Most Common Questions

When can I register for classes?
When do I have to arrive?
Does Prairie offer a shuttle service to and from Calgary Int'l Airport?
What are Prairie's admission requirements?
What are the local churches around Prairie?
What does the meal plan include?
How do I apply to Prairie?
How do phone and Internet service work in the dorms?
How do I schedule a visit?
How much is tuition?
Are there classes on Mondays?
What do I need to bring?
What kinds of on-campus jobs are available for students?
What does a Prairie dorm room look like?
Is there a storage room where I can put my empty suitcases?
How can I apply for student family housing?
What time is chapel?
Is chapel required for Prairie students?
Where is Three Hills?
What are Prairie's lifestyle expectations?
When is the last day of classes for each semester?
How do I apply for financial assistance?

When can I register for classes?

We will be contacting all new students by May 1, 2008 to guide you through the registration process. This includes registering for classes as well as choosing your payment plan.

When do I have to arrive?

Prairie College of Applied Arts & Technology students need to arrive for the Fall Semester by 5:00 pm on August 15, 2008 for Orientation Weekend. Classes will begin on August 18, 2008. 

Discover/Explore/SPORT students arrive for the Fall Semester on August 22, 2008 by 1:00PM.

Discover/Explore/SPORT Orientation is from August 22-23, 2008. Summit Worldview & Leadership Conference runs August 25-30, 2008.

New Prairie Bible College and Prairie School of Mission Aviation students need to arrive for the Fall Semester by 2 pm on August 29, 2008 and return from Christimas Break by 5 pm on January 2, 2009.

Chapel & day classes begin September 2, 2008.

Returning students need to arrive for the Fall Semester by 5:00 pm on August 31, 2008 and return from Christmas Break by 5 pm on January 4th, 2009.

Students may arrive up to 24 hours before their scheduled arrival time.

Does Prairie offer a shuttle service to and from Calgary Int'l Airport?

For new students, the admissions office coordinates shuttles at specific times at the beginning of each semester. This shuttle service is free of charge provided that it is booked in advanced. Shuttle schedules are provided in the summer. For more information please contact your admissions counselor.

For current and returning students, shuttles are organized at specific times at the beginning and ends of each semester. There is a fee for this service which is collected by the shuttle driver. Schedule and fee information is provided during the school year via email. For more information please contact Student Development.

What are Prairie's admission requirements?


Canadian students from Alberta

Admission to Prairie programs requires a high school graduation with a minimum of a 60% average in the following Alberta high school courses: English 30/33, Social Studies 30/33, and a 30/33 level science, math, or foreign language course (if taken). Some programs have specific requirements that may differ from these. In these cases, please consult the Academic Catalogue for the school you are applying to.

Canadian students from Other Provinces

In most Canadian provinces, grade 12 is equivalent to the Alberta Secondary School Diploma, with exception of Quebec. Successful completion of one year of CEGEP is required of students from Quebec.

Ontario: Old curriculum: Admission requires completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma at the grade 12 advanced level with a minimum 60% combined average in six grade 12 courses including English. Those students who have completed OAC courses may be eligible for transfer credit for certain courses.

New curriculum: Admission requires completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma with a minimum 60% combined average in ENG4U "English" plus five other Grade 12 U or UC courses.

Students from the United States

Students graduating from grade 12 in the United States of America are eligible to apply for admission to Prairie Bible Institute. High school graduation with a minimum of a "C" average is required. Although not required, students are encouraged to submit SAT or ACT scores to be considered for admission. Students in good standing at a college or university in the United States are also eligible to apply for admission and may receive transfer credits. For information regarding obtaining Canadian student authorization please see the Entrance Requirements in our on-line catalogue: www.prairie.edu/catalogue.htm

International Students

If you are a citizen if a country other than the United States or Canada, you should begin the application process several months before the semester you plan to enroll. We suggest the following dates for application: before May 1 for the Fall Semester and before September 1 for the Winter Semester. For further details regarding the admission process for International students please see the Entrance Requirements in our on-line catalogue: www.prairie.edu/catalogue.htm

PCAAT Students

There are different admission requirements for each of the programs we offer in Prairie College Applied Arts & Technology. To view Prairie College Applied Arts & Technology program admission requirements please click here and go to page 13 of the catalogue. Also see the admission requirements section of the particular program that you are interested in.

