I can't believe this isn't fixed???
For those who goes with checks, and especially those paying dearly for cashing checks in Europe, try this:
http://epayservices.com/
They will give you an accountnumber, send them your check (or have the sponsor send it directly to their address with your account number) and they will receive it and cash it for you, minus their commission (about 5%) and then put the rest in your account with them. Then you can withdraw with their mastercard (also from Choice Bank, like everybody else) or have them do a direct deposit, bank wire or even send you a check for e total amount accumulated in your account.
They are Russian but with registered office and licenses in California and from January 2013 their main operating language will be English. Pretty high security too, login with your username and password, then their system will send out a one time pass code to your cellphone number and you must then enter the six digit code to be let into your account. This makes it very, very hard for someone unautorized to gain access to your account.