The cost is your time and effort...

There is NO tuition to attend the Bear Valley Bible Institute's two-year program (Master's Program excluded). A student's only costs are for school materials and fees, books, and living expenses. The Bear Valley Bible Institute charges no tuition for its courses because it is a work of the church. However, that doesn't mean the education is free. It requires $15-20,000 per student each year to provide this training. These expenses are supplied by the Bear Valley congregation and by many, many other interested churches and caring individuals.

Students provide their own living expenses while in school. These expenses include housing, food, medical expenses, insurance, transportation, and all other normal living expenses. Funds adequate to cover these expenses may be secured by the student from congregations, relatives, friends and personal savings. See "Raising Support" for more information about how to secure these funds.

Required Equipment

Each student is required to have a laptop computer equipped with an up-to-date word processing program (MS Word, etc...). All students are also required to purchase the Logos Bible Software. This software will be used in a number of classes and students will be given in depth training on its use. A generous discount is given to our students from Logos for purchasing this tool. More details on this purchase will be provided after the student is accepted for admission to the Bible Institute.

Raising Support

Students attending the Bible Institute are responsible for their own financial support. The Institute will lend assistance in helping students in this area. Due to class load, a full-time student is strongly advised against having a job. For more information about assistance, the staff is available for counseling.

Sources of support available to consider...

  • Congregations, friends, relatives, parents
  • BVBID is approved by the Colorado State Approving Agency for Veteran's Benefits
  • Working wife (a wife may hold a job as long as it does not interfere with her full participation in the Wives Program)

A guideline to use for determining a minimum amount of support needed is the following:

  • Single…… $800 per month, plus your obligations which have monthly payments (e.g., car, debts, insurance, etc...)
  • Married… $1600 per month, plus $150 per child, plus your obligations which have monthly payments (i.e., car, debts, insurance, etc...)
  • Required books and materials - approximately $25 per mo.

    Higher totals may be necessary depending on your personal situation and commitments.

Suggested Packet to Help You Raise Support

Every student that attends Bear Valley must raise their own support. For many this is a new and challenging experience. However this is doable, and with some work and persistence you can get it done. We offer the following guidelines as a help to you in raising your support to attend school. Please prepare a number of these "packets" and send them to prospective supporters that you know (i.e. relatives, elders, missions committees, other individuals, etc.). 
I: Preparation
  • Think through exactly what you hope to accomplish Short term support
  • Long term support (5 + years)
  • Monthly contributions verses lump-sum
  • Get together the materials you will need Plastic sheet folder
  • One folder for each elder/mission committee member
  • Good quality paper
II. Construction of Presentation
Page #1:
  • Resume Photograph of you and your family
  • Brief educational background
  • Brief description of work experience (including secular work history)
  • Family history: wife, children (ages of), where raised, etc.
  • Christian background (conversion, work in local church
Page #2:
  • Goals Short range (raise support for school, attend school)
  • Sometimes best to ask for only 1 year of support at a time
Page #3:
  • School Fact Sheet History – include oversight by Bear Valley elders
  • Teachers – experience, excellent teacher/student ratio
  • No tuition
  • Full 128 credit hour program in two years
  • Sample class schedule
  • School brochure
Page #4:
  • Letters of recommendation Include two or three
  • Note others are available (if you have them)
  • Give names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of references
  • Acceptance letter from BVBID
Page #5:
  • Financial Information Budget – what your monthly needs will be. Itemize these, putting your contribution to local congregation as the first item.
  • Needs – Be reasonable – take into account your family, include health insurance, etc.
  • Check with school office to see what are reasonable support amounts are for your situation (e.g. single, married with no kids, married with 2 kids, etc.).
  • Be specific in what your needs are and what you are asking them to do. Think about this before your put it in your presentation. For example, don’t tell a church of 50 people you need $30,000 a year. Can they contribute $100/month? 
Other considerations:
You should pray frequently and fervently before you meet with these elders or mission committed members
You should carefully go through these packets, making sure they are VERY professionally done (easy to read, no typos). You can rest assured that you will not receive any help if you do not have your act together, or that your packet does not look well thought out, neat and organized. Remember, most congregations receive dozens of requests each month (hundreds if a larger church).
Mailing these packets usually will not work. Most congregations are inundated with financial requests. Instead, find a key person who will set up the meeting for you if possible.
Determine if you want to hand these out at the beginning of your presentation (not recommended - unless you are going to go over it with them point by point) or have them available to distribute after you make your presentation.
      
Also there are a number of Christian foundations that provide some support for students. Please check with the school office for more information about these foundations.