International students that attend Catholic schools in the Diocese of Davenport come from every corner of the globe and choose us for many reasons: our programs, our beautiful school campus', our Midwest location and our focus on teaching. Students find that small class sizes and a focus on teaching help to foster their academic success.

All Diocese of Davenport Catholic Schools (K-12) are SEVIS approved and is proud to welcome international students. We currently have 53 representing Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Iceland, India, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Venezuela and Vietnam.

If you are an international student or parent interested in learning more about academic excellence at one of our diocesan Catholic schools, please click here to see a list of our schools and their website, or contact Virginia Trujillo, PDSO for the Diocese of Davenport, at trujillo@davenportdiocese.org.

To apply, please complete the following forms:

• International Student Application Packet

• English Proficiency Tests

  • Grades K-5 - do 4 tests and print or pdf version

  • Grades 6-8 - do 4 tests and print or pdf version

  • Grades 9-12 - complete and print evaluation sheet or pdf version

• If you have a host family, the background check packet has to be completed (non-family members only)

• Students must secure health insurance and provide proof of insurance

• You will also be asked to provide at time of registration:

  • Copy of F-1 visa

  • Copy of I-94

  • Copy of Passport

  • Copy of I-901 Fee Receipt

  • Copy of original I-20 with 3 signatures on it

Coming to school in a foreign country can be a daunting experience for any student. Some of our schools hold an orientation designed for international students.

We have created a student manual to help with the process of things you need to know. We also have a Pre-Arrival Manual to give you some added information before you come to the United States.

Student Visa Information:

If you plan to study in the United States, you will mostly likely require a student visa, which is either a category "F" visa, or a category "J" visa.

• In the Diocese of Davenport, F-1 visa student are those who have come to one of our Catholic schools to complete courses of study. We accept F-1 visa students in grades K-12.

• J-1 visa students are those who have come to one of our Catholic schools on exchange agreements with their home institution (agency). J-1 visa students study at our schools for a semester or a one (1) year, depending on the agreement with the school.

What is a visa?

The visa is an information page placed in the passport that informs the border official (CBP) that the US Consulate approved you to enter the US in a specific visa category. The border official reviews your visa and other supporting documents (such as your letter or acceptance and financial statements) and provides final approval of your entry to the US. The official does this by stamping your passport, a small white card called the I-94 and your Form I-20 (for F visas) or DS-2019 (for J visas). This activates your visa status and enables you to be a student in one of our Catholic schools.

top of page

Requirements:

We believe our international students enrich our culture by expanding our world view. We are committed to providing a nurturing environment for all our students and believe in working closely with international students to assure a smooth transition to American schools.

To be considered for acceptance to one of our Catholic schools, international students must:

• Be academically qualified. An inability to speak functional English will prohibit a student's acceptance.

• Submit a English Proficiency Test. K-5, 6-8, 9-12

• Have representation by an Agent, Host Family or Relative in the area that the school of your choice is located, who upon acceptance, will accompany the student to the school for registration.

• Submit the Form Packet, including the Background Check information (if living with a host family) where the student will reside during the school year.

• Provide a copy of Passport/Visa

top of page

Deadlines:

• Accepted students must submit $175 processing fee, $300 deposit, and Form Packet

• I-20's will be issued upon payment

• Our schools do not have deadlines regarding the acceptance of students. Please inquire with the school of your choice to see if they have room for you. Please check the semester schedule so you know when classes begin. School Semesters

• Please allow a couple months to get paperwork, acceptance and consulate visits scheduled. Check with your consulate to see how long it takes to get an appointment. Each country varies.

• If your address changes during your academic year, you have 10 days to notify the school and the PDSO. If you fail to do this, it can result in termination of your I-20.

• Questions? Contact Ms. Virginia Trujillo, International Student Advisor (PDSO), at trujillo@davenportdiocese.org

top of page

Host Families:

Do we locate host families for students?

No, we do not have the resources to do this. A lot of students live with family members or family friends that are already in the US. If they need a host family sometimes the school might have some contacts but the family should be aware that it is there responsibility to locate a host family for their child. We require all host families to complete a background check before living arrangements are finalized.

Why become a host family?

Being a host family is a wonderful experience that enriches the lives of students and families throughout the world. By accepting a foreign exchange student or F1 student into your home, you are opening your heart and mind to a culture and helping to bridge the gap between two different countries.

• What are the requirements on becoming a host family?

• You must be able to provide a warm and loving home with full room and board.

• Students may share a room with siblings of the same sex.

• Consists of two or more people related by blood or marriage.

• Single parents with children may host if they meet the requirements.

• You have a clear background check

• Your application to become a host family will be reviewed by local representatives.

What are International Students like?

