Types of Financial Aid Available for Bay Mills Students


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

Types of Financial Assistance

    BMCC offers three types of financial aid funds:
  1. Scholarships:  Non-repayable money, usually based on academic performance an demonstrated financial need.
  2. Grants:  Non-repayable money, usually based only upon demonstrated financial need.
  3. 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.
 

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 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 specific 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.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

To apply for financial aid, students must obtain a financial aid packet from the Financial Aid Office; (We will take care of this on the next page.) complete the forms enclosed and submit the packet according to the instructions. Students must also submit to the Financial Aid Office all requested documents needed to complete their financial aid file. Students must understand that they will not be eligible for any available assistance without filling out and submitting the Pell application.
 

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 to pay the tuition at the time of registration, early application is encouraged.
 

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 following semester of enrollment. 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.
 

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 be considered making satisfactory progress:
 

  • Full-Time Students must complete a minimum of 12 credits each

    • semester of enrollment and also maintain a 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 grade point average of 2.00 must be maintained.
    The following will not be considered as credit completed:
 
  • F (Failing)
  • W (Withdrawal)
  • I (Incomplete)--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. Repeat courses are not qualified for financial assistance. Academic Enrichment courses cannot be counted to satisfy certificate or degree requirements.

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 aid when sentencing a student who has been convicted of a drug-related offense.
 

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 is implemented.  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 Student Financial Information - Refunds section.
 

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.
 

Grant and Scholarship Programs

Federal Pell Grant Program
The Federal Pell Grant Program is a student aid program designed to provide undergraduate students with a base of financial aid to help meet the costs of attending college. The Federal Pell Grant is also the foundation from which all other student financial aid (federal, state, institutional and private) is built. Therefore, all students must apply in order to be considered for other aid programs.
 

TRIBAL SUPPORT

Financial assistance for tribal members wishing to pursue post secondary education or vocational training is available through individual tribal education departments.  To apply for the various programs listed below, contact your tribal education director. Bureau of Indian Affairs Adult-Vocational Training Higher Education (BIA-AVT) This non-repayable grant provides services to eligible Native American students, which include vocational counseling and guidance and institutional training in recognized vocations and trades. Training and related costs, maintenance during training and transportation are included in the financial assistance. Students should apply for this program at their respective Tribal Education Offices.
 

Indian Higher Education Program

Financial assistance is available to students who are enrolled in a federally recognized tribe, have a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED) and meet the deadline requirements. Students must maintain a 2.00 grade point average (GPA) to receive continual support and are responsible for providing proof of grades to their tribe's Higher Education Office.
 

Tribal Incentives or Self Sufficiency Funds

 Students are encouraged to check with their individual tribes for special educational programming that is available for their tribal members.  The Bay Mills Indian Community has the Educational Incentive program which replaces all other funding and provides a set financial amount per credit hour.  The Sault Ste. Marie Band has a similar program but limits a maximum amount received by a student to $500.00 per semester.  Sault Tribe continues to offer the other Bureau Support Education programs to their eligible students.
 

Federal/Michigan Work Study Programs

The purpose of the Federal and State Work Study programs is to make available part-time employment opportunities for students who have demonstrated financial need and who are eligible for financial aid. Students at Bay Mills Community College must apply through the Financial Aid Office on campus. A determination of financial aid eligibility and work ability is valuated. Students may be required to re-apply for FWS each semester as actual employment is based upon job vacancies on a first come, first served basis.
 

Federal/Michigan Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants

The purpose of the Federal/Michigan Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant is to provide grants to exceptionally needy students to help pay for their post secondary education. It is for undergraduates only and it does not have to be paid back. Students can receive up to $4,000 a year, depending on need, availability of FSEOG funds at Bay Mills Community College and the amount of other aid received. The minimum award is $100. To qualify for FSEOG, students must be eligible to receive a Federal Pell grant. Students will be considered for funds from the lowest to the highest EFC number. Students not receiving a Pell will be considered for FSEOG only when other qualified students have been fully funded and funds are available.
 

Michigan Works

Under the provision of Michigan Works, the E.U.P. Employment and Training Consortium receives Federal and State funding to provide financial assistance for classroom training to eligible residents of Chippewa, Luce and Mackinac Counties. The purpose of Michigan Works is to prepare the student for  immediate employment upon completion of training. Because eligibility requirements vary among programs, students must contact the E.U.P. Employment and Training Consortium to find out what agencies are handling the various programs and any new procedures that may be required to apply.
 

Scholarships

Special scholarships may be available to full-time Native American students who are enrolled in the Health Science Curriculum.  Please inquire at the Financial Aid office as to the availability of scholarships.
 
 

American Indian College Fund (AICF)

The American Indian College Fund scholarships and grants are an integral part of the financial aid package at Bay Mills Community College.  The many grants and scholarships AICF donates to BMCC have varying eligibility criteria and have included Johnson, Avon , State Farm, Bill Weber, Phillip Morris, etc.  Contact the Financial Aid Office for information regarding the AICF Grants/Scholarships.
 

Other Scholarships

Scholarships are available from various individual donors, religious and service organizations. If interested in applying for any of these, please contact the Financial Aid Office.
 

     Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FALSA)


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