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School will begin Monday, January 6, 2014 and end Friday June 6, 2014. The graduation ceremony will be held Saturday, June 7, 2014.

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You must arrive two to three days prior to the first day of class so that you will have time to get settled and adjust to the new time zone. All students are required to attend the orientation course that will be held before the first day of class on Sunday, January 5, 2013 at 5 pm. Orientation will be approximately 3 hours long. Please do NOT arrive more than three days prior to the first day, because your living arrangement may not be ready yet.

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SMBS rents homes that we use as dorms. We provide a Guys dorm and Girls dorm; where on average you will be living with 10-12 other students, or you will be placed in a Host family (Christian family from the local church). Those living with a host family will be rooming with another student. With this in mind, please let us know ahead of time if you would like to live with a particular student.

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Besides personal items, you should also bring with you:
• Bible
• Concordance
• Christian book choose from: the SMBS Book List.
(you must have your book with you the first day of school)
• Dictionary (optional)
• Notebook, pens, pencils, etc.
• Laptop (optional)
• Photo and video camera (optional)
• Summer and winter clothes
• Towels
• Alarm clock
• Money
• Musical instrument (if you have one)
• Missionary materials (Christian movies, skits/plays, documentaries, Sunday school supplies, soundtracks)
• Driver's License
• Passport
• Green Card (Alien Resident Card)
• I-94 (White card, only if you don't have a Green Card)
• Travel Document (if you have one)
• Social Security card (original)
• Birth Certificate (only if you don't have a green card or a passport)

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We strongly recommend that you bring your own car so that you can be more independent when it comes to transportation. In addition, you will also be able to serve others who arrive without a vehicle. You can still come to SMBS even if you do not bring a car, and we will assign you to a roommate that has transportation. If you are able to bring your own car, you will receive a $200 discount on your tuition.

If you specify that you will be bringing your car however at a later time your circumstances change and you are no longer able to do so, you MUST notify the school administration immediately.

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Breakfast and lunch are included in the cost of tuition. They will be served in school Monday through Friday. Students are responsible for the rest of their own meals.

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The total cost of tuition for six months is $3,510 ($585/month). This amount includes the cost of education, lodging, utilities, and two meals a day (breakfast and lunch). A deposit of $500 and a registration fee of $50 must be sent in with the application. The remaining balance of $2,960 is to be paid in full upon arrival. If you are able to bring your own car, you will receive a $200 discount on your tuition. We accept cash, check or credit card payments. When paying with a credit card, a $10 service charge will be applied to the total amount. If you are accepted to SMBS however; at a later date you change your mind about coming, your deposit will NOT be refunded. If for any reason you are not accepted to the school, then the full deposit (not including the registration fee) will be returned to you in the mail. Please note that your application must be mailed out before November 15. Be advised that a $100 late fee needs to be applied to all applications submitted after the deadline.

The tuition costs outlined above does not include any missionary trip expenses.

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Yes. Each application is carefully and individually reviewed. The final decision will be based on your goals, abilities, recommendations from your ministers and the initial phone interview.

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The temperature averages 30-55°F from January to March. In April, the thermometer reads 70-80 degrees and in May it may reach 95°F. Sunny weather is guaranteed almost every day.

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If you are arriving by airplane, you must email us your arrival information. Please include the date, time, airline company and flight number. A school representative with an SMBS sign will greet you at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) and take you to your place of lodging. If you are arriving by car, SMBS representatives will meet you at the local church: Living Stream Church, 2016 Anniston Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32246.

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No. The school curriculum is so abundant with in-school and after school activities that you will not have the time to work. The school's goal is for each student to focus only on their spiritual development and fully dedicated these five months to God.

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Teachers will decide when to give out homework based on their individual teaching plan.

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Each Monday, students will have an exam on the content that was presented the prior week. Questions on the test will be available in both Russian and English languages.

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No. This intensive course does not contain breaks or time off.

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Students are accepted who are at least 18 years old.

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The school's instructors are some of the best in the world. Majority of them are Russian speaking. Lectures, tests, notes, and presentations are all offered in both Russian and English. Synchronized translation into Russian is available for all English lectures using headphones. Assignments and exams may be submitted in the language that you prefer.

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Upon successful completion of the program and all requirements, students will be awarded a Diploma of Completion.

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See the "Campus Life" section

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Yes and it will be strictly enforced. See the "Rules and Regulations" section.

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• Car wash
Involve your church's youth to help you organize a car was for fundraising.
• Sales
You can earn money by selling cookies, baked items, lunches, etc. Ask permission to hold such sales at your church, other local churches, or businesses. Ask your friends to help out.
• Turn to your church
You can ask your church to help pay part of your tuition. With your church's permission, tell them about SMBS and your future missionary trip plans.
• Advertise your missionary trip
Many churches print weekly bulletins, have websites, or publish a newspaper. You can include your missionary trip information and have a wonderful opportunity to tell them about your future plans and ways that people can donate.
• Write letters
Sending letters is one of the most effective ways to collect funds for missionary trips. On average, you can receive up to $2,500 by mailing well written letters to approximately 75 people. You think you don't know 75 people? Think again. Don't limit yourself by just family and friends. Send out letters to everyone who you can think of: friends, relatives, churches, pastors, youth leaders, businesses, Sunday school teachers, other teachers, etc.
• Business sponsorship
Often businesses reserve funds for donations and contributions. Ask your local businessmen to become your partners or to donate money for your missionary trip. Remember, they don't always have to be Christian to make a donation.
• Friends or family members
Ask your friends or family members to sponsor you for the time of your studies at SMBS. For example, find several friends who will donate $10, $20, or $50 a month. This method may cover your living costs while you are at school. Give them your bank number so they can just transfer funds or give them your address so they can mail you checks.
Form for Sponsors
I,______________________ , hereby consent to sponsor______________
monthly for the amount of $_____, throughout the duration of (date)
__________to __________.
X______________________
For people to transfer you money
Your bank:_________________________
Account number: ___________________
Routing number: ___________________
X________________________________

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On Average you will need $200-$250 a month for your personal expense

ADDITIONAL EXPENSES DURING BIBLE SCHOOL:
• Graduation DVD - $15 (optional)
• 2 SMBS T-shirts - FREE
• Class photo and student portrait - $20 (optional)
• Album/Yearbook - $50 (optional)
• SMBS Sweater/Hoodie - $25 (optional)
• Florida Youth Camp - $150 (optional)
• Housing Deposit of $50 and a $50 deposit for SMBS vehicle (both refundable)

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If you are not fluent in Russian, don't let that scare you. Lectures, tests, notes and presentations are all offered in both Russian and English. You may complete assignments in the language that you prefer.

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No, unfortunately we are unable to offer any scholarships or financial aid.

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Several days after graduation day we will leave to go on the missionary trip. Students will have 2-3 days for packing and they will not have the opportunity to go back home prior to leaving.

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-You will need anywhere from $1,200-$1,400 for the ticket (summer season). This is subject to change in accordance with airline prices.
-$1000 contribution to your missionary groups fund.
-$300/ month for personal expenses

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Yes. They must fill out the Missionary Trip Application Form in advance. Also they are to keep in mind that each person is responsible for contributing $1000 to the group as an individual. Unfortunately if they do not raise the money, they will not be allowed to with the group.

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Each student is personally responsible for ensuring that all necessary documents are completed prior to going on the missionary trip. We strongly recommend that all documnets be ready prior to coming to school.