What are the local churches around Prairie?

There are several different churches within the Three Hills area. Below is a list of some of the churches that staff and students attend. Most are within walking distance from the school.

  • Bethel Evangelical Missionary
  • Bethel Fellowship Church (Christian and Missionary Alliance)
  • Carbon Baptist
  • Linden Christian and Missionary Alliance
  • Linden Mennonite Brethren
  • Manor Gospel
  • Mount Olive Evangelical Free
  • Prairie Tabernacle Congregation
  • St. Barnabas Anglican
  • Trochu Baptist
  • Victory
  • Wimborne Christian and Missionary Alliance

What does the meal plan include?

All students living in residence are on a meal plan that includes 20 meals per week (breakfast, lunch and supper). Students will enjoy selections from our dining room's hot and cold buffets: plenty of fruits and vegetables, hot entrees, deli sub sandwiches, breads, desserts, and a wide variety of beverages (on Saturdays only two meals are served, brunch and supper).

How do I apply to Prairie?

The application process has four steps:

A. First apply! There are two convenient ways to apply: you can use our paper application or you can apply online (this part also includes your testimony). I'd encourage you to apply online because there is no application fee (a savings of $35!).

Just visit www.prairie.edu/application.htm and follow the instructions. If you do prefer the paper application you may download the forms at www.prairie.edu/forms or take them from the back of our academic catalogue found at www.prairie.edu/catalogue.htm

B. There are two references that need to be filled out and sent to us. One is to be submitted from a Pastor or church leader, the other is a general reference. Referees must be non-relatives who are at least 21 years of age. Be sure to: fill in your name and address at the top of each form; read, date, and sign the waiver statement; supply each reference with a stamped envelope marked "confidential" and addressed to the Admissions Office. These forms are available atwww.prairie.edu/forms

C. Also, your high school transcripts are required. Request transcripts from your high school and any post-secondary institutions you have attended. If you are enrolled when you apply, be sure to request a final transcript upon completion of studies. All transcripts must be in English or accompanied by a notarized English translation, and must be sent directly from the school(s) you attended to the Admissions Office.

Once these necessary admission items have been received we will evaluate your file for acceptance and notify you of the results as soon as we are able.

How does the phone and Internet service work in the dorms?

To have access to wireless Internet in your dorm room and on campus there is a fee of $50 per semester. You may select this option when you register for classes and select your payment plan. If you would like access to a phone line in your room you need to indicate that on your residence application. There are a limited amount of phone lines available. Students who do not have phones in their rooms are encouraged to use their cell-phones or purchase phone cards for use on the communal dorm phones.

How do I schedule a visit?

Coming to visit our college campus is one of the best ways for you to discover what life at Prairie is all about. Come experience first hand if Prairie is a good fit for your educational future. At Prairie we make visiting easy.

Our scheduled Preview Days during the school year have come to an end. Thanks to all those who have come and joined us, we had a great time meeting you and sharing Prairie with you.

If you were planning on coming for a visit during the school year and just couldn’t make it work, don’t despair, you can still come and visit Prairie during the summer months by setting up a personalized campus visit.

To find out how to arrange your own personalized visit or to find out more call our campus visit coordinator at 1-800-661-2425. You can also book a visit online at www.prairie.edu/events/campus_visits.htm

Keep watching for upcoming Preview Days for the 2008/2009 school year.

How much is tuition?

To view Prairie Bible College tuition, residence & food service fees, and additional program fees please visit:

Prairie Bible College Fees 07-08
Prairie College of Applied Arts & Technology Fees 07-09

Are there classes on Mondays?

There are no classes for the majority of Prairie Bible College students on Mondays. However, there are classes for Prairie College of Applied Arts & Technology students on Mondays. Prairie School of Mission Aviation students may have flight instruction on Mondays as well as other related activities. It is important to note that although there are no classes on Mondays students usually spend their day working on their reading, essay writing, group projects and other homework.

What do I need to bring?

Your dorm room has a bed, closet, desk, chair and cupboards. You will need to bring your own bedding and towels. You will want clothes for every temperature (remember you are in Alberta) and your own toiletries. Additional items you may want to bring include such things as a lamp, hangers, toiletry bag, laundry basket, stereo, and computer (lap-top or desktop).

