Admissions

Applying

Students interested in attending courses offered through the Bitterroot College Program (BCP) need to formally apply to the Missoula College of Technology (UM-COT).

The UM-COT application process includes:

1. Filling out a UM-COT application for admission
2. Paying a one-time only $30 application fee
3. Submitting transcripts
   • high school or GED (required; copies accepted)
   • prior college (if applicable; must be official, no copies)
4. Submitting immunization records
5. Taking math and writing placement tests
   • Math: ACT, SAT, or ALEKS (within the past three years)
     • ALEKS test is available online or at the BCP Business Office, call 375-0100 for more information
   • Writing: ACT Writing Test, SAT Writing Section, COMPASS E-Write, COMPASS, or MUS Writing Assessment (within past three years)
     • COMPASS E-Write is available at the BCP Office, call 375-0100 for more information

Concerned about taking a placement test?
Learn more about the ALEKS and COMPASS E-Write tests (link under construction)

Download the Admissions to Registration Checklist to help keep track of the application process.

Admission to the BCP is open to all who have earned a high school diploma from an accredited high school or have successfully passed the GED exam.

For more detailed information about the UM-COT application process, visit the UM-COT Admissions website.

Tuition and Fees

Bitterroot College Program (BCP) tuition and fees are the same as UM-COT tuition and fees. Tuition and fees for UMOnline courses taken by BCP students follow the UM-COT Distance Tuition and Fee Schedule. Tuition is based on the number of semester credit hours taken and residency status.

UM-COT Tuition and Fee Schedule for Fall 2011

For more detailed information on tuition and fees, visit UM Business Services.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Education which "ensures that all eligible individuals can benefit from federally funded or federally guaranteed financial assistance for education beyond high school." Financial Aid award packages are comprised of grants, loans, and work study jobs. Bitterroot College Program Financial Aid procedures and deadlines are the same as those for the UM-COT and the UM.

The first step in applying for Financial Aid is:

• Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Apply for your Federal Student Aid PIN
  • File your FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1
  • To maximize your award, file your FAFSA by February 15
  • The Federal School Code number for the UM-COT is 002536
  • The Federal School Code number for Montana Western is 002537

Once you have successfully completed your FAFSA and are formally admitted to the UM-COT, the UM-COT can begin processing your Financial Aid package. Be sure to complete and submit any documentation requested by the Federal Processor (FAFSA) or by the UM-COT Financial Aid Office as soon as possible so as not to delay or lessen your Financial Aid award. Any documents requested by the UM-COT Financial Aid Office may be returned to the BCP Office.

Useful Financial Aid handouts, forms, and links:

• How to Accept FA Offer/Register for Classes/Finalize with FA/Obtain FA Refund
• Independent Verification Worksheet (2011-2012)
• Dependent Verification Worksheet (2011-2012)
• Independent Verification Worksheet (2010-2011)
• Dependent Verification Worksheet (2010-2011)
• www.studentloans.gov for Loan Counseling and signing Master Promissory Note
• UM Debit Card information and account access

For more detailed information on Financial Aid:

Visit the UM-COT Financial Aid website or the UM Financial Aid website.

Scholarships

Scholarships are cash awards for educational purposes. Scholarships are applied for separately from Financial Aid. Scholarships are generally merit-based rather than need-based, with awards often given on the basis of athletic or academic success. Scholarships frequently target membership in a specific group, such as Native American students, Hispanic students, or even Bitterroot College Program students!

Finding the right scholarship for you can be time consuming, however, the rewards can be great, with scholarships able to save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars on your college bill. As you search and apply for scholarships be aware of application deadlines and be wary of scholarship scams where you are asked to pay a fee for a scholarship search.

