Admission of International Students Update Delete



International Student Deposit

In addition to the regular University costs, international students completing their graduate studies in the U.S. must pay an International Student Deposit of $3,000 (USD). International students completing their studies online from their country of residence must pay an International Student Deposit of $250 (USD). This applies to all international students except documented permanent residents of the U.S. and its territories or residents of Canada, the Bahamas, and Bermuda.

The deposit must be received before a U.S. Immigration Form I-20 is sent to the prospective student for entry to the U.S. Because mail service from many foreign countries takes time, this deposit should be sent at least six weeks prior to enrollment. This deposit will be refunded once the student graduates, withdraws from Southern Adventist University, or finishes their Optional Practical Training (OPT), at which time the international deposit will be applied to the student's account and used to cover any remaining balance before credit is returned.

Online Students: The deposit must be received before registering for classes. Southern Adventist University will not issue an I-20 Form for obtaining a visa to students in online programs. International students enrolling in online programs will need to complete those programs while residing in their country of residence.

Admission of International Students (Online)

International applicants must have a bachelor's degree equivalent with a minimum GPA of 3.00 and meet the admissions requirements for acceptance.

The following items must be submitted before admission is considered.

  1. A completed application form and nonrefundable application fee.
  2. Official or attested university records, including proof of all degrees received, with certified translations and evaluations (see International Evaluations).
  3. Certification of English proficiency. (See School specific admission requirements.)
    1. TOEFL information and registration are available online at www.ets.org/toefl.
      OR
    2. Duolingo, available online at https://englishtest.duolingo.com/en.
  4. Official scores on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), as required.
  5. Letters of recommendations or rating forms.

After admission is granted, documented evidence of financial resources sufficient to support the student for the calendar year, in addition to an international student deposit of $250 (USD), must be submitted prior to registration for classes (see International Student Deposit section for exceptions).

Southern Adventist University will not issue an I-20 Form for obtaining a visa to students in online programs. International students enrolling in online programs will need to complete those programs while residing in their country of residence.



Admission of International Students (On Campus)

International applicants must have a bachelor's degree equivalent with a minimum GPA of 3.00 and meet the admissions requirements for acceptance.

The following items must be submitted before admission is considered.

  1. A completed application form and nonrefundable application fee.
  2. Official or attested university records, including proof of all degrees received, with certified translations and evaluations (see International Evaluations).
  3. Certification of English proficiency. (See School specific admission requirements.)
    1. TOEFL information and registration are available online at www.ets.org/toefl.
      OR
    2. Duolingo, available online at https://englishtest.duolingo.com/en.
  4. Official scores on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), if required by the admitting program.
  5. Letters of recommendations or rating forms.

After admission is granted, documented evidence of financial resources sufficient to support the student for the calendar year, in addition to an international student deposit of $3,000 (USD), must be submitted (see International Student Deposit section for exceptions). Southern Adventist University then issues the I-20 Form for obtaining a visa.

Only students approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services may enroll at Southern Adventist University. The University issues a letter of acceptance and the I-20 Form, which are to be presented to the U.S. consular officer when applying for a student visa. Southern will not accept visas issued for admission to other institutions.

International students admitted to graduate study are encouraged to arrive on campus two weeks prior to the beginning of classes. They should contact the international student adviser as soon as they arrive. Graduate Studies must be notified of any change in the entering date after admission has been granted. All international students with student visas are required by current immigration laws to be enrolled in a full course study (a minimum of nine graduate credit hours) for each semester in attendance.

According to current immigration laws, international students with student visas may work on campus provided that employment is available and provided that the student is enrolled in a full course of study nine (9) graduate hours for each semester in attendance and is making progress to the completion of a degree. On-campus employment is limited up to 20 hours per week while classes are in sessions and 40 hours per week during university vacation periods, provided that the student intends to register for the subsequent academic semester.

International students should not leave their homeland until they have in their possession:

  1. An admission letter of acceptance from Southern Adventist University.
  2. I-20 Form issued by Southern Adventist University.
  3. A valid passport.
  4. A valid visa to travel to the United States.
  5. Sufficient funds for the first year at Southern Adventist University.