Located on a reservation in Brimley, Michigan, Bay Mills Community College (BMCC) is Michigan’s first fully accredited, tribally controlled college. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
As the only community college in Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula, BMCC is one of only three tribally controlled colleges in the state of Michigan. One of its goals is to provide high quality educational opportunities to all tribal communities in Michigan and their neighbors.
The college was initially a vocational program funded by the Department of Education in 1981, to service the local Native American communities. Since that time, Bay Mills Community College has grown to currently serve over seven hundred students annually through on campus, off campus, and virtual college programming. Although the college specializes in programs for American Indians, BMCC’s cutting edge technological infrastructure has allowed them to reach beyond the borders of Michigan and offer on-line instruction throughout North America.
Bay Mills Community College
Academics
BMCC meets the educational needs of a wide variety of students, from its remote, rural Main Campus, West Campus, off-campus sites, and online courses.
Online Courses
Bay Mills Community College offers convenience and flexibility with their online courses. Students can to study from their own location and on their own schedule. Students have the options of completing individual online courses or completing their Associate of Arts degrees in Early Childhood Education or Business Administration.
Dual Enrollment Program
While still attending high school, juniors and seniors can earn college credits at Bay Mills Community College in their dual enrollment program. Eligibility guidelines and dual enrollment information for students who would like to pursue dual enrollment must check with their high school principal or guidance counselor.
Free Classes
BMCC offers an excellent opportunity to gain child care credentials by offering free courses, leading to a Child Development Associate (CDA) to students who are members of U.S. Federally Recognized Tribes. Completed CDA course credits can be applied to a full associate degree in one of three early childhood education tracks if the student desires to continue.
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at Bay Mills Community College.
The admissions policy at Bay Mills Community College is liberal. High school graduates and non-graduate adults who have passed the General Education Development (GED) test are eligible for admission. In order to qualify for admission, those students not possessing a diploma or GED, must sign up for and complete the GED by the end of their first academic year, or they are evaluated by the Office of Student Services and are determined to have the ability to benefit from the program, to which they seek admission. Please note all students must apply every semester.
Additionally, there are several steps to follow in order to complete your admissions file at Bay Mills Community College:
1. Complete Bay Mills Community College Admissions Application.
2. High school graduates or GED recipients must have official transcripts/official Score Report submitted to admission office.
3. If a prospective student is an enrolled Tribal/Band Member: A copy of their Tribal I.D. or verification of Tribal membership from the Tribal Enrollment Clerk or Canadian Certificate of Indian Status.
4. If a prospective students is not an enrolled Tribal/Band member but one of their biological parents is a Tribal/Band member, please submit: a copy of the parents Tribal I.D. or verification of Tribal Membership from the Tribal Enrollment Clerk or a Canadian Certificate of Indian Status, and a copy of the students’ birth certificate and the parents marriage license or other documentation if the tribal I.D. and birth certificate have different names.
5. Schedule and complete the placement test.
Financial Aid
At Bay Mills Community College, both full-time and part-time students may be eligible and are encouraged to apply for financial. Those who have financial need should apply for financial aid. To apply for financial aid, students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Forms are available online. There are deadlines for filing your applications for financial aid and better opportunities may be afforded to thus who complete their applications early.
For students attending Bay Mills Community College, a variety of scholarships are available from federal and private sources. These include various donors, religious and service organizations. The following are some scholarships that may be available: Federal Pell Grant Program, Tribal Support Programs and the Indian Higher Education Program, Work Study Program, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Michigan Works, Board of Regents Scholarship, American Indian College Fund (AICF). Deadlines apply.
Bay Mills Community College provides a wide range of student services. These services are designed to assist students in succeeding in a college environment. Programs encourage students in achieving their academic goals and personal/cultural development. Additionally, at Bay Mills Community College, extra-curricular activities are an integral part of student life.
Some of the available services, activities, and referrals include personal/family/group counseling referrals, peer tutoring assistance, advocacy, student/health care agency liaison, career development/assistance, GED scheduling/assistance, college transfer information/assistance and disability student services.
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at Bay Mills Community College?
Bay Mills Community College
Additional School Information
Bay Mills Community College is dedicated to helping their students achieve academic success. Therefore, Student Support Services is an integral part of the college’s objective.
TRIO is one of several Student Support Services programs designed to assist students successfully complete their educational program. Some services available to TRIO-SSS participants are professional tutoring, transfer assistance, grant aid, career counseling and career and learning style testing.
Bay Mills Community College also offers academic assistance through the Learning Center. Designed to help students succeed in college, at the Learning Center students are offered a variety of educational services like teaching, tutoring, and assessment services. Another goal of the Bay Mills Community College’s Learning Center is to support and expand the students’ classroom experiences. Therefore, tutoring services are provided through peer tutors and professional tutors. In addition to the academic enrichment courses, another reason students are encouraged to use the BMCC Learning Center is to develop their reading, writing, and basic math skills in the BMCC Learning Center’s math and writing lab and study area. In order to best accommodate their student’s academic success, upon request, tutoring is available for all courses.
Bibliography
Bay Mills Community College. Bay Mills Community College. Web. 26 May 2011.
Bay Mills Community College. Student Handbook. Updated 3 May 2011. Web 27 May 2011.
Demographics – Main Campus and Surrounding Areas
Reported area around or near Brimley, MI 49715
Surrounding community
Distant rural area (between 5 to 25 mi. away from an urban area)
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Brimley, MI 49715
p. 906-248-3354
w. www.bmcc.edu