ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Monday, many U.P. schools were closed due to the weather. However, at Bay College’s Escanaba and Iron Mountain campuses, staff members were hard at work helping students prepare for another semester.
The winter semester is just one week away, but it is not too late for students to get support. Bay hosted a special event called “Ready. Set. Enroll!” from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., no appointment required.
“It’s a one-day, one-stop shop where you can come to Bay College, and wherever you’re at in the admissions and enrollment process, we have people here to help you,” said Admissions Director Jessica Beaver. “The great thing about today is if you haven’t done anything, we can help you get everything done today.”
At this time, most students are looking for guidance on their class schedules. For those who are just getting started though, Bay staff even provided express enrollment services.
“We can audit your application and help get you through that process as quickly as possible,” Beaver explained. “Some students might have prior college experience, whether at Bay or somewhere else, so we’ll help them get their transcripts ordered.”
Financial aid support was also available.
“We can help them fill out their FAFSA if they haven’t filled that out yet,” Beaver said. “We can help them apply for scholarships if they haven’t done that yet. There’s over $650,000 in scholarships that the community has donated to give to students who go to school. “
The 2024 – 2025 academic year brought Bay College’s highest enrollment in a decade. Right now, the numbers are gradually growing and expected to be on par by the time classes begin. Beaver says events like “Ready. Set. Enroll!” are instrumental in making that possible, allowing students to make college fit into their lives and schedules.
“We are seeing a lot of people, even traditionally, that want to start college,” she said. “They know they want to come to Bay, but it’s kind of like, ‘I know I should do it. Maybe I’ll just take a class, or I’ll take maybe two classes just to start.’ I think this is a really important time, because a lot of people are on that fence.”
Beaver says as the “community’s college,” Bay wants prospective students to know that help is available and higher education is still accessible.
“You’re not alone,” she said. “You’re not the only person that hasn’t applied yet or the only person that’s only signed up for one class or hasn’t filled out your FAFSA yet. You are not alone in that process. That’s why we’re here—to make sure you have what you need so that you’re as successful as you can be on your educational journey.”
Students who missed “Ready. Set. Enroll!” can still reach out to Bay College staff members to receive assistance. Students are invited to walk in, call, or schedule an appointment Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. locally at both campuses. The Admissions office can be reached at (906) 217-4010 or admissions@baycollege.edu.
New student orientation is scheduled for January 7 in Iron Mountain and January 9 in Escanaba.
