Get Ready for your YWAM DTS

Immunization Information

Our perspective at YWAM Salem is to highlight the importance of vaccinations in the context of worldwide travel as a missionary to locations where there is a higher chance to contract preventable diseases and to mitigate harm that may come to an individual or community. Oregon law requires proof of immunization be provided or a non-medical or medical exemption be signed prior to attendance at a college or university. This information is being collected on behalf of the Oregon Health Authority, Immunization Program and may be released to the Authority or the local Public Health Department by the institution upon request of the Authority.

If you have not received your MMR or Measles vaccination, you may have to forgo your first choice of outreach location and be sent to the nation of lowest risk to catching Measles. If you choose not to receive vaccinations, YWAM Salem will ask that you sign a vaccination waiver form. You may want to consult your medical professional about completing, or updating, the following vaccinations: MMR, Hepatitis A and B, Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Polio. Please note some other vaccines could be required for specific outreach destinations. You may find it more cost effective to receive these immunizations in your own city or country before you arrive.

Total DTS Cost: $5995 + Plane Tickets

Plane tickets range from $1000-2500 and will depend largely on your Outreach location. It's safe to say you should aim to raise around $8000 for DTS. This includes 6 months of food, travel, housing, learning, and international travel! It's a pretty good price when you think about it.

We require a *refundable $500 deposit to reserve your spot in the school and confirm your arrival which will be due at least 30 days before your school start date. For example, if your school starts on March 28, your deposit is due on February 28. We highly recommend having all your ALL your funds for DTS ready to pay within the first week of the course but it is not a requirement. This enables you to focus on the DTS experience, as fundraising can often be challenging on top of your busy schedule. However, we have an alternative payment policy you will adhere to if you do not come with your funds:

30 days before your school start date a $500 Deposit is due
Starting Week 1, at least $750 dollars will be due every Monday.
At Week 4: Lecture Phase should be paid off in full totaling $3495.
At Week 10: All fees paid in full; lecture, outreach, and airfare. This is typically around $8,000 total.

Please note you will need additional funds for personal transportation costs, laundry, insurance, medical expenses (i.e. vaccinations), toiletries, etc.

*See Refund Policy for conditions

How do I make a payment?

As soon as you are accepted to DTS you should begin fundraising for your DTS tuition. You can pay your deposit (and remaining tuition) online or by check. Follow the instructions below.

Pay Online

Visit our giving/payment page, https://www.ywamsalem.org/student-payments
Enter amount you would like to give/pay
“Designated for” – select “Student Tuition”
You will then be prompted to enter the name of the student (or your name)
Enter in your payment information and you will be emailed a receipt!

Pay by Check

Please make check payable to Youth With a Mission or YWAM and put the name of the student (your name) in the memo line.

Send checks to:

Youth With a Mission Salem
Attn: Accounting
7085 Battle Creek Rd. SE
Salem, OR 97317

Information for Internationals

If you are an international, we understand it may be difficult to pay online, therefore you are exempt from the deposit day of arrival.

Why tuition payments are not tax deductible

Unfortunately due to IRS guidelines, funds given towards a student payment are not tax deductible. Youth With a Mission Salem is registered with the IRS as a 501(C)(3) non-profit corporation and all donations towards staff members are tax deductible. However, when giving towards a student in one of our University of the Nations registered courses (such as the Discipleship Training School), your payment will not be eligible for a tax deduction. This is because when you give toward one of our students training, legally it is viewed as a payment towards tuition. Per IRS guidelines and according to Oregon state law, tax deductions are not available for tuition payments.

Payment Policy

These guidelines are non-negotiable. These costs are minimum requirements and without them YWAM Salem cannot pay the costs (food and boarding) to have each student on campus. Please speak to your school staff if you are unable to meet these requirements. If you are unable to keep up with the payment schedule, we will have to dismiss you from the program. Please note you will need additional funds for personal transportation costs, laundry, insurance, medical expenses (i.e. vaccinations), toiletries, etc.

