Section 1 - General Information
Section 2 - Financial Aid
Section 3 - Ideas for Funding Your Education at BCOM
Section 4 - Our Policies in Regard to Debt
Section 5 - Making Payments
Section 6 - Banking
Section 7 - Receipting Funds for Global Internship
Section 8 - Student Jobs
Q: What is the best way to reach the Admissions Office?
Admissions Office Contact Info
General Office Hours: 1 pm – 5 pm CST Monday – Friday
Phone: 800-323-3417 Fax: 952-829-2535
E-mail: info@bcom.org
All forms and payments should be sent to:
Bethany College of Missions, Admissions Office
6820 Auto Club Rd, Suite C
Bloomington, MN 55438
Q: What does it cost to attend Bethany?
For details see the Financial Costs.
In summary the costs are as follows:
US and Canadians
Single Students: Term 1-$4,844 Term 2-$2,000 Term 3-$2,000
Married Students (with or without children): Term 1-$7,908 Term 2-$3,000 Term 3-$3,000
Internationals
Single Students: Term 1-$5,430 Term 2-$2,000 Term 3-$2,000
Married Students (with or without children): Term 1-$9,404 Term 2-$3,000 Term 3-$3,000
Additional costs may include personal expenses, such as laundry supplies, books, and expenses related to owning a vehicle; additional medical coverage; cost of childcare; etc
Q: Does Bethany offer any scholarships or discounts?
We have a number of discounts available to students who qualify based on set criteria. The maximum allowable discount is $1,000 for the year. Any combination of discounts can be used to meet the maximum. The list of discounts for 2007 and their criteria came in your acceptance packet and is also on our web site located as Financial Assistance.
Please note: the discounts listed are not automatic. If you wish to avail a discount you must fill out the Discount Application Form (also included in your acceptance packet and on line under Apply Now). The Discount Application Form is due by July 20.
Q: Do you have a payment plan option?
We collect fees about 1 month prior to the start of each term, so fees are broken up into 3 chunks over the course of the year, with the 2nd and 3rd term costs at less than ½ the amount of the first term to help make it easier to meet those payments. No other payment plan available.
Q: Can Bethany students apply for U.S. government and/or state financial aid?
We are non-accredited, which means that we have the maximum amount of freedom in our curriculum development, credit distribution, faculty credentials etc. However, the federal government does not grant financial aid to students attending non-accredited schools.
Most states follow the same guidelines as the federal government, which means that only accredited colleges are eligible for financial aid; however, in some states, accreditation is not as much of an issue. The state of Michigan, for instance, offers a one-time $1,000 scholarship to any Michigan resident going to any college. I don't know of any other states that have a similar benefit, but it's worth asking.
Q: Do you accept GI benefits?
In the case of the GI Bill our non-accreditation status is not an issue; however, because our buildings were built a minimum of 20 years ago, our campus is not completely handicapped accessible. If we accept funds from the GI Bill, we must sign paperwork pledging that we will accept and provide appropriate services and facilities for students with reasonable handicaps, who in all other ways could complete our program requirements. We cannot in good conscience promise to
provide such services and facilities, knowing that our buildings are not up to the high standards required. Therefore, we have made the decision that until we can upgrade our facilities, we cannot receive GI Bill funds.
Q: How do students pay for Bethany, without the help of government loans and grants?
First of all, be sure to take advantage of any BCOM discounts for which you’re eligible. A list of discounts is available on our website. Once you’re accepted for the upcoming term, you can fill out the application to receive one or more discounts. The maximum amount you can receive in discounts is $333 per term (or $1,000 total) off the first year costs.
We also suggest that you check with local private organizations with which you or you family have ties. Many credit unions and banks give scholarships, as well as civic groups such as the Lions Club etc. Sometimes other special interest organizations will give grants and scholarships as well (Christian Businessmen's clubs etc).
Lastly, and probably the most promising, is to check with your church or denominational headquarters. Some churches offer small scholarships to members going to a Christian college and all you have to do is apply. Some may allow members to collect support as part of their missions training. In this case it would be important for you to communicate your vision for missions and the way God is leading you to a specialized missions training school. It would be great for your church to be informed early on in the process that you are considering missions training at BCOM and that you would welcome their support - practical, spiritual, and financial.
In some cases our students have made arrangements to receive support from their church, with the understanding that they would return to the church to serve in some capacity for a certain number of years following their graduation. In other situations, churches have gifted a certain amount of money to help with the cost of training, with the requirement that the student is expected to go full-time overseas within a couple of years of graduation. Usually, if the student doesn't follow through they are then required to re-pay the money to the church (it becomes a loan).
So there are lots of creative things that can often be worked out with your church if it is a missions-focused body. Individual Christian friends and family are sometimes willing to pitch in to help you get started in school as well.
Q: I have outstanding debt. Can I still come to BCOM?
We prefer to see students come to Bethany debt-free, so that they have the maximum amount of freedom to go where God leads them after graduation. However, we recognize that we live in a very credit-oriented culture and many individuals who will become effective missionaries are carrying debt. Our policy is that we will accept students who have deferrable student loans or who have small personal or consumer loans that can be managed easily via money made from a part-time job or with help from family.
If you have a moderate to high amount of consumer debt, or if you have other monthly payments which would require you to work beyond the recommended 8 hours per week, we would highly recommend that you work on paying these off before coming to BCOM.
