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. Review the Student Handbook to secure your funding, and visit Important Dates and to track upcoming deadlines.
Our advisors are always here to help at financialaid@baker.edu or (989) 729-3911.
Federal Pell Grants and Aid
Get help with your tuition. Grants are available for all Baker campuses.
Pell Grant funds are available to undergraduate students who have not received their first bachelor degree. The amount depends on the student’s financial need, cost to attend school, enrollment status and plans to attend school for a full academic year or less. Note: If your parent or guardian died in the line of duty while serving in the U.S. armed forces or as a public safety officer since September 11, 2001, you may qualify for a Maximum Pell Grant, provided you meet other eligibility criteria. Learn about Pell Grant eligibility requirements.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG®)
This grant is designed for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. At Baker College, these funds are awarded on students who are Pell-eligible and demonstrate the greatest need. Because funding is limited, we encourage you to complete your FAFSA early.
Federal Work-Study
The Federal Work-Study program allows you to earn money for college expenses through part-time employment. By working while you learn, you can reduce your reliance on student loans and gain valuable experience. Official Work-Study eligibility is based on your financial need. Regardless of your financial aid status, all Baker College students are welcome to apply for regular part-time employment on campus.
State of Michigan Financial Aid
The Children of Veterans Tuition Grant (CVTG) provides undergraduate tuition assistance for children of certain deceased or disabled members of the armed forces of the United States. The program assists children older than 16 and less than 26 years of age, who have been Michigan residents for 12 months prior to the application. To be eligible, a student must be the natural or adopted child of a Michigan veteran. Stepchildren of the veteran are not eligible.
The Fostering Futures Scholarship (FFS), State of Michigan* program, provides scholarships to young adults who have experienced foster care. The State of Michigan works with individuals, community organizations, and businesses to encourage charitable contributions that go towards Fostering Futures Scholarship funds. Awards are paid directly to the students’ institution to assist with unmet need.
The Michigan Achievement Scholarship is available to Students who graduate from high school in Michigan with a diploma or certificate of completion or achieved a high school equivalency certificate in 2023 or later. Students and their parents must be Michigan residents since July 1 of the prior year, must complete the FAFSA, have an SAI of 30,000 or lower and attend college full time within 15 months of high school graduation. Eligible students may receive a scholarship of up to $5,500 per academic year. Full details are available at MI Student Aid.
The Michigan Competitive Scholarship is available to undergraduate students pursuing their first degrees at an approved Michigan postsecondary institution. Students must demonstrate both financial need and merit. Eligible applicants must have a qualifying SAT score of at least 1200 (starting with the Class of 2017). Applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by July 1st to receive priority consideration. Due to the phaseout of this scholarship, eligibility is restricted to students who graduated from high school prior to 2023.
The Michigan Tuition Grant (MTG) is available to undergraduate students and is based on financial need for use at independent nonprofit degree-granting colleges and universities in Michigan. Students attending at least half-time may be eligible to receive a grant from the State of Michigan. Students must complete the State of Michigan questions on the FAFSA by July 1st to receive grant consideration. Due to the phaseout of this grant, eligibility is restricted to students who received funds prior to fall 2024.
The MI Future Education Fellowship offers up to $10,000 per year to undergraduate students who are in their junior or senior year while pursuing a Michigan Board of Education approved Education Preparation Program. To qualify, students must commit to teaching at a qualified school in Michigan. Visit the MI Future Education Fellowship.
The MI Future Educator Stipend offers up to $9,600 to students completing their required student teaching experience while pursuing a Michigan Board of Education approved Education Preparation Program. Visit the MI Future Educator Stipend website for the application and program details.
The Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) is a high school completion program that offers to pay college costs for students who graduate from high school or complete their GED. There are two phases to this program (Phase I and Phase II). The program targets needy students in an effort to encourage them to graduate from high school or complete a GED and continue on into post-secondary education.
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® MICHIGAN Scholarship
This statewide scholarship links education and compensation for early childhood professionals. It is designed to help child care providers, teachers, and administrators reach their professional development goals while continuing their employment, ultimately improving the quality of care for Michigan’s children. Additional information is available here.
Loans
Federal student loans are an option to help finance your education when scholarships, grants, and work-study aren’t enough to cover your total expenses. Baker College participates in the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program, offering low-interest loans to qualified undergraduate students, graduate students, and their parents.
Because loans must be repaid with interest, we encourage you to borrow only what is necessary for your educational costs.
