FFWPU USA: Bridgeport International Academy gives Ukrainians Scholarships — La Grotteria

“Given the current crisis in Ukraine, Bridgeport International Academy would like to offer our members what support we can,” says BIA Director of Admissions, Lily Shapiro. “We are offering families in our movement a sizable scholarship.”

The private college preparatory academy, established by True Parents in 1997 in Bridgeport, Conn., is now providing overseas support through student visas and scholarships for young Unificationists from Ukraine. “As an international boarding school, we can issue student visas,” says Shapiro. “So if there are any families that wish to send their children out of any conflict zone, we would love to help.”

Shapiro says the school’s post-graduate program, typically for ages 18 to 20, is a seamless way for foreign students to transition to America. “This program is for international students who have graduated from high school but aren’t confident in English to jump into an American college,” she says. “The program would give them an ‘extra year of high school,’ meaning they would take our English courses to strengthen their language abilities before college.”

For undergraduate students, Shapiro recommends applying to a nearby community college through its international enrollment program.

“Housatonic Community College, which is a five-minute walk down the road from us, can also issue international student visas for college-aged students,” says Shapiro. “We have a relationship with the college and can connect any interested students with an advisor for help. This could be a way to attend school at a community college rate with free housing [during the academic year] at BIA.”

Shapiro says BIA is working with agencies in Ukraine to give non-Unificationist students a similar scholarship as well. The school is approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service to issue I-20 forms, which allows international students to obtain F1 non-immigrant student visas. While BIA offers swift enrollment, Shapiro says the school is unable to provide housing to students before the fall term. However, the school can assist students with finding lodging over the summer if needed.

So far, some three million Ukrainians have fled their homeland, according to various news reports. U.S. officials said they expect most Ukrainian refugees will want to stay in Europe; however, millions more have been internally displaced and may need to find safe haven in other countries.

“This is not something that Poland or Romania or Germany should carry on their own,” said U.S. President Joe Biden during a March 24 news briefing in Brussels. “This is an international responsibility.” White House officials said refugees would be received through “the full range of legal pathways,” including the U.S. refugee admissions program, visas, or “humanitarian parole,” a temporary form of entry offered to displaced people in wartime and other emergencies.

At BIA, Shapiro says the school will extend visas to young adults as well, through their support staff program.

“We have support staff who live in our dorm for free in exchange for some simple jobs around the dorm and school,” she says. “Jobs include taking out garbage, checking on curfew, simple cooking, and other tasks. The support staff positions are really nice for young adults in their early 20s because it offers independence with a financial safety net.”

Shapiro notes that support staff does have the option to stay in the dorm over the summer, which gives young working adults more security. Over the last 25 years, BIA has continually drawn a diverse, co-ed student body, with as much as 45 percent of its students coming from different countries around the world.

You can receive more information about BIA’s international student visas and scholarships by emailing admissions@ bridgeportacademy,org.

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Admission of International Students Enroll Now International students, thank you for your interest in Housatonic Community College. HCC prides Enroll – Degrees & itself on the great programs, and the incredible services we offer to support our students throughout Certificates their college experience. Our goal is to help you achieve your dreams, whether it is to transfer to a Enroll – Noncredit top university, improve your English, or experience the American college life. (CE)

Visiting Students Below are the 2 action steps required to complete the International Student Admissions Process:

Enrollment Events Required International Student Packet Required Online Application Transferring To HCC

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Registration For Each of the steps listed below are critical for enrolling International Students and must be followed.

Continuing Students Complete necessary requirements for issuance of SEVIS I-20. Please refer to the International Student Packet to get more information. Admissions

Advising 1. You must have the equivalent of an American high school diploma and must present official Prospective Students copies of all academic records with the application. College transcripts and high school diplomas Inquiry in a language other than English must be accompanied by certified translations from an Placement Testing accredited agency such as WES (World Education Services, Inc). All foreign students, except

Orientation those from countries where English is the only official language, must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum Winter/Summer Sessions score of 173 on the computer-based test, 61 on the internet-based test or 500 on the paper- based test is required. Information and registration forms for this test are available at American Undocumented Embassies, Consulates, and offices of the United States Information Service, or by writing to Test Students of English as a Foreign Language, Box 899, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. Since the college has Non-Credit Offerings no housing facilities for students, prospective foreign students must give written evidence, along with their application, of their residence plans and means of supporting themselves and paying for college tuition and fees while in the United States. All of the above-mentioned credentials should be submitted to the Admissions Office at least three months before the requested date of admission. This school is authorized under Federal law to enroll non- immigrant alien students. 2. You are also required to include a copy of your High School Diploma or Official High School Transcripts. High School Diplomas (only) can be submitted in another language, but must be evaluated to show that they are equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma. Official transcripts must be written in English showing the academic course work completed at your high school and each college where applicable. (Official transcripts - all course work must be translated into English in order to be evaluated.) These credentials are evaluated in accordance with the college’s general admissions requirements. Foreign college credits must be evaluated by accredited agencies such as World Educational Services, Center for Educational Documentation, and Globe Language Services. 3. A notarized letter of residence must be submitted stating your intended local residential address in Connecticut while attending Housatonic. 4. You, the prospective international student, friend, relative or sponsor must provide a (notarized) financial affidavit letter. A letter stating who will be responsible for your total college expenses. (IMPORTANT: This letter must state the total and exact expense amount. The US government requires proof of your cost of living expenses, tuition, fees and books.) Note: Housatonic is a commuter school; there are no housing facilities for students. 5. Financial Proof: Referring to #4, the Sponsor for the applicant must provide financial proof that they are able to do this. Financial proof: recent bank statements, notarized letter from the bank stating you presently have sufficient funds and/or equity, or scholarship certificates as proof of financial support totaling the exact tuition and fee amount. This must be in US Dollar

equivalency. 6. Copy of current passport/I-94 card (only for students who have a passport). You must bring the original and we will make copies of the front and back. 7. International students are required to attend full time and will pay out-of-state tuition and fees. 8. The college does not award financial aid to international students, nor does it provide housing; there are no housing facilities for students. 9. International Student Packet (required) 10. Complete the I-901 form - Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee. New students are required to complete this form. Transfer Students do not need to complete this form.

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