1. Where is the school located?

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

2. How much is the tuition?

$4995/semester for 2012.

$5245/semester for 2013 (a 5% increase).

3. What is the overall cost breakdown?

Please see our Tuition link for more information.

3. When do classes start?

Semester start dates are August 1 and February 1. Each semester runs 6 months. Newly enrolled student start date is August 1 of each year. We do not accept new students for enrollment on the February 1 date.

4. How long is the program?

The cumulative time required to be at the school attending classes (and clinical rotation) is 24 months including 1 one-month break at the end of the first year.

5. Do I need immunizations?

We require that each student receive certain immunizations before their arrival. These include typhoid, tetanus, Hep A and B series. Malaria pills are not necessary.

6. 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 COLA credit each semester for married students.

7. 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. Please view this link for more information.

8. Do I need health insurance?

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. The cost is $99/month for single students 25 years and below ($135 for singles older than 25). Please email us for a referral.

9. Is there Financial Aid/Scholarships available?

Yes. Students who avail of Newlife's Financial Aid may qualify for one or more of the following savings;

Please view our Financial Aid link for complete information.

10. 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.

11. Is the school affiliated with a religious denomination?

We are a non-denominational Christian organization. We are not affiliated with any particular church nor are we a church-based organization. Our Statement of Faith is available upon request.

12. Is my tuition tax deductible?

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 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.

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

We are UNABLE to consider an applicant for enrollment without the letter. Please see this link for more information.

14. Is internet available?

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

15. Is Davao City safe?

We've not experienced any significant problems during the past 15 years that would be considered a serious safety concern. 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, planes flying into buildings, Homeland Security threat levels, snipers shooting people while driving, 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 including the present US State Dept Travel Advisory. Davao City 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 130,000 Americans living in the Philippines.  There are many Americans living in Davao, a city of 1.2 million people, that 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.

NOTE: Many Americans living in the Philippines have requested the US Embassy to suspend the travel advisory or provide more detail. The warning relates to a specific area located in the west and northwest region of Mindanao Island where westerners shouldn't travel to anyway due to hostilities caused by armed rebels the Philippine Government has been fighting for years. The Embassy's official position is the advisory needs to be kept in place so they cannot be blamed if something was to happen. Although we respect our government we find the policy somewhat hypocritical especially in light of the fact that Embassy officials travel to these restricted places, and the US Military has 600 Special Forces operating here in Mindanao and is actively involved in community development.

16. 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.

17. Does the 4 semesters include summer and winter?

The Fall semster runs from August 1 - Feb 1. Spring semester runs from Feb 2- July 1. First year students are allowed a
1-month break during the summer.

18. Is Newlife School accredited?

Our students are dual-enrolled with the National College of Midwifery, a degree granting school accredited by the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC). The dual-enrollment enables our graduates who qualify to sit the NARM as guided by the National College and upon passing they will receive an MEAC-accredited degree from the National College of Midwifery.

19. Am I required to book my own flight?

No. That will be taken care of for you.

20. Will I travel alone to the Philippines?

No. Students will travel in a group together with other newly enrolled students.

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

Yes. Our orientation is done in the Portland, Oregon area.

22. 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.

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

We are very pleased to report that 100% of Newlife Student graduates have passed the NARM board exam.

24. How much extra money do I need for extra curricular activities?

This depends entirely on the respective student and how much shopping or coffee shops or eating out she plans to immerse herself into.

25. 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 equilavent 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.

26. 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.

27. Are males allowed to enroll in the program?

The school follows culturally senstive midwifery practices and male midwives are not accepted in Philippine society. Please understand, this has nothing to do with discrimination.

28. Can parents or friends visit?

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

29. 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.