ADMISSIONS
International Students
OVERVIEW
A Home Away from Home
Our international students come from far and wide and go on to become physicians, teachers, journalists, engineers, accountants, chemists, and so much more. We have a dedicated staff of international admissions professionals ready to help you find your place both here at Saint Francis and within our global community.
SFU offers a variety of resources to help you acclimate to campus life and succeed academically. Visit our Center for Academic Success for more information!
International Admission Policies & Procedures
We are so excited that you are interested in attending Saint Francis University. To complete your application for admission, please review the following information on how to enroll at Saint Francis University as an International student.
International Admission Requirements
International Students may submit either of the following applications:
- Saint Francis University Online Application - Fee waived OR
- The Common Application - Fee waived
Additional required documentation to complete the application process includes:
- Secondary/High School Transcripts evaluated for US equivalency and notarized English translations;
- SAT/ACT scores (please see our test optional policy for additional information)
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreight Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores. If requesting a TOEFL score to be sent, use the code "2797". Saint Francis does not accept DuoLingo scores.
- Copy of passport photo page.
Once the items and documentation above have been submitted, the Office of Admissions will determine admissibility.
Following the admissions review, you will be notified of your acceptance status and provided an award letter showing your total financial aid award package from the University as well as the remaining cost of attendance.
International Financial Requirements
Following your acceptance to the University, you will be contacted with information about your cost of attendance. Before being issued your I-20 documents, you must provide documentation showing the capability of you/your sponsor to cover the remaining estimated cost of one academic year.
Please complete the Affidavit of Financial Support and provide the Office of Admissions with official bank statment, stamp, or seal.
The requested documents should include the following details:
- Must be submitted on bank letterhead;
- Must list account holder name using English Alphabet;
- Must include type of liquid account (Checking, Savings, Deposit, etc.);
- Must include the current balance of the account (converted to US Dollars);
- Must include date of issuance.
Additionally, please note that documents origination must be less than two months old and translated to English. All financial documents must be in the name of the person on your Affidavit of Financial Support. If more than one person is sponsoring your education, each sponsor must complete a separate Affidavit and submit the appropriate financial documents accordingly.
I-20 Requirements
To receive an I-20, a student must complete the steps listed below. Once all information is received, Saint Francis University will issue the I-20.
- A student must be admitted to Saint Francis University (see International Admissions Requirements above).
- Certified financial affidavit with official bank statement, stamp, or seal.
CAMPUS CALENDAR
International Health & Immunization Requirements
Before your arrival on campus, your health information must be provided to the MyHealth Saint Francis student health center. You will find these requirements listed below.
Once admitted to the University, complete and submit your health and immunization forms about 2 weeks prior to arrival on campus.
Forms can be found on the Student Health Portal under "My Forms."
Required immunizations include:
- Meningitis (ACYW) after 16th birthday;
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (two doses);
- Varicella (two doses);
- Polio
- Tetanus (within the last 10 years);
- Hepatitis B (3 doses);
- Tuberculosis screening (this can be done on campus);
- If you have had the BCG vaccine, you will need a chest x-ray or blood work
NOTE: Saint Francis University has a mandatory student health insurance policy. All international students at the undergraduate and graduate level will be automatically enrolled in the student health insurance through SFU. The cost will be applied to your student account.
The American Educational System
If you're considering attending Saint Francis University, you'll want to examine all your options carefully, and study all the terms and requirements. The following are resources we think might assist you in the transition process.
Resources
-
American Life
Education USA - This site has great information about the people and policies of education in the U.S. If you haven't visited it before, you should. It's full of advice and fantastic details what you really want to know about American Culture and ideals.
Edu Pass - This guide contains relevant information about studying and living in the United States. It covers every topic, from college admissions and financial aid to "culture shock" and clothing sizes.
GoCurrency.com - Currency Converter and current monetary exchange rates
United States Postal Service - Sending mail to international locations
Information on applying for a photo ID or PA Drivers License
-
American Life
Education USA - This site has great information about the people and policies of education in the U.S. If you haven't visited it before, you should. It's full of advice and fantastic details what you really want to know about American Culture and ideals.
Edu Pass - This guide contains relevant information about studying and living in the United States. It covers every topic, from college admissions and financial aid to "culture shock" and clothing sizes.
GoCurrency.com - Currency Converter and current monetary exchange rates
United States Postal Service - Sending mail to international locations
Information on applying for a photo ID or PA Drivers License
Visa Information
Getting your VISA to study in the U.S.A. takes time but can be a surprisingly easy procedure and well worth the effort. The number of student visas issued by the United States has grown significantly in the last year in many countries.
Once you have been accepted into a U.S. program, you will complete the official paperwork that permits you to apply for a visa to enter and study in the U.S.A. While the application process for a student or exchange visitor visa can be confusing, hundreds of thousands of students can meet the requirements for a visa each year.
Visa Definitions
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Types of Visas
- A full-time student would receive an F-1 or M-1 visa.
- Your spouse and children would receive F-2 or M-2 visas.
- An Exchange Visitor would receive a J-1 visa.
- Exchange Visitors come to the U.S.A. for consultation, training, research or teaching, or for an approved Au Pair or temporary work position.
After a college, university, or English language school has accepted you for admission to full-time study, the school will send you a document called an I-20 form, which is the application for an F-1 visa.
If you will be an Exchange Visitor, the organization or U.S. Government agency that is sponsoring you will send you a DS-2019 form, which is the application for a J-1 visa.
Types of Visas
- A full-time student would receive an F-1 or M-1 visa.
- Your spouse and children would receive F-2 or M-2 visas.
- An Exchange Visitor would receive a J-1 visa.
- Exchange Visitors come to the U.S.A. for consultation, training, research or teaching, or for an approved Au Pair or temporary work position.
After a college, university, or English language school has accepted you for admission to full-time study, the school will send you a document called an I-20 form, which is the application for an F-1 visa.
If you will be an Exchange Visitor, the organization or U.S. Government agency that is sponsoring you will send you a DS-2019 form, which is the application for a J-1 visa.
Laptop Program
All full-time undergraduate students are required to purchase a laptop through the Laptop Program, which grants students access to the most up-to-date academic software, Internet, email, and printing services.