This page is constantly under construction. If you have a question that is not addressed on this website, please email us.
Downloadable Forms
The following forms may be downloaded and saved to your computer by clicking on the link. The Parent / Guardian Advice Form and Reference Form may be emailed to whomever needs to fill it out, or you may print it from your computer. Once you have been placed on a team, the sample support letter can be downloaded and modified. At the Team Reveal in December, you will receive a handout on "Raising Financial Support" which will give you more information about raising support.
Application Process
• When are applications due? ALL applications for USP & ISP are due Saturday, October 10th, or 10/10.
• I'm a new student (freshman or transfer) to CBU this semester; may I apply for USP & ISP teams that take place in the fall and winter? No, you must have one semester of good academic standing before participating in USP or ISP. You may apply now for USP or ISP trips that take place in the spring and summer which you must apply for now.
• I am a returner, and I'm interested in student leadership. How can I express my interest? There will be a checkbox on this year's application to express interest in student leadership. To be consider for a student leadership position, you must be a junior or senior and have successfully served on ISP.
• Do I have to complete my entire on-line application in one sitting? No, you may complete one section at a time and save your content during multiple log-on sessions. You must complete the entire application before submitting it to the Office of Mobilization.
• Where can I get my passport pictures taken? In James 454, next door to our main office. Please email Aura Opris or call x4818 to schedule an appointment.
• If I already have my passport, do I still need to turn in passport photos? No, you do not need to submit additional photos. Please note that you may need to turn in photos for a visa later on, depending on the team you are placed on.
• How do I apply for my passport? Go the US State Department's website. (This link will take you to the Passport Application page.) This process takes about 4 weeks from the time you mail off your passport application until you actually receive your passport, so please do NOT delay in starting the process. While you SHOULD apply for your passport by October 10th, if you have not submitted your passport application by the end of the year, your ISP participation will undergo further review. Please note: You need to be sure to apply for a passport BOOK and not a passport CARD.
• How do I renew my passport? Go to the US State Department's website. (This link will take you to the Passport Renewal page.) If your passport has already expired or will expire within 6 months of your travel dates this summer (i.e. by the end of NEXT year), you need to renew your passport.
• If I do not receive my passport by October 10th, will you still accept my application? Yes, we will still accept your application. We understand that it takes many weeks from the day you submit your passport application to receive it by mail. The important thing is that you begin the process NOW. Whenever possible, we ask that you submit a copy of the receipt that you received at the passport office when you applied as proof that you have begun the process. Then turn in your passport copy at your earliest convenience once you receive your passport by mail.
• Where do I get the reference forms that must be submitted to the Office of Mobilization? Right here. You have two options. 1) Open the pdf file located under the "Downloadable Forms" section at the top of this webpage and print off two copies and give them to your references. 2) Open the pdf file, save it to your computer, and then email it as an attachment to your references, who must print it off before filling it out. Both reference forms should be mailed directly to the Office of Mobilization and must be received before your application can be processed. These reference forms are due October 10th.
• If I email the Reference Form to someone, do I need to sign the release form? In the event that you send the reference form to someone electronically, you are not required to sign the release form. Simply make sure that the person filling out your reference form writes your name in the blank at the top before submitting it to our office.
• Where do I get the Parent / Guardian Advice Form that must be submitted to the Office of Mobilization? See answer to the previous question. Same answer applies.
• I am 21-years-old or older; do I have to complete the Parent / Guardian Advice form? Yes. Actually, for legal purposes, even those 18 and older are not required to have a "permission" slip; however, this is not a permission slip. This Advice Form simply helps make sure we are following the Biblical principle of "honoring your mother and father." If you are in a unique situation where you are not able to have a parent or guardian complete this form, please email us.
• How will I know that you have received my Reference Forms, Parent Advice Form, and passport copy? If you go to http://www.calbaptist.edu/GO and login to view your submitted application, you will see a box titled "Application Status" to the right of your completed application. A checkmark will appear in the box next to each step in the application process once you have completed that step. Note: Please allow 3 business days for processing.
Selection Process
• I've completed and submitted my on-line application; how do I sign-up for my interview? USP applicants should contact our office immediately for an interview time. ISP interview sign-ups wil be available in James 458 starting Monday, October 12. Please note: You will not be permitted to sign up for an interview until your application is complete. This means that your two references and your parent/guardian advice form MUST be turned in to our office BEFORE you sign up.
• When are interviews being conducted? USP Interviews will take place Monday, October 12 - Friday, October 16. ISP Interviews will take place Monday, October 19 - Friday, October 30. If you are open to serving on either USP or ISP, please sign up for an interview during the ISP interview session.
• What do I need to bring to my interview? Primarily, an open and honest heart. Also, please login into our website and check your application status.
• When will I know if I have been accepted? You will receive a letter of acceptance or denial in your student mailbox before you leave for Thanksgiving break. If you do not have a campus mailbox, please come to our office to pick up your letter the day before Thanksgiving.
• If accepted, when will I find out what team I am on? Our first required meeting is the Team Reveal on Tuesday, December 8 at 7:00 pm in the Wallace Theatre. During this meeting, you will meet your team leader and teammates. You will also find out where you will be serving this summer! If you absolutely cannot attend this meeting (because of class or work), you need to contact our office in advance to notify us that you will not be there and plan to attend the make-up meeting on Friday, December 11 at 10:00 am or 11:00 am (location TBD).
Spring Training
• Is spring training mandatory? Yes, if you are participating in ISP, you must attend the 48-hour Intensive Training Weekend on February 5-7 (Friday-Sunday). If you are unable to attend, your ISP participation will be subject to further review. You must also attend your weekly team meeting from 6-9pm on either Monday or Wednesday night. If you are participating in USP, you must attend the Intensive Training Day on February 19-20 as well as weekly team meetings on either Monday and Wednesday night. More information about our attendance policy will be given at the Team Reveal.
• May I get academic credit for serving on a team? Yes, it is optional for 3-week ISP teams. (10-day USP teams are not eligible for academic credit.) You must enroll in CST 491 and pay the tuition in addition to the funds required for ISP.
Fundraising
• How much do I need to raise to serve on a team? All 3-week overseas teams that take place in the summer cost $3,300. 10-day USP teams that take place during fall, winter, and spring breaks typically require you to raise at least $2,000, depending on field location.
• What happens if I'm unable to raise all my money? You must raise at least 70% by your departure date in order to serve on your team. The remaining 30% may be placed on your student account with the approval of our Vice President. Students who really work hard on their fundraising from the beginning are usually able to raise all of their funds. God asks us to do big things, so fundraising requires a big sacrifice.
• When is my non-refundable $150 deposit due? December 15th. We ask that you personally pay for the first $150 as part of your Count the Cost Commitment.
• Are donations toward my team tax-deductible? Absolutely! Donations in the form of cash, credit card, or checks can be accepted (checks should be made payable to California Baptist University). You can also make a donation online.
• What do my required funds cover? Your fee covers all of your on-the-field expenses (lodging, food, transportation, ministry supplies), airline ticket, visa, overseas insurance, and training materials. You are personally responsible to pay for your passport and immunizations (since they are good even after your term of service is completed). While on the field, each participant is only required to pay for his or her souvenirs, sight-seeing, and snacks.
Last Updated 9/13/2009