in this section:
About Us
Quick Facts & Questions
Programs
Costs & Financial Aid
How to apply
After Acceptance?
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Campus Visits & Tours
Campus Pictures
Abbotsford Area Info
What our grads are doing 
Email a student  
Contact Us / Request Info

after acceptance....

January 2010 Start Information

- I'm accepted - now what?
- Pre-registration information
- Course selection
- Deposits and Course selection
- US/International Student Authorizations
- Policy and procedures in payment of fees
- Health insurance for U.S./International students
- Health insurance for Canadians
- Drivers License & Automobile insurance
- Phone service for resident students
- E-mail
- Parking information
- Shipping parcels to CBC
- Airport shuttle service
- Music auditions
- Athletic tryouts
- What to bring if you are a resident student
- CBC Housing options
- Orientation Schedule January 3-5, 2010

I'M ACCEPTED - NOW WHAT?

We are really looking forward to meeting you (or seeing you again) on January 4, 2010 and can hardly wait for the year to get started! Much of the information below was(or will be) sent out to you by e-mail or mailing or with your acceptance package. It is also online here in case you have misplaced these forms. We will also keep in touch by email with happenings over the next couple of months to give you some additional information to prepare for the upcoming semester. Feel free to email or call us with news or questions too.

Student Enrollment Contracts

View the Fall 08 Orientation Schedule

Join our INCOMING STUDENT FACEBOOK GROUP at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4774609307.  Admissions Counsellors and Student Ambassadors and other Incoming Students are on this site.  We will post updates and there's lots of opportunity to interact with people and ask questions.

Pre-registration will begin on November 16. This allows you to register for all your student life options (ie. parking, meal plans, etc.) and make arrangements before you arrive in January. By doing this, you can avoid long registration lines and go directly to pay during financial registration. Course selection information will be mailed to you individually. We will go through this information with you and register you. Contact your Admissions Counsellor for details.

You will receive course selection information and recommendations by email from your Admissions Counsellor once you have paid your confirmation deposit (listed on your acceptance letter). Once you have looked through the course registration package, you can phone, email, or make an appointment to come in to discuss your course selections. The sooner you do this, the greater chance you have of getting the classes you want. We will take time to go over everything with you as we register you for your classes, and answer any questions that you may have. You should also know that there is always the option of making course changes during the first week of classes if needed.

We are excited for your arrival! We are looking forward to meeting you and having you become a part of Columbia Bible College. We expect you to have questions, so please contact us if you do!

PRE-REGISTRATION INFORMATION 

Students must fill out one of the following forms:

- Registration Form - Resident Students (Web Form)

- Registration Form - Commuter Students (Web Form)

Students may fill out the following forms as appropriate to you:

- Parking Registration Form (web form)

- British Columbia Conference Discount Application (BC Mennonite Brethren & BC Mennonite students) (PDF)

Forms for your information:

- 2009/2010 Fees

- Financial Aid

- FAQ's about meal plans

- Financial Policies (PDF) 

COURSE SELECTION:  

Upon paying your confirmation deposit, your Admissions Counsellor will send you a course recommendation and requirement sheet for your particular program and situation (i.e. credit limitations, transfer credits, etc). The following forms will give you the main information you will need to choose your courses. All course selections must be done with your Admissions Counsellor by December 15th via phone/email/in person.

- Fall 2009 timetable

- Official program inventory worksheets
(your recommendation worksheet will be emailed to you by your Admissions Counsellor)

DEPOSITS AND COURSE SELECTION

Once you have been accepted to Columbia, you will be asked to pay a confirmation deposit. Deposit amounts vary depending on tuition status and program. The following is an outline of deposit amounts:

DEPOSIT FEE
Room and Board $200
Tuition $200
Quest Program (incl. Resident & Tuition deposits) $800
OL Program (incl. Resident & Tuition deposits) $800
OL Program (incl. Tuition deposit) $600

Once you have paid your deposit upon acceptance (amount will be noted in your acceptance letter), you are eligible for course selection through your Admissions Counsellor (course selection will open on June 1, 2009 and November 15th, 2009 . Your Admissions Counsellor will work with you to complete this process.

September entry only:  Priority registration for courses will be based on the date of your tuition deposit (course selection opens June 1, 2009). Deposits and course selection are due by July 15th, after which there is a $50 late fee. Deposits are refundable up until July 15th.

U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AUTHORIZATION

Any student wishing to study in Canada who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident must obtain a student authorization before entering Canada. Once you are accepted by Columbia Bible College as a full-time student, we will send you the information necessary for you to obtain your visa with your acceptance letter. You will also be required to show the immigration officers evidence of adequate funds. The visa officer will expect you be able to support yourself (and family if applicable) during your program of study. You may be required to bring financial documents to prove you have the necessary funds (bank statements, scholarship & bursary awards, pledges, etc.). The processing fee is $125 (Canadian Funds).

