FAQs

BSSM

  • Converge Students will be required to pay the BSSM deposit (USD $500) independently via MyBSSM to enrol as a BSSM student in the 2023/24 Academic school year. Upon paying your deposit, BSSM will commence the processing and issuing of your I-20/Visa. This deposit amount is not refunded under the Converge tuition payment scheme, however all additional outstanding tuition will be settled by Converge.

  • Converge Australia is only available for BSSM on-campus in Redding, California.

  • Tuition will be settled directly by Converge. The ACOM fees include the BSSM tuition fees

ACOM

  • We have worked to course-map all ACOM academic requirements to mirror (almost entirely) what you will be completing through your BSSM experience. By studying on campus as a Bethel full time student, you will be fulfilling academic course requirements for a Diploma of Ministry at ACOM.

    As BSSM is not currently accredited in the USA, the Diploma offered by ACOM does require some additional coursework as it is a higher education award.

    Selected Bethel assessments will need to be uploaded to both the BSSM Portal (MyBSSM) and the ACOM online portal (Moodle) and an additional reflective assessment will need to be completed by an ACOM enrolled student. The Converge student support team is happy to help you through the entire process (from where to access information, due dates, double submission requirements and general academic aid).

  • A diploma of Ministry award is an 8-Unit Course - Meaning, a student will be gaining credit for a full time study load whilst studying at BSSM. (Units can be considered as “subjects” or “classes”). This enables students to access Fee-Help and Study Assist Centrelink payments (Youth Allowance + AusStudy + AbStudy) One of the key requirements to get AusStudy/Youth Allowance, is that 1 of the 8 unit in his ACOM course must be completed whilst the student in residing in Australia. ACOM + Converge have designed a unit to be completed post-BSSM over a 4-6 week period (May - July), and all learning will be completed via correspondence (i.e. online study). More information on this unit will be released soon.

VISA, i-20 form, SEVIS

  • Converge will not cover any Embassy or VISA fees.

  • Converge will not cover any SEVIS fees.

  • A Proof of funds / Official Support Letter with Converge letterhead and Bethel approval will be supplied to each student upon enrolment in both Converge and ACOM. This will meet the I-20 ‘Proof of Funds’ (tuition amount) requirement for your visa process to progress.

    Please note that additional 'Proof of Funds' documents (bank statements) may be required to meet your I-20 criteria. Converge Australia does not provide a ‘Proof of Funds’ letter for any support received under Centrelink payment schemes, as Centrelink eligibility is assessed on an individual basis by the Australian Government.

    Please kindly forward all further visa or immigration related questions to the BSSM finance department.

CENTRELINK

  • Converge and ACOM simply provide access and eligibility to apply for Centrelink student payments and grants. ACOM will provide each Converge Student with a proof of enrolment as an Australian student, however neither ACOM or Converge have any say of the level of financial support you may or may not receive.

    Visit Services Australia for all information.

  • Yes. THIS COURSE MEETS ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS TO RECEIVE CENTRELINK PAYMENTS WHILST STUDYING IN REDDING, CALIFORNIA.

    SEE SERVICES AUSTRALIA FOR APPROVED REASONS TO RECEIVE YOUTH ALLOWANCE or AUSTUDY WHILST OVERSEAS.

    *Please note you must submit your claim prior to leaving the country and notify Centrelink you are leaving the country to avoid payments being cancelled when you arrive in the USA.

  • Each individual Converge enrolled student will be eligible to apply and access Centrelink.

Alumni

  • Unfortunately as Converge is a newly established exclusive partnership with ACOM, recognition of prior BSSM studies is not available.

STILL HAVE

questions?

contact us
info@convergeaustralia.com