Tips for Canadian students

Your Canadian Mailing Address

Keep a Canadian mailing address either at the home of your parents, other family member, or friends.

You can register this as your Canadian address for:

1. Income Tax: It is more convenient for you if all your mailings go through a Canadian address.
2. Automobile and Driver's License Registration: You must keep a Canadian mailing address for these forms.

Your Canadian Bank Account

It is expedient to keep a Canadian bank account for purposes of:

1. Child Tax Credit: Make arrangements to use direct deposit into your Canadian bank account. It can be mailed to you in the U.S., but it requires that you go through numerous legal forms.
2. Exchange Rates: Since exchange rates vary, you can hold money in a Canadian account and transfer it when the rates are more suitable. Transfers can be done through a local Elkhart bank or at the AMBS Business Office.
3. Interest rates: Canadian banks pay better rates on money kept in either a savings or a checking account.
4. A Canadian bank account is useful in working with the Income Tax Department.
5. Do not bring Canadian cash. To exchange Canadian cash for U.S. dollars is very expensive. The AMBS business office accepts Canadian checks at par for tuition and an additional $1200.00/semester, but does not exchange cash.
6. Credit Cards: While you are still employed in Canada, it is advisable to increase credit limits on your credit cards. Some ATM* cards work at the cash machines in the Elkhart area banks. (Cirrus cards work for cash. Interac cards do not work for payments.)
7. For all government reimbursement programs Canadian students need to register for direct deposit in your local bank. This needs to be done before leaving Canada.
8. Some banks offer telephone or PC banking, by which you can access balances and makes payments by telephone or by computer. You may want to inquire whether your bank offers this service.

You may also wish to arrange for telephone or internet banking before you leave.

Power of Attorney

Current AMBS Canadian students recommend that incoming Canadian students make arrangements for a person to serve as a Power of Attorney in Canada to handle all the necessary accounts and legal documents. This arrangement needs to be made before traveling to the U.S.

Your Precious Provincial Medical Insurance

If you indicate to the Provincial Medical Insurance that you are moving to the United States temporarily as students, you will remain covered according to provincial guidelines if you plan to return to the province and your coverage is guaranteed. Even if you get mixed messages from officials, keep your Canadian healthcare intact.

Canadian students often need to register with their provincial health care program, and apply for a special annual insurance card before leaving the country. This annual application for insurance coverage needs to be completed with a letter of admission from the seminary and a copy of your birth certificate.

The amount of insurance coverage differs with each province. The MHSC in Manitoba, for example, will reimburse what it would cost in Manitoba. This amounts to roughly 1/3 to 1/2 of hospital costs and 1/3 to 1/2 of doctor's fees. In some cases, though they will reimburse you for U.S. medical costs, you are required to maintain a permanent Canadian address. Keeping your provincial health insurance qualifies you for reduced rates on supplemental insurance.

Ontario students may be covered for the full duration of their studies. Take a letter and visa documents explaining your absence to an OHIP office before leaving the country and have your status registered. The Ontario government will reimburse at the same rate paid for in-province care. Find more information by visiting http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/ohip/longer.html.

It is recommended that Canadian students supplement your provincial medical insurance with a "travel" type of insurance to cover the difference between what your Canadian insurance costs will cover and the actual cost of the services in the U.S. There are a number of options available and it is important to remember that prices vary significantly according to the province where you may be applying, or according to your age. Students recommend that it is wise to phone several insurance agents and travel agents to find the best policy. Ask how long you can be covered (i.e. an annual policy, rather than a short "trip" policy), and whether it is possible to renew the policy from the U.S.

Plans for up to $2,000,000 can cost from $200-$700, depending on the company. Many plans cost less than $1 per day. Some sources of additional insurance used by recent AMBS students are:

Worldwide Travel Underwriters
Suite 302 - 5811 Cooney Road
Richmond BC V6X 3M1
CANADA
1-604-276-9900

Student Health Insurance Requirement

Effective September 1, 2007, all students registered for a minimum of six credit hours on the Elkhart campus will be required to enroll in the accident and health insurance planoffered by United Healthcare Student Resources, unless they show proof of coverage with another provider.