For U.S. students: The issuance of your student authorization takes place when you arrive in Canada - at the airport or at any vehicle Port of Entry.

Studying in Canada

U.S./Canada Border Wait Times

Canada Visitor Tax Rebate Program - As a non-resident visitor, you can claim a refund for goods and services tax (GST) and the harmonized sales tax (HST) you paid on eligible goods and/or short term accommodation while visiting Canada.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES IN PAYMENT OF FEES TO CBC

Columbia Bible College Education fees can be paid via:

- Cheque, VISA, MasterCard, or Interac direct payment.
- Student Loan documents

All semester fees, including room and board, are due and payable on or before registration day. Students who are relying on funds from government or bank loans or any other source should ensure that arrangements are made in sufficient time so that the required payment can be made at registration. If students are applying for Government Student Loans, please allow at least 15 days for processing. Please begin the process by June.

PAYMENT PLANS OPTIONS:

There are three payment plan options. Please click here to view the payment plan outline.

HEALTH INSURANCE FOR U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

When you live in B.C. and hold a Student Visa, the British Columbia provincial government considers you a resident of B.C. This enables you to participate in and gain significant benefits from Canada's health care system. For only $56 (CDN) per month, you will be provided with complete health care coverage during the time you reside in B.C. Read below for more details or visit the Health Insurance BC website.

You can enrol by obtaining an application form directly from the Health Insurance BC website.
Photocopies of documents to support the name and Canadian citizenship or the immigration status of the persons listed on your application will be required. A resident who fails to apply may, upon enrolment, owe retroactive premiums.

Please begin the application process as soon as you arrive at school.  It takes approximately 3 months to process.

Coverage during the waiting period
Medical coverage for the waiting period is automatically purchased for you by Columbia Bible College and is charged to your student account.  This will be done for you and charged at a rate of $60 per month of $240 per semester until you present us with proof of BC health coverage.  If you choose to remain on Columbia's medical insurance coverage you will be required to formally "opt out" of BC's health care plan. To obtain an "opt out" form, call toll free from Vancouver: 683.7151 or (250) 386.7171.

*Medical Insurance Coverage is your responsibility and Columbia Bible College cannot be held responsible for any costs incurred in the event you do not obtain appropriate coverage*

HEALTH INSURANCE FOR CANADIANS

I am turning 19 shortly. Can I continue coverage as a "dependent" on my parents' provincial medical account?
Yes. Coverage can continue for dependents who are full-time students until the last day of the month in which they turn 25. A form letter will be sent to your parents two months before your 19th birthday. If information is not received confirming eligibility for continued coverage, the coverage will end on the last day of the month in which you become 19. Full-time student status must be reconfirmed each year (a new letter will be sent to you) to maintain dependent status. When you are no longer eligible for coverage as a dependent, it is your responsibility to apply for separate coverage.

I am a Canadian citizen, but I'm from a province other than B.C.
Contact your current medical coverage provider and let them know you will be studying at Columbia Bible College in B.C. Most Canadian provinces provide full coverage in B.C.

It is important to understand that Columbia Bible College itself carries no medical, hospital or dental insurance coverage on students' behalf.

For more information, visit the Health Insurance BC website.

DRIVER'S LICENSE & AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE

The laws of B.C. require out-of-province drivers to purchase BC Insurance within 30 days of arrival. However, students registered at a post-secondary institution (such as Columbia) may apply for a Student Exemption Permit from ICBC.

Procedure: Call ICBC at 1-800-665-4336 in BC, and 1-800-950-1498 out of province, or 250-978-8300 in Victoria for licensing information. For insurance information the number is 1-604-443-4624. For general info call 1-800-663-3051.  US students should call 1-800-661-1866 in the US, or 604-443-4624 ext 4624 in either country. Identify yourself as an out-of-province driver studying at Columbia Bible College and ask for a "Student Exemption Permit" application to be sent to you C/0 Columbia Bible College 2940 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford BC V2T 2Z8. Upon arrival, pick up your form from your student mailbox, fill it out and submit it immediately.

NOTE: Failure to do so could invalidate your current insurance and may result in a charge being laid against you under the Motor Vehicle Act of B.C. Also be sure to check on the expiry date of your insurance and how you can renew it if it will expire while you are studying in Canada. There is a $30 Application Fee for this, which you must submit with the Application.

PHONE SERVICE FOR RESIDENT STUDENTS

During First Week, you are assigned a private extension /voice mail to receive incoming calls in your dorm. Long distance phone calls can be made from several pay phone locations on campus, or with a calling card in the dorm. You can bring a calling card or purchase Phone Cards from the college bookstore.

