FAQ’s
 
Why do students come to Bethany?
Will a Bethany diploma qualify me to be an apostle / prophet / evangelist / pastor / teacher / missionary (or anything else!)?
What does it mean when Bethany is called a “School of the Spirit?”
Why is Bethany not accredited?
How do I know if Bethany is the right school for me?
What are Bethany students like?
Is Bethany approved for the training of Veterans?
How do I apply to Bethany?
How much does it cost to attend Bethany?
Do you offer or accept financial aid?
Is there housing available for families?

Why do students come to Bethany?
Some of our students come to Bethany to allow God prepare their lives as pastors, missionaries, worship leaders or active members of their churches. Some students come because they are seeking God’s direction for their life; some come just because they are desperate for more of God.
 
Whatever the reason, Bethany is a school where students can come apart to meet God and be transformed by Him so they can leave and fulfill His unique purpose for their lives—whether that includes ministry, being called to the marketplace, serving in a local church, or just impacting others with the love of God.
 
Every aspect of Bethany, from our classes and chapels to scheduled devotion times, is intended to encourage students to develop a life foundation of devotion to God.  
 
Often, the busyness of life and the distractions of school, jobs and everyday life can pull our attention away from the Lord. Bethany is a school where you can set apart time—for as little as two months or as long as three years—just to focus on God.
 
No time devoted to God is wasted, and if you feel the Lord is drawing you aside for a year or two to seek Him, consider becoming a Bethany student.  

Will a Bethany diploma qualify me to be an apostle / prophet / evangelist / pastor / teacher / missionary (or anything else!)?
Bethany is committed to encouraging and equipping our students to pursue and fulfill God’s unique call on their lives. We offer courses and opportunities to train students for the ministry, as well as opportunities for licensing and ordination through the Bethany Ministerial Fellowship.
 
However, we also believe that our diploma—a piece of paper—can’t qualify anyone for the ministry. We believe that God calls and ordains His ministers, and only He can truly equip us to minister to His people.
 
Our primary focus is to give students the opportunity to have their lives healed, transformed, and filled with more of the Lord so they can minister from His heart and from an intimate relationship with Him. Many of our graduates do become pastors and ministers, but our focus is not so much on training our students to do something, but to be someone.

What does it mean when Bethany is called a “School of the Spirit?”
Bethany is a “School of the Spirit,” where training is not limited to classes or chapels, but where students are called to unreservedly surrender every area of their lives to the Holy Spirit for His training and transformation.
 
As Seeley Kinne writes in “The School of Preparation,” “Before we will be able to rightly relate to the classroom lessons of this school, we must come into a practical relationship with the Holy Spirit as our Director and Teacher. Each individual will be in a class by himself and receive the lessons specifically fitted to the crucifixion of his will, heart, and carnal nature.” 
 
Being a “School of the Spirit” does not mean we don’t value the Word of God—we love the Bible and believe that the Word of God and the Spirit of God are always in agreement. Rather, a “School of the Spirit” means that we are willing to make room for the Lord to move as He desires, both in our school and in our individual lives.

Why is Bethany not accredited?
Bethany Bible Training Center is not accredited and has chosen not to seek accreditation in order to have full liberty to fulfill our God-ordained mission without outside regulation in any way.
 
For a list of schools that accept Bethany credits, please contact the Admissions Office.

How do I know if Bethany is the right school for me?
Bethany offers Preview Days to give prospective students the opportunity to experience life at Bethany. During your visit, you can meet faculty, students and staff, and meet with the Director of Admissions. In addition, prospective students and their families may arrange to visit at other times of the year. Attending conferences or our youth conferences, Youth Week and Challenge (ages 14-20) is another excellent way to experience Bethany.

What are Bethany students like?
The student body at Bethany is diverse, with students from all over the United States and many foreign countries.
 
Our students come from different backgrounds—from those who are newly saved to pastors who have been in the ministry for many years. They have many different callings—pastors, teachers, evangelists, worship leaders, youth ministers, missionaries, or people simply called to display Christ in their workplace, churches and families.
 
Many of our students are in their 20s and 30s, but age is not a factor, and we have students from high school graduates to retirement age. Some students come right after high school, some come after college, and some come as married couples, with their families, or after retirement.
 
The one common factor among students is a love for the Lord and a desire to follow Him fully.

Is Bethany approved for the training of Veterans?
Bethany is approved by the New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs for the training of veterans and other eligible persons for the Biblical Studies, Advanced Biblical Studies and Short-Term Certificate Programs.
 
The Department of Veterans Affairs can determine the applicant’s eligibility for benefits and can be contacted at www.gibill.va.gov or 1-888-GIBILL-1

How do I apply to Bethany?
Applicants who wish to attend Bethany should be Christians who have made a meaningful commitment to Jesus Christ and who have a desire to deepen their relationship with God.  
To receive a diploma from Bethany, students must have a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED). Those without a diploma or GED may be considered for admission as auditing students. Bethany admits students of any race and national or ethnic origin. 
 
Click here to go to the Apply page for U.S. and Canadian Applicants
Click here to go to the Apply page for International Applicants

How much does it cost to attend Bethany?
We keep our fees as low as possible to enable any student who wants to come to Bethany the opportunity to attend our school. Our fees cover the cost of tuition, room and board, meals and all registration fees.
 
Our primary textbook is the Bible, and other textbooks are available through our Bookstore with a student discount. Most required books are less than $15, and many quarters, there are no required textbooks. Other student costs may include laundry and personal spending money.
 
For a detailed list of costs and fees please refer to the Financial Information page of our website.

Do you offer or accept financial aid?
Because Bethany is not an accredited school (please see "Why is Bethany not accredited?"), we can not accept federal or state financial aid.
 
Please contact our Admissions Office for Financial Aid Information.

Is there housing available for families?
Yes, we have a limited number of mobile homes on campus reserved for students with families. Married housing is also available in the dormitories. For more information, contact the Admissions Office at admissions@bethanybtc.org or (315) 429-8521.