With 50 students from 16 different nations, the international students of Portland Bible College are a close-knit group that love to have fun! From day trips to the scenic spots of the beautiful Northwest, to potlucks and prayer meetings, the cross-cultural bonds of friendship form quickly. We are proud of our international students, and are excited to see them impact their nations for Christ!
Please note: Applications for the Fall semester (beginning in August) must be turned in by July 1st. Applications for the Spring semester (beginning in January) must be turned in by December 1st.
1. Request an application packet from the International Student Adviser by e-mail, fax, or letter.
Email: rkaylor@portlandbiblecollege.org
Fax: 503-257-2209
Letter: International Student Adviser c/o Portland Bible College
9150 NE Fremont Street, Portland, OR 97220, USA
2. Read through the material in the application packet, and fax or mail in the completed application forms along with the $35 application fee.
3. The application will be reviewed by the International Student Adviser and then by the Dean of Portland Bible College. If accepted, the International Adviser will send the student the I-20 form to get the F-1 student visa to enter the United States.
STUDENT VISA
The college is authorized under Federal Law to enroll non-immigrant students.
Each international student will be issued a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 A-B) at the time of acceptance to Portland Bible College. The I-20 along with a I-901 form will be sent to the student. Upon receiving their I-901 form the student must immediately fill it out and send it along with $100 to the U.S. Immigrations. The U.S. Immigrations will then send the student a receipt. Once the student has received their receipt and signed the I-20 form, they can go to the nearest American Consulate to obtain a F-1 student visa.
For full information on procuring a visa, consult the nearest American Embassy.
To find more information on obtaining a student visa, click here.
Canadians should sign their I-20 form and present it along with the I-901 receipt to the U.S. Immigration officer at the border when entering the U.S. The officer will issue an I-94 Admission Card.
NON-NATIVE SPEAKERS OF ENGLISH
All applicants who do not speak English as their first language will be required to take an English proficiency test (the International Standardized TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language). This test includes oral comprehension and knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. The TWE (Test of Written English) must be included in the scoring of the TOEFL in order for the test to be valid. The test and/or results must be sent directly to the college.
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
The required entrance level is 500 on the paper-based TOEFL (173 computer-based TOEFL). Those who score between 450 (133 CBT) and 500, will be allowed conditional acceptance into PBC and will be placed in our full-time ESL program. Those scoring between 500 and 550 (213 CBT), will be allowed to enter the program of their choice but will be required to take between two and four credit hours of ESL classes. A score above 550 requires no ESL classes.
ENGLISH-AS-A-SECOND LANGUAGE PROGRAM
The ESL program is for all applicants scoring between 450 and 500 on the TOEFL. It is recommended that ESL students attend the Language and Culture Institute of Oregon (LCIO) in order to raise their TOEFL score. All students in this program will live with an American host family, and will be expected to be involved with PBC activities to the fullest. It is a two-year program with the potential for students to graduate from it at the end of any semester during the two years. For more information about LCIO, send an e-mail to lcio@integrity.com. ESL students may also take a correspondence course from the Church Leadership Training Institute at www.clti.org.
ON-CAMPUS WORK STUDY PROGRAM
Each year there are a limited number of part-time work opportunities available on campus. International students may be employed on-campus up to (according to U.S. immigration regulations) 20 hours per week while school is in session. Please note that a spouse or child of a full-time student is not allowed to work at all.
International students must come prepared to pay 100% of the first semester costs (approximately $4,000). Campus employment would then help the student to save for the following semester's down payment (50% of the total cost for that semester). The remaining balance would then be due in monthly payments. Some full-time work will be available during vacation times to allow the student to save for the next semester as well.
Expenses for a married couple living off-campus are considerably higher and it may be necessary to have an additional personal fund or sponsor. A detailed financial information sheet is available upon request.
Application forms for the work study program can be requested by sending a letter to the International Student Advisor. The letter should explain the individual's present financial situation and his/her need for employment.
