The Baker Affordability Pledge
Our financial advisors work with you to identify all available federal & state aid, Baker scholarships, and transferable credits and work experience to create an affordable education that fits your budget.
40%
Of incoming, Fall 2025 undergrad students had their tuition fully covered*
80%
Of incoming, Fall 2025 undergrad students received a Baker College Scholarship*.
$2,700
Avg. first year housing costs per year after housing scholarships**
How We Keep Tuition Accessible and Affordable
Baker College Scholarships
We’ve surpassed last year’s record with over $8MM in 2025–2026 scholarships, including $1M+ for incoming students.
Prior College & Work Credits
Transfer up to 90 credits, earn credit for prior college & work experience, and take advantage of generous transfer scholarships.
Baker BeFree Tuition Guarantee
Covers 100% of undergraduate tuition for eligible students – online or on-campus.
Financial Aid Support
By combining federal, state, military, and loan resources, we can help to lower your out-of-pocket costs and build a clear, affordable path based on your unique eligibility.
Affordable Tuition
We pledge to work with you to identify eligible scholarships and aid that may lower your tuition by as much as $100/credit hour.
Housing Scholarship
Our Baker College housing scholarship can reduce your annual housing cost by 50%. See scholarships for details and eligibility.
Get To Know Us
Founded in 1911 | Proudly Non-Profit
Baker College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, holds over 20 programmatic accreditations, and is a recipient of the Exemplary Endorsement for Online Programs from the Online Learning Consortium.
Save time and money
Undergraduate and graduate transfer pathways with credit for prior college work. We also offer dedicated transfer scholarships and credit for prior work experience.
We strive to keep our fees low.
That’s why we don’t charge an application fee or extra fees if you’re an online or out-of-state student. No parking fees either.
Fees that apply:
- Technology Fee: $350 per semester for undergraduates / $375 per semester for graduate students.
- Course/Lab Fees: Only apply to specific high-resource programs. For example, Culinary courses carry a $145 to $440 fee per course to cover uniforms and professional knife sets, while core Nursing courses have a $620 fee for professional software and supplies.
Please see our tuition page for complete details.
Net Cost Calculator
Estimate your cost to attend Baker College with our easy-to-use tuition and financial aid calculator. See a personalized breakdown of tuition, fees, and potential aid to better plan your college investment.
FAFSA
Be sure to file for FAFSA
Submit your FAFSA early to maximize eligibility for federal grants, scholarships, and loans. Completing your application by the May 1st priority deadline helps ensure your aid is processed before the semester begins.
004673
FAFSA open: October 1
Priority Deadline: May 1
- FAFSA must be completed annually.
- List Baker College first to ensure maximum aid.
The FAFSA is used to collect the information needed to calculate your financial aid eligibility. The results are required for all federal and state financial aid funding (including grants and loans). Most institutional scholarships also require the FAFSA’s completion.
- The form is streamlined with fewer questions.
- Tax information is easy to transfer using the IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDX).
- Simplified contributor invitation: You only need a contributor’s (parent or spouse) email to invite them. They will receive an email with a link and a unique code to access and link their information to the form.
- Contributor: Anyone who is asked to provide information on the FAFSA – Student, Student’s Spouse, Parent(s), and Step-parent(s).
- Consent: Required from all contributors in order for the IRS to share tax data directly to the FAFSA. If any contributor refuses, the student will not be eligible for financial aid.
- Direct Data Exchange (DDX): Is the method contributors authorize to transfer tax information directly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) after giving their consent.
- FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS): This is a summary of the applicant’s completed FAFSA information.
- Student Aid Index (SAI): Is the value calculated by FAFSA data and will determine student aid eligibility for needs-based grants.
- Create a FSA ID: An FSA ID consists of an account username and password that is created in order to access the U.S. Department of Education online systems. It serves as your legal signature when completing the FAFSA or other electronic documents. Every contributor (student, spouse, parent and/or parent spouse) who’s required to provide information on the FAFSA form, needs to create their own FSA ID to access and complete their portion of the FAFSA form. Go to studentaid.gov to create your FSA ID.
- Complete the FAFSA Form: The Free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be completed online at fafsa.gov. Students and any additional contributors must provide consent and approval to have the IRS transfer your federal tax information into the FAFSA form in order to be eligible for federal student aid. List Baker College school code (004673) as the first school choice to be considered for state aid at Baker College.
- Review your FAFSA Submission Summary: After your FAFSA form is submitted, you’ll receive an email from Federal Student Aid with instructions on how to access your FAFSA Submission Summary. This summary will include the answers you listed on the FAFSA application, include your Student Aid Index (SAI), and provide you an estimate of the amount of federal student aid that you may be eligible for. Review your FAFSA Submission Summary for accuracy and make any necessary corrections to your FAFSA online at fafsa.gov. Details about how to make corrections are available on studentaid.gov.
