Paying for College

Accepting Financial Aid Award

Bitterroot College students accept their Financial Aid awards using the UM's CyberBear online system.

To accept your Financial Aid Award via CyberBear, complete the following steps:

1. Go to UM Login
2. Log on to your CyberBear account
3. Click on the Student Services tab
4. Click on the Financial Aid header
5. Click on the My Award Information header
6. Click on the Award By Aid Year header
7. Read and complete each numbered tab in order

♦ IMPORTANT ♦

Tab 5 – Accept My Offer — Be sure to accept or decline all grants and loans; loan amounts may be accepted in full or in part

Tab 6 – What’s Next — Be sure to complete all Unsatisfied Disbursement Requirements

If you accepted any financial aid (grants or loans), you may be chosen for Verification

• Submit Federal Taxes using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool
• Complete and submit Verification Worksheets (download from Tab 6 link, download from Verification link below, or pick-up from BC Office)

If you accepted loans, you must:

• Complete Loan Entrance Counseling
  • For Direct Loan counseling, go to studentloans.gov
• Sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN)
  • For Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN), go to studentloans.gov
    • You will need your FAFSA PIN to sign your Master Promissory Note (MPN)

Download printable accepting Financial Aid Award instructions (also includes instructions for registering for classes, finalizing registration bill, and obtaining financial refund)

Useful Financial Aid Handouts, Forms, and Links:

• Loan Entrance Counseling - studentloans.gov
• Master Promissory Note - studentloans.gov
• Refund Choice Card
• SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) Appeal for Financial Aid Reinstatement
• Max Credit Review to Extend Financial Aid Eligibility
• Maintaining financial aid eligibility information
• All financial aid forms
• Summer 2013 Financial Aid Application
• Summer 2013 Work Study ONLY Applicantion

Verification Forms and Links:

• Child Support Verification Worksheet - paid in 2011
• Household Verification Worksheet - 2012-2013
• Wage Verification Worksheet - earned in 2011
• IRS Data Retrieval Instructions
• IRS Data Retrieval Instructions - Webcast

Any documents requested by the Missoula College Financial Aid Office may be returned to Bitterroot College Advising and Enrollment Services Coordinator Kathleen O'Leary (contact at (406) 375-0100 or

For more detailed information on Financial Aid, visit UM Financial Aid or contact the Missoula College Financial Aid Office at (406) 243-7886 or