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

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 at www.cte.umt.edu/admissions/application_process.aspx.

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 2009 and Spring 2010
UM-COT Distance Tuition and Fee Schedule for Fall 2009 and Spring 2010

For more detailed information on tuition and fees, visit the UM-COT webpage on tuition and fees at www.cte.umt.edu/prospectivestudents/tuitionandfees.aspx.

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)
  • 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

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.

For more detailed information on Financial Aid:

Visit the UM-COT Financial Aid website at www.cte.umt.edu/finaid/or
Visit the UM Financial Aid website at life.umt.edu/finaid/name/FinancialAidHome

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

• The University of Montana General Scholarship for Current Students
  Application Deadline: February 1, 2010

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.

• The University of Montana General Scholarship for New Freshman or Transfer Student
  New freshman and transfer students are eligible for this scholarship based on their application for admission to the UM or UM-COT. UM/UM-COT admission application must be submitted by December 31, 2009 for consideration for Fall 2010/Spring 2011 award
  

The University of Montana General Scholarship Program is available to new UM or UM-COT freshman or transfer undergraduate 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.

• Soroptimists Woman's Opportunity Award, $2,000
  For an application contact Pat Murphy at 375-2524 or
  Application Deadline: December 10, 2009

This award aids women who have faced economic and personal hardships and seek to gain skills/training/education. Eligible applicants must be women who provide the primary financial support for their families and who are enrolled or have been accepted to an undergraduate degree program or a vocational/skills training program, have financial need and are motivated to achieve their educational goals. The winner of this $2,000 award will compete for a regional $5,000 award. That winner will be eligible to receive one of three $10,000 finalist awards. NOTE: Missoula Soroptimists also have an award of $1,500. Missoula County students should contact Rita Gray at for an application.

For more scholarship information and opportunities, visit the Student Assistance Foundation.

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

Advising

Advising for Bitterroot College Program (BCP) students is primarily handled through the UM-COT, although some services are available locally—see information below for details.

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

• Career Advising
  • UM-COT career counselors work with prospective students who want assistance choosing a UM-COT program and a career path
  • UM-COT career counselors also help enrolled and graduated students with job search skills and job placement
  • BCP students may schedule telephone conferences with UM-COT career counselors through the BCP Business Office; call 375-0100 for more information
  • Attend a BCP PEP Talk to explore career options and develop a realistic plan for reaching your career goals
    • 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
    • The 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
    • The PEP Talk Lessons are also available online through the Student Assistance Foundation
    • For more information on PEP Talk, call the BCP Business Office at 375-0100
  • The Bitterroot Job Service Workforce Center also offers a wide range of locally available career counseling and job placement services; call 363-1822 for more information
• Academic Advising
  • All BCP students are assigned an 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.
    
  • BCP students may schedule telephone conferences with their academic advisors through the BCP Business Office; call 375-0100 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; 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

Registration

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

Useful registration links:

• Add/Drop information
• UM/UM-COT Calendar
• UM/UM-COT Catalog

For more detailed information on registration, visit the UM Registrar's Office website at www.umt.edu/registrar/default.aspx

Important BCP registration dates for Academic Year 2009-2010