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. 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 1 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. All documents must be translated in English for review.

Admissions Acceptance

To be considered for admission, international students should submit the following:

• Student Application for Admission
  
• Housing Reservation Form and $100 housing deposit
  
• Complete Academic Credentials (certificates, diplomas, matriculation examination results, degrees, ACT or SAT scores, etc.).  Documents must  be translated into English for review.
  
• TOEFL scores (if official language is not English). A score of 500 or higher is required on the paper-based exam, 175 or higher is required on the computer-based exam and 79 or higher is required on the internet based exam (iBT).
  
• Two reference letters:

1. Educational (teacher, school principal, or headmaster)
2. Character (minister, Bible class teacher, elder or community leader)

• Documentation of financial resources. A complete statement must be submitted from the student/parent financial institution 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 ($22,000).
  
• $1,500 (U.S.) deposit for emergency fund *
  
• 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 an Enrollment deposit, which will be used to cover the student's institutional costs. Expenses for two semesters at York College currently average around $24,000(USD); it includes the cost of tuition, fees, a room in the dorm, meals in the dining hall, books, supplies, and miscellaneous expenses (not including health insurance). This amount ($24,000) is reported to the United States Government when we process the I-20. International students need be able to document that the combined total of their personal funds and any scholarships earned will equal to at least $24,000.

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. 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.

Financial Aid

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 or SAT scholarships. We offer academic scholarships to students who score a 21 or higher on the ACT exam or 970-1000 or higher on the SAT exam. These exams are 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 or the SAT web site and following the instructions.  When you register for the exam, you will be asked for a "school code.” York College’s ACT school code is 2484. Our SAT school code is 6984. All SAT scores will be converted over to ACT equivalents.

3.  Non-Athletic 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.

4.   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-serve basis, so it is important to apply with the financial aid office early for these positions. All students are required to have a 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.

5. Other Award Opportunities. York College offers its students a variety of miscellaneous scholarship opportunities such as the following:

• AIM Program Graduates
• Ambassadors
• Campus Ministry Staff
• Certificate Awards- Up to $1,000. Only one redeemable per academic year. (e.g. LTC scholarships)
• Child of a Christian Elementary/Secondary School Full-time Employee (not stackable with other York College Scholarships)
• Child of aChurchofChrist College Full-time Employee (not stackable with other York College Scholarships)
• Child of aChurchofChrist Full-time Minister (not stackable with all York College Scholarships)
• Child of aChurchofChrist Vocational Minister (not stackable with other York College Scholarships)
• Child of a Foreign Missionary supported by theChurchof Christ (not stackable with otherYork Collegescholarships)
• Heritage-- Students must meet FAFSA Priority Deadline and write a personal essay each year for scholarship to be renewed. Student's financial need, as determined by the FAFSA is also considered in awarding this scholarship.(Letter from Church Administrator and personal essay detailing church activities required.)
• Psallo (acapella singing group, audition required).
• Residential Assistants
• SA Officer
• Sibling Discount-- two or more siblings attend full-time (must be dependent students)

Paying for College

NOTE: 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.

Housing
You will find the York College Residence Halls a warm and inviting atmosphere.  However, it is vital that you make these arrangements by July 24th so you can be sure everything is in place for a smooth transition between semesters. 

Click HERE for more information about housing.

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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.

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Additional Resources: International Admissions Checklist

Please direct all questions regarding admissions to York College via email to David Odom (dodom@york.edu), Director of Admissions.