This might take a while and you may need to step up your effort or make some sacrifices, but once those obligations are met, you will really be free to move forward into what God has for you. We know you will want to come to BCOM really focused on the Lord and His plan for your life, without the distraction of trying to pay off school loans and credit cards.
Q: How do I send a payment and what method of payment should I use?
Send all payments to the Admissions Office at the address above and please write the name of the accepted student on all college fee payments.
All fees may be paid using any of these methods:
• Cashier’s checks or U.S. Bank Drafts drawn from a U.S. bank or payable through a major U.S. bank (most major banks in foreign countries will be able to sell cashier’s checks payable through a U.S. bank; there is a fee from the bank for this service)
• U.S. Dollar Money Orders
• Wire transfer of funds in U.S. dollars (instructions available upon request); there is a fee from the sending bank and the receiving bank for this service – we do not recommend wiring money because of the added cost for the service; a check or money order is preferable.
• Travelers checks cut in U.S. dollars and payable through a US bank
Q: Do you take credit card payments?
No. We are unable to process payments made by credit cards.
Q: Do you accept payments made in foreign currency?
No. All fees must be paid in U.S. dollars only. We are unable to process payments made with foreign currencies or payments with unofficial indications of exchange to U.S. dollars (e.g. a handwritten note on a check indicating that the check was cut in U.S. dollars).
Q: Is money paid for BCOM school fees tax deductible?
It is not. The IRS does not allow for deductions of private school tuition, and tax deductible “donations” made to the college cannot benefit or be specifically earmarked toward any individual. Although Bethany College of Missions is owned by a 501(c)(3) (Bethany International), tax deductible receipts can only be given for donations to the college that are not exchanged for services. Therefore, none of the tuition or school fees that you pay are tax-deductible, because the college provides you with an education in exchange for the fees, and you earn college credits from the courses you take.
Q: I am not going to be able to pay the first term fees by the due date. What should I do?
Please contact the Admissions Coordinator at 952-829-2582 to discuss your situation.
Q: Can I send payments in advance for my son/daughter?
Yes. During the first year we can receive payments in advance for any students school fees. All receipted funds are applied to the coming term. We are not, however, able to receipt funds in advance that are designated for Global Internship expenses. (see Section 7 for instructions regarding Global Internship).
Q: I am being supported by a church/mission organization while I’m in school. The organization is unable to pay my fees in advance. Can I still come to Bethany?
We will make an exception to our normal payment policy in such cases; a few criteria must be met:
• The situation must be approved by the Admissions Coordinator (Lori Beyer 952-829-2582) in advance.
• The supporter must be an organization, not an individual.
• The organization must submit an official proof of support letter (available from the Admissions Office) on letterhead, and signed by an official representative.
• The proof of support letter must be submitted prior to the fees due deadline – August 13, 2007 for the fall term.
• In the event that the organization does not meet its obligation, the student is responsible for all costs.
Q: How can I do my banking in Minnesota?
Most banks have on-line banking, which may allow you to keep your current accounts and manage them on-line from Minnesota. For those who want to bank locally, there will be an opportunity to set up a bank account during Orientation Week. You may also wish to set up an account with a local bank on-line before coming to school, at one of the bank web sites.
Banks that are close by include:
Wells Fargo
TCF
M & I
US Bank
Richfield Bloomington Credit Union
Q: I have donors/churches interested in supporting me on my Global Internship. Can they start sending gifts to the College?
Not yet. Students who plan to go on Global Internship must first be approved by our mission sending arm, Bethany Ministries. This process begins in the first term of enrollment and is completed by early in the second term. Once approved, the student becomes an official Associate Missionary with Bethany Ministries. At that point the student is asked to open a bank account at M & I Bank, in which all Bethany missionaries have their work fund accounts.
Once the M & I Global Internship account is established, Bethany Ministries can begin to receipt missionary donations on behalf of the student and donors can receive tax-deductible receipts for their donations. Students will notify their donors as to how and when to begin giving toward the Global Internship.
Until that time, we ask that Global Internship donations be made directly to the student with the understanding that they will not be tax deductible, or that the donor wait until funds can be receipted through Bethany Ministries.
Q: Can I work while I’m a student at Bethany?
Yes, you will be permitted to work after the first 6 weeks of your first term. At that time if you’d like to get a job, we would suggest no more than 8 hours per week to start out. If, after a time, you would like to work additional hours, we ask that you meet with your mentor to discuss that possibility.
There are a number of businesses within walking/biking distance of the campus that hire part-time help, and if you have a vehicle there are endless possibilities for work in the immediate area.
International students and Canadians may not work off-campus for pay, due to immigration restrictions. This restriction includes babysitting, lawn work, and temporary jobs as well as working for any division of Bethany other than Bethany International.
Q: Are there jobs available on campus?
There are sometimes part-time jobs available on campus. We actually have several different organizations working out of our campus: Bethany International; Bethany Church; Bethany Press; the Honor Academy; and STEM (Short Term Evangelical Missions). At any given time one of these organizations may have job openings. U.S. students are eligible to apply to work for any of these (Internationals and Canadians may work only for Bethany International).
Students interested in working for Bethany International or Bethany Press should contact Human Resources at 952-829-2533 to see what jobs are available and to apply. Students must approach each of the other organizations individually.
For more information on college finances, click on the links below:
