Especially for Parents

Having trouble deciding on a major? Sign up for one of our view days! These days enable students to tour the campus, meet the faculty and talk with students currently enrolled in the programs.

Also, majors are not set in stone. Many students transfer between programs with ease throughout their studies at Columbia. Course changes and program adjustments are common for all college and university students.

The academic calendar, which includes the payment dates and term dates can be accessed here.

The Financial Aid office is in the Resource Centre Building, or contact financial.aid@columbiabc.edu.

Columbia Bible College offers a selection of online courses so you can keep learning even when you’re juggling other life commitments. You might be a busy parent, a full-time employee, or living on the other side of the country. No matter what time zone or life stage you’re in, online courses fit into your schedule.

Click here to see what online courses Columbia offers. The online course policy can be located in the Academic Manual.

All graduates are invited to take place in the commencement ceremony that takes place in April. Information surrounding graduation requirements and awards can be found in Columbia’s Academic Manual. 

The most recent orientation schedule for new students is here. Resident students are welcome to move into their dorm rooms starting early in the afternoon on Orientation Sunday (Labour Day Weekend).

Students are responsible to arrange their own transportation to and from the College. Students going to the airport will sometimes arrange to travel with other students heading home during holidays and share the cost of a cab. As resident students make friends with local commuter students, sometimes these families will offer transportation, as well as staff members who are able. Ultimately, students are responsible to find their own transportation. There is an airport shuttle from both Vancouver airport and the Abbotsford airport that will pick up right on campus. These shuttles must be booked ahead of time and cash is the only payment. (Please check rates and booking times. www.airportlinkshuttle.com.)

For many students, this is the first time living away from home. To help with the move, here is a list of items resident students should consider bringing along with them.

No, although they are welcome to bring one. Parking (for a small fee) is available on campus. Abbotsford public transit stop is right in front of campus. The campus is also walking distance to all major amenities.

Money may be added to a student’s 1-Card at any point in the year. Cash, debit, and credit are accepted at the office or follow the link to add money online.

Yes, meal plans are also available for commuter students.

We have a partnership with Best Western Regency in Abbotsford for a special rate of $109/night (blackout dates apply) for parents and family of Columbia students. Our students also qualify for many discounts at local business. To see a list of these businesses visit the Student Discounts section of our website.

Yes, students looking to work while studying at Columbia have access to various employment opportunities. On campus employment opportunities are available in the dining services, athletic facility, reception, custodial department or library. For further information visit the Student Job Board on CBC’s website.

Leadership is part of our mission statement at Columbia. We believe in the leadership potential of our students, which is why we have several positions available for students. Columbia’s student council is made up of current students who are elected at the end of the previous academic year. Student council has four committees that are filled with current students: Arts and Communications, Missional Living, Social Life, and Spiritual Life. These committees are always welcoming and inviting students to join. As a student, your child can become a member in one or all of the councils committees. For more information on student leadership opportunities and our student council, visit the 'Get Involved' and 'Student Leadership' sections of our website.

Columbia has many certified first aid personnel for students on campus as well as a clear emergency response guide. The Abbotsford Hospital is a short drive from campus.

Columbia Bible College has a skilled Academic Support team ready to assist students through the challenge of college-level academic work. The Academic Support team runs tutorials for major papers, offers proof reading, and is available for drop in questions. All of the services that Academic Support offers are free, including one-on-one academic coaching.

Columbia also offers IDIS 099 which is a free workshop by our Academic Success team that is required for all students entering Columbia with a GPA under B-. All students are welcome to register. It will prepare students for all areas of college life including time blocking, research methods, study skills and more. It will not include an additional workload but rather time will be spent working on helping students successfully complete other course work.

Counselling Services are available to all full- and part-time students who are currently registered at Columbia. Columbia’s counselling services are dedicated to providing a safe spot to talk through life with the student is a place where issues can be safely examined. With the initial session being free and every session after that being $15, Columbia offers its student the opportunity to meet with skilled counsellors at a low cost.

The IT department is located on the second floor and maintenance on the first floor of the student centre. Students may also log onto their myCBC account for links and to email them.

Absolutely. We understands that needs vary and we welcome you to contact your student’s Admissions Advisor to get connected with Chef Jordan to discuss a plan.

Columbia Bible College is located in a neighborhood filled with churches of every size. Many churches are within walking distance from the school or many current students attend churches located farther away and often provide rides to those without vehicles. Columbia does not provide transportation, but there are churches close enough to attend without owning a vehicle.

Columbia falls under the British Columbia Privacy Act to protect students’ privacy while attending university. This means that we are not able to share student information with you unless we have permission from your student. This is indicated in the student enrollment contract that they sign upon pre-registration.

Each student is issued a mailbox and key. Simply write your student's name on the letter and send it to our address and we will make sure it is put in their mailbox. Mailing address: 2940 Clearbrook Rd, Abbotsford, BC V2T 2Z8

The college will remain open regardless of extreme weather or emergency conditions because there is a continuing need for service in several areas, defined as essential services, such as Food Service, Facilities and Grounds, and maintenance of certain Student services. Class cancellations and building closures will be posted on the CBC website home page as follows:

• by 6:30 am for classes that begin before 1:00 pm;
• by 11:00 am for class that begin between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm;
• by 3:00 pm for classes which begin after 5:00 pm.

There are several ways to stay connected with Columbia Bible College. The Columbia Connect is a monthly newsletter emailed to alumni, donors, and friends of the college who wish to stay informed about events, news updates, and potential ways to get involved on campus. The Columbia Contact is biannual print publication that seeks to encourage and provide updates about news, events and related college business to student, alumni and friends of the college. Read the Columbia Contact online or subscribe to the Connect newsletter at https://www.columbiabc.edu/alumni_community/alumni?section=connect. Also join our mailing list by sending your name, mailing address and connection (student, parent, alumni, donor, other) to columbia.contact@columbia.edu.