Questions and Answers (Q&A)

Answers to the Global Education Project (GEP)

*Please note: The answers below only apply to students of the Global Education Project. For general questions, please contact oipservices@uca.edu.

 A. Eligibility Criteria to Apply

A1.      Are students required to provide their transcripts to study in UCA? If yes, should all the courses the students have taken be included?

 Yes, students must submit a complete transcript in English when they apply. We understand that they may not have the grades for the fall semester in 2011 and that is acceptable. They should send the transcript they have showing all the coursework they completed before the fall semester, but they should be prepared to have their fall transcripts sent to UCA after their final grades are posted.

Music and Art students should submit their portfolio to the International Engagement after they get their DS-2019.

A2.      In which academic departments are the students allowed to study?

The students may study in any department on campus if they receive a score at least 61 on TOEFL iBT. Prerequisites and restricted eligibility may require students to receive special permission to take certain classes.

A3.      Is it necessary for students to provide their English proficiency test results first?

Students who have not taken TOEFL will be required to take an English language proficiency exam when they arrive. This exam will be given during orientation, or in a pretest given by UCA faculty or staff in China. After the students’ results have been determined, they will select and enroll in classes.

Students who have already taken the TOEFL exams are encouraged to submit a copy of their scores. Depending on the student’s score (a minimum of TOEFL iBT 61), he or she would not be required to undergo English proficiency testing, and would thus be allowed to enroll in classes easier.

Some students may be able to take the English language proficiency test in China if authorize administrators travel to China to proctor the test.

A4.      Are there any limits on the number of students allowed to apply for study in UCA or in certain departments?

Yes, there is a limit to the number of students that can study in any particular department.

B. J-1 (Exchange Student) Visa Questions

B1.      What documents are required to apply for a student visa?

Students must bring the following documents to the US Consulate:

• Official Acceptance Letter from UCA
• Form DS-2019 (provided by UCA)
• Documentation of Financial Support
• Receipt for the payment of the mandatory SEVIS fee of $180.
• For additional information about obtaining a J-1 Student Visa, see:
  • US Embassy in Beijing: http://chinese.usembassy-china.org.cn/niv_exchange.html
  • The American Institution in Taiwan: http://www.ait.org.tw/zh/how-to-apply-niv.html

B2.      Is the SEVIS fee included in the fees paid to UCA?

No, the SEVIS fee (visa application fee) is not included in the GEP package price. Students are responsible for paying the visa application fees.

C. Tuition & Fees

C1.      What is included in the GEP package price?

The $6800 package price for GEP students includes:

• tuition and fees for twelve (12) credit hours
• mandatory health insurance and T-Spot test
• a shared dormitory room fee, a bed package
• an unlimited meal plan in the Christian Cafeteria.

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) is required by law. If students cannot provide documentation in English from a health care professional verifying that the student has received these shots, it is the student’s responsibility to pay for it. Two shots are required for MMR and cost $50 each.

C2.      What is not included in the GEP package price?

The $6800 does not include:

• 2 doses of MMR - $50 each
• Choosing an apartment - $100
• Choosing a private room – about $700 to 800
• Staying in a residence hall before January 11th or after May 5^th - $7.50 per night
• Graduate Courses - $50 extra per credit hour
• Insurance deductible - $100
• Lab fees – varies
• Books – varies

C3.      Are the fees the same for all courses at UCA?

Tuition is charged on a per-credit hour basis. Most classes are 3 credit hours each (three hours of instruction per week). The package price includes tuition and fees for 12 credit hours (usually 4 classes).

Students who take graduate level courses will be charged $50 extra per credit. Additional fees may be required for labs.

C4.      Are textbooks included in the GEP package price?

No. Textbooks must be purchased separately. Depending on course selection, students can expect to pay $300.00 - $500.00 per semester for required textbooks. At the end of the semester, students can either keep their books or sell them back to the bookstore at a reduced price.

C5.      How many credit hours can a student take?

International students must take a minimum of twelve (12) credit hours each semester to fulfill the terms of their visa. The package price is designed to meet these 12 credit hours. Any additional credits GEP students choose to take will add additional charges to their student account

C6.      What does the international insurance cover? When does coverage begin and end?

The insurance pays for treatment of illnesses and accidents, including prescriptions, doctor and hospital visits, and repatriation of remains in case of death. There is a $100 deductible per semester, but it will pay any non-excluded expense after that. If the student needs a prescription for medication, they will have to pay for it, but we will assist them in filing the forms to be reimbursed for cost of the medication. This medical insurance does not cover eye glasses, contact lenses or dental care.

