Q. May I take a Summer School course for interest (audit)?
A. Yes! All Summer School courses are designed for everyone with varied levels of interest and theological backgrounds.
Q. What is the difference between Audit and Continuing Education Credit?
A. Audit means that you plan to attend and participate in the course without completing any additional for credit written assignments.
Continuing Education Credit is earned by attending and participating in the course, and completing a modest amount of additional assignments as set by the instructor. Assignments vary but may include readings, brief written essays, reflections, projects or journals. An additional one-term Student Services Fee of $45 must be paid when registering to receive a ConEd credit.
A credit in Continuing Education may be applied towards a Certificate in Continuing Education. Courses for Continuing Education credit are offered through Chalmers Summer School each year. There is no application procedure to participate in the Certificate in Continuing Education. For more information contact VST's Registrar at registrar@vst.edu Ph: 604-822-9563.
Q. Is my course full? If not, will it be cancelled?
A. For most courses, the minimum number of registrants needed for a course to proceed is 12 to 14 participants paying the full rate who are enrolled in a course by June 1st. Further registrations will be accepted up until 1 week prior to the course starting date unless a maximum has been set. Please phone to confirm the course go ahead before making travel arrangements after June 1st.
Q. What if my Summer School course is cancelled after I have registered?
A. If a course is cancelled by VST due to insufficient registrations, all tuition payments will be refunded.
Q. What is VST’s Tuition Refund Policy?
A. If you must cancel your course registration, VST’s Registrar requires notification via phone, email or in person 7 days prior to the first day (Day one) of your course. $50 per course is non-refundable.
- No refund if received less than 7 days prior to the first day of your course.
- Please contact VST’s Registrar at registrar@vst.edu
Q. Will you explain VST's Pricing Policy?
A.
Individual rate applies to basic tuition for all registrants under the age of 65.
Team rate applies per person for groups of two or more from the same church/institution at the initial time of registration, and cannot be changed later. If possible send in your team registrations all together.
Seniors rate applies to people 65 years or older.
VST Degree Student Audit rate rate applies to students currently enrolled in a VST Graduate Degree program wishing to audit a course.
Sampler rate Some courses are approved for the sampling of a session. If you wish to sit in on such a course for one three-hour session, the rate is $70.00. You can register and pay the Registrar the Sampler rate on the first day of the course only at the time of registration. If you then wish to register for the course, the $70 will be applied to your tuition for that course. Please re-register with the Registrar.
Student Services Fee An additional one-term fee of $45 is charged to those students taking their course for Continuing Education or Graduate Degree credit.
Q. May I change my course?
A. Yes. The course change fee is $10 per course. You may change your course up to the end of the 1st day of your course. Please contact VST’s Registrar at registrar@vst.edu. Course changes are not permissible after Day One of the course.
Q. Where do I check-in on the first day (Day One) of my Summer School course?
A. Check-in will take place on Mondays, or Day One of your course, in VST’s Iona Building, main lobby, 6000 Iona Dr., 1/2 hour prior to course starting time. Please look for the yellow flags outside our building! There will be information regarding course location details, nametags, worship times, and general information.
Q. Is there any financial assistance available?
A. You may explore these resources to help finance the cost of the course:
- If you are a lay member of a congregation your Christian Education Committee or congregational bursary fund may be available to you, especially if the course content enhances your role as leader in the church or community.
- You may volunteer as a Course Host. As a sign of gratitude for your hosting, you will receive a 10% reduction in your Summer School fees which will be reimbursed to you after Summer School. (This reduction does not apply to VST Graduate Degree students.) Please note your interest to volunteer as a Course Host when registering.
- There are some funds, as available, for tuition subsidies for lay people through VST. Contact: VST’s Chalmers Institute office at 604-822-9815, or email chalmers@vst.edu (Does not apply to VST Graduate Degree students,)
- The H.R. MacMillan Fund for continuing education is available through VST for clergy / order of ministry persons taking a VST course. Please request an application by contacting the Registrar’s office at: registrar@vst.edu or you can download an Application Form.
- The Diocese of British Columbia (Vancouver Island) has a lay and clergy fund; Contact them at: Lay and Clergy Fund Forms or phone: 250-386-778
- Diocese of New Westminster has funds to assist lay and clergy employees; contact Ronald Harrison at: rharrison@vancouver.anglican.ca or phone: 604-684-6306, ext 216.
- BC Conference of United Church has national funds available. Visit their Web site and click on the link ‘Healthy Congregations’.
