international

An International Student is a person who wishes to attend college in the U.S., without U.S. residency or citizenship, on an F-1 visa.  Approval has been granted by the United States Department of Justice for training students from other countries who can demonstrate proficiency in English.

The International Student application process is complex due to the multiple organizations that are involved. Before proceeding further, please review the U.S. Department of Homeland Security requirements at this website:  Study in the States

 Canadian applicants please contact admissions@oakhills.edu for requirements unique to Canada.

APPLICATION & ACCEPTANCE TIMELINE

International Students may only begin attending Oak Hills Christian College in the Fall Semester of any given year.  Please apply as early as possible, but no later than March 1, to be considered for acceptance to the Fall Semester of the same year.

 The schedule for entry in 2022 is as follows:  

  • Before March 1: Submit application and pay application fee
  • May 1:  Applicant has all required paperwork completed and $2,500 deposit paid
  • June 15:  Visa must be secured
  • August 1:  Remaining balance due paid for entire school year
  • August 14: Arrival
    Flight arrival should be during the day to the Bemidji Regional Airport 
    Please be aware that Bemidji is 4 hours north of Minneapolis/St. Paul by car.
  • August 15: Settle into dormitory/shopping/bank set-up etc.
  • August 17: Orientation

Dates for 2023 will be adjusted to earlier deadlines.

PREVIEW OF APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

In addition to your personal information, the application also requires the following elements to be considered for acceptance:

    1. Payment of the $25 application fee at time application is submitted.
    2. Faith information to determine your fit for Oak Hills Christian College.
    3. Submission of two faith/character reference statements using this form:  Faith/Character Reference Form
    4. Copy of your passport and any applicable documents.
    5. Official high school and higher education transcripts and evaluation from a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) approved organization. NACES
    6. ACT score (if taken):  ACT
    7. SAT score (if taken): SAT Suite of Assessments
    8. If you did not attend an English-speaking high school, submit proof of English proficiency, preferably an official TOEFL score. TOEFL minimum score required is 500 on the paper-based test, 175 on the computer-based test, or 61 on the internet-based test.  The TOEFL Family of Assessments
    9. Proof of health insurance, or the ability to get health insurance, to be in effect during the time you attend Oak Hills Christian College.
      (Health insurance options for international students: International Student Health Insurance: and https://visaguide.world/international-health-insurance/international-student-health-insurance/us/)
    10. Disclosure of all amounts owed to other educational institutions.
    11. Completion of the College Board’s International Financial Aid Application and submission to Oak Hills Christian College (not to The College Board).  College Board International Financial Aid Application
    12. Evidence of financial ability to cover the first year of tuition, fees, and living expenses in one or more of the following ways:
      1. Applicant’s demonstrated personal ability to cover the cost of one entire year of education and living expenses at Oak Hills Christian College. (Remember that each year at Oak Hills Christian College will require a similar amount at minimum.)   A current bank statement is required that clearly states the account holder’s name and balance within the last 30 days, converted to U.S. dollars, and in a sufficient amount to cover an entire year of education and living expenses at Oak Hills Christian College. Financial Affidavit Forms
      2. Financial Affidavit(s) of Personal Sponsorship and/or Agency Sponsorship, guaranteeing payment of applicant’s educational and living expenses, submitted with current bank statements showing at a minimum enough to cover an entire year of education and living expenses at Oak Hills Christian College.   Financial Affidavit Forms

TO APPLY

 After reviewing the Study in the States requirements and all of the information above, if you wish to apply to attend Oak Hills Christian College, there are different applications for different situations.  Please read carefully and select the appropriate application to fit your situation:

 

      1. ON-CAMPUS ATTENDANCE FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS WHO ARE ALREADY IN THE U.S. AND ALREADY HAVE A U.S. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER – OR – ARE ALREADY IN THE U.S. UNDER TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE STATUS (TPS):
        1. Complete and submit this application: Traditional Application – Oak Hills Christian College
        2. Pay the required $25 USD application fee electronically. Payment
        3. Complete and submit a FAFSA to determine if you are eligible for federal financial aid:
          FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid
        4. Submit all supporting documents requested in the application.
      1. ONLINE ATTENDANCE FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS WHO ARE ALREADY IN THE U.S. AND ALREADY HAVE A U.S. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER – OR – ARE ALREADY IN THE U.S. UNDER TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE STATUS (TPS):
        1. Complete and submit this application:  Online Application – Oak Hills Christian College
        2. Pay the required $25 USD application fee electronically. Payment
        3. Complete and submit a FAFSA to determine if you are eligible for federal financial aid: FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid
        4. Submit all supporting documents requested in the application.
      1. ALL OTHER INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS:
        1. Complete and submit this application: International Application – Oak Hills Christian College
        2. Pay the required $25 USD application fee by international credit card. Payment
        3. Submit all supporting documents requested in the application.

ACCEPTANCE PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS

Upon meeting all of the application requirements above and being notified of pending acceptance to Oak Hills Christian College:

      1. Applicant will receive an award letter outlining any financial aid to be provided by Oak Hills Christian College.
      2. Applicant (or Sponsor) must wire transfer a $2,500 USD enrollment deposit to the Oak Hills Christian College Student Accounts Office and notify accounting@oakhill.edu when the wire transfer is made.  This amount will be credited to applicant’s university bill.  If the enrollment deposit is not received, applicant will not be accepted to Oak Hills.  (Please note that after paying this deposit, if applicant is unable to come for reasons beyond their control, such as a denied visa, political situations, disaster, family crisis, etc., up to 10% of the enrollment deposit may be retained by Oak Hills Christian College and the remainder refunded to applicant (or Sponsor).
      3. The remainder of the costs for the upcoming school year are the responsibility of the applicant (or Sponsor) and are due by August 1 before Fall Semester begins.
        (Note:  The only exception is if a U.S. Sponsor enters into a legally binding payment agreement with Oak Hills Christian College by August 1 to pay the costs on a specific payment schedule acceptable to the Oak Hills Christian College Student Accounts Office.)
      4. By August 1, provide proof of health insurance, or the ability to get health insurance, to be in effect during the time you attend Oak Hills Christian College.
        (Health insurance options for international students: International Student Health Insurance and International Student Health Insurance – VisaGuide.World

PAYING THE I-901 SEVIS FEE

Before you can pay the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Fee, you must receive the Form I-20 from the Designated School Official (DSO) at the school you plan to attend.  An I-20 will be provided to you by the Oak Hills Christian College DSO when your enrollment deposit is paid and you are accepted to Oak Hills Christian College.  You will need information from the Form I-20 to pay the mandatory I-901 SEVIS Fee, which must be paid before you enter the United States.   SEVIS – Login Page

I-20 AND TRAVEL PLAN

      1. Once you are issued an I-20, you will also need to acquire a student visa to study in the United States. Please work with the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in your country to obtain your student F-1 visa. It is important for students to print out the I-20 to bring to visa appointments and for travel to CBP inspection.
      1. Once you have acquired an F-1 student visa, you must contact the Designated School Official (DSO) to inform Oak Hills Christian College of your travel plans. At that time, you will be guided through the process of registering for classes.

Prior to booking any air travel, please call the Oak Hills Christian College Registrar/DSO at:   
001-218-333-9950

 

      1. Before an accepted international student can come to campus, one of these financial options must be met:
      • Remaining balance due for the school year paid by August 1.
      • A legally binding payment agreement must be entered into between the applicant’s U.S. Sponsor and Oak Hills Christian College by August 1.

Admissions Office
Oak Hills Christian College
1600 Oak Hills Rd. SW
Bemidji, MN 56601

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