International Student Admissions Procedure: All non-U.S. or Canadian citizens must meet the following requirements:
You must have a letter of recommendation sent by a missionary whom MBC recognizes serving in your native country before we will accept your application.
Submit an Application for Admission. You may complete and send MBC's application found on line to: Montana Bible College Admissions Office, 3625 S. 19th Ave., Bozeman, MT 59718, USA
Submit a $35 application fee. Make money order or US check payable to Montana Bible College. If you are applying after the priority deadline (July 1 – fall semester, November 15 - spring semester), the application fee increases to $50.
Submit an official high school (or if more than 12 undergraduate credits have been completed, a college) transcript of your grades. These documents must be translated into English.
If English is not the native language of your country, you must demonstrate proof of proficiency in the English language by achieving a minimum TOEFL score of 80 (Internet-based), 550 (paper-based), or 213 (computer-based).
Complete and submit the Health Information Form that will be sent to you. Make sure your immunization dates are all listed and that the form is signed by a physician.
The four recommendation forms included with the application packet must be printed from MBC's web site, completed by your references, and sent directly to Montana Bible College by your reference.
You must submit to us an official bank statement (less than six months old ) showing that you/your parents have funds on deposit equal to the total expenses for the first academic year ($15,000 USD), available for your education. Even though the total cost associated with schooling at MBC is less than this amount, it is required that you show proof of $15,000 for travel costs, unexpected financial situations, etc. If a sponsor or sponsoring organization is paying your expenses, they must submit the following to MBC:
• a bank statement showing they have funds equal to the total amount of your expenses for the first academic year; and
• an Affidavit of Support (Form I-134) indicating they are assuming responsibility for your expenses. Form I-134 may be downloaded from http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis. On that page, search for "Support". You must find the Affidavit for Support Form I-134. Download and print this form. Follow the instructions given. If your sponsor is inside the United States, they must sign the Form I-134 before a Notary Public. If your sponsor is outside the US , they must sign it before a US Consular or Immigration Officer. The completed Form I-134 must then be mailed to Montana Bible College .
PLEASE NOTE: If you have a spouse and/or children who depend upon you for support, they are required to join you in the US while you attend MBC. You must be able to prove your ability to financially care for them while attending school, in the amount of $3,000 per dependent. If a sponsor is involved, be sure he/she is aware of this requirement and your family's welfare is included on the I-134 form.
When we have received the forms mentioned above, including all four recommendation forms, you will be evaluated for acceptance to Montana Bible College .
Once the admissions process has been completed, MBC's Designated School Official will complete and mail the I-20 to you at the address you request.
You must then complete the Form I-901 available to download at www.FMJfee.com. You may complete Form I-901 online and make your $100 payment by credit card or mail it, along with the appropriate fee (usually $100) to the address listed at the bottom of the form. Please follow the instructions.
When you receive your $100 receipt (Form I-797) in the mail, you are then ready to make an appointment with an American consulate or embassy. Take your I-20, bank statement, Form I-797, with other required documents (check local requirements) to apply for an F-1 student visa. Be prepared to demonstrate that you have been accepted by MBC, that you are able to afford your studies, that you have specific reasons for choosing MBC, and that you have sufficient ties to your home country that would ensure your return after graduation.
Notify us once you have obtained your visa regarding when and where you plan to arrive in the United States .
REQUIRMENTS FOR MBC APPLICANTS HAVING F-1 STUDENT VISAS:
Have a valid passport.
Attend Montana Bible College , the school stated on the I-20 form.
Carry a full academic course load (12 credit hours per semester) and make reasonable progress toward a degree.
Report any changes in status immediately to the College DSO.
Report to MBC's International Student Advisor/DSO within one week of arriving on campus. We will provide you with MBC's Student Handbook which will be of great assistance as you adjust to life at MBC and in the US .
PRIOR PLANNING IS NECESSARY
The normal duration of time to complete the admissions process for an international student is between six months and one year.
A student studying at another US college/university with a current I-20, who wishes to transfer to MBC, must contact MBC's Admissions Office to begin admission procedures. There will be no “short cuts” for international transfer students. As a result, the time period from application to enrollment should be expected to be around six months.
We suggest that you stay in regular contact with MBC's Admissions Coordinator during and after completing the admissions process. E-mail is the best way to stay connected. Please let us know when you are scheduled for your appointment with the American Embassy/Consulate, so that we may pray for you specifically on that day.
International Students