What kinds of on-campus jobs are available for students?

Jobs are available for full-time students and their spouses in various departments across campus such as the Dining Hall, the Oasis, the Student Loft, Housekeeping, and Admissions. Please prepare a resume to give to the manager of the department you would like to work in. If you are coming to Prairie from a country other than Canada you will need the proper paperwork in order to work on campus, i.e. a work endorsement on your student visa and a Canadian Social Insurance Number. The Canadian Social Insurance Number may be obtained after you arrive. To view a list of job positions available at Prairie please visit: www.prairie.edu/jobbank/jobDetails/jobbank.htm

What does a Prairie dorm room look like?

Please click here to view a floor plan of dorm room in the residence hall. For even more information, an interactive campus map is available on our homepage.

Is there a storage room where I can put my empty suitcases?

Storage rooms are available to store your empty luggage. You may also make arrangement to store your "stuff" in the storage rooms during the summer at no cost.

How can I apply for student family housing?

In order to qualify for Prairie housing, applicants must sign and submit their offer of admission including the indicated tuition deposit, as well as a completed request for housing application found here. While we do our best to provide housing for all student families, please note housing is limited and may not be available for all applicants. Housing assignments are typically completed in the summer. For more information please email housing@prairie.edu.

What time is chapel?

For Prairie Bible College students, Chapel is at 9:25 a.m. every morning from Tuesday to Friday. The purpose of the Chapel Ministry is to glorify God and to aid the process of Spiritual Formation through corporate worship and edifying one another. All students, including part time students with more than six credit hours, are required to attend chapel/assemblies scheduled four days each week. For more information and the PCAAT/PSMA chapel schedule please visit: www.prairie.edu/chapel/index.htm

Is chapel required for Prairie students?

Students are required to participate in daily chapel. The rationale for participation in chapel:

  • Integrity – This participation is a commitment to the Community Covenant that defines our life together as the Prairie community.
  • Worship – This participation is an opportunity to respond to God in corporate worship.
  • Community – This participation is a dedication to authentic Christian community of loving one another with sincerity, where our diversity is expressed in the wonderful unity of our common relationship with the Triune God.
  • Instruction – This participation is a privilege to hear the Word of God preached by those we love, respect, and interact with on a daily basis.
  • Spiritual Discipline – This participation is a deliberate choice to develop sacred space in which to grow a greater love, fear, and desire for God.
  • Leadership development – This participation is a submission to authority that God will use to prepare us to serve in congregational life and ministry.

Where is Three Hills?

Prairie Bible Institute is located in the community of Three Hills, located Northeast of Calgary, Alberta (75 minute drive from the Calgary International Airport) and close to 400 kilometers (250 miles) north of the U.S. (Montana) border. We are also a 2.5 hour drive to the Canadian Rocky Mountains. An interactive campus map is located on our homepage.

What are Prairie's lifestyle expectations?

Please see the following link for details regarding Prairie's Community Covenant: www.prairie.edu/covenant

When is the last day of classes for each semester?

Exam week for Fall Semester is December 8-12, 2008.

Exam week for Winter Semester is April 20-23, 2009.

Baccalaureate & Graduation Day April 25, 2009.

TESOL - April 28-May 23, 2008. For more information please see www.prairie.edu/courses/TESOL.htm

The following dates apply to specific programs in the Prairie College of Applied Arts & Technology:

First year Early Learning & Childcare students leave on May 30, 2009.

Second year Early Learning & Childcare students leave on April 24, 2009.

Courses for Emergency Medical Technician students end at the end of July and then they have a 2 month practicum.

Health Care Aide students leave on June 5, 2009.

First year Practical Nursing students leave on April 24, 2009.

Second year Practical Nursing students complete their practicum placements by either the end of June or sometime in July (2009).

How do I apply for financial assistance?

Students wishing to apply for financial assistance should complete the Student Financial Assistance Application. Scholarships are awarded in amounts varying from $200-$2500. Applying is easy using our online application form! www.prairie.edu/finances.htm The application is also available from our Student Finance Office. The deadline for all financial assistance is June 1. The Priority Plus scholarship deadline is February 28. The Priority Plus scholarship is a needs-based award given to freshman students who have submitted all their documents for admission to Prairie by February 28 of their entrance year.

 

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