International Students

International students will find a warm welcome at York College. We value the contributions of our international students, and view them as an asset to our college! Your cultural perspective brings a fresh and unique view to class discussions and social activities on campus.

Some international students find the transition to American culture and society to be a difficult experience. However, at York College, we provide a safe, small-town atmosphere and small class sizes to help you feel comfortable and confident as you pursue your college degree in the United States. Your teachers and fellow students will know your name. Many international students assume leadership roles on campus, serving their fellow students in a variety of challenging positions.

International students seeking admission to York College should begin the process early. United States laws require us to register international students with a federal agency, and this takes additional time for processing documents. Once you have been accepted for admission and have received your I-20, you must make an appointment with your local American Embassy to obtain a visa for entry into the United States. The Embassy may schedule your appointment several days or even weeks after you receive your I-20. Students wishing to be admitted in a fall semester should submit all documentation before July 1. Applications submitted after July 10 will be considered for spring semester admission, as it will not be possible to issue the I-20, get it delivered to you, and you have your Embassy appointment completed in time for the start of fall classes. To be considered for admission, international students should submit the following:

• Student Application for Admission
  
• International Student Appendix to Application for Admission
• Housing Form and $100 housing deposit
  
• $100 (U.S.) non-refundable application fee
  
• Complete academic credentials (certificates, diplomas, matriculation examination results, degrees, ACT or SAT scores, etc.)
  
• TOEFL scores (if native language is not English). A score of 500 or higher is required on the paper-based exam, and a score of 175 or higher is required on the computer-based exam.
  
• Three reference letters:

1. Educational (teacher, school principal, or headmaster)


2. Religious (minister, Bible class teacher, or elder)


3. Financial (banker or other financial professional

• Documentation of financial resources. A complete statement must be submitted regarding the manner in which school expenses will be paid. This statement must show an ability to pay at least the approximate cost of two semesters at York College ($20,000)
  
• $1,500 (U.S.) deposit for emergency fund
  
• $20,000 enrollment deposit

Each student must send a $1,500 emergency fund deposit, not to be used for regular school expenses. These funds are held in reserve for the student to use in emergencies such as sudden illness or if the need arises to travel home unexpectedly. If the money is not used, or the student does not enroll, it will be refunded less any amount still owed on the student’s account with York College. Each student must also send a $20,000 enrollment deposit, which will be used to cover the student's cost of tuition for the first semester. Upon receipt of these deposits and the other admissions items, the student's credentials will be evaluated by the Acceptance Committee. If the student is accepted, an I-20 Form will be issued, which will enable the student to obtain a student visa. If the student is not accepted, all of the deposits will be returned with the exception of the $100 non-refundable application fee.

When all items for admission have been received, the Acceptance Committee will review the student's credentials. An I-20 will be sent only after all of the items listed above have been received, and the student has been accepted for admission to York College.

Most international students are accepted on a conditional basis, requiring a lighter course load (13 hours) for the first semester and a cumulative GPA of 1.60 or higher by the end of the first semester.

The average annual expense for two semesters at York College, including the cost of tuition, fees, a room in the dorm, meals in the dining hall, books, supplies, and miscellaneous expenses is approximately $20,000, not including health insurance. This is the amount reported to the United States Government when we process the I-20. International students should be able to document that the combined total of their personal funds and any scholarships earned will equal to at least $20,000.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid from the U.S. government or student loans from York College. However, there are a few sources of financial aid for international students at York College.

1.   Athletic scholarships. We offer baseball (M), basketball (M/W), soccer (M/W), softball (W), volleyball (W), and wrestling (M).  Prospective students should contact the coach directly about scholarship opportunities. Since it is usually not possible for the coach to see you perform in person, it is helpful if you have a videotape of yourself competing in your sport to send to the coach for review. Applying for a spot on a sports team does not guarantee you a place on the team.
2.   ACT scholarships. We offer academic scholarships to students who score a 20 or higher on the ACT exam. This exam is given several times each year in a variety of locations around the world. You can find the nearest testing center and test date by going to the ACT web site and following the instructions.  When you register for the exam, you will be asked for a "school code.” York College’s school code is 2484. SAT scores will be converted over to ACT equivalents.
3.  Taylor Leadership Scholarships. The Ernie and Mary Taylor Leadership Scholarship recognizes the leadership experience of first-time students to York College. This scholarship may stack up to half tuition with other York College scholarships.

