International
(F-1) Graduate School Student Application Process
This page was last updated on
January 16, 2004
Introduction
At Philadelphia Biblical University
the international (F-1) graduate student application
process consists of two parts, each of which is performed
by two different offices of the University, (1) ACADEMIC
EVALUATION (performed by the Graduate School Office)
and (2) FINANCIAL EVALUATION (performed by the International
Office).
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Step One: Academic Evaluation
The Graduate School evaluates
the application materials and academic qualifications
of their international applicants. This evaluation
is conducted entirely by the PBU Graduate School.
Advising of applicants regarding graduate academic
programs and required academic credentials needed
is a service provided by the Graduate School. Decisions
on academic acceptance and denial of acceptance are
also made in the Graduate School. Visit the Graduate
School pages to see specific information about
the academic application requirements and program
descriptions of the Graduate School.
International (F-1) applicants
who have been approved by the Graduate School as academically
qualified for admission must then progress to STEP
TWO of the international application process.
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Step Two: Financial Evaluation
The PBU International Office evaluates
the financial documentation of applicants and issues
the Form I-20 to applicants who have been academically
approved by the Graduate School and who have documented
sufficient financial support to fund the duration
of their studies. This evaluation is conducted entirely
by the PBU International Office. Advising of international
applicants regarding visa concerns, U.S. Immigration
and Naturalization Service (INS) status issues, and
required financial documentation submission, is provided
by the International Office.
International (F-1) applicants
who have been approved by the Graduate School as academically
qualified for admission must provide the International
Office with the items listed below.
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Documentation which must be submitted
All international applicants must
submit the following to the PBU International Office:
-
-
-
Copy of
a current passport or other government identification
with picture
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Documentation which must be
submited (if currently in the U.S.)
International applicants currently
in the U.S. must also submit the following:
-
Copy of
all U.S. visas in passport
-
Copy of
your I-94 card (arrival/departure record; this is
the small, white card which you filled out before
arrival in the U.S. If you have changed your INS
status while in the U.S., also submit a copy of
your most recent I-94 card).
-
If you
are currently an F-1 student at another institution,
you are required to submit:
-copies of all of your previous I-20 forms
-completed F-1 trasfer form which has been filled
out by the foreign student advisor of the most recent
U.S. school you have been attending
-
If you
are currently hold J-1 status, submit copies of
all of your previous IAP-66 forms.
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Introduction to Estimated Student
Expenses
The PBU Financial Aid Office provides
an overview of estimated student expenses. Please
refer to the Estimated
Student Expenses page for an overview of the estimated
costs of studying at Philadelphia Biblical University.
If you plan to come to study at
Philadelphia Biblical University with dependents (spouse
and/or children), you will need to have additional
funding available to support them.
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Certification of Financial Support
U.S. Federal Law requires international
applicants who wish to obtain a form I-20 and to apply
for an F-1 student visa to provide proof that they
can financially support themselves during the duration
of their studies.
If you are seeking to enter the
PBU Graduate School as an F-1 student, you must be
able to document that you can support the minimum
annual expenses for the entire duration of study in
order to be eligible to receive a form I-20.
ESTIMATED LENGTH OF TIME
TO COMPLETE GRADUATE PROGRAMS:
International Certificate
Program: One (1) year
M.S. in Bible: Four (4) years
ALL OTHER PROGRAMS: Three (3) years
Example:
For a three-year graduate program, the student and/or
sponsor must show sufficient yearly income / financial
resources to supply a total of $43,584 USD during
the three-year period ($14,528 USD per year).
Be sure to complete the International
Financial Aid Form (IFAF) and follow the directions
on the form. We also advise you and/or your sponsor
to do two things to demonstrate to PBU that you can
fund your studies:
-
Type a letter
describing the financial support. Describe the
following in the letter:
- Nature of Support - amount in US dollars
for tuition, room and board, health insurance, etc.
(or the provision of free room of board from sponsors
living in the U.S.)
- Time period of support - twelve months,
duration of studies, etc.
-
Provide
proof of the financial support. Give proof of
the pledged financial support by providing one or
more of the following documents which describe your
financial situation:
- Proof of Employment Income - a letter from
your employer stating salary, recent pay stubs,
etc.
- Proof of ability to provide free room -
an ownership deed or a rental contract in sponsor's
name, etc.
- Proof of other financial resources - a
recent bank statement, recent pension checks, etc.
Notes:
- Private sponsors should state
in their letter that they will have sufficient funds
after paying their own personal expenses to be able
to afford sponsoring the student in the stated amount.
Private sponsors may use the PBU Affidavit
of Support.
- Organizational/institutional
sponsors should write on business letterhead the nature
and time period of support for your studies. Proof
of the organization's ability to provide this support
may be required if not initially included.
- Copies, scanned documents sent
as e-mail attachments, and clear faxes are satisfactory.
Unclear copies and faxes will not be accepted.
Please also note that Philadelphia
Biblical University may request additional documentation
if the information you or your sponsor provides needs
clarification or does not show sufficient support after
scholarships and on-campus employment.
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