Equity and Inclusion Programs

Scholarships · Mentoring · Community

Equity and Inclusion Programs at Bard College support scholars from a variety of backgrounds who seek to attain a rigorous liberal arts education. With the guidance of professional staff and peer mentors, scholars can create a path of personal and academic success at Bard. If you’d like to help support our students in their academic pursuits, please consider making a gift.

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Our Programs

The Office of Equity and Inclusion is the administrative home to:

Bard Equity and Inclusion Programs by the Numbers

Our Impact

50

Years of HEOP
at Bard College
133

Scholars on Campus
26%

of Bard Students
Receive Pell Grants
10

Years of Posse
at Bard College

“Strive to Thrive”

The philosophy of the Equity and Inclusion Programs remains consistent with the College’s desire for diversity to be part of the learning experience of all students from a wide variety of backgrounds. Our office recognizes that students with identities historically underrepresented in higher education seek to attain a rigorous liberal arts education and often need support to realize this aim. Such students bring to the College a wealth of knowledge and insight not necessarily gained in the classroom. Our scholars benefit from the Bard experience, just as Bard benefits from their presence. The Equity and Inclusion Programs work closely with HEOP, BOP, ECO, and Posse Scholars (from Atlanta) on campus. To learn more about Posse, visit possefoundation.org.

Scholarship Programs

We offer scholarships to high-achieving, low-income scholars from all 50 states. If you think Bard College might be right for you, please call or email us at [email protected].

Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)

Bard's Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), which began in 1969, is one of the oldest and most successful programs of its kind in New York State. HEOP is sponsored jointly through a grant from the New York State Education Department and Bard College. Many students aspiring to attend college face a reality of few options and fewer opportunities due to a lack of economic and educational resources. HEOP seeks to confront this reality. In this regard, Bard’s BEOP Office is unsurpassed in its financial commitment to its students. (HEOP and its activities are supported, in whole or in part, by the New York State Education Department.)
Bard Opportunity Program (BOP) Scholarship

In 2008, Bard expanded its commitment to access and to equity in higher education through the creation of the Bard Opportunity Program Scholarship (BOP). Bard Opportunity Program Scholars may come from all 50 states and possess a high level of achievement in academics, leadership, and the potential for success in a competitive academic environment. Often BOP scholars exhibit a nontraditional profile, and do not posses the financial means to afford a college such as Bard.

Bard College Posse Scholar Sakinah Bennett ’21. Photo by Shocarra Marcus

The Posse Arts Program for Students from Puerto Rico

The Posse Arts Program recruits, trains, and supports cohorts of students interested in majoring in the creative arts.

Bard College now offers full-tuition Posse Scholarships to students from Puerto Rico in partnership with the Posse Foundation and Lin-Manuel Miranda and the Miranda Family Fund. The first class of Posse Arts Scholars began at Bard in the fall of 2022.

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Are You an OEI Alum?

Equity and Inclusion Programs, formerly known as BEOP, is currently home to over 120 students. Reconnect with our office by joining our LinkedIn group to learn about news, events, opportunities to connect with our office, and so much more. We would love to know where you are now and what are you doing!

Join the Equity and Inclusion Programs LinkedIn Group