Refund Policy

If for any reason it becomes necessary for a student to cancel, resign, and/or be asked to withdraw after the start of the school, the following refund schedule will take effect.

For notice of withdrawal received within 30 days of Arrival Day without student attendance, a full refund will be given. A student must request a refund within 30 days of a school’s Arrival Day or forfeit their refund.

Upon arrival the following refund schedule will take effect based on the $3495 lecture phase cost. *Note: the $500 deposit is included in this cost.

Refund Schedule

Week 1 90% (Student pays $350)

Week 2 75% (Student pays $875)

Week 3 40% (Student pays $2,100)

Week 4 30% (Student pays $2,450)

Week 5 25% (Student pays $2,660)

Week 6 20% (Student pays $2795)

Week 7 15% (Student pays $2970)

Week 8 10% (Student pays $3145)

Example: A student withdraws at the middle of week 5, therefore they are still responsible for paying a total of $2,660. Any amount which was given beyond the $2,660 will be refunded.

Any money due prior to cancellation will still be required. For example: if the student cancels during week 1 and still has not paid any tuition, the student still owes 10% of the total tuition, during week 2, 25% and so on.

Due to costs the school incurs for each student there will be no refund after week 8. These amounts go towards your room and food costs for the time you spent on this campus

Tuition payments refunds (if applicable) are issued to the student only. Students are responsible for communication with sponsors.

YWAM was founded in 1960 and quickly grew to be the largest missions movement in the world in part because of our decentralized nature and relationship based fundraising. YWAM has trained millions of missionaries and currently has over 20,000 full time staff operating in over 1,000 different locations in 180 nations. Each one of those missionaries has embarked on the journey of raising their own funds for their training and ministry. Not one YWAMer, even our founder Loren Cunningham, receives a paycheck. Raising our own funds has enabled YWAM to grow exponentially and removed barriers from sharing the gospel. However, fundraising can be difficult! We want to help! Here are some resources for you.

Fundraising Guide

This document covers the why and the how of fundraising so you can open the door to God’s calling on your life.

Download Fundraising Guide

Printable Giving Instructions

Are you sending out fundraising letters or meeting with people in person? Download and print these Giving Instructions to give to all your potential sponsors.

Download Giving Instructions

Schedule a phone call with us

People are the best resources! Everyone in our Student Communications Department has fundraised for and completed a DTS. We would like to encourage you with stories of God’s faithfulness, share practical tips, and pray with you as your raise your funds for DTS!

Schedule a Call

Plane

If you are arriving by plane, you must fly into PDX (Portland International Airport). Please do your best to arrive within the time frames listed below:

The YWAM Salem Shuttle times on Arrival Day are as follows:

9-11 AM
1 PM-3 PM
5 PM-7 PM

Our staff will pick you up at baggage claim!

Train/Bus

If you are arriving by train or bus, you must come into the Salem, Oregon Terminal. Our staff will be there to pick you up.

Car

If you are driving in, submit your specific arrival information below so we can know when to expect you.

Passport

It is required that each participant has their passport upon arrival. Keep in mind many countries do not allow you to travel within 6 months of your passport expiration date. If you do not have a valid passport for the duration of your school, please apply for one or renew your existing passport immediately. This process can take 4-6 weeks and you do not want to risk missing out on outreach opportunities. You can apply at your local post office or renew your passport online.

Visa (For international students)

If you need to apply for a US visa, our Immigration Department will help you with more information and supporting documents. You can contact our friendly immigration team at studentcommunications@ywamsalem.org.

What should I pack for lecture phase?

You’re in for a treat. Western Oregon is beautiful! Salem, the capital city, is found in the Willamette Valley between the Cascade Mountain Range and the Oregon coast. The YWAM Salem campus is set on 35 acres of partially wooded land and bisected by a quiet stream, and conveniently situated right off the interstate 5 freeway. We are located 15 minutes south of downtown Salem in a rural area of rolling hills, fir trees, and green pastures. Salem is a medium sized city with a safe, smaller town feel. We are only 4 miles from the nearest store and about an hour from Portland and the Oregon Coast!

