Well, before we get started, we wanted to let you know, for a fun fact, that the Director of the college is Canadian as well.
• Canadians DO NOT need to take the ACT or SAT college entrance exams.
• Once accepted, Canadian applicants need to submit proof of financial support. This is a U.S. government requirement. Along with submitting the required paperwork to the college you may also need to have the official Proof of Support Letter and bank statement in order to cross the border when coming to attend Bethany (see instructions below). A copy of the proof of support documentation should be kept for this purpose.
• The Supporter Packet (sent with the application forms) contains all information and forms needed to submit and maintain proof of support documentation.
• Upon acceptance, Canadian students are immediately entered into the U.S. government computer tracking system, called SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information Service). The SEVIS system generates an I-20 form, needed for the student visa. We send the student’s I-20 form in his/her acceptance packet. This form needs to be signed by the student and kept with his/her passport. DO NOT ALTER THE FORM IN ANY OTHER WAY (laminating, writing on it, etc)
• The I-20 form will serve as a record of the student’s visa. The visa stamp is placed on the I-20 form at the U.S. Point of Entry (POE). No visit to the consulate is necessary for Canadian students to study in the States.
• VERY IMPORTANT – Canadian students must pay a $100 SEVIS fee directly to the U.S. government prior to arrival at the POE. You must show a receipt that the fee has been paid at this time. Please allow enough time to get your receipt in the mail if you pay the fee by mail. You can get a receipt immediately if you pay on line. Details for payment of the SEVIS fee will be included in your acceptance packet.
• When arriving at the POE to the States, Canadian students need to have the following items with them:
1. copies of their proof of support documents
2. their I-20 form
3. their SEVIS fee receipt
4. their acceptance letter from the college
5. a passport or other photo i.d.
• Not all POEs are open 24 hours per day for processing students, so students should be aware of the hours at the crossing they intend to go through and plan accordingly.
• Upon going through the border crossing students will receive an admissions number, the I-94 arrival/departure card, and their I-20 form will be stamped with an F-1 (student) visa.
• It is recommended that the student take copies of his/her signed and stamped I-20 form, passport, SEVIS fee receipt and I-94 card in case any of these items are lost or stolen. It might be good to send a set of copies to your emergency contact person as well.
• Canadians must meet U.S. government proof of support requirements. The figures in proof of support documents should match the figures given in BCOM’s financial information for U.S. students.
• Canadians are required to attend any orientation sessions for international students in order to receive information on the handling of USCIS documents and other issues pertinent to their enrollment in a U.S. college.
• The signed I-20 form, I-94 card, and passport must accompany the student whenever crossing any U.S. border.
• When a student travels outside of the U.S. they must have a current Designated School Official signature on page 3 of the I-20 form. This must be renewed each year. Without a DSO signature, the student may not be permitted to re-enter the country, so this is extremely important at breaks and vacation times.
• It should be noted that Proof of Support documentation must be renewed each year as well, by submitting new Proof of Support documents with current dates to the Registrar’s Office.
• The Canadian student must follow all USCIS guidelines regarding working for pay on and/or off campus.