This scholarship is awarded on a recommendation basis. Recommendations of leadership experience and or abilities can be from the following:

• Alumnus(a) of York College (friend — not a parent or grandparent)
• Educational Reference
• Minister
• York College Board of Trustees Member
• Youth Minister

And/or provide proof of the following:

• Being a child or grandchild of an alumnus(a) of York College
• Being a minister’s child
• Being an International student
• Graduating from a Christian high school
• Graduating from a home school environment
• Providing proof of outstanding community service
• Winning a Bible Bowl contest

Recommendations must be postmarked no later than July 31.

The value of this scholarship is as follows:

• Two recommendations = $500
• Four recommendations = $1,000
• Only one recommendation per category counts toward the total

4.   Performance Scholarships. These scholarships are for performance in the York College Concert Choir or Celebration Singers, and for drama performance. Students must audition for these scholarships after they arrive on campus.
5.   Work-study Program. York College has a limited number of jobs on campus available at 4.5 or 9 hours per week. Work-study jobs are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is important to apply with the financial aid office early for these positions. All students are required to have valid Social Security number before they can begin work on campus. It takes several weeks for international students to receive this document, so it is important to start the process of getting your social security card immediately after your arrival on campus. The maximum amount you can earn from a work-study job on campus is $1,650. Many students earn less than this, so do not plan your budget with the assumption that you will receive the maximum amount.

As part of the application process, you will be required to submit documentation to prove that you or your family can pay for your education while you are in the United States. You cannot receive an I-20 unless you prove that you can support yourself while in college. If you submit documents that say you can pay for college, then arrive and tell us you cannot pay for college, but need to get a job off-campus, you can be deported for submitting false documents. Do not come to college and plan on getting a job (off-campus) once you are here! When you receive your I-20, which is an official U.S. government document, the following warnings are printed on the form:

• “You are not permitted to work off campus or to engage in business without specific employment authorization.”
• “You must demonstrate that you are financially able to support yourself for the entire period of stay in the United States while pursuing a full course of study. You are required to attach documentary evidence of means of support.”
• “Failure to comply with these regulations will result in the loss of your student status and subject you to deportation.”
• “The law provides severe penalties for knowingly and willfully falsifying or concealing a material fact, or using any false document in the submission of this form.”

Health Insurance
In many countries, the government offers an extensive socialized medical plan for all citizens, and health care costs are partially or completely paid by the government. This is not the case in the United States. International students should be prepared to pay for any and all medical expenses that may occur while they are in the United States. It is highly recommended that students have some form of health insurance. While you are free to choose any company for health insurance, several international students at York College have used Fortis Health with good success. This company has a local agent in the town of York. The web site for this company is:  www.etdbw.com/fh/fortishealth/products.jsp

Payment
International students must pay the balance of the first semester’s expenses on or before the date of registration. Each semester's expenses must be paid before the first day of classes.

Housing Issues: The Beginning of the Semester, Summer Sessions, and Holidays
The residence halls have a specific date at the beginning of each semester on which they will be open for students. This date will be announced well in advance of the start of the semester. Do not arrive on campus before this date. There will not be a place for you to stay, and no other students will be present. Arriving at the correct time will enhance your college experience and make for a much more pleasant adjustment to a new culture.

During school holidays (Christmas and Thanksgiving Breaks, Spring Break) and during the summer, the residence halls on campus are closed, but the college apartments will remain open. It is recommended that international students, who do not live in the college apartments, arrange for alternate housing during these periods. Make these arrangements early so you can be sure everything is in place for a smooth transition between semesters.

The U.S. government’s current position regarding international students is: “Come here legally, pay for college, enroll in college, stay in college, graduate on time, then return to your home country and serve your nation with what you have learned.” Any student actions that fall outside of that sequence of events will create difficulties for the student.

Many U.S. embassy officials are asking international students to demonstrate that they have a plan to return to their home country after receiving a college degree. Several students have been denied visas because they were unable to convince an embassy official that they would return home after college. Make sure you have a plan for returning home, or even a job to return to, and be able to present your plan or evidence of future employment convincingly.

Please direct all questions regarding admission to York College via e-mail to Jared Stark , the Director of Enrollment Management. It is best to communicate via email, as communication by phone is often difficult, due to the high potential for misunderstanding with different accents or English language ability.