAFSA to be considered for or receive financial aid for Bread Loaf.

Financial aid will be awarded in two main rounds in February and April 2025, according to the schedule in the Deadlines for Summer 2025 Awarding 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.

You do not need to complete the FAFSA.

Deadlines for Summer 2025 Awarding

The Middlebury Summer Schools Financial Aid Application for Bread Loaf becomes available beginning in late October, after you have submitted your application or re-enrollment form. 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.

Need-based financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, as determined by the later of:

The date your completed financial aid application was received by the Office of Student Financial Services
The date you completed your Bread Loaf admission application 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 14, 2025: new students will need to complete their Bread Loaf applications for admission and financial aid by January 24, 2025; returning students will need to submit their re-enrollment forms and financial aid application by February 7, 2025.
To receive an aid decision by April 18, 2025: new students will need to complete their Bread Loaf applications for admission and financial aid by March 14, 2025; returning students will need to submit their re-enrollment forms and financial aid application by March 28, 2025.
Anyone who is enrolled after March 31, 2025 will receive a decision on a rolling basis.

Bread Loaf will review and award special fellowships and scholarships across two periods following the February 14 and April 18 aid awarding dates. There are specific deadlines for some Bread Loaf special funding opportunities. Refer to our individual scholarship application instructions for details. For best access to financial aid and special funding, apply and enroll early.

Special Funding

Read about special fellowships and scholarships. Fellowship and scholarships are administered through the Bread Loaf program; applications for special funding opportunities are generally available in early January to enrolled students through their student enrollment portals.

Payment Options

In addition to need-based grants, special funding, and on-campus jobs on the Vermont campus, students can consider these options when determining how to fund their Bread Loaf education: