Our homestay program gives Global Students a home away from home during their time here. If you are interested in serving international students as a host family, you're in the right place.
Class of 2020 graduate Jiaqing Y. from Jinan, China, with his host family
Host families open up their houses, but they also open up their lives to Global Students — and their own families end up being tremendously blessed.
Our host families are screened, trained, supported, and reimbursed by Lipscomb. Families abroad can feel confident that their children are placed in nurturing families well connected to our school. As a host family, you'll receive ongoing support from us as we partner together.
Host families receive a visit from the Global Student Coordinator to take photographs and review the Global Student Handbook.
All individuals over the age of 18 living in the host home must undergo FBI fingerprint background checks at an IdentoGO facility, paid for by Lipscomb.
The host family provides food for meals, basic household items. The host family receives a monthly reimbursement check, August through May, from Lipscomb ($1,000) to offset the costs of hosting the student. This is considered non-employment income, and Lipscomb issues the host family a 1099 tax form each year. Money will not be exchanged directly between the student or student’s family to the host family.
Host families attend orientation in August and then meet quarterly with the other host parents for the purpose of supporting each other, getting additional training, and giving input to Lipscomb Academy for the future of the Global Student Program. Host families are invited to special events through the year.
If your family would like to host an international student but is not able to commit to to 10 months, we have several opportunities for short-term hosting.
You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself.
— Isaiah 19:34