How do I know if I’m eligible for the Bearcat Advantage?
Each Fall Seniors receive an email at their @bcbearcats email address with their login information for a student portal where they can see their personalized eligibility for the Bearcat Advantage scholarship based on the number of years they’ve been enrolled in BCPS. If you do not receive an email or are having trouble logging in, please contact bearcatadvantage@battlecreekpublicschools.org.
To be eligible for the Bearcat Advantage scholarship a student must:
- be a BCPS graduate from the class of 2023 or later.
- have attended BCPS for at least all of high school.
- live within the BCPS district if they are enrolled in BCPS Virtual Academy.
A student’s benefit percentage of tuition and fees covered by Bearcat Advantage can be determined using a sliding scale based on the number of years they’ve been enrolled in BCPS. Eligibility is determined from the date of most recent continuous enrollment in a full academic year, starting on September 1st. Students enrolled after September 1st will begin their scholarship enrollment eligibility the following school year.
Do I have to live in the Battle Creek area to receive the scholarship benefit?
Residency is not a requirement for students who are enrolled in-person at BCCHS or WK Preparatory High School, have been a BCPS student since at least September 1st of 9th grade, and will be continuously enrolled at BCPS through graduation.
BCPS Virtual Academy students must live within the BCPS district boundaries, as well as meet the enrollment requirements, to be eligible for the scholarship.
What happens if my student leaves BCPS but then returns at a later date?
When a student is unenrolled from BCPS they are no longer eligible for the Bearcat Advantage scholarship. Once a student returns to the district, their eligibility re-starts with the most recent continuous enrollment in a full academic year, starting on September 1st.
What exactly does the Bearcat Advantage pay for?
For eligible BCPS graduates, the Bearcat Advantage covers up to 100 percent of tuition and mandatory fees for undergraduate courses at any public four-year college or university in Michigan, eligible private college or university in MIchigan, or at one of over 80 eligible Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the country.
The Bearcat Advantage scholarship covers tuition and mandatory fees on a sliding scale, up to a maximum per academic year (based on their award %). The scholarship will only pay for course work leading towards a bachelor's degree. The Bearcat Advantage award is a “first dollar” scholarship to be applied to the student’s account:
- After tuition-specific institutional grant and aid awards and tuition-specific state and federal grants.
- Prior to non-tuition-specific institutional grants and aid, state and federal grants, loans, and work-study.
For students attending a private Michigan college or university or an HBCU, the Bearcat Advantage payment amount is limited to their eligibility award for the published cost of tuition and mandatory fees for a MI resident taking the same number of credit hours in University of Michigan’s College of Literature, Science & the Arts.
As part of our Michigan Colleges Alliance partnership and our direct partnerships with private Michigan colleges and universities, each eligible private Michigan institution will match (through institutional grants and other non-loan sources) the tuition and fee cost differential between its annually published tuition and fees and the annually published undergraduate average tuition and fees for the University of Michigan’s College of Literature, Science and Arts.
The Bearcat Advantage can only be applied toward tuition and mandatory fees. Room and board fees are not covered by the Bearcat Advantage.
When does my scholarship end?
The Bearcat Advantage pays up to the student’s maximum award for each year of education until ANY ONE of the following are achieved:
- 145 credit hours have been awarded
- Six years from the date of the student’s high school graduation is reached
- A Bachelor's degree is achieved
Which schools can I use it for?
The Bearcat Advantage scholarship funds can be used for undergraduate courses at eligible:
- Public four-year colleges or universities in Michigan
- Top private colleges and universities in Michigan
- HBCUs across the country
Visit battlecreekpublicschools.org/bearcatadvantage/eligible-colleges-and-universities for a full list of eligible institutions.
Does the scholarship have to be used immediately following graduation?
No. The scholarship is available to use for six years after high school graduation. Students applying for the Bearcat Advantage after their senior year of high school must:
- Email bearcatadvantage@battlecreekpublicschools.org to reopen your Bearcat Advantage application.
- Complete your Bearcat Advantage application steps before the deadlines for each semester:
- Scholarship use for Fall Semester (August)
- Applications due March 1 of that year
- Acceptance Forms due April 15 of that year
- Scholarship use for Winter/Spring Semester (January)
- Applications due October 1 of prior year
- Acceptance Forms due November 1 of prior year
- Example: Applications for Winter/Spring 2027 are due Oct 1, 2026
Will the Bearcat Advantage Scholarship cover my desire to go to a community college or trade school instead of a four-year school?
There is no single path to success, and we’re committed to providing opportunities to help ensure that every student can succeed in their careers, college, and the Battle Creek community — no matter where their path takes them. Together, the Bearcat Advantage and other local scholarships provide scholarship opportunities for certifications, associate’s degrees, and bachelor's degrees.
Students interested in four-year colleges or universities should apply for the Bearcat Advantage.
Students interested in attending Kellogg Community College, trade school, or an apprenticeship program should complete the process for local scholarships. You can learn more about available local scholarships by visiting the Battle Creek Community Foundation website at bccfoundation.org/for-students.
Can I use the Bearcat Advantage Scholarship if I am attending a college or university outside of Michigan?
The scholarship can only be used for colleges or universities outside of Michigan if you are attending an eligible, four-year Historically Black College or University (HBCU) that is accredited by the US Department of Education. A full list of approved schools can be found at battlecreekpublicschools.org/bearcatadvantage/eligible-colleges-and-universities
When did the agreement between the Bearcat Advantage and Michigan Colleges Alliance begin?
Students graduating from Battle Creek Public Schools and eligible to receive the Bearcat Advantage beginning in May 2024 and beyond are included in the Michigan Colleges Alliance (MCA) agreement.
How does the Bearcat Advantage scholarship work with MCA institutions and eligible MI direct-partnership institutions?
The following table gives a sample of how a couple of hypothetical students would be funded:
