To apply for federal and state financial aid, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The school code for Bay Mills Community College is 030666.

You should start by applying for a FSA ID (a username and password) through the U.S. Department of Education. It is important to understand the student and parent may not share an FSA ID. Your FSA ID is your electronic signature, so it must be unique to you. If you are a parent of a dependent student, you will need your own FSA ID to sign your child's FAFSA form electronically. If you are the parent of more than one child attending college, you may use the same FSA ID to sign all applications, but each child must have his or her own ID.

Next, you will need to gather the documents needed to complete your FAFSA. Typically, these documents include your social security number or alien registration number, your federal income tax returns (Note: You may be able to transfer your federal tax return information using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool), W-2's and other records of money earned, bank statements and records of investments (if applicable), records of untaxed income (if applicable), and an FSA ID to sign electronically. If you are a dependent student, you will also need most of the above information for your parent(s).

Once you have gathered the documents, you can complete the FAFSA. There are helpful hints available on the FAFSA website which explains each of the fields you will need to complete. You may also contact our Financial Aid Office with any questions you may have. 

When to Apply - Financial Aid Deadline

Don’t delay when applying for aid. Completing the free application for Federal Student Aid early will help you avoid missing deadlines, thereby maximizing the amount of aid for which you are eligible. The FAFSA can be filed as soon as October 1 of the student’s senior year of high school and each subsequent year in college. Bay Mills Community College highly recommends completing your application as soon as possible so students meet the State of Michigan’s March 1 state aid deadline. Completing your FAFSA early will ensure you have a complete financial aid file by the June 30 deadline. This deadline is for new and returning students. If you have other sources of financial aid, such as a direct pay by your tribe or employer, please submit a copy of the documentation to the Financial Aid Office by August 1 of each year.

If you do not have a complete financial aid file prior to the start of the semester, you may still apply for financial aid during the semester you are enrolled; however, you will be required to pay for your books at the time of purchase. You will also be required to pay in full or set up a payment plan with the Student Billing Coordinator for the cost of tuition and fees within five business days upon the start of the semester. If you are eligible for financial aid, refund checks will be issued during the semester for any excess financial aid.