The cost for each student will be $715 for a full year (365 days). The rates are relatively low because this program has a cap ($50,000) on any given health situation. Coverage for spouse and family also is available at a higher rate. The plan is medical only, no dental or vision coverage is included, except as noted in plan materials. Effective enrollment dates are September 4, 2007 for Semester I; February 4, 2008, for Semester II; and May 27, 2008, for Summer. Semester II and Summer will have prorated premiums. Brochures with a summary of the plan benefits will be available as of August 15, 2007. Please review the brochure to see if the plan is right for you. Should you have any question you may call United Healthcare Student Resources at 1-800-767-0700 or by e-mail at www.uhcsr.com.

You will be able to enroll in the plan or complete a waiver form online. Any student who does not complete a waiver form or an enrollment form by September 20, 2007, will be enrolled in the program and the student account will be charged $715 for coverage for the student only. Students interested in more details should check with the Financial Aid Counselor.

Travel Insurance Coordinators/Credit Union Insurance Services

CUIS is a reseller of a plan that can be purchased at Mennonite Savings and Credit Union branches.

Blue Cross Canada: http://www.bluecross.ca/

Students under 30 can purchase a plan that does not require returning to Canada and requires a low, or no, co-pay when seeing a doctor.

In choosing a plan, look for coverage of up to $2,000,000 in emergency, hospitalization, doctor’s fees, emergency dental costs, ambulance fees, repatriation expenses, and prescription drug coverage.

This insurance can only be bought six months at a time and must be purchased in Canada through travel or insurance agencies. On the expiry date, the company will accept a phone call to make an extension of the policy. In doing so they will make a review of existing claims, and as long as the claims are not out of the ordinary, they should extend the coverage.

Another popular travel insurance company is the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), which offers an annual plan providing coverage for unlimited trips to the states for up to thirty days of health coverage. If in the States for more than 30 days, this can be renewed by phone, for an additional charge, of course.

Bringing pets into the U.S.

If you are bringing a pet to the U.S., the pet will need to have an International Health Card, and may need to have certain treatments. Check with your veterinarian, and officials with U.S. Immigration.

Scholarships and Bursaries

It helps to apply for financial aid well in advance, whether for AMBS grants or Canadian assistance. Even though AMBS grants are often available after the deadline, as funds are available, many other types must be applied for before you begin graduate study. In most cases, you need to research the awards, apply, and have a personal interview.

Some non-church sources of scholarships and bursaries include the Rotary, Fulbright, Organization of American States, McKenzie King, John Gyles, Levinson Foundation, Opal Dancey Memorial Foundation, and Sallie Mae Funds and Grants.

Some of their web sites can be explored at:

rotary.org

http://www.usembassycanada.gov/content/content.asp?section=fulbright

http://www.iccs-ciec.ca/pages/6_prizes/a_govgenaw.html

http://www.cbie.ca/CBIE-IGrants.html

You might also check the web sites of large universities to see what might be available there.

Driver's License and Automobile Insurance and Plates

It is usually advantageous to keep valid license and coverage in Canada. Check with your insurance agent to see if your automobile insurance policy is valid for driving in the US, while you are a student here. You may need to "boost your policy," but Canadian students generally recommend keeping Canadian insurance. Since some insurance companies will not cover Canadian students who live in the U.S., you should check with your company well in advance! The Cooperators Insurance Company does offer coverage for students in the U.S.

Automobile insurance coverage in the U.S. is not as good! In some cases, the kind of coverage available in Canada is almost unaffordable in the US. Use the person designated as your power of attorney to pay for your insurance accounts.

