International Student Information

Finances for International Students

This matter can be difficult, especially if your country has strict regulations about taking funds abroad. Check with your bank’s foreign exchange department when you are getting your financial support documentation in order, and make the necessary arrangements to bring sufficient funds with you and transfer other needed funds.

Arrange a convenient way to bring funds into the U.S. or to have them transferred efficiently to your American bank account once you open one (as soon as possible after your arrival). You should bring sufficient funds with you in U.S. currency and traveler’s checks to get through the first few weeks while your account is being opened and your bank is clearing bank drafts. It is suggested that you carry a recognized credit card (Visa or MasterCard, for example), and (A) at least two hundred dollars if single, or (B) five hundred dollars if married: one hundred in cash and the rest in traveler’s checks. Bring the rest of your money in traveler’s checks or a bank check. Be sure that bank drafts are payable to you personally and are made out in U.S. dollars, drawn on a U.S. bank. When traveling it is helpful to have a few one-dollar ($1) bills for small needs, and quarters (25 cent pieces) for telephone calls. Do not carry large amounts of cash.

If you arrive at Southeastern less than a month before registration and have not paid fees ahead of time from your own country, you will need to have access to sufficient funds (such as traveler’s checks) to pay in full your first semester tuition at registration and pay for your accommodations, etc. Remember, you cannot count on being able to establish a bank account immediately and have quick access to funds.

Financial Aid

Southeastern Baptist Scholarship
International Students receive the Southern Baptist scholarship during their first semester at Southeastern and therefore pay half of the regular tuition rate. If you intend to maintain the Southern Baptist scholarship on your tuition, you must join a SBC church within the first semester of attendance and submit a completed certification of church membership form to the Registrar’s Office. If you do not, you will no longer receive the Southern Baptist scholarship and will be expected to pay the non-Baptist affiliated tuition rate.
Southeastern General Scholarship
In addition to receiving the Southern Baptist scholarship, International Students are eligible to apply for institutional scholarships or financial aid. Applications will only be processed if submitted by the Financial Aid deadlines. The amount of each award is discretionary and does not exceed the cost of tuition fees. It is given for tuition only. If part of the scholarship is not needed for tuition, it will not be given to the student for other expenses but returned to the scholarship fund. It is not guaranteed that you will receive scholarships every year. You must REAPPLY EACH YEAR for financial aid if you wish to receive it. Please contact the Financial Aid office or visit the Financial Aid portion of our website for more information.
Academic Requirement
International students who have entered the U.S. on an F-1 visa must maintain full-time status. Undergraduate students must maintain 12 credit hours in both fall and spring semesters. International MA and MDiv students must register for at least nine credit hours each fall and spring semester. ThM, DMin, EdD, and PhD students must maintain continuous enrollment. Students must be enrolled full-time in on campus classes. International Students are allowed to take one online class per full course load.

Expenses

Tuition and Fees vary according to program and residency status. See the annual expense page in the International Student Admissions Packet for detailed tuition costs per program. Please see the Tuition and Fees portion of our website for more information on ‘Additional Fees.’
Annual Expenses
Tuition & Fees
Apartment rent and utilities information concerning campus housing options can be found by visiting the housing portion of our website.
Housing
International students, as well as accompanying spouses and children, are required to carry health insurance. At registration, international students will be required to present documentation showing that they have enrolled in a health insurance program. This will be required before they can begin classes at Southeastern. All international students in F-1 visa status are also required to have insurance coverage for repatriation and medical evacuation.
Budget at least $100 per course for textbooks.

Visa Information for International Students

As a prospective international student in the United States, you must be aware of and abide by the U.S. immigration regulations that would govern your stay here. Most applicants for non-immigrant visas are now required to have a personal interview, and as a result it can take longer to get a visa. As of August 1, 2003, all persons in F and J status are included in the U.S. government’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and all visa documents are issued through SEVIS.
Every student must have a SEVIS visa eligibility form I-20 (F-1). You must apply for international student admission at Southeastern in order to obtain an I-20.
After completing all the necessary paperwork through the Admissions Office, you will receive your I-20 form from Southeastern. Once you receive this form, try to get your visa as soon as possible.
The F-1 visa is called the Student Visa. The form issued from Southeastern is the I-20, the Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant Student. Specific features include:
- Financial support for the applicant is required and may be through personal means or may be received from a sponsor.
- Work is permitted only on campus, except in cases of unforeseen economic hardship resulting after one full academic year in the U.S. or Optional Practical Training (OPT) after one full academic year in F-1 status.
- Spouses and dependent children of F-1 students hold F2 status and may not work in the U.S. under any circumstances.
- An F-2 spouse may not engage in full-time study, but part-time study is permitted if it is non-vocational or recreational. *If after arriving in the U.S. the F-2 dependent wishes to change his/her status to F-1 in order to earn a degree, please discuss this possibility with International Student Services.
- All F-1 students at Southeastern are required to have health insurance.
In order to maintain F-1 visa status and keep their SEVIS record up to date, students must provide their DSO with timely information and abide by the following requirements:
- Enroll in a full course of study at the beginning of every session (excluding authorized break periods)
- Consult with their DSO before dropping below a full course of study for any reason
- Report a phone number or change of address to the DSO within 10 days of the change, so that SEVIS can be updated.
- Report any change in sources of financial support to their DSO
- Notify their DSO about changes in dependent status
- Not work, either on or off-campus, unless specifically authorized under the regulations
- Seek the approval of the DSO/USCIS before engaging in employment or practical training
- Abide by the aggregate unemployment rules while on post-completion OPT
- Consult with their DSO to extend their program, and report any changes in program of study to their DSO
- Report any change in academic status to their DSO
- Notify their DSO if they intend to transfer
- Notify their DSO prior to traveling outside the United States
- Notify their DSO upon applying for change of nonimmigrant status
- Notify their DSO upon approval of an adjustment of status to an immigrant
- Abide by the F-1 grace period rules
- Abide by rules requiring disclosure of information and prohibition of criminal activity.
- Abide by any special requirements, such as Special Registration requirements

Traveling to Southeastern

Pay Attention to Your I-94 Card

The I-94 card is one of the most important immigration documents since it is what indicates your non-immigrant status in the U.S. and how long you may legally remain in the country for that particular trip. You can find your I-94 card online.

It is very important to pay attention to what is written on this card when you enter the U.S. Before you leave the immigration area, be sure to check the status you have been given and the date you must depart.

If you find anything that appears to be in error, politely point it out to the immigration official. It is the date written on the I-94 and not the expiration of the visa stamp that controls how long you can remain in the U.S. A new I-94 card with a new date is issued each time a nonimmigrant legally enters the U.S.

Immediately Upon Arrival

Getting through U.S. Immigration and Customs can be a challenging experience. Allow approximately two hours for the process, though the time could vary. Make contact with us ahead of time so that we can be of help when you get to the Wake Forest area and can pray for you as you travel.

Financial Aid

Expenses

Tuition & Fees

Housing

Health Insurance

Books & Supplies

Visa Information for International Students

Obtaining a Student Visa

Visa Eligibility Form I-20

Visa Application

F-1 Visa

F-1 Visa Requirements

Immediately Upon Arrival