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 Financial Aid Office posts information regarding the AICF Grants/Scholarships at the beginning of each semester and the student is responsible for filling out the application online using the American Indian College Fund Student Login.

Click here to review the Reflection Questions assigned in your scholarship application.

Board of Regents Tuition Award

The Board of Regents (BOR) Award WAIVES TUITION costs for all students admitted to BMCC who complete the required application and meet the following guidelines:

1. Must be a TRIBAL MEMBER of a U.S. Federally Recognized Tribe and submit a copy of your tribal I.D. or verification of tribal membership from your Tribal Enrollment Clerk.
2. Must maintain a 2.0 GRADE POINT AVERAGE.
3. Students must display GOOD MORAL CHARACTER to remain eligible (the BMCC Student Handbook defines acceptable student behavior).

Any student currently earning below a 2.0 cumulative Grade Point Average at the end of the academic year will be placed on probation and have one academic year to bring their GPA up to a 2.0. If the student fails to achieve a 2.0 during the probationary period, they will not be eligible until their cumulative GPA is brought up to the 2.0 requirement.

Students granted the BOR Award will still be required to cover other costs such as textbooks and fees.

Robin R. Bedell Memorial Scholarship*

The Robin R. Bedell Memorial Scholarship was established by his family in loving memory after he passed away from COVID-19 in 2021. Robin had the distinction of being the first tribal member living on the Bay Mills Indian Community to lose his life due to the COVID-19 virus. Robin’s family and friends wanted to honor Robin’s memory by creating a scholarship in his name to remember his dedication to BMCC and to his community.

Robin was beloved by all who knew him. Robin believed in education and was an active member of the Brimley Schools Board of Education in addition to working for the Bay Mills Community College for 18 years. He loved helping all students and especially BMCC students. Robin was an individual who was friendly, looked for the best in people, and often had inspiring stories or tidbits to share. This scholarship is open to Native and Non-Native students.
Students must:

• Have a BMCC GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Be enrolled with a minimum of 12 credits
• Be in their second year of classes

Please contact the Financial Aid Office about scholarship postings and deadlines.

Herman E. Cameron Memorial Scholarship*

This scholarship is open to Bay Mills Indian Community Members. 
Students must:

• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Carry 8 credits or more
• Have a minimum 3.0 GPA or higher

Preference will be given to second year students.

Please contact the Financial Aid Office about scholarship postings and deadlines. 

Sarah Gardner Weber Memorial Scholarship*

The Sarah Gardner Weber Memorial Scholarship was established by her family in 2021 to keep her memory and legacy alive after her passing due to complications from COVID-19.  

Sarah Gardner Weber was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many, who left an impact on everyone she met. She grew up on Sugar Island and was a member of the Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Sarah was known for her kind and welcoming personality and for giving to others. Helping in any way she could.

Sarah decided to pursue her education at Bay Mills Community College while she was in her 50’s, after raising a family. She was an inspiring student who worked full-time while attending college.

Students must:

1. Be a member of a federally recognized tribe.
2. Be a nontraditional student returning to education after a minimum of 10 years since graduating from high school.
3. Have a minimum GPA of 2.0.

The first Sarah Gardner Weber Memorial Scholarship will be awarded for the Fall, 2021 semester.

All students applying for scholarships must:

• Submit a new completed profile each semester.
• Submit a new “Head Shot” Photo each semester of student only. Your face must be the largest object in the photo and you must look nice. You are NOT allowed to wear hats, bandanas, or sunglasses in the picture or you will be disqualified from the scholarship. The photo can be taken in the financial aid office upon request.
• See individual postings for further criteria before submitting.

Keep a copy of your confirmation for proof of submission.

Please contact the Financial Aid Office about scholarship postings and deadlines.

Earl King Memorial Scholarship*

This scholarship is open to Native and Non-Native Students. 

Students must:

• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Have a BMCC GPA 3.0 or higher
• Have completed MA114 with a B or better and currently enrolled in or completed MA116 or MA206.
• Carry 12 credits or more to apply.

Please contact the Financial Aid Office about scholarship postings and deadlines.

Leon M. Kinney Sr. Memorial Scholarship*

This scholarship is open to Native and Non-Native Students.

Students must:

• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Carry 8 credits or more
• Have a minimum 3.0 GPA or higher
• Be enrolled in a health related degree program

Preference will be given to second year students and members of Bay Mills Indian Community.

Please contact the Financial Aid Office about scholarship postings and deadlines.

Veronica VanSloten Memorial Scholarship*

This scholarship is open to Native and Non-Native Students. 

Students Must:

• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Carry 8 credits or more
• Have a minimum 2.5 GPA or higher

Please contact the Financial Aid Office about scholarship postings and deadlines.

