Frequently Asked Questions for International Students
The Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP) is committed to providing the best quality education and seminary experience possible for our students. As an institution, we realize that international students face special considerations, including visa matters, finances, and housing.
This section provides a brief overview of CDSP’s policies for concerns and requirements regarding international students. International student issues are administered by the Admissions Office. A full copy of our International Student Policy is available by contacting the Director of Admissions at 510-204-0715, or admissions@cdsp.edu.
You can apply to CDSP by one of two ways.
- You can apply directly to any of our degree programs (MDiv, MTS, MA, DMin) if you have sufficient funds for living expenses during your academic program.
Apply directly to CDSP by either applying online, or by downloading an application here. You can also request a paper application via email at admissions@cdsp.edu, or by writing to the following address:
Admissions Office
Church Divinity School of the Pacific
2451 Ridge Road
Berkeley, CA 94709
- If you do not have sufficient funds for your tuition and living expenses and are Anglican, you may apply to the National Episcopal Church’s Office of Anglican and Global Relations for approval for financial assistance. For more information, please write to them directly at:
Overseas Leadership Training Program
The Episcopal Church Center
815 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10017
If you are not Anglican, please see #1.
Does CDSP provide any sort of financial aid or scholarships for international students?
CDSP can supply financial aid for your tuition, but not your living expenses. There are no exceptions. Financial aid is available through grants-in-aid and scholarships that can cover up to 60% of tuition or more, depending on demonstrated need.
To receive a financial aid application, please email the Financial Aid office directly at finaid@gtu.edu.
How do I get an I-20 form?
CDSP is authorized to provide students with the I-20 form necessary to obtain an F-1 student visa. To obtain the I-20, you must provide evidence of sufficient financial resources for one year ($19,200 US in addition to tuition) to support your study at CDSP. Once a student receives the I-20, he or she goes to the U.S. Consulate office in his or her home country to apply for the F-1 student visa.
CDSP cannot provide assistance for living expenses. You will need to provide for your own living expenses for each year of your academic program. Example: you will need $38,400 in living expenses for a two-year academic program. Your expenses will be larger if you bring dependents with you.
Can I bring my family with me? How do I get the I-20 forms for them?
You can bring your family if you can provide for their living expenses in addition to your own. Documentation demonstrating evidence of living expenses for both you and your family members must be submitted to the Admissions Office in order for CDSP to process the I-20 forms for family members. Once family members receive their I-20, they go to the U.S. Consulate office in their home country to apply for the F-2 visa.
For spouses, you must add $500 US in living expenses (in addition to your own) for each month you will live in the United States; for children, add $250 per month per child.
What types of documents are accepted as evidence of living expenses?
CDSP accepts two types of documents as evidence of living expenses:
Self-supporting students: current bank statement showing the equivalent of $19,200 (or $25,596 for 12 months) in US dollars. Currency amounts must be converted into US dollars. An additional amount is required for students with dependents.
Sponsored students (students receiving financial support from an institution or personal sponsor): financial support letter from the sponsoring organization or individual indicating the sponsor's commitment to paying for the student's living expenses (at least $19,200 for nine or $25,596 for 12 months) for the duration of the student's academic program. An additional amount is required for students with dependents.
Do I need to take the TOEFL? What is the minimum score? Do you have a waiver policy? Can I take the IELTS instead?
All international students from countries in which the official language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). All applicants must score a minimum of 570 on the written exam, 230 on the computer exam or 80 on the Internet-based exam (iBT). There are no waivers allowed except for students from Canada and the United Kingdom.
Please visit the Educational Testing Service for information on the TOEFL
Do you have housing for international students?
CDSP has campus housing for both single students and students with families.
For more information on housing, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@cdsp.edu.
Where is the nearest international airport to CDSP?
CDSP is located near two international airports: San Francisco and Oakland. Both airports provide convenient access to public transportation. For more details, please email the Admissions Office at admissions@cdsp.edu.
Where can I get more information on CDSP and admissions?
We’ll be happy to help you with any questions about CDSP. We’d also be pleased to send you a catalog, and other information about CDSP through the mail. We can be reached by the following methods:
- Email admissions@cdsp.edu
- Phone 510-204-0715
- Regular mail
Regular mail
Church Divinity School of the Pacific
Admissions Office
2451 Ridge Road
Berkeley, CA 94709-121
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