Consumer Information
As federally mandated, the College has provided this consumer information. Paper copies are available in the Office of Financial Aid.
Table of Contents
- Section 1: Institutional and Financial Assistance Information for Students
- Section 2: Drug and alcohol abuse prevention information
- Section 3: Student Right-to-Know Act
- Section 4: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
- Section 5: FERPA
- Section 6: Safeguarding Consumer Information
- Section 7: Fire Safety Reports (see Section 4) and Student Housing
- Section 8: Misrepresentation
- Section 9: Loan Disclosures
- Section 10: NC-SARA
Section 1: Institutional and Financial Assistance Information for Students
1. Basic Financial Aid Information
2. Institutional Information
- Tuition and fees for students
- Net Price Calculator
- Required Vaccines
- Vaccination rates
- Statement of accreditation (from NEASC)
- Accreditation information
- Transfer credit policy
- Copyright infringement policy
- Refund policy
- Services and facilities available to students with disabilities.
- Withdrawing from the College
- The Academic program and other degree programs
- Faculty and staff pages
- Vermont State Right to File a Complaint
- Required disclosures to prospective and enrolled students applicable to all schools where program is designed to be offered by another entity; Portion of program not being offered by the degree/certificate granting school, name and location of the other school/organization, method of delivery not being offered by the degree/certificate granting school and estimated additional costs that may incur due to arrangement
- A statement that a student’s enrollment in a program of study abroad approved for credit by the home school may be considered enrollment at the home school for the purpose of applying for assistance under the title IV, HEA program.
- A summary of the requirements under 34 CFR 668.22 for the return of title IV grant or loan assistance
3. Other Institutional Information
- Penalties associated with drug-related offenses
- College Navigator
- Student Body Diversity
- Textbook information: available on Populi and in the bookstore
- Voter Registration Form
4. Availability of employees for information dissemination
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The Financial Aid office and the office of Admissions are designated to be able to assist enrolled or prospective students in obtaining consumer information during the 9:00 am-5:00 pm period during term.
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The Business office, the office of Financial Aid, and the office of Admissions are able to help prospective or enrolled students with questions about financial assistance.
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The Dean's Office can assist students in obtaining school information, information on completion or graduation rates.
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Campus Safety and Human Resources can advise students as to school security policies and crime statistics.
5. Constitution and Citizenship Day
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Check with the student life office for passes to MASS MOCA, and you can visit the Clark Art Institution for free with your Bennington ID card.
Section 2: Drug and alcohol abuse prevention information
The drug and alcohol abuse prevention information document is distributed to students annually by email.
Section 3: Student Right-to-Know Act
Section 4: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is sent to all students yearly by email.
Section 5: FERPA
Read the College's FERPA policy.
Section 7: Fire Safety Report on Student Housing
The Fire Safety Report on Student Housing can be found in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (as listed in section 4), and contains information regarding:
- The annual fire safety report
- Fire statistics
- Fire Log
Section 8: Misrepresentation
Nature of the Educational Program
- Statement of accreditation
- Credit transfer policy
- Graduation requirements
- Student conduct standards
- Location, size, and facilities
- Student employment
- Financial assistance
- Accommodations and support
- Peer Writing Tutor program
- The number of faculty
- Faculty bios
- Course prerequisites
- The Bennington College Newsroom includes information on courses that have been the subject of unsolicited testimonials or endorsements by students, former students, and others.
- The availability and frequency of Courses at the college can be found in the curriculum.
- Regarding the appropriateness of the College's courses and programs to the employment objectives, refer to the Capacities.
- The subject matter, content of the course of study, or any other fact related to the degree, diploma, certificate of completion, or any similar document that the student is to be, or is, awarded upon completion of the course of study; see the curriculum, Field Work Term, and requirements for gradation.
- Bennington College and its degrees are accredited through the state of Vermont and NECHE (New England Commission on Higher Education) which at the time was referred to as NEASC.
Nature of Financial Charges
We offer the assurance that the school does not provide false, erroneous, or misleading statements concerning:
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Offers of scholarships to pay all or part of a course charge
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Whether a particular change is the customary charge at the school for a course, see the Tuition and Fees pages.
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The cost of the program and the institution's refund policy if the student does not complete the program;
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The availability or nature of any financial assistance offered to students, including a student's responsibility to repay any loans, regardless of whether the student is successful in completing the program and obtaining employment; or
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The student's right to reject (see the Handbook, section on Accepting, Reducing, or Declining Financial Aid) any particular type of financial aid or other assistance, or whether the student must apply for a particular type of financial aid, such as financing offered by the institution.
Employability of graduates
We assure that the school does not provide false, erroneous, or misleading statements:
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That the school is connected with any organization or is an employment agency or other agency providing authorized training leading directly to employment (Not applicable)
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The institution's plans to maintain a placement service for graduates or otherwise assist its graduates to obtain employment; (for information on this topic, see the required annual internship page).
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The institution's knowledge about the current or likely future conditions, compensation, or employment opportunities in the industry or occupation for which the students are being prepared; (see the Department of Labor statistics)
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Whether employment is being offered by the institution or that a talent hunt or contest is being conducted, including, but not limited to, through the use of phrases such as “Men/women wanted to train for * * *,” “Help Wanted,” “Employment,” or “Business Opportunities”; (the College offers several recent graduate positions through the Kilpatrick Fellowship program).
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Government job market statistics in relation to the potential placement of its graduates (see Fast Facts and Field Work Term and Career Outcomes)
Section 9: Loan Disclosures
Section 10: NC SARA
Bennington College provides distance education programs compliant with U.S. Department of Education regulations as well as applicable state and territorial requirements. As a member institution of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) initiative, Bennington College upholds NC-SARA (National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements) guidelines. These guidelines provide a centralized authorization framework that protects consumers and offers students a structured process for submitting complaints to address regulatory inconsistencies across states.
NC-SARA operates as a voluntary alliance among U.S. states and territories to establish uniform national standards for interstate postsecondary distance education. This agreement simplifies cross-state online enrollment for students. You can review additional details about NC-SARA or verify Bennington College's SARA participation by visiting the official NC-SARA website.
NC-SARA: Distance Education Complaint Process
If you have a serious complaint against the College related to online learning, please be reminded that there are specific processes for you to follow in seeking resolution. It is important to note that SARA guidelines and Vermont state procedures generally do not cover routine student grades or standard student conduct/disciplinary adjudications (please see student handbook). The regulations require states to provide the opportunity for students to lodge the following types of complaints:
- Allegations of state consumer protection violations, including, but not limited to, fraud and false advertising
- Allegations that state laws or rules addressing the licensure of postsecondary institutions have been violated
- Allegations regarding the quality of education or other accreditation requirements
- National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) & Complaints from Outside of Vermont.
The College seeks to address issues fairly and resolve them promptly. If you have a complaint, please use the NC-SARA Student Complaint Form.
In the event that a student feels a complaint has not been addressed in a reasonable period of time and in accordance with procedures, they may contact the following entities:
- Bennington College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Information regarding the NECHE complaint process can be found on their website.
- Vermont NC-SARA Compliant Process (PDF)
- Complaint Resolution State of Vermont Agency of Education
- Complaint resolution contacts for out-of-state students: Relevant agency in the student’s state of residence