FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about our school.

Where is the school located?

The school is located in Davao City, Philippines on the southern island of Mindanao.

How much is the entire program?

The cumulative cost for the entire 2.5 year program is approximately $27,500.

Please see our Tuition link for more information.

(There is a one-time 10% tuition fee increase at year 2.)

When do classes start?

We're accepting applications for September 2020

How long is the program?

We have recently extended our program from 2 years to 2.5 years in order to provide more emphasis on cross-cultural mission training in addition to midwifery education.

Do I need immunizations?

We REQUIRE that each accepted student applicant be up-to-date on childhood immunizations. All enrolled students should be completely immunized against polio, measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, Hep A and Hep B.

Is Room and Board provided?

Yes, for single students. Housing and food is included in the tuition rate. Students live in community in our dormitories (houses) and they take turns preparing meals with different teams sharing responsibilities. Married students are required to provide their own housing. Newlife provides a cost-of-living-allowance (COLA) credit each semester for married students.

Do I need to bring textbooks?

We require that some textbooks be purchased by students and brought to the school. Other textbooks are provided in the school library.

Textbook list

Do I need health insurance?

Yes. We require all newly enrolled students to carry health insurance. However, as an alternative, we officially endorse a Christian shared healthcare ministry that provides up to $250,000 in coverage that includes overseas living. Please email us for a referral.

We also recommend Azimuth Insurance. Please visit www.azimuthrisk.com for more information.

Canadian students are exempt from this requirement if they are members of the Canadian socialized health insurance.

Is there Financial Aid/Scholarships available?

Yes. Please view our Financial Aid link for complete information.

Do I need to bring a notebook computer?

Yes. If you plan to purchase a new notebook computer we recommend that you buy an internationally branded one such as HP, ACER, Toshiba, Apple, etc. You might consider purchasing the extended global warranty. Ask your retailer if a service center is located in the Philippines for the brand you plan to buy. There are several certified repair shops in Davao if your computer needs servicing.

Is the school affiliated with a religious denomination?

We are a non-denominational Evangelical Christian organization. Our Statement of Faith is available upon request.

Is my tuition tax deductible?

Sorry, no. Some students and their parents have assumed that tuition payments qualify for a tax deduction because we are a recognized 501c3 charitable organization. However, the IRS clearly stipulates if a student personally benefits as a result of making a contribution (tuition payment) then she may only claim a tax deduction for the amount donated above and beyond the cost of tuition. The stipulation includes the student's family members paying tuition on her behalf. Please see IRS Publication 526 Charitable Contributions for more information.

What if my church won't provide the necessary 'commissioning letter'?

Sorry, we are UNABLE to consider an applicant for enrollment without the church letter. Please see this link for more information.

Is internet available?

Yes. Students share the cost for DSL internet available in the dorms.

Is Davao City safe?

Ironically, people ask about safety in the Philippines but the United States endures more security problems than the Philippines; college students being shot with assault rifles, children killed in grade schools by gunmen and fellow students, planes flying into buildings, snipers shooting people while driving, innocent shoppers killed in malls, a man dressed like the Joker killing several during a Batman movie premier, a congresswoman shot during a public event in front of a grocery store, etc.

Much of the information people hear concerning the Philippines is for the most part distorted. There is, however, a US State Dept. Travel Advisory that cautions Americans to be careful when they travel to the western provinces of Mindinao Island. The State Dept has Travel Advisories posted for many countries around the world. Thankfully, although Davao City is located on Mindanao Island it is not included in the Travel Advisory and is considered the best Philippine city to live in overall, and it has consistently been ranked as #1 for many years. And, it was internationally voted as one of the top 10 best cities to live in amongst all cities in Asia. Davao has the lowest crime rate, lowest drug problem, best housing, best economy, best resorts, etc..

The fact that probably lends the most credibility to the safety of Davao is that many Americans and foreigners from other countries live here. The US Embassy in Manila lists more than 250,000 Americans living in the Philippines. There are many Americans living in Davao, a city of 2 million people, which include dozens of missionary families living and working here. These missionaries represent almost every major large mission organization and denomination such as Assembly of God, Campus Crusade for Christ, the IMB (Southern Baptists), Wycliffe Bible Translators, SIL, SEND International, Mennonite Central Committee, YWAM, Bible Baptists, Calvary Chapel, OMF, etc. Furthermore, Davao is home to Faith Academy which is a private school for children of missionary families.

What type of visa is required?

All students are required to apply for a special missionary visa from the Philippine Government. Detailed information will be provided to accepted students.

How are the school semesters divided?

Semesters run 6 months.

Am I required to book my own flight?

All flight arrangements are made by the school director and will be forwarded to you after your acceptance. Ticket prices, itineraries and additional details will be forwarded at the appropriate time.

Will I travel alone to the Philippines?

Newly enrolled students may travel to the Philippines as a group if they are able to coordinate travel plans together.

Is there a Stateside orientation prior to going to the Philippines?

Our orientation is done on-site at our facility in the Philippines.

Do transcripts (high school or college) need to be official?

If you've been to college and you need the credits to transfer to Newlife, then 'yes' they need to be official. If you are applying directly out of high school then the transcripts do not need to be official.

What is the pass rate of our students who go on to get certified?

We are very pleased to report that 99% of Newlife Student graduates have passed the NARM board exam.

How much extra money do I need for extracurricular activities?

This depends entirely on the respective student and how much shopping, eating out, visiting local resorts, diving, or trips to Starbucks she plans to do.

Is bringing cash better than a card (debit or credit)?

Debit and credit cards are commonly used here in the larger established businesses; otherwise cash is king. ATM machines are available for cash withdraws. The money given is in Philippine pesos with the equivalent exchange rate posted in dollars on your bank statement. Generally banks add a foreign transaction fee in additional to a nominal ATM fee (about $4).

Remember to notify your home bank that you will be travelling to the Philippines so they won't lock down your card when they see it pop up out of the geographic area where you normally use it.

Can I bring my own cell phone with me?

You may but there's no guarantee it will work, although it probably will if you buy a new SIM card ($5). Actually, we recommend students buy a new cell phone once you arrive at the school in Davao. Costs vary from $25 up for a 'dumb' phone and a good quality smart phone starts at $100.

Can parents or friends visit?

Absolutely! We've hosted hundreds of visitors over the years.

Can students make monthly tuition payments?

Tuition is due and payable in FULL at the beginning of each semester. We prefer students not make monthly payment because that adds to the work load of our volunteer bookkeeper.

Can I request the email addresses of previous or presently enrolled students in order to get their personal opinions and assessment of Newlife School?

Absolutely! We strongly recommend that interested applicants research as much as they can about Newlife. Generally, the best way to do this is to dialog directly with former and present students.

We have nothing to hide and fully admit that we are NOT a perfect organization. We are happy to forward a list of student email addresses so that you may contact them directly. We give permission for any present student or graduate to give you their honest opinion; whether it be good or bad.

If the feedback or report you might receive is unfavorable we would like the opportunity to provide clarity because sometimes its a matter of perspective.