The Stafford Loan program, allows students to borrow and repay money directly from/to the U. S. Department of Education (DOE). There are two types of Federal Direct Stafford Loans:
- Federal Direct Subsidized Loan: Available to undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time who demonstrate financial need. No interest accrues while the student is in school at least half the time during the grace period (usually 6 months) and during deferments (postponements of re-payments).
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan: Available to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at least half-time, with no requirement to demonstrate financial need. The student is responsible for paying the interest while in school, during the grace period or in deferment. The payment of interest may be deferred while the student is in school but will accrue on the loan.
Available to the parent of a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time. The loan is a non-need-based loan for parents with good credit histories who want to borrow for their dependent student’s educational expenses. Parents may qualify for up to $20,000. For information regarding interest rates and repayment terms, and to apply visit the PLUS loans page on the Federal Student Aid website.
At Baker College, we are committed to helping you navigate your loan repayment journey with confidence. Most federal loans offer a six-month grace period after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment before your first payment is due. Understanding your options now will ensure you are prepared for a successful financial future.
We have partnered with Student Connections. This is a completely free service for Baker College students, offering borrower advocates who can assist you throughout the life of your loan. You can visit their website at my.studentconnections.com or speak with an advocate directly at (866) 311-9450.
Tips for Success:
Know Your Servicer: Log into studentaid.gov to identify your loan servicer and keep your contact information up to date.
Plan Ahead: Use the Loan Simulator to see estimates for your future monthly payments and explore various Repayment Plans.
Stay Informed: Review the latest interest rates, loan limits, and repayment terms at studentaid.gov.
As part of our commitment to transparency and ethical lending, we encourage you to review the Baker College Student Loan Code of Conduct.
Military & VA Funding
Education benefit programs offered by the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense
We are proud to support those who serve. We proudly accept multiple VA education benefits, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Ch. 33), MGIB-AD (Ch. 30), MGIB-SR (Ch. 1606), DEA (Ch. 35), and VR&E (Ch. 31). Qualified students may receive funding for tuition, housing, and fees depending on their eligibility.
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 U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
You may qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, which can provide support for both tuition and housing. Reduced tuition rates available.
Explore Additional Information On the Veteran Affairs Website
We proudly participate in military tuition assistance programs through the Air Force, Army (Army Ignited), Coast Guard, Marines, MyCAA, and Navy. Check your eligibility for Tuition Assistance (TA) through your specific branch prior to enrolling.
Explore Additional Information On the Veteran Affairs Website
You may be eligible for transferred GI Bill® benefits or DoD financial assistance for portable careers. Reduced tuition rates available.
Dependent of Active Military Scholarship. Available to dependent students whose parent is serving active duty military, a member of the National Guard or in the Reserve. Learn more.
Explore Additional Information On the Veteran Affairs Website
Financial Aid Support Resources
At Baker College, we’re committed to your total financial success. We help you fund your degree, build healthy financial habits, and graduate with a manageable future. Explore our specialized programs designed to support your academic journey and get you back in the classroom.
Financial Wellbeing
We 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.
Support every step of the way
You’ll receive our full attention from day one and well beyond graduation. Whether you need help navigating admissions and financial aid, tutoring for a class assignment, or preparing for your first interview, our dedicated staff is here for you on-campus and online.
Online Tools & Applications
Student Portal: Access your financial aid offer, manage your loans, and check document statuses through your personalized portal.
HiveConnect App: Use Baker’s HiveConnect Mobile App to alert staff, schedule appointments with advisors, and request financial aid assistance straight from your phone or tablet.
Federal Financial Aid
Be sure to file for FAFSA
Before we can build your personalized aid package, you’ll need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is the key that unlocks most of the funding offered including grants, work-study, and federal loans.
Baker College School Code
004673
FAFSA open: October 1
Priority Deadline: May 1
- FAFSA must be completed annually.
- List Baker College first to ensure maximum aid.
The FAFSA application is used to collect the information needed to calculate your financial aid eligibility. The results of the FAFSA are needed for all federal and state financial aid funding (including grants and loans). Most institutional scholarships also require the FAFSA to be completed.
- The FAFSA remains 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): Replaces the Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) as the method contributors authorize to transfer tax information directly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) after giving their consent.
- FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS): Replaces the Student Aid report (SAR) and is a summary of the applicant’s completed FAFSA information.
- Student Aid Index (SAI): Replaces the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and is the value calculated by FAFSA data and will determine student aid eligibility.
- 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.