UCA has an excellent Student Health Center that is staffed by a doctor and two nurse practitioners. They can handle the majority of treatment for students for free or at a very low cost. They are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For students attending UCA in the fall, the coverage lasts from August 1 to December 31. For students attending UCA in the spring, the coverage lasts from January 1 to May 31.

C7.      What do the miscellaneous fees include?

Miscellaneous fees include books, academic supplies and personal spending money for the student's personal necessities. We recommend students to prepare at least $800 － 1,000 for a semester. However, we strongly advise students not to carry more than $100 in cash on their person at any time.

C8.      Are there additional costs for placement testing?

There is not a fee for English placement testing. However, students who wish to take mathematics classes will be required to take a Compass Placement Test in Mathematics, for which there is a charge of $5.00 USD. For students who want to take the institutional or iBT TOEFL or other tests during the semester, it is the student’s responsibility to pay for it.

C9.      When must students pay for their studies at UCA?

The GEP Package Price should be paid by January 12, 2012, the first day of class. There are three payment methods for students to choose. (See “GEP Tuition Payment Method”) We encourage students to pay their tuition and fees during International Student Orientation, so that the student will not have to miss class to make payment arrangements. If the students could not arrive on time, we recommend these students to pay by Telegraphic Transfer before they arrive.

D. Registration Procedure

D1.      Are there any courses taught in both English and Chinese? If yes, what are they?

We have some GEP courses provided with Chinese teaching assistants. These courses are provided in the GEP course list, and students who have lower English language proficiency may seek help from these Chinese teaching assistants.

D2.      What is the procedure for students to register for classes?

Students will select their classes during orientation, which will be held from January 9th to January 11th, 2012. Students must have English placement test results before they can register for classes. After students have the test results, either in November in China or January at UCA, they can determine a class mix (see “Proposed GEP Students Class Mix”). According to appropriate class mix guidelines, students will submit a registration form (see “GEP Registration Form”). Please understand that all students who want to take regular UCA courses must also provide English transcripts to the respective departments to confirm that all preregistration requirements have been met. Some departments may require course syllabi in English to assess course contents. We suggest that students whose English level is above TOEFL iBT 61 prepare to bring their courses syllabi in English from China for registration of regular UCA courses.

D3.      Are students allowed to take fewer than twelve (12) credit hours?

No. Students must maintain a minimum of twelve (12) credit hours in order to maintain their student visa status. Students who drop below the minimum will fall out of status, and WILL be subject to immigration consequences, including deportation.

E. Room & Board

E1.       What are the dormitory halls like?

 Each student will share a dormitory room with a roommate of the same gender. Each room is equipped with two single beds, two desks, two dressers and a closet. Bathrooms/showers are down the hall. Halls are composed of students of the same gender only. There is also a small kitchen on the first floor of each dormitory for student use.

Students who are 21 and over are encouraged to choose a UCA apartment. There is a living room and kitchen in each apartment. Normally each bedroom in the apartment includes two beds, desks with chairs, and chest of drawers, and closets. All furniture is moveable. Cable TV service, Internet access, and air conditioning/heating are also available at no extra charge. Students who choose to live in an apartment should expect to pay an additional $100 for these services.

E2.       Are the dormitory halls far from where classes are held?

The dormitory halls are located in the middle of campus, so students will have a very short walk to class.

E3.       Does the meal fee include three meals every day? Is the cafeteria open during the weekends and holiday?

The meal plan covers unlimited meals in the cafeteria. There are 3 meals per day served during the week (Monday through Friday). On the weekends, there are only 2 meals per day served (brunch and dinner). The cafeteria is designed buffet style, so students may eat as much as they desire. The cafeteria is open on weekends but is closed on holidays. Therefore, students will need to make their own meal arrangements during those times.

E4.       Will I have an American roommate?

Global Education Project students will most likely be paired with an American roommate. However, in case of full capacity, GEP students may be placed with other international students.

E5.       Is it possible to change my roommate?

If students have any complaints about their roommates, they can go to the Housing Office to ask for a change two weeks after the beginning of the semester.

E6.       What is included in the Care Package?

• 2 extra-long fitted sheets
• 2 extra-long flat sheets
• 4 standard pillow cases
• 2 extra-fluffy pillow
• 1 extra-long reversible comforter
• 1 extra-long quilted mattress pad
• 1 extra-long egg crate pad
• 2 all-cotton bath towels
• 2 matching cotton hand towels
• 2 matching cotton wash cloths
• 1 pop-open hamper
• 1 bedside buddy