Q:  What  is CHIPS-USA and who is involved?

A:  CHIPS-USA is a network for providing education at the high school level in the United States. C.H.I.P.S. provides affordable homestay study within the United States, with placement in qualified Christian Schools and Christian home environments.  

Each CHIPS-USA participating school designates a staff member to be the CHIPS-USA Coordinator. The on-campus CHIPS-USA Coordinator helps with academic and housing arrangements, provides an on-site orientation, and serves as your local resource for assistance.

The CHIPS-USA Director of Admissions and School Coordinators evaluate each student's application, make placements, and facilitate the process by serving as the communication link between the CHIPS-USA Coordinators in the USA and the applicants around the world. CHIPS-USA also sends the transcript from your host school to your home school or forwards it to the college of your choice.

Q:   Where can I go?

A:  You will study at one of the many Christian schools located within the United States that participate in the CHIPS-USA Academic Homestay Program.   The main office of CHIPS-USA will assign you to a school according to availability guidelines. Each school carries accreditation and approval for course work qualified for entrance into the college level of study across the United States.  

Q:  What kind of program is CHIPS-USA?

A:  The CHIPS-USA experience is a unique opportunity to learn about the host country through immersion in the culture.   Students are enrolled in the host school and typically take the same courses and live similarly to the students of the United States.   Students selected to participate in CHIPS-USA academic homestay programs welcome the differences and challenges that life in a foreign culture brings, and have the maturity and flexibility to succeed in a more independent type of program abroad.  

Q:  How much does it cost?

A:  CHIPS-USA is one of the most affordable ways to study in the U.S. at the high school level.   CHIPS-USA operates with a simple fee structure.   It allows parents and students to pay tuition, housing, and fees, all in one payment.   CHIPS-USA administrates those funds and distributes them directly to the host schools and families.  

Homes must qualify by meeting the strict qualifications set by CHIPS-USA   Each home is visited by a CHIPS-USA staff member who evaluates and scores each home according to the guidelines set forth under CHIPS-USA  

A nonrefundable $100 application fee is required with your application.

Registration/Enrollment Fee:  $250

Tuition and Housing Fees:   Tuition of $18,600 (2 semesters)

All program fees are invoiced one month prior to departure and must be paid in full before students will be allowed to participate in the CHIPS-USA program.

Additional costs include transportation, health insurance (required), visa fees, TOEFL testing, and personal expenses.  

Q:  Am I eligible?

A:  The CHIPS-USA program is available for students who are entering high school (have completed grade 8).   Students must also demonstrate personal maturity needed to study abroad.   This maturity is evaluated by student essays and teacher and pastoral recommendations.   Students who are not native speakers of the English language must complete the English Proficiency Test.  

Q:  What classes will I be taking at the Christian School?

A.  Once you've been accepted into the program, you will follow the procedures of the class workload at your assigned Christian school.   The class courses will be provided to you in your information package.   It will contain all the necessary information on the courses you will be taking, as well as, all information pertaining to the school year.   If you are required to take an additional English proficiency class, this will be noted on your class workload assignment sheet (Please note ESL Program).  

Q:  Do I have to be fluent in English language?

A:  No.   Students not fluent in English may attend a summer session to improve their English proficiency prior to the start of the school year to achieve an acceptable language proficiency score.  

Q:  What can I expect as a CHIPS-USA participant?

A.  Students should think carefully and research about what life is like for a student in the United States, and expect to live and study in similar conditions. CHIPS-USA benefits include full-time enrollment in the host institution, three meals per day, and a supportive family environment where you can immerse yourself in the culture. CHIPS-USA students receive an on-site orientation and local support as needed from the Host Coordinator.  

Q:  Do I need a visa?

A:  For study in the U.S., you will need an F-1 student visa and your host school will be your F-1 visa sponsor.  

Q:  What are the grade levels CHIPS-USA students will be attending in the United States?  

A:  A typical student in the United States will attend school from the ages of 6 through 17 years of age.   This will translate to attending the 1st through the 12th grade.   The CHIPS-USA program involves students that will be attending the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.

Q:  What are my chances for being accepted?

A:  Applicants with strong academic backgrounds and favorable teacher and pastoral references are normally accepted into the program. It is to your benefit to carefully complete the essays which are submitted with the application.  

Q:  How long until I know if I'm accepted?

A:  The CHIPS-USA placement process consists of several steps. First, you must forward your application to CHIPS-USA along with any necessary fees.   CHIPS-USA then reviews your application and initially approves or disapproves based upon the information provided.   This process usually requires three to five business days providing ample host schools and homestay families are available. Once CHIPS-USA accepts you and designates a host site, acceptance materials will be forwarded to you.   Upon payment of all fees, your letter of Acceptance Guarantee will be provided.  

Q:  Whom do I contact for more information?

A:  All contact should be made through the CHIPS-USA office. Once acceptance has been completed and a host school has been designated, you will be put in contact with the School Coordinator. The School Coordinator will provide you with information about your school and assist you in completing your study arrangements.   The CHIPS-USA central office will provide you with information pertaining to your homestay and answer any other questions you may have.   You may contact CHIPS-USA at 573-339-1811 or email at elizabeth.glastetter@chips-usa.com  or visit us on the web at http://www.chips-usa.com.