E-MAIL

Check your e-mail at one of our several e-mail kiosks on campus, or register for wireless on campus! Sign up for an e-mail account with Yahoo, Hotmail or Gmail!

PARKING INFORMATION

Bringing a car to campus? Here's what you need to do to arrange parking:
1. All campus parking is pay and permit only. Parking regulations are enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
2. A parking permit per school year for residential students costs $160 and $130 for commuters; requests for refunds will be pro-rated on a monthly basis.
3. To purchase a permit, bring your vehicle registration(s) (showing license plate, colour, make, and model) to registration during First Week at Columbia, or do this during pre-registration with your Admissions Counsellor.

SHIPPING PARCELS TO COLUMBIA BIBLE COLLEGE

Any personal items or parcels you ship to yourself at Columbia should be shipped in the following manner:

CANADIAN Students Send as follows:

Your Name
Columbia Bible College
2940 Clearbrook Rd
Abbotsford, BC
V2T 2Z8

Plan to have your luggage or parcels arrive after you are already on campus. If your luggage or parcels arrive prior to your arrival, they will be held for you by Student Development (if you are a resident student). Please inform your Admissions Counsellor if anything will be arriving ahead of time. We can only hold a certain amount of items before student arrival in September or January.

US and International Students

Canada Customs DOES NOT ALLOW you to pre-ship any personal goods into Canada. ALL PERSONAL GOODS MUST BE brought with the student and DECLARED AT THE TIME OF ENTRY INTO CANADA.

AIRPORT SHUTTLE SERVICE

If you require transportation to Columbia from an airport, be sure to contact your Admissions Counsellor no later then August 15th (or by August 1st for OL students) or December 15th. We'd love to pick you up, but we need to know when, where & flight numbers. We are approximately 1 hour from the Vancouver airport & 15 minutes from the Abbotsford Airport.

COSTS: Must pay driver at time of pick-up
Single Vancouver Pick-up $50
Group Vancouver Pick-up $30
Abbotsford Airport Pick-up $15

MUSIC AUDITIONS

For more info on ministry team opportunities, please visit the Worship & Arts section of the website.

ATHLETIC TRYOUTS

Tryouts for the following teams are done when you arrive on campus during First Week:
Men's Soccer
Men's Basketball
Women's Basketball
Men's Volleyball
Women's Volleyball
Co-Ed Golf

For more info on athletics, please visit the athletics section of the website.
For questions/comments, or to receive more info on Columbia Athletics please contact Tim Demant, Athletic Director, at athletics@columbiabc.edu or call 1-800-283-0881.

WHAT TO BRING IF YOU ARE A RESIDENT STUDENT

What to bring if you are a Resident Student:
-Bedding for a twin bed
-Towels, toiletries
-Laundry soap, etc (washer and driers are not coin operated so no quarters required)
-Dress clothes for banquets
-Computer if you have one. A student computer lab is open 7 am – 12 am . There are internet kiosks throughout campus (lounges, cafes, etc...). There is wireless internet/Email available.
-Study materials (paper, pens, etc) also available in our Bookstore
-Stereo—use discretion as to what type of music to bring

CBC HOUSING OPTIONS

click here for pictures

Men Residents
Montecito apartments' are located to the east of CBC's campus. Each apartment has 1 or 2 bedrooms, and houses 3-4 people. Each apartment has 3–4 single beds (twin size for sheets), 3-4 desks, dressers and closets. They are complete with a kitchen that has a fridge and a dishwasher. There are laundry facilities available.

Women Residents
Columbia Hall has 3 Floors. Each floor has 16 rooms. Each room has 2 single beds (twin size for sheets), 2 desks, shelves and a closet. There is one fold-out bed in each room which can be used for visitors. There is a washroom between each room (4 people sharing 1 washroom). The lounges on the 2nd and 3rd floors have fridges and stoves. There are laundry facilities on the first and second floor.

Houses
White House, Esau House and Joan Street House
The Esau house has 7 bedrooms with a total of 8 beds, The Joan Street House has 6 bedrooms with a total of 7 beds and the White House 4 bedrooms with a total of 5 beds. These houses are used for junior and senior (age 20+) students and are across our staff parking lot next to the dining hall. There are laundry facilities located right out side the houses.

Meadowood Townhouses
To accommodate its growing student body, Columbia rents conveniently located townhouses. Theses townhouses are located right behind our gymnasium facilities. The townhouses will primarily be used for senior students. Each townhouse has 2 bedroom (each with 2 single beds) dresser drawers, 2 desks and closets. They are complete with a kitchen that has a fridge, stove, and dishwasher. There is a washer and dryer in each townhouse.

*Although we may not always be able to honour your housing or roommate request, they may be made in writing to your Admissions Counsellor.

Orientation Schedule January 3-5, 2010