International Students

The college invites international students to apply to Lancaster Bible College. The college counts it a privilege to educate and to train students to return to their own countries as educational and spiritual leaders to reach their own people for Christ. We are here to help you achieve your goals and support you in the process. Beyond the excellent training and preparation international students will receive by attending LBC, we also know that their presence enriches the educational environment of the college. International students bring to the campus a different culture, a different set of experiences, and a different worldview; by their very presence they become a new and exciting source of learning for everyone on the campus.

Due to the geographical distance and cultural differences, the admissions process may be lengthy and sometimes difficult, but the college's admissions staff is prepared and willing to provide assistance during each step of the admissions process. The college also provides some financial assistance to international students.

Additional support and resources are provided to our international students through the Office of Student Affairs and the International Student Fellowship (ISF)

This school is authorized under Federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students. 

English Language Proficiency Policy

An English language proficiency exam (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo) will be required of any non-citizen international applicant applying to LBC|Capital in order to show proof of English language proficiency. Proof of English language proficiency is required before the issuance of the I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) form, used to apply for an F-1 student visa. Applicants must submit official copies of their scores.

Minimum Qualifying Scores:

The following scores are acceptable for admission to Lancaster Bible College|Capital Seminary & Graduate School

Exemptions:

Citizens from the following countries are exempt:

Canada

Australia 

The United Kingdom

Antigua and Barbuda Bahamas

Barbados Bermuda

British Virgin Islands (Anguilla, St. Kitts and Nevis)

Cayman Islands 

Dominica

Grand Turks and Caicos Islands 

Grenada

Guyana Jamaica

Saint Lucia

Trinidad and Tobago

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

*The exemptions above may be reviewed by the admissions staff on a case-by-case basis, if the counselor deems a proficiency score necessary to make a final admissions decision. 

Waivers:

The English language proficiency exam may be waived if the following conditions are met:

• An applicant receives an admissible score on the SAT (960 combined with at least a 480 in Reading), ACT (19 combined with at least a 19 in Reading) or CLT (62 combined with at least a 21 in Grammar/Writing)

• An applicant completes at least two years of high school in an English-speaking setting, including two years of high school English courses (non-ESL) with satisfactory grades (Undergraduate Students)

   

• An applicant has earned at least 24 credits -- 1 full academic year – at a regionally accredited US college or university (or an institution abroad where the sole language of instruction is English, and in a country where English is the primary spoken language)

  The student must also meet the following conditions:

  • A cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above
  • Earned a “C” or higher in a college level English course
  • The academic record has been reviewed by college personnel and determined eligible for the waiver

   

• An applicant participates in a faculty member conducted interview to determine an equivalent English language proficiency. The faculty member conducting the interview will have knowledge of English language learners and will document their findings to determine if sufficient English language proficiency exists to meet an equivalent exam standard. Results will be documented

   

• An applicant provides proof of citizenship and residency from an English country not included in the exemptions

• An applicant has earned a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree at a regionally accredited US college or university (or an institution abroad where the sole language of instruction is English, and in a country where English is the primary spoken language), and the student meets the specific GPA requirements for the LBC|Capital seminary, graduate, or doctoral programs. See the college catalog for program specific GPA/program requirements

Revised: 04/2017 (Include Caribbean countries)

Revised: 02/2018 (IELTS, TOEFL waivers)

Revised: 07/2019 (SAT/ACT/CLT waiver, High School, Faculty interview)

Revised: 08/2021 (Duolingo, Clarify waivers)

Previous policy allowed for an Admissions Committee decision to accept student with lower exam scores, who would be given additional English language assistance at the institution, but with the implementation of the SEVP Policy Guidance S13.1 this policy has been revised, and no I-20 will be issued for a student who doesnot meet the above English language proficiency requirements.