Some current scholarships available to BCP students

• Montana Students Save, up to $3,500
  For more information, contact Karen at
  Application
  Frequently asked questions
  Application Deadline: open year-round
• This program is an Individual Development Account (IDA)—or matched savings program—helping qualified students and their families save for postsecondary education. Program participants will earn a 6-to-1 match on savings up to $500 ($6 will be matched for every $1 they save). This provides them a total of $3,500 towards their education. The Montana Students Save program is a project of Student Assistance Foundation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assets for Independence, and Montana's credit unions.
• Rural Montana Saves, up to $2,400
  For an application contact Naomi Leifson, Rural Montana Saves, (406) 240-1772 or contact Rural Employment Opportunities (REO) directly at (800) 546-1140 or
  Application Deadline: open year-round
• Participants who fulfill the program requirements will receive $3 in matching funds for each $1 saved for college or job training. Save $400 and be eligible for a maximum match of $1,200. In order to qualify, individuals must meet certain income, location, and age requirements. Rural Montana Saves is a project of Rural Employment Opportunities (REO), Montana's Credit Unions, the Student Assistance Foundation, and the Montana State Extension Service.
• The University of Montana General Scholarship for Current Students
  Application Deadline: February 1, 2011
• The University of Montana General Scholarship Program is available to continuing undergraduate UM and UM-COT students and draws together many endowed scholarships and donations into a single scholarship application form. A scholarship committee matches qualified applicants with the scholarship that best fits them. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.4 or above and have completed at least 12 college credits.
• For more scholarship information and opportunities, visit

• CollegeNet
• Federal Student Aid Scholarship Search
• FinAid
• Student Assistance Foundation

For more UM/UM-COT specific scholarship information, visit the UM Financial Aid Office.

Advising

Types of advising which are available to BCP students via the UM-COT and local providers:

• Career Advising
  • Visit UM-COT Career Services for assistance choosing a UM-COT program and a career path or for after-graduation help with job placement
    • BCP students may schedule telephone conferences with UM-COT career counselors through the BCP Business Office; call 375-0100 for more information
  • The Bitterroot Job Service Workforce Center offers a wide range of locally available career counseling and job placement services; call 363-1822 for more information
  • Attend a PEP Talk at Literacy Bitteroot to explore career options, develop realistic job goals, and begin creating a plan for reaching your employment objectives
    • PEP stands for Personalized Employment Plan and is a program designed by adult education and labor specialists to help you find job security and satisfaction, whether you are just starting out or wanting to start over
    • PEP Talk introduces students to the Montana Career Information System (MCIS), a powerful online tool for self-assessment, career exploration, educational planning, and job search preparation.
      • To access MCIS, visit the MCIS log-in page and set up an account by clicking on Adult

• Academic Advising
  • Visit the UM-COT Academic Advising webpage for introductory advising information
  • All BCP students are assigned a UM-COT academic advisor once they are fully enrolled at the UM-COT
  • All BCP students must contact their academic advisor each semester prior to registering for classes in order to obtain an advising number. A new advising number is required each semester for access to class registration on CyberBear.
    
  • A UM-COT advisor is available by appointment at the BCP facility every first and third Thursday of the month; call the BCP Business Office at 375-0100 to schedule an appointment or for more information
  • If you are unsure of your academic advisor, contact the BCP Business Office at 375-0100 or the UM-COT program office for your major
• Academic Support Services
  • Free tutoring for BCP students struggling in mathematics and writing/communications is available in Missoula at the UM-COT through the Academic Support Center; tutoring in other subjects areas is available for a fee
  • Free tutoring for BCP students struggling in mathematics and writing is also available locally in Ravalli County through Literacy Bitterroot; call 363-2900 for more information
  • Request online writing tutoring through The Writing Center, e-mail

Registration

All BCP students register for classes using CyberBear, the UM/UM-COT's online registration system.

Useful registration links:

• Add/Drop and Change Grade Option Information
• Deferred Payment Plan
• Registration Bill Finalization Dates
• UM/UM-COT Academic Calendar
• UM/UM-COT Catalog
• UM General Education Requirements
• UM Undergraduate Advising Center

Helpful registration handouts:

• Course Planning Form
• How to Accept FA Offer/Register for Classes/Finalize with FA/Obtain FA Refund
• UM General Education Requirements Planning Form

For more detailed information on registration, visit the UM Registrar's Office

For more detailed information on registration bill finalization, visit UM Business Services

Important BCP Academic and Registration Dates