Introduction - In the spring of 2003, the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) of the United States Government approved Fox Valley Lutheran High School (FVL) as a host school for international students. As a result, FVL is authorized through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to register and enroll international students apart from an established foreign exchange program. SEVIS is a web-based system for maintaining information on international students and exchange visitors in the United States. The following guidelines are intended to provide information regarding the process and tasks necessary for international students to attend FVL.
Registration – Registration is to be completed through the Guidance Department of Fox Valley Lutheran High School. For information, contact FVL's SEVIS Designated School Official (DSO) and Guidance Director Mr. Tom Welch by e-mail f-1visa@fvlhs.org or phone 920.739.4441. Please provide an official email that FVL will use for followup contact. Once Fox Valley Lutheran H.S. accepts the student's enrollment application, the student will be issued a Form I-20. The applicant then pays the SEVIS I-901 fee before applying for a visa. The payment website is at http://www.fmjfee.com/.
Required Documentation in Enrollment Application Packet:
English Language Proficiency – An international student's ability to excel at FVL is dependent upon his/her ability to communicate in the English language. FVL requires English proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speech. To be admitted to FVL, applicants must demonstrate proficiency with an acceptable score report on either the SLEP (scaled score minimums: Listening - 25; Reading - 23), or the TOEFL (combined minimum score of 70). The SLEP exam is preferred. FVL's TOEFL code number is 8677. This number should be entered onto the TOEFL answer sheet during the examination so that scores are reported directly to FVL. Take the TOEFL practice tests. Admission may be denied because of an unsatisfactory score. A copy of a test's Score Report is required for admission to FVL.
F-1 visa – To receive an F-1 visa, students must receive from Mr. Welch a signed copy of the Form I-20.
After applicants receive the I-20 form in the mail and make online payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee, the applicant then submits the form with evidence of payment to the American Consulate in the student's home country.
Housing – All matters related to housing and insurance are to be directed to Assistant Coordinator Mrs. Laura Gucinski at lgucinski@fvlhs.org. During the course of the school year, the international student will stay with a host family. This family must be approved by FVL. For the first year of enrollment at FVL, students are assigned a host family with whom to live. Thereafter, students are encouraged to cultivate friendships that may result in a homestay for following school years. Many students remain with their first-year host family during following years. International students will pay the host family for student housing. The cost is listed in the fee section. If a student changes host families for any reason, the remaining housing balance is transferred to the new host family.
Insurance – All international students must purchase the FVL health and liability insurance plan underwritten by First Agency, Inc. All international students purchase this plan and submit payment along with tuition and other costs according to the payment schedule listed in the Payment of Fees section at the end of this document. Parents are to provide a signed medical treatment authorization form within the enrollment application packet. Mrs. Laura Gucinski will finalize the document and pass it along to host families for use when necessary to seek medical treatment. When submitting claims or scheduling doctor visits, host families are urged to submit the name of the student exactly as it's printed on the insurance card.
Academics – International students are expected to take a complete academic load as they fulfill graduation requirements. Their course of study, as with all students at FVL, will be determined by their past academic history, their interests and abilities, and their anticipated graduation date. The Guidance Department will work with the student in determining a class schedule. All students are required to enroll in religion courses.
Discipline – Students are expected to comply with all school rules and state/federal laws. Failure to do so may result in expulsion. Students whose I-20 is terminated for disciplinary reasons will forfeit tuition and housing. Termination of enrollment for other reasons during semester one will be given a refund for semester two; termination during semester two results in no refund of tuition or housing.
School Life – International students are expected to comply with all rules and regulations pertaining to FVL students as defined in the student handbook. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary measures in keeping with school policy.
Family Life – While living with the host families, an international student is expected to comply with all the rules and expectations of the other members of the household. Rooms should be kept neat and orderly. Assistance should be given with daily chores and family routines. Curfews according to FVL guidelines are 10:30 P.M. on school nights and 12:00 A.M. on weekends.
Driver's Education – While international students are allowed to pursue driver's education, obtain a driver's license and drive in compliance with State of Wisconsin laws, clear communication regarding host family expectations and guidelines is advised. Host families are encouraged to speak with Mr. Welch regarding this matter before assuming ANY liability.
Travel – Students are responsible for their own travel to and from their home country, and Appleton, WI. They may work in conjunction with their host family to arrange airport pick-up and other travel arrangements. Unless special arrangements are made, students are expected to return to their home within 1-2 weeks after the end of a school year and should return no more than 1 week before the start of the next school year.
Medication / Medical Treatment – Soon after arrival, copies of an information sheet on all medications (including description and dosage information) brought by the student is to be provided to the following: 1) host family, 2) Mrs. Gucinski, and 3) local medical providers. Also soon after the student arrives, host families are encouraged to confirm that the family doctor will accept the student's insurance coverage. If not, alternative plans to seek medical treatment should be made promptly. When doing so, take a copy of the student's insurance plan and the I-20 form that contains the student's family information.
Athletics – All international students are encouraged to participate in athletics at Fox Valley Lutheran H.S. As members of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA), FVL must comply with rules governing eligibility. The WIAA typically denies participation to first-year F-1 visa students. Incoming sophomores may be granted non-varsity eligibility. International students who continue at FVL beyond their first year are granted eligibility for varsity-level competition. Athletes must submit a Physical Card every two years and an Alternate-Year Physical Card in alternative years.
Miscellaneous Costs – Textbooks are provided by FVL. Students will need to purchase school supplies. Additional expenses include lunch costs, school-sponsored activities (e.g., field trips, dances, etc.), and personal spending money ($50-75 each month).
Personal Finances -- Private funds are to be available for expenses for which the host family is not responsible. FVL recommends that students open a local back account to have personal funds available for such expenses as purchasing lunches at school, entertainment, personal items, clothing, and other costs. It is the responsibility of host families to provide meals at home and lunch food for the student to take to school.
Payment and Fees – The following is a listing of fees and costs for an international student enrolled at FVL. All questions about fees and payment should be directed to Mrs. Judy Burleton at jburleton@fvlhs.org in the FVL Business Office.
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2008-2009 FVL Tuition & Fees
Tuition: $6975
Health/medical insurance (Aug. 1-July 31) $500
Administration fee: $130
New International Version (NIV) Bible: $35*
Student yearbook: $30
Student lock: $5
Student Planner: $5
*first year students only
Payment Options:
One Payment: $7680 (due August 1) OR
Two Payments: $3840 (due August 1 and December 1)
Total Tuition & Fees: $7680 |
2008-2009 Housing
Housing Fee: $3750
(To be paid directly to host family according to payment schedule below.)
One Payment: $3750 (due August 1) OR
Two Payments: $1875 (due August 1 and December 1)
Combined Tuition and Housing:
One Payment: $11,430 (due August 1) OR
Two Payments: $5,715 (due Aug. 1 and Dec. 1)
Total Housing: $3750* =$11,430 |
* Please provide FVL an email address to which billing information may be sent. For convenience, funds may be sent to FVL by electronic wire transfer according to one or two-payment schedule above and then paid to host by the FVL Business Office.
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Send FVL payment to:
US Bank NA
200 North Durkee Street
Appleton, WI 54911
USA
American Bankers Association routing number: 075000022
Deposit to Fox Valley Lutheran High School Federation, General Fund, Account Number: 182373463229.
International wire transfer should be made from an American branch bank and denominated in American dollars.
