Especially for Canadians
Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary is a bi-national seminary. Because its supporting constituency is both US and Canadian, AMBS serves the churches of both countries. Further, Mennonite Church Canada has recently reaffirmed AMBS as its primary seminary. To facilitate Canadians attending seminary in the United States, AMBS makes a number of special provisions.
Finances
Canadian students may pay tuition in Canadian dollars and receive credit dollar-for-dollar in U.S. currency. Financial aid funds received (in U.S. dollars) may then be used to pay for living expenses at AMBS.
In addition, Canadian students with full-time status may exchange at par up to $2,400 of Canadian funds for U.S. dollars per academic year (or $1,200 per semester).
Visas
Upon admission to AMBS, the registrar mails a visa permission document to the student.
AMBS is authorized to issue two types of visas:
- F-1 Student Status, issued with Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status."
- J-1 Exchange Visitor Status, issued with Form IAP-66, "Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status."
Either type can be used for student status. Both require full-time enrollment--at least 9.0 hours per semester. Both allow students to work part-time on campus during the academic year and full-time in the summer. Spouses of F-1 students may not be employed, either on or off campus. Spouses of J-1 students may apply to the immigration service to obtain a work permit, if financial need exists.
Health insurance
As temporary U.S. residents, Canadian students are advised to maintain insurance they have under provincial medical insurance. They may also wish to purchase supplemental insurance designed for those who travel in other countries. They should investigate such coverage before leaving Canada.
Combining study with volunteer work
An option available to couples from Canada who come to AMBS is for one spouse to be a student and the other to be a volunteer in exchange for housing. For example, during the 2006-07 school year, Ryan Siemens was a full-time student and Sandra Sinnaeve, his wife, was a full-time volunteer on the AMBS campus. AMBS provided an apartment for the couple at no charge in exchange for Sandra's contribution to the seminary. A local congregation, Prairie Street Mennonite Church, offers a similar arrangement in the Voluntary Service unit they sponsor. One spouse can be a student and the other can have a VS assignment and both can live in the congregation's VS unit house. For more information, contact the AMBS admissions office. To see more about Prairie Street's Jubilee House, see the web site for the Voluntary Service unit.
Tips for Canadians coming to the seminary
Even more information about insurance, driver's license, bank accounts, children's education, telephone options, keeping up with Canadian news, and more.