The temperature stays moderate year round, but with definite seasons. September and October are often warm (from 55-70F), but November through February can be cold (from 20-50F). The springtime months of March through May are sunny and cool (from 55 to upper 60’s F). Summer begins gradually but June through August is pleasantly hot and dry (70-80F, highs reach the 90-100F). Most of the year, rain is a common part of our day; we have frequent rain showers that keep the Pacific Northwest lush and green.

Here’s our recommended packing list:

Work clothes – old jeans, t-shirts, etc. (at least one outfit for outdoor work projects)
Nicer set of clothing for church and other events
Casual clothing – for class time and other events
Modest pajamas (You will have roommates!)
Rain attire – jacket/coat, umbrella, rain boots/waterproof shoes (October-June it rains frequently)
Bedding – sheets (twin for singles/queen for couples), pillow, blanket or comforter
Towel and washcloth
Personal toiletries/Medicines (shampoo, conditioner, prescribed medicine, allergy, Tylenol, etc.)
Headlamp
Cameras, laptops, reading devices (Kindle, iPad, etc.)
Anything you use for personal hobbies (paints, sports equipment, musical instrument, etc.)
Bible, books, journals, writing utensils
Spending Money: There may be some additional costs after you arrive on campus. Some examples include: quarters to pay for laundry, and money to purchase personal toiletries/necessities, outreach gear, snacks, and entertainment.

What should I pack for the international outreach phase?

These items are for you to consider for outreach. You do not have to arrive with these items.You will learn more about what to bring once you get here and find out where you are going on outreach but this will get you started.

Large pack (50-65 L) either a duffel or a hiking backpack (for some locations a suitcase is suitable)
Day pack (20-40 L)
Travel pillow
Quick Dry Travel towel
Sleeping sack/bag (depending on climate of outreach location)
Different outreach locations require different attire but, regardless, it’s always modest

Can I get mail sent to me during my DTS?

Your family and friends are welcome to send you mail and packages during your DTS at the address below. Please have them write “DTS” next to your name. Our mailing address is:

Your Name – DTS

7085 Battlecreek Rd.

S.E. Salem, OR 97317

When does the program end? Is there a graduation?

At the end of your outreach, you will return to YWAM Salem and debrief for one week. Your graduation will be held on Thursday evening during debrief week from 6:30-8:30pm. Your family and friends are welcome to attend! You should plan on leaving YWAM Salem on the Friday after graduation. You are responsible to arrange your travel home from YWAM Salem.

Can I bring my car?

Yes! We encourage students to bring cars because we are not in walking distance of any major stores. We also want you to explore Oregon on the weekends! We also have long term parking available so your car can be stored safely while on outreach.

Can I have visitors?

Yes! Your schedule will be very busy during the weeks, but most weekends there are no planned activities. We have a limited amount of hospitality rooms available for $15 a night per person. Those are great for your friends and family to come stay with us! You can book online by visiting YWAM Salem’s website link to “Hospitality”. It is a good idea to book far in advance, as these rooms fill up quickly. There are also plenty of hotels nearby that are a good option as well.

What will my daily schedule be like?

A typical day of DTS will begin with an early breakfast and personal devotion time. You will have times of campus worship / intercession, and weekly topical lectures during the morning hours. Your afternoons will be filled with study time, small groups, campus work assignments, local community outreach, one-on-one mentorship, and possibly fun or special campus events. Evenings will vary with times of studying, community worship, class game nights, and special events.

We want to help you discover your passions and gifts and provide channels for you to use those to serve God in the world.

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Get ready for your YWAM DTS

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Tuition, Deposit and Payments

Total DTS Cost: $5995 + Plane Tickets

Plane tickets range from $1000-2500 and will depend largely on your Outreach location. It's safe to say you should aim to raise around $8000 for DTS. This includes 6 months of food, travel, housing, learning, and international travel! It's a pretty good price when you think about it.

Pay Online

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Fundraising

Submit Arrival Information

Prepare Travel Documents

Passport

Visa (For international students)

FAQs

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