Financial Aid

Financial Aid Financial Aid Probation
Types of Financial Assistance Satisfactory Academic Progress
Financial Aid Eligibility Omnibus Drug Initiative
How to Apply for Financial Aid Financial Aid Refund Policy
When to Apply Financial Aid Appeal Process


Financial Aid

Bay Mills Community College offers a variety of federal, state, and local scholarships, grants and work study opportunities. Many students are eligible for financial aid and should apply to find out what financial aid may be available.

Most financial aid is based on need and is intended to assist students whose families cannot pay all, or perhaps any, of the college costs. The difference between what it costs to attend BMCC and what a student and his/her parents can reasonably contribute is considered the student's unmet need.

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Types of Financial Assistance


BMCC offers three types of financial aid funds:
  • Scholarships: Non-repayable money usually based on academic performance and demonstrated financial need.
  • Grants: Non-repayable money usually based only upon demonstrated financial need.
  • College Work Study: Part-time work during the school year and full-time work during vacation periods. Evidence of financial need is usually a requirement.
These types of assistance are often combined to form a financial aid "package." The aid "package" is
designed to make up any difference between the school expenses and the expected family
contribution. In the packaging process, each eligible student may receive scholarship and/or grant aid, as well as work-study student funds.



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Financial Aid Eligibility

The Federal Government has determined that financial aid will be made available only to those students who have received a high school diploma, earned a GED, or demonstrated an ability to benefit from college by achieving passing scores on an acceptable entrance examination.

In order to be eligible for financial aid, a student must:

  1. Be a U.S. Citizen or, "eligible non-citizen".
  2. Be accepted for admission to BMCC.
  3. Submit documentation to complete the student's financial aid file.
  4. Be enrolled for the minimum number of credit hours needed to fulfill program requirements.
  5. Maintain satisfactory academic progress in the course of study being pursued.
  6. Be registered with the Selective Service, if required by law.
  7. Not be in default on any Title IV loan or owe a repayment on any Title IV grant received for attendance at any institution.
  8. Complete the Anti-Drug Abuse Certification Statement.

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How to Apply for Financial Aid

To apply for financial aid, students must obtain a financial aid packet from the Financial Aid Office; complete the forms enclosed and submit the packet according to the instructions. Students must also submit to the Financial Aid Office all requested documentation needed to complete their financial aid file.



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When to Apply

Students may apply for financial aid at any time during or prior to the semester in which they are enrolled. Funds are available throughout each semester. However, to ensure that the aid will be processed in time, early application is encouraged.



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Financial Aid Probation

A student whose cumulative grade point average (GPA) falls below 2.00 (4.0 scale) will be automatically placed on Financial Aid Probation for the next semester. If the cumulative GPA returns to 2.00 or above at the end of the probation semester, the student will be removed from Financial Aid Probation. If the GPA does not rise to or above the 2.00 level at the end of the probation semester, he/she will not be eligible for continued financial aid assistance.


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Satisfactory Academic Progress

Bay Mills Community College students will be required to maintain certain academic standards. Credit hours completed and grade point averages are reviewed at the completion of each semester to determine whether satisfactory progress has been maintained. The following sections outline how academic progress is monitored.

All students must meet the following minimum standards to meet satisfactory progress criteria:

  • Full-Time Students must complete a minimum of 12 credits each semester of enrollment and also maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00.

  • Part-Time Students must complete 6 credits each semester if attending half time; 9 credits each semester if they are 3/4 time. A cumulative grade point average of 2.00 must be maintained.

The following will not be considered as credit completed:
FFailing
WWithdrawal
IIncomplete - course work finished within 25 days after the end of each semester is acceptable by registrar approval only. If not completed, it reverts to an F grade. Exceptions to this policy are the Academic Enrichment courses.
Z Deferred - when course work extends beyond a single semester, deferred grades are applied.
Repeat courses do not qualified for financial assistance.

Academic Enrichment courses cannot be counted to satisfy certificate or degree requirements.


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Omnibus Drug Initiative Act

All students receiving Federal Financial Aid are required to certify that they will not engage in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance while a student at BMCC. This act gives courts the authority to suspend eligibility for federal student financial aid when sentencing a student who has been convicted of a drug- related offense.




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Financial Aid Refund Policy


If a student withdraws from school during the college refund period and the student has received Title IV Federal Financial Aid monies, the following procedure applies. The refund is applied to the programs which have paid the tuition in the following order if tuition was paid from more than one Title IV source: 1) SEOG, 2) Pell. The Financial Aid office follows the policies and procedures detailed in the Student Financial Information-Refunds section.

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Financial Aid Appeal Process

Bay Mills Community College carefully abides by the rules and regulations governing each of its sources of financial aid funding. From time to time, however, students may wish to appeal a decision made by the College. If this situation arises, the student should clearly state in writing to the Financial Aid Office what the concern is and the Financial Aid Office shall have 10 days to respond in writing to the student. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the Financial Aid Office, the student can appeal in writing to the Appeals Committee (see Student Handbook for procedures). The Appeals Committee shall respond within 10 days in writing to the student and this decision shall be final.