Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond welcomes students from outside the United States who are called and committed to Christian ministry and desire to prepare themselves for areas of ministry in the Church.

International students are required to follow the standard admissions requirements. In addition to the admissions requirements for the M.Div., students for whom English is not a first language must submit a score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The TOEFL score of at least 213 (computer-based) or 550 (paper-based) is required. The IELTS score of at least 5.5 is required. For information contact: TOEFL, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151 or visit www.toefl.org. Telephone: (609) 921-9000. Contact IELTS at www.ielts.org. International students who have spent at least four years studying in an English-speaking institution earning a bachelor’s degree or above may be exempt from taking TOEFL or IELTS.

Upon acceptance as a student to BTSR, the Registrar and Director of Financial Aid will determine the financial aid eligibility of the student and will continue the process which will enable the student to acquire the F-1 student visa. International students may be considered “Non-resident” or “Resident.”

Non-resident international students are those who have been accepted into a degree program but prefer remaining in their country to begin study. Since BTSR is offering more online courses, it is recommended that non-resident international students begin their coursework via online classes while they continue to live at home and until such time they follow the procedure to come to the BTSR campus. Refer to the BTSR Catalog for information about online offerings.

Resident international students are those who have been accepted into a degree program and plan to come to the U.S. They are required to follow the procedures set up by the U. S. government to obtain the F-1 student visa.

The U.S. government requires that all international students provide proof of their ability to pay for their expenses for the three years of study in the United States. Students must complete the BTSR Financial Plan Form with supporting bank statements that indicate adequate financial resources to cover all expenses. Once the BTSR Financial Plan is received, the Director of Financial Aid will review the Plan and prepare, in detail, the actual cost for the first year of study including an amount of the living expense deposit before the I-20 document can be issued. The required living expense deposit is placed in the student’s account to facilitate payment of all BTSR-related expenses such as housing, tuition, fees, etc. A limited amount of BTSR Aid is available for international students to assist only with tuition, fees and books. Living expenses are not included in BTSR Aid. Students who are admitted and qualify may receive BTSR Aid to cover up to 75% of their tuition, fees and books. The Director of Financial Aid will review the student’s BTSR Financial Plan, as well as other existing outside sources, to determine how much BTSR Aid can be granted and determine the deadline for receipt of the required living expense deposit in order for there to be sufficient time to issue the I-20 document.

Once the I-20 document is issued, the international student shall be responsible to apply for the F-1 student visa including the personal interview with the U. S. Embassy nearest their home and make travel arrangements to arrive at BTSR to attend the New Student Fall Orientation, which is required.

ADDITIONAL POLICIES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: 
    1. International students are required to come without family members
           for the first year. 
    2. International students are required to live in BTSR housing.
    3. International students are required to have medical insurance through
           a company approved by BTSR. 
    4. BTSR Financial Aid will not cover living expenses (medical insurance,
           clothing, transportation, food, car expenses, etc). 
    5. International students must show evidence that they have sufficient
           funds to support themselves during the entire course of study at
           BTSR. 
    6. International students on the F-1 student visa are allowed to earn up
           to $3,000 per year through work-study opportunities. This is not
           BTSR work-study. 
    7. BTSR Aid covers only tuition, fees and books that are approved by the
           Director of Financial Aid. 
    8. The Non-resident international student who lives at home and takes
           only online courses: 
            • must pay tuition, fees and books in US currency, through wire
               transfer, credit card, or check. The student is responsible for all
               costs related to currency conversion. 
            • must pay full tuition, fees and books for online courses before the
               course begins. 
            • is not eligible for BTSR Scholarship Aid.

For additional information, contact Ida Mae Hays, Registrar and Director of Financial Aid:   Phone: (804) 204-1218 E-mail:  imhays@btsr.edu