Adult Learners
Your Journey Starts Here
Whether you're returning after a few years or a few decades, you're in the right place. Thousands of adults decide each year that now is the time to earn a certificate or degree. At Bay College, you'll have someone to help you navigate the process from your first questions through your first semester.
Your Next Steps
- Apply baycollege.edu/apply
- Once accepted, we invite you to connect with your Adult Student Success Coach to set up and learn to navigate your Bay College accounts.
- Meet with Success Advisor to register for classes
- Attend Lift Off or Orientation
- Start classes with confidence
Adult Learner Information & Support
College Designed for Real Life
Whether you're balancing work, raising children, caring for family members, or changing careers, Bay College offers flexible options to help you reach your goals.
Take classes that work best for your learning and lifestyle. Classes are offered on two campuses, online and even onsite in the following learning formats to best balance with your work, family and other responsibilities.
BayFlex
BayFlex is a new, transformational experience based on Competency-Based Education (CBE). CBE learners master specific skills and demonstrate real-world competencies, rather than accumulate credits by spending a predetermined amount of time in the classroom. This innovative approach offers a flexible pathway to success, allowing learners to self-pace at their proximity. Bay College’s first fully accredited BayFlex programs are Water Technology (training water plant operators for certifications and advancement) and Early Childhood Education.
Michigan Reconnect
Michigan Reconnect is a scholarship program that pays for you to attend your local community college, tuition-free for in county and reduced tuition for out of county residents. You can use the scholarship to complete an associate degree or a certificate program. To be eligible, you must:
- Be at least 21+ years old to apply
- Currently live in Michigan for a year or more
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Have not yet completed a college degree (associate or bachelor’s
Personalized & Holistic Support
Life can get stressful and everyone can use a little extra help! Reach out. At Bay College, every student is assigned a co-advisor and faculty advisor to personally support you.
- Personal Advising
- Free Tutoring
- Accessibility Accommodations
- Writing, Reading and Math Center
- Academic and Transfer Advising
- Success Coaching
- Career Services
- Apprenticeships and Internships
- Library Resources
- Online and IT Support
- Free WiFi
- Laptop and Hotspot Loans
- Placement and Testing Center
- Graduation Degree Audits
- Food Pantry
- Career Closet
- Personal Counseling
- Veteran’s Lounge
- Emergency Assistance
- Student Clubs and Activities
- Free Norse Athletics Admission
- Café Bay
- Campus Housing
- Health Clinic
- YMCA Membership (6+ credits)
How We Support You
From the day you're admitted through your first semester, your Adult Student Success Coach can help you:
- Navigate the admissions process
- Understand your next steps
- Connect with financial aid
- Explore career pathways
- Build confidence using college technology
- Find campus resources
- Stay on track toward your goals
Meet Your Adult Student Success Coach
Going back to college can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to figure it out alone. Bay College's Adult Student Success Coach is here to help you through the enrollment process and support you as you begin your college journey.
The Adult Student Success Coach helps with:
- Understanding your next steps after admission
- Connecting you to a success advisor to register for classes
- Technology help (Experience, Blackboard, Self-Service)
- Connecting you with campus resources
- Ongoing check-ins during your first semester
Connect with the Adult Student Success Coach
Sam Frizzell
906-217-4258
sam.frizzell@baycollege.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. We'll help you build a schedule that works around your life. These are exactly the questions adult learners ask.
Resources
Setup your student accounts and begin your journey at Bay College.
By completing the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) you're applying for federal grants, federal student loans and federal work-study. Below are resour
Bay College strives to keep tuition rates low making college more affordable for you. Tuition rates are determined by contact hours, the number of hours a student must attend class per week (including lecture), discussion and or laboratory sessions.
Bay College is a great value and works hard to make College and job training affordable so you may focus more on learning and less about debt. And if needed, payment plans, financial aid programs and scholarships help take some of the stress out of paying for college. Apply for over $600,000 in scholarships. Michigan Reconnect provides FREE tuition opportunities for students 25+ years of age that have:
- Lived in Michigan for the past 1+ years
- Attained a high school diploma or equivalent
- Have a FAFSA application on file
- Not completed a college degree (Associate or Bachelor degree)
Bay College offers flexible fast track career certificates, trades training and industry certifications, that you can complete in less than a year. Programs include water technology, practical nursing, automotive, network security, corrections, nurse aide, and more.
Are you ready to pursue an associate degree or transfer program? Pick your passion in a career pathway including healthcare, technology, math, science, business, computers, criminal justice, arts, education, social services and more.
Save money staying local at Bay then transfer with confidence to a 4-year institution to finish your degree. Nearly 50% of Bay College students choose to transfer to a college or university. You may even continue on campus with Bay’s university partners on-site or online.