*Students must submit all required information to AICF to apply for in-house scholarships and AICF scholarships. (The web site is https://webportalapp.com/sp/login/aicf_scholarships or www.collegefund.org.) 

Nick Gerrish College Scholarship

Soo Co-op Credit Union offers an educational scholarship in the amount of $1,500 to a Bay Mills Community College student. Students must be a member in good standing of Soo Co-op Credit Union, be enrolled as a full-time student, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75, and submit an essay. Applications may be obtained at any branch office of Soo Co-op Credit Union or online on the Soo Co-op Credit Union Website.

American Indian Services Scholarship

The American Indian Services Scholarship comes from a non-profit organization serving Native Americans across the country. The goal of the scholarship is to help Native Americans receive a quality education while still preserving their culture and honoring their heritage. Apply online at AIS Scholarship.

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. Eligibility for Pell is determined from the FAFSA application.

For more information click here: Federal Pell Grants 

The purpose of the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is to provide grants to exceptionally needy students to help pay for their post-secondary education. It is for undergraduates only and does not have to be paid back. The minimum award is $100. To qualify for these grant funds, students must be eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant.

For more information click here: Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant  

Under the provision of Michigan Works, sometimes there may be federal and state funding available 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, students must contact Michigan Works to explore available programs. 

For more information click here: Michigan Works

Michigan is home to approximately 1.3 million individuals with disabilities. MRS works with eligible customers and employers to achieve quality employment outcomes and independence for individuals with disabilities. We work in partnership with individuals with disabilities to prepare for and obtain competitive employment, including exploring the possibilities of self-employment or owning a small business. Employment services to individuals with disabilities are provided in all 83 Michigan counties.

MRS also assists employers to find and retain qualified workers with disabilities. MRS helps employers save time and money, and maintain a motivated, reliable, and dependable workforce.

For more information click here: Michigan Rehabilitation Services 

In regards to Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2018, Bay Mills Community College has adopted the following policy.

The following individuals shall be charged the in-state tuition:

Any individual using educational assistance under either Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty Program), Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation), or Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®), of title 38, United States Code, and/or the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311 (b)(9)), Chapter 35 (Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program) and Chapter 1606 of Title 10 U.S.C. (Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve) who lives in the State of Michigan while attending Bay Mills Community College (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).

For more information click here: Veterans Benefit Administration

The Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) is an incentive program that encourages eligible students to complete high school by providing tuition assistance for the first two years of college and beyond. To meet the financial eligibility requirement, a student must have (or have had) Medicaid coverage for 24 months within a 36-consecutive-month period as identified by the Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS). TIP provides assistance in two phases. Phase I covers tuition and mandatory fee charges for eligible students enrolled in a credit-based associate degree or certificate program at a participating Michigan community college, public university, degree-granting independent college, federal tribally-controlled college, or Focus: HOPE. Phase II provides a maximum of $2000 total tuition assistance for credits earned in a four-year program at an in-state, degree-granting college or university. Award parameters are subject to legislative changes. 

For more information click here: Tuition Incentive Program 

Financial assistance for tribal members wishing to pursue post-secondary education or vocational training is available through individual tribal education departments. To apply, contact your tribal education director for an application and program guidelines.

Waganakising Odawa Career and Technical Education Program (WOCTEP) provides financial
aid assistance to students who are enrolled in approved certificate and associate programs at Bay
Mills Community College. Approved programs include:

• Business Administration AA
• Computer Information Systems AAS
• Computer Science Web Development AAS
• Construction Technology COC
• Construction Technology AAS
• Early Childhood Education COC
• Early Childhood Education AA
• Medical Coding & Billing COC
• Medical Office Certificate
• Office Administration AAS

WOCTEP operates within the Education Department of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB) and is funded, in part, by the U.S. Dept. of Education’s Native American Career and Technical Education Program. WOCTEP assistance is open to tribal and non-tribal students, any student at BMCC can apply. Students who are eligible may receive tuition assistance, mileage, stipends for attending class, required course materials & books, internet reimbursement, credential/certification exam fee reimbursement, and laptop assistance. Federal and non-federal awards (including Pell Grant and scholarship awards) must be applied to the student’s account before WOCTEP can be applied.

Students can pick up an application at the BMCC financial aid office, and when it is completed the information will be sent to LTBB, the administrator of the program. Students who have exhausted other forms of financial aid, including the Pell grant, may also be eligible. For more information please contact the financial aid office at BMCC or visit https://ltbbodawa-nsn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/WOCTEP-BMCC-Application-2022.pdf.

The purpose of the Work Study program 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 Human Resources Department. To determine if a student qualifies for work study, financial aid eligibility and work ability are evaluated. Students may be required to re-apply for work study programs each semester as actual employment is based upon available funding. Click here for an application.