BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Students in the Battle Creek Public Schools have the potential to gain fully funded admission to 15 more universities after a scholarship increase. 

What is the scholarship increase?

The new expansion builds upon the Bearcat Advantage scholarship program which began last year, which covers up to 100% of tuition and mandatory fees for qualifying Battle Creek Public School graduates who are eligible four-year universities. 

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“Today, we are thrilled to announce the next step: Michigan Colleges Alliance is partnering with the Bearcat Advantage and offering additional funding for eligible scholarship recipients to cover up to 100% of tuition and fees at 15 top private colleges and universities in the state,” BCPS announced in a statement. 

Which colleges are participating?

The newest participating institutions include: Adrian College, Albion College, Alma College, Andrews University, Aquinas College, Calvin University, College for Creative Studies, University of Detroit Mercy, Hillsdale College, Hope College, Kalamazoo College, Madonna University, The University of Olivet, Siena Heights University, and Spring Arbor University.

Each Michigan College Alliance (MCA) institution will match, through institutional grants and other non-loan sources, the difference between the cost of tuition and fees and the Bearcat Advantage cap. 

Who is qualified and how they can benefit. 

BCPS graduates who have spent more time in the district are favored as scholarships are higher for those who have attended longer. 

A chart provided by BCPS shows that only students enrolled from K-12 in the district can qualify for 100% tuition coverage, but those enrolled starting in grades 1, 2, or 3 through 12th grade qualify for 95% tuition coverage. The fewest number of years a student can be enrolled in the district and qualify is grades 9-12 but would only qualify for 65% coverage. 

A chart breaking down all the conversions of years in district and tuition that students are qualified for can be found here

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Students also have up to six years after graduation to use the scholarship funds towards a four year degree. 

“This scholarship is a declaration of belief in our students,” BCPS officials said in a statement. “At BCPS, we truly believe our students can achieve anything they set their hearts and minds to when given the opportunity to shine, and opportunity is what the Bearcat Advantage is all about.” 

For other scholarship opportunities, see here.