The Brigham Young University Hawaii International Work Experience Scholarship Council has implemented several changes this semester to the IWES program, which benefits over 500 BYU-Hawaii students, and announced several others that will take effect in 2008.
Isileli Kongaika [pictured at left], BYU-Hawaii vice president of student affairs, explained the changes help the university meet two imperatives that President Steven C. Wheelwright recently outlined: "...Continue to improve the quality of BYU-Hawaii educational experience...[and] lower the cost of that education to the Church..." More specifically, he said the changes "help reduce the cost per student by reducing appropriated funds for IWES, thereby increasing the efficiency of the program."
Kongaika reviewed the changes — which all current IWES or "international work-study" students have already received, and are also included in information for prospective IWES students — in a question-and-answer meeting on Saturday, September 1, in the Polynesian Cultural Center's IMAX™ Theater. The changes are:
• The timeframe for an IWES student who marries a U.S. citizen to change visa status has been reduced from six to four months, effective this semester. Kongaika pointed out legal counsel has advised BYUH "that students can make this change in less than four months." He also said that while the change means such a newly married student can no longer participate in the IWES program at that point, he or she becomes eligible for other U.S. financial aid not available to international students.
• Beginning summer 2008, IWES will not pay Summer Term tuition; and furthermore, all IWES students will be required to work fulltime during that period. "The program is committed to paying tuition in the Fall, Winter and Spring," Kongaika said.
In reference to fulfilling academic internships or practica in the summer, IWES Specialist Yurie Akina [pictured at right] encouraged the students to carefully plan for them during their senior year. "In the IWES program, you're allowed only one internship," she said.
• The GIA medical assistance and holiday grants-in-aid programs — similar to "sick leave" and "paid holidays," respectively — have been discontinued as of this semester, "but not your medical insurance," Akina stressed. She also said that if a major medical situation arises, "those will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis."
"We cannot continue to cover these extra expenses with our current funding source," Kongaika added. "The program will only pay for the time a student works."
• BYU-Hawaii has committed to provide the Polynesian Cultural Center with 500 IWES student workers. IWES students who decide to work on campus, unless already approved at the beginning of this semester, must arrange "funding for the year from somewhere else. It will not be coming out of the IWES program, because we'll need to find a replacement for the PCC commitment," Kongaika said.
One IWES student who had previously transferred, asked if he was in trouble. "No, you're not," Kongaika replied, "because you're 'grandfathered,' you're already approved." Another student, a biochemistry major, expressed appreciation for working at the PCC, "but I probably need to work in a lab to get into grad school," he said. "There are other resources available," Akina responded. "You just need to do the leg work."
Kongaika emphasized that IWES students who feel they must work on campus, for example, might arrange for departmental scholarships to take the place of IWES funds. "If you decide to move, however, you're no longer funded by IWES. All the departments should know this."
• Effective Fall 2008 all entering international students will be required to pay a "return fare fee" of $800 before they receive a DS-2019, I-20 or J-1 visa. Kongaika pointed out the IWES program covers the return fare for current students, but will not continue to do so for future students. He also emphasized it's a fee, "not a deposit," that will only go toward the cost of returning home.
• Beginning in Fall 2008 — and not affecting any current IWES students — Pacific island IWES candidates will receive a J-1 rather than an I-20 visa. Kongaika explained J-1s are for "international students who are supported substantially from other than personal or family funds." He added the J-1 initiative will eventually be rolled out to IWES candidates from other nations.
Kongaika acknowledged there might be "some exceptions" among regular IWES students to these new provisions. He also pointed out "donor-assisted [DA] IWES" is a "little different," and suggested concerned students check with the program office.
Both Kongaika and Akina also cited a familiar scripture in First Nephi, and said it's important for IWES students to rely on the Lord, who will prepare a way for them and assist them in accomplishing their educational goals at BYU-Hawaii.
— Photos: (top left) Isileli Kongaika, BYU-Hawaii Vice President of Student Affairs; (middle right): Yurie Akina, IWES Specialist
Attachment:
:: View a document outlining IWES changes here.