It is also advisable, if you drive or bring an automobile into the U. S., to have both a sticker and a letter from the manufacturer stating that the vehicle meets both safety and emissions standards. Not everyone is checked, but is important to have this documentation. Speak with your local car dealership or automobile manufacturer. If you have Canadian insurance and plan to bring the car back to Canada, this may not be necessary. However, if you decide to sell the car in the U.S. or need to get local insurance, you must legally import the car. Expect paperwork.

Canadian students recommend keeping provincial driver's license and plates, to avoid needing to have your car recertified when you return to Canada.

Check with your Canadian insurance company to see if they will insure students living in the U.S. for more than one year - many do not. If you need to get insurance in Indiana, you will likely need to get your car registered in Indiana and get an Indiana driver’s license. This means you will need to inform the border officials in order to legally import the car. (One exception to this may be State Farm, who has a special program for students to keep their out-of-country plates and driver’s licenses. Keep asking until they find this program in their books.)

Income Tax Continues

You are still subject to the Canadian Income Tax Act as students in the U.S. Besides paying income tax (if applicable), you also receive the benefits (always applicable). You still receive spouse dependency tax credits, as well as the monthly education and tuition deductions. Thus, you receive money back from the government, even if you paid no income tax. It is important to do your Canadian income tax work through a Canadian address. When you file for taxes, be sure to indicate student status (in the U.S.), and do NOT list yourself as a resident of Indiana!

Social Security Number

When you arrive at AMBS you will be advised to apply for a U.S. Social Security number, in order to file for U.S. taxes. As a student in the U.S. this is necessary, even if you are not employed. A Social Security number is also useful in applying for credit, or for identification purposes. Some students also get an Indiana state Identification card (from the License Branch of the Elkhart Bureau of Motor Vehicles Elkhart).

Child Tax Credit Still Applies

As long as you are subject to the Income Tax Act as Canadians, you are eligible for Child Tax Credit. It is simpler if you have it mailed to a Canadian address.

Visa Papers Are Required

Several weeks before you come, the seminary registrar will mail you one of two types of visa documents:

1. the "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) student status", or Form I-20.
2. the "Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status, or Form IAP-66.

These are Immigration Department forms which you present at the point of entry to the US where you will receive student status. Make sure the immigration officials process your paper and give you Form I-94, a small white card.

In presenting your I-20 or IAP-66 at the border, you should have evidence of financial resources (e.g. bank statement, letters of support). If a spouse is to be a full-time student, a separate I-20 or IAP-66 needs to be issued. Otherwise, the spouse receives an F-2 or J-2 visa on the basis of the student classification. Immigration Service does not permit persons with F-2 visas to be employed. Persons with J-2 status may be able to obtain a work permit from Immigration after arrival, although the process may take several weeks or months. Our past experience has been that some spouses of J-1 students have been able to obtain permission to seek employment. However, there is a limit on the amount of money a spouse can earn without paying taxes. For more information about student visas contact the AMBS Registrar toll-free at 1-800-964-2627 to discuss which visa option is best for you.

If you have questions about what you may bring into the U.S.A., other than personal effects, contact a U.S. Customs Office by phoning your nearest airport.

If you have major items which you will want to bring back with you after your studies, request a form from the Canadian Customs Office prior to your departure. Prepare a list-with serial numbers-of all the items which you plan to bring back (e.g. cameras, computers, bicycles, electronic devices). List all items for which you may otherwise be charged duty when returning and have it ready to present to customs officers at the border. If you anticipate any major purchases in the U.S. other than personal effects and books, check on the requirements for duty-free re-entry.

Keeping up with Canadian News

To keep current with Canadian news while in seminary the AMBS library receives Macleans and Canadian Mennonite. The seminary also maintains a satellite dish with a special TV lounge in order to receive CBC and Canadian sports. More direct daily access to Canadian news can be found at the CBC web site or heard through an internet broadcast. Each province has a website.