- Complete Additional Requirements: After your FAFSA is completed, some students may be selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education. Verification is a standard procedure to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on the FAFSA form. If your application is selected for verification, you will receive an email communication form the financial aid office requesting additional documentation to be submitted through your financial aid portal.
- Review Financial Aid Offer: Once your financial aid file is complete, the financial aid office will send you a financial aid offer (via email) which can be viewed in your financial aid portal. Your offer may include grants, scholarships, work-study and student loan options. New students will also receive their financial aid offer in the mail.
- Accept Financial Aid Offer: Grants and scholarships offered should not require any additional action on your part. Students will need to Accept, Decline or Request a Reduction on Federal Student Loans that are offered.
- Renew your FAFSA Annually: The FAFSA must be renewed each year in order to continue to receive financial aid. The application for the next academic year is typically available on October 1st and should be completed by the state of Michigan priority date of May 1st to possibly qualify for state aid.
Financial Wellbeing
CashCourse
At Baker College, we’re committed to helping you build a brighter future, and that includes empowering you with essential financial skills. That’s why we’re thrilled to offer CashCourse, a free, comprehensive financial wellness program designed to equip you with real-world money management abilities that will benefit you long after graduation.
OneStop
We’ve united our services into a single destination that provides guidance and support in the following areas:
Scholarship Information | Financial Aid | Registration | Transcripts | Career Services | Work Study Support | ADA Support | Program changes | Billing and Payments
We’re Here to Help
Still have questions about paying for college? Our team can walk you through Baker’s scholarship opportunities, answer general questions about financial aid, and explain how the FAFSA process works. Our advisors are always here to help at financialaid@baker.edu or (989) 729-3911.
Admissions
For admission related queries, please contact an advisor at:
getenrolled@baker.edu (989) 729-3911
Affordability FAQs
To apply for all forms of federal and state aid (grants, loans, and work-study), you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at fafsa.gov. Baker College’s school code is 004673.
While the FAFSA becomes available annually on October 1st, the State of Michigan has a priority deadline of May 1st (and some Michigan programs have a July 1st deadline). It is recommended to apply as early as possible as some funds are limited.
Yes. You must renew your FAFSA every academic year to remain eligible for financial aid.
This program covers standard tuition costs for up to five years for qualified undergraduate students who are eligible for the maximum Pell Grant and are enrolled in an associate, bachelor, or credentialed certificate program.
Yes, certain programs have higher rates per credit hour. See our Tuition page for details.
Standard residence hall housing is $2,700 per semester (except for Downtown Cadillac, which is $3,200). Students living in Baker College resident halls may qualify for a 50% reduction in housing costs. Available at Owosso, Cadillac, and Port Huron campuses.
Scholarships are typically merit-based (based on GPA or achievements).
Grants are typically need-based (based on financial situation) and, like scholarships, do not have to be repaid. Learn more here.
Yes, several state-specific options are available, including:
Michigan Achievement Scholarship: Up to $5,500/year for eligible 2023+ high school graduates who enroll full time, 15 months after graduation
Tuition Incentive Program (TIP): For students who complete high school or a GED and meet specific Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Subsidized Loans: Available to undergraduate students with financial need; the U.S. Department of Education pays the interest while you are in school at least half-time.
Unsubsidized Loans: Available to both undergraduate and graduate students; there is no requirement to demonstrate financial need, and you are responsible for the interest during all periods.
For most federal loans, there is a six-month grace period after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment before repayment begins.
Yes. Active-duty service members and their spouses qualify for a reduced undergraduate tuition rate. Learn more here.
Baker College accepts various VA benefits, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance program.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the Official VA Website.
New Students: Contact the Admissions team at (855) 487-7888 or email getenrolled@baker.edu. Or simply complete a request for information and we will contact you soon.
Current Students: Contact a OneStop advisor at (833) 691-7867 or email onestop@baker.edu.
OneStop is your central hub for all “business of being a student” needs. Instead of visiting three different buildings, you can contact OneStop for help with financial aid, student records (transcripts/registration), and paying your bill.
Yes. Baker College offers free tutoring to all students, regardless of their program. Support is available both on-campus at the Academic Resource Center (ARC) and online. You can schedule appointments through the MyBaker portal.
One of Baker’s unique benefits is that career support doesn’t end at graduation. Alumni have lifetime access to employment assistance, including resume reviews, interview prep, and job search strategy.
Baker uses Handshake, a premier career network. Once you have your student login, you can create a profile to be seen by thousands of employers specifically looking to hire Baker students and graduates.
Baker has a dedicated School Certifying Official who acts as a liaison between the college and the VA. They can help you with all veteran benefits, the Yellow Ribbon Program, and spouse/dependent education benefits.
You can reach the SCO at vet2vet@baker.edu.