At a Bard Microcollege, the scale of the campus is reduced—no dorms, no gym, no cafeteria—but the core of the educational experience burns bright: small, seminar-style classes taught by professors skilled at creating learning environments that challenge students, connect them to the world, and make them visible to themselves and each other.
Microcollege classes are Bard College classes; Microcollege students earn Bard College credits and work towards Bard College degrees. All Microcolleges are tuition-free.
Microcollege degrees are stepping stones to four-year degrees, satisfying careers, and lives of intellectual inquiry.
Who are microcollege students?
Where are Bard Microcolleges located?
There are three Bard Microcolleges, one in Holyoke, Massachusetts, one in Brooklyn, and one in Harlem. At all three locations, students pursue the same rigorous Bard College curriculum, but each Microcollege has its own culture and traditions, influenced by the community that surrounds it and the students who enroll there.
Brooklyn, New York
Brooklyn Public Library
Students take advantage of academic advising, tutoring, continuing education seminars, and student services, as well as Brooklyn Public Library’s countless resources
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Harlem, New York
JLUSA and College & Community Fellowship
Welcomes students from Harlem and surrounding communities, with a special focus on students and faculty who are directly impacted by the justice system, and those who aspire to careers in advocacy, community building, or social justice.
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Holyoke, Massachusetts
The Care Center
A college for women, inclusive of trans and non-binary students, whose educations have been interrupted by parenting, financial challenges, or other family responsibilities, located in Massachusetts.
Learn MoreHow much does this cost?
There is no cost to students. Tuition and books are fully covered by grants and scholarships that do not have to be paid back. Students who are eligible for them apply for federal Pell Grants and state aid, such as Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) grants in New York State. The remainder of tuition costs and the cost of books are covered by full scholarships.
What is Bard College?
A liberal arts college founded in 1860 in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY. Today, Bard College is known for its excellence in teaching and for its commitment to the liberal arts and to democratizing access to them.