Church Membership Options

You are encouraged to retain membership in your home church to keep you closely connected to the Canadian church and conference activities. Canadian conference and congregational bursaries are issued only to students who are members of a local congregation.

The seminary encourages Canadian students to get involved in congregational life while in Elkhart. Many of the churches in the Elkhart area are glad to provide the option of an associate membership for the period you anticipate being involved in studies. Many students develop significant relationships within the local congregations which they carry with them as they leave.

Student Employment

The seminary has a limited number of part-time jobs available on campus as student assistants, in the library and in the maintenance department. Other jobs become available from time to time. Employment can not be guaranteed, but such work as is available will be open for students who apply. The maintenance department hires a number of people full-time during the summer. Visa regulations allow students to work no more than 20 hours a week while school is in session. Students may work full-time during vacations and summers. Applications for such employment can be addressed to the Business Office. Off-campus employment opportunities are also possible for students with the J-2 visa. The application process for a work authorization takes 90 days and costs $120 annually. Direct all visa questions to the AMBS registrar.

Need for a Reference and/or Cosigner

The Business Manager at AMBS can serve as a reference or cosigner for identification purposes.

Content insurance

Incoming Canadian students are encouraged to insure their household belongings. Before leaving Canada with your personal possessions, call your local mutual aid union and take out the coverage you will need for traveling and living in the U.S. Coverage is usually quite affordable and is important to have.

Telephone hook-up and long distance rates to Canada

If you arrange telephone hook-up in advance with Verizon, the Elkhart telephone company, you may need to provide notarized verification and identification, unless you already have a Social Security number. There are many long distance providers from which to choose. Canadian students have been pleased with the International Savings Plan with MCI (1-800-950-9555) or AT&T (1-800-222-0300) or a company of your choice. Long distance cards can also be purchased from the AMBS receptionist, and are a good alternative for those making fewer calls.

Another option for students living in campus housing with access to the AMBS network is to use a computer-telephone connection. A telephone adapter connects to a local Elkhart number with unlimited calls to the U.S. and Canada for a monthly fee or a lesser fee with 500 monthly minutes anywhere in the U.S. and Canada. This option requires no local telephone hook-up.

Schools and children's education

The seminary property is located within the city of Elkhart which means that the families living on the seminary campus are part of the Elkhart Community School system. There are several school buildings located close to the campus including the public elementary, junior high and senior high school. The Elkhart school system cooperates readily with seminary students and their children. You may find out more at these web sites:

Elkhart Schools

Hawthorne Elementary School
Academic calendar for Elkhart schools

Public education is available to any child residing in the Elkhart city limits. There are subsidies for school lunches and school textbooks based on the level of family income. Because of having limited income a number of seminary families have been able to qualify for reduced or free school lunches and assistance with textbook rentals.

In addition to the public schools there are also several parochial elementary and senior high schools in the area, including Baptist, Catholic and Lutheran affiliated programs which are tuition-based. There is a Montessori school for preschoolers and early elementary grades in Elkhart and a kindergarten learning lab at Goshen College (approximately 11 miles away from AMBS). For those with middle school and high school children, Bethany Christian Schools in Goshen is a private Mennonite School (grades 6-12) which is a very good option. This is a tuition-based high school and limited scholarships are available. Call the Bethany Christian Schools office at (574) 534-2567 for the latest calendar and tuition information.

Consult with alumni and former students

If you are in the proximity of an AMBS graduate or former student, a conversation with them may be helpful especially if they have had recent experience of the seminary. With the many changes that take place, however, we encourage you to contact the seminary directly with your specific questions.

Contacting the seminary

Feel free to contact us as questions or concerns arise. You can write to us care of the AMBS Admissions Office, or for more immediate answers call the seminary toll-free at 1-800-964-2627. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. EST. Or you may always e-mail us at admissions@ambs.edu.

This information was accurate when written. Please inform the AMBS Admissions Office of errors so that we can keep the information as current as possible as changes develop. Thank you.