Experience the Bearcat Advantage at BCPS

• Covers up to 100% of tuition and mandatory fees at
  • Eligible four-year colleges and universities in Michigan and nearly 100 eligible Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs) across the country.
  • Starting with the class of 2024, a partnership with Michigan Colleges Alliance (MCA) offers additional scholarship funding for Bearcat Advantage recipients to cover up to 100% of tuition and fees at 15 top private colleges and universities in Michigan. Learn more about the partnership here!
• Students who have attended all of high school at BCPS are eligible — the longer you've been at BCPS, the bigger the scholarship you can receive!
  

• Students have up to 6 years after graduation to utilize scholarship funds for a four-year degree.

This scholarship is a declaration of belief in our students. 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.

Questions? Click here to view our FAQ page.

Building on last year’s historic announcement, the Bearcat Advantage is now partnering with Michigan Colleges Alliance (MCA) to extend the financial support available to eligible Bearcat Advantage recipients to attend leading private colleges and universities in the state of Michigan.

Through this partnership, eligible students could have up to 100% of their tuition and other mandatory fees covered at one of MCA’s 15 member institutions, opening new doors for our students!

The 15 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
• University of Olivet
• Siena Heights University
• Spring Arbor University

Learn More

Students who graduate from BCPS and who have been a BCPS student for at least their high school career from September 1st of 9th grade are eligible for the scholarship. There is a sliding scale for award amounts based on how long a student has attended BCPS.

Seniors receive an email at their @bcbearcats email address each September with their login information for the Bearcat Advantage Student Portal, where they can see their personalized eligibility for the Bearcat Advantage and complete all application steps.

Graduating Seniors must complete their application steps according to the Bearcat Advantage Senior Timeline.

Eligible students from the Class of 2023 and later who have already graduated and want to re-open their applications need to email bearcatadvantage@battlecreekpublicschools.org to reactivate their application.

Deadlines for Fall 2025 Scholarships:

• Application due by March 1, 2025

• Scholarship Acceptance Form due by April 18, 2025

Deadlines for Spring 2026 Scholarships:

• Application due by October 1, 2025
• Scholarship Acceptance Form due by November 1, 2025

If you do not receive an email or are having trouble logging in, please contact: bearcatadvantage@battlecreekpublicschools.org.

Class of 2023-2024 Graduates:

• Contact the Bearcat Advantage Program Coordinator at bearcatadvantage@battlecreekpublicschools.org to re-activate your application and begin the acceptance process.
• Applications for new scholarships and for transfers must follow the semester deadlines listed above.

If you have additional questions that aren’t answered in the Frequently Asked Questions page, contact: bearcatadvantage@battlecreekpublicschools.org

BCPS is committed to connecting students with all possible sources of funding for university, college, or technical education. If you’re not eligible for the Bearcat Advantage or need support for other education costs not covered by the Bearcat Advantage, you can find other scholarships and grant opportunities here.