Welcome, Families
When a student comes to Bennington College, their family becomes part of the community, too.
At Bennington, students learn to ask meaningful questions, follow their curiosity, and shape an education that is distinctly their own. Families are in a unique position to witness the transformative power of a Bennington education and play a key role in it. Your support and enthusiasm as your student begins to discover and give shape to an intellectual identity can contribute powerfully to their experience.
Whether your student is beginning their first term, preparing for Field Work Term (FWT), approaching graduation, or already a part of our alumni community, you are welcome at Bennington College.
Visit Campus
You have a standing invitation to visit Bennington College.
Fall Weekend is an especially good time to experience Bennington through your student’s eyes. Meet friends and housemates, connect with their favorite faculty and staff, and attend performances, exhibitions, and other events all packed into one vibrant weekend.
Though you don’t have to wait until Fall Weekend to visit campus! Many campus events are open to the public (often free of charge) and worth considering when timing your visit. Check out the Academic Calendar for the opening and closing of term and other important dates.
Ways Families Can Get Involved
Families bring valuable experiences, relationships, ideas, and enthusiasm to Bennington. Whether you have time to volunteer or professional connections to share, there are meaningful ways for you to get involved.
Create a Field Work Term Opportunity
Field Work Term is a defining part of the Bennington educational experience. Each year, students take their learning into research and workplace settings all over the world.
Family members and alumni can strengthen this tradition by offering an internship, apprenticeship, research placement, or other workplace learning opportunity. We also welcome introductions to organizations that may be interested in offering internships and research opportunities to students.
- Field Work Term Overview and General Information
- Offer a Field Work Term opportunity to Bennington students
Send a Care Package
Family and friends can celebrate birthdays, offer encouragement, or simply let a student know you are thinking of them by sending “Hugs from Home” through the Campus Dining Hall.
Support Scholarships and Student Opportunities
At Bennington, education is strengthened by the people who believe in its possibilities. Philanthropy plays an important role in sustaining the people, the programs, and the experiences that define a Bennington education.
Gifts to the Bennington Fund provide flexible, immediate support that allows the College to respond to its most important needs, strengthen the student experience, and create meaningful opportunities for every student to learn, grow, and thrive at Bennington.
Families can make a gift today to the Bennington Fund or connect with someone in the Office of Institutional Advancement to explore other meaningful ways to strengthen the student experience and help secure Bennington’s future for generations to come.
Help Your Student Navigate Bennington
College is a time of growing independence, but families can still support their student by helping them identify the people, offices, and information they may need.
When possible, encourage your student to reach out directly to the appropriate point of contact themselves. This encourages students to build the confidence and relationships that they need to navigate the world and advocate for themselves.
Because College students control access to their educational records, Bennington College staff and faculty may be limited in the information they can share with family members without the student’s permission. Learn more about the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Academic Resources
- A Bennington Education: Capacities
- Academic Calendar
- Academic Advising and Support
- Grades and Evaluation
- Leaves of Absence
- Plan Process, Term by Term
- Requirements for Graduation
- Study Abroad and Study Away
Field Work Term and Career Development
- Field Work Term Overview
- Field Work Term Handbook
- Offer a Field Work Term opportunity to Bennington students