Many host families have questions about foreign students. We can say that students who are successful in our program share several positive characteristics. They are sincerely eager to learn about America first hand. They are willing to be flexible and adaptable as they learn to live in their new home. They are respectful towards the school and family which have made this year possible. They speak English well enough to function in an American school and home. They are at least average students in their own country. They understand the policies and rules instilled by the Diocese of Davenport. Students must have their own spending money - enough to cover school supplies, school fees and personal items.

top of page

Tuition:

An important factor in any international student's decision on studying in the US is cost. As an F or J visa applicant, you will need to prove that you have the funding to cover one full year of education at the school of your choice, including all personal expenses. Therefore, it's important to know what those costs are. Each school in the Diocese of Davenport has a different tuition schedule so please check the school link to see the current year's tuition rates. There is no discount or grants available to International Students. Full year's tuition is due at the time of registration.

• School Tuitions

Payments can be done by personal check, money order or cashiers check. We do not accept electronic transfer.

top of page

Working while on I-20:

Students that attend our schools are not allowed to work except babysitting, cutting grass for someone, etc. 

top of page

Placement Agencies:

We highly recommend that your international students work with a placement agency to ensure the best possible academic and cultural experience. We are proud to partner with the following agencies. Their representatives work with the Diocese of Davenport PDSO, staff and the student and their family to provide a seamless transition.

Students must first apply for a F-1 or J-1 visa through the Department of Homeland Security. You will be asked to provide appropriate documents from your residing country.

           PIESG (formally Whole Ren)

 We also take students that are not with an agency, but they are responsible for finding their own host family. We do not place students with families.

top of page

Transfers:

If you are looking for a great place to continue your American education, with educators that value student contact and excited to learn from international students, then you've found the right place! Transferring to your choice of school in the Diocese of Davenport is a simple process.

• Contact the school or your choice and get an acceptance letter

• Fill our the required form packet

• Fill out the Intent to Transfer form

• Pay the required fees ($175 processing, $300 deposit, tuition)

• Additional $100 fee is charged if you transfer to another school within 2 years of attending our school.

If you are graduating from one of our schools and you are looking to attend a college or university in the US. The process is very simple but needs to be done by March 1 to insure all paperwork is completed in time before your F-1 visa expires.

• Contact the college or university of your choice (has to be an F-1 approved school)

• When you receive your acceptance letter, have the college/university complete the Intent to Transfer form

• Have college/university or yourself send the PDSO the acceptance letter and transfer form

• The PDSO will make contact with the college/university to get your information transferred

• The college/university will then issue you an I-20 from their facility and send to you

Top of page

Additional Resources:

For more information and resources to help you choice a school, transfer, or just want more information about being an F-1 student please visit our library where there is more information to help you.

top of page

Meeting other students:

We have a facebook page that we like to use for students to communicate.

 top of page

B1/ B2 Visas:

The Diocese of Davenport does not issue paperwork for B1/B2 visas. If you are interested in this type of visa please contact the Immigration Office at 563-324-1911.

top of page

New Policy - Effective Immediately

Policy 501.1

The Diocese of Davenport encourages our individual schools to accept international students. We believe they bring diversity to our classrooms. All diocesan schools must follow Immigration and diocesan procedures when accepting international students.

1. Agencies or individuals must provide supporting documents and credentials to the school office for approval.

2. Schools will be notified of approved recruitment agencies.

3. Schools will decide to accept students based on their academic criteria.

4. The Diocese of Davenport schools office will continue to work with the agency, family or host family to complete the required forms in order to issue the students I-20 document.

5. When a student has completed the consulate interviews they are required to contact the school or school office to complete the process of paperwork and registration.

6. If a violation occurs at the school level with an international student the diocesan school office has to be notified immediately to determine the outcome with Immigration.

7. Host families (non-family members) will be required to complete and pass a background check. This will have to be approved by the school office.

top of page

J-1 Visas (Exchange Students):

The Diocese of Davenport does not issue paperwork for J-1 visas. We accept J-1 visa students into our schools. If you are interested in this type of visa please contact an agency in your area.

top of page

Termination:

The Diocese of Davenport follows the rules and regulations of the Department of Home Land Security (DHS). With doing so we are required to follow certain guidelines when accepting students and termination of students.

SEVIS record termination are made when non-immigrant students are:

• No longer participating in a SEVIS-approved program of study

• Does not report change of address within 10 day requirement

• Potentially out of status

• No long an F non-immigrant

• Out of the country for more than 5 months and not enrolled full-time

Other reasons for termination revolve around a student's failure to meet the requirements of an F-1 non-immigrant status. Some examples are:

• Failure to enroll in a full course of study

• Being expelled from the school or program of study

top of page

Links:

top of page