Q. May I volunteer as a Course Host?
A. The Chalmers Institute is continuing its Summer School volunteer Course Host opportunity. Each course will be assigned a host to assist in meeting the support needs of the instructor and students, participate in helping on the first day of courses and be available during the course to ensure a smooth program operation. After the course is over, the host helps in collecting evaluations. Volunteers are also needed to help welcome students through hospitality and provide administrative help. Training will be provided. Volunteers should arrive on Mondays 45 min. prior to their course in the VST’s main lobby. As a sign of gratitude for your hosting, you will receive a 10% reduction in your Summer School fees which will be reimbursed to you following Summer School. (This reduction does not apply to VST Graduate Degree students.) Please note your interest to volunteer as a Course Host when registering. If you are interested or wish further information, please call 604-822-9815.
Q. I have chosen my courses! How do I register?
A. You can register using any of the methods below: Full payment must accompany registration. Registration by June 1st ensures minimum enrollment numbers for all courses.
Registration deadline: You may register up to 7 days prior to Day One of your course. If you arrive on Day One without previously registering we will make every effort to accommodate you.
Register online through our secure registration page
By Mail:
Vancouver School of Theology
Chalmers Summer School, c/o Registrar
6000 Iona Drive
Vancouver, BC V6T 1L4
Canada
By Fax: 604-822-9212
Q. I'm in a degree program at VST. Will my Summer School courses count for credit?
A. Many Chalmers Summer School courses may be taken for degree credit toward VST's Diploma, Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Theological Studies or Master of Theology degrees. All students wishing to register for Degree Credit must be currently registered in a degree program, or actively considering application. Registration through the Registrar is mandatory for all those requiring Degree Credit status. Reading prior to the course and written assignments following the course comprise the total package of learning time. Students who register to take the course for Degree Credit will pay tuition fees appropriate to the degree level for which credit is required. Registration must be completed no later than June 1.
Q. I am in a degree program from an institution other than VST. Am I welcome here?
A. All are welcome here! Students registered in comparable degree programs at other institutions are welcome to take advantage of the degree credit option as well. For more information or assistance, please contact the Registrar, at registrar@vst.edu or phone: 604-822-9563. Registration must be completed no later than June 1. Please note there is a 60% levy on tuition fees for all International Students.
Q. When will I receive my Income Tax Receipt?
A. Only tuition fees over $100 per institution in a calendar year may be deducted for Canadian Income Tax purposes. (Only applicable to residents of Canada) You will receive this form in the mail prior to the tax year.
Q. May I use the VST Library?
A. Yes! VST’s H.R. MacMillan Theological Library houses one of the largest and oldest theological collections in Western Canada. Among its resources are over 95,000 books and over 300 current periodical titles, as well as online indexes to religious resources. Browse the Library Catalogue
Summer School students are encouraged to use the library and to borrow from its resources. Library staff provides assistance to users, and library orientation tours are available upon request. Library computers are available for research.
Q. Am I able to use a computer during my stay at VST?
A. VST is part of the UBC Wireless network (http://www.wireless.ubc.ca/). Summer School students with wireless enabled laptops can obtain a guest Campus Wide Login from the Registrar’s office. Please fill out a Campus Wide Login Form and return it to the VST Registrar’s office. Your login access number will be emailed to you.
Q. Where do I purchase the books I need for my Summer School course?
A. NEW: Please make your own arrangements for acquisition of the Required Texts noted on your course outline through your local bookstores. Online bookstores such as Indigo.ca or Amazon.ca have competitive prices with fast shipping to your neighbourhood. VST’s Chalmers Institute will NOT be pre-ordering titles.
VINE & FIG TREE BOOKS will be on location at VST every Monday of Summer School. Vine & Fig Tree Books will be presenting some course books as well as current titles for ministry and general interest. Credit cards, cheques, and cash welcome. Email: vineandfig@telus.net Ph: 604-734-2109
Q. Where do I park?
A.
- VST provides (1) public designated parking spot available only to those with mobility needs (SPARC).
- We suggest using nearby UBC public lots at the North Parkade or the Rose Garden Parkade a 5 minute walk to the VST Iona Building. Please visit UBC Parking for rates and maps.
- UBC also offers a summer student weekly parking pass at a significant saving over the hourly rate. Be sure to check the Student information, not the Visitor information at www.parking.ubc.ca. The Parking Office is open 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, so you will need to allow an additional 30 minutes on Monday, either after the morning class, or before registering for the afternoon class to visit the Parking Office. Be sure to take all the required information (your course registration letter from VST; your driver’s license; and your auto insurance/registration) with you on your visit to the Parking Office.
- Translink has excellent public transit to UBC, including express bus service from the North Shore, Richmond, downtown Vancouver, 99B express bus along Broadway, with connections to the Sky Train. Check with TransLink for schedules and fares.
Q. Where do I find Food Services and Campus Dining?
A. VST’s coffee shop, ‘Holy Grounds’, provides light snacks and hot/cold drinks located in the Iona Building main lobby, M-F, during class times. The UBC campus offers many places to dine please visit: UBC Food Services
June Pre-Summer Week 1 Week 2 Week 3
You can find all the information about Summer School in our Full Brochure
You can register through our secure registration page