Undergraduate Admissions

International Students

ADMISSIONS

A home away from home

If you’re thinking about earning a degree in the United States, SFA is a great place to explore, learn and grow. Not only will you find engaging classes and outstanding faculty members here, you’ll have opportunities to explore other cultures, make lifelong friends and take part in all that university life has to offer. We invite you to discover the Lumberjack experience for yourself.

Estimated Cost of Attendance

Note for F-1 student visa: If you will need to apply for an F-1 student visa or are transferring to SFA on an F-1 student visa, view the current financial requirements to receive the I-20 form. Submission of financial documents is not required before an admission decision is made.

You may meet the requirements to establish Texas residency; otherwise, you are considered an out-of-state resident for tuition and fees.

Applying to SFA: The requirements

An international student is someone who is not a U.S. citizen or a permanent U.S. resident (i.e., those who are visa holders). Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals are not considered international students.

Minimum incoming undergraduate cumulative GPA

  • Freshman/first-time student:
    • Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA on all secondary coursework.
  • Transfer student:
    • Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA on all post-secondary coursework.

English Proficiency requirements

All applicants must submit an English test score or a waiver of equivalency as part of their complete application. Testing can be done through one of the following official exams:

  • TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language
  • IELTS: International English Language Testing System
  • DET: Duolingo English Test (for undergraduate admission only)
Important notes
  • If you have attended school in the U.S., including select language schools, additional options are available to meet the English requirement.
  • A waiver of equivalency may be available for students with academic credentials from certain countries.
  • Applicants to any Educator Preparation Program must adhere to requirements listed in the EPP handbook.

Visit the English Proficiency Requirement page for more information.

Credential Evaluation

All international applicants must submit course-by-course credential evaluations from previous schools that are outside the U.S.

  • Freshman/first-time student: all secondary schools
  • Transfer student: all secondary and post-secondary schools
    • To transfer course credits, you may be required to submit syllabi from those courses.

The Office of International Programs will accept a credential evaluation from most recognized companies. Although we do not recommend any one company, we have had successful experience with the following companies:

Ready to apply? 

Scholarship funds are limited, so apply early to SFA!

Step One: Apply to SFA

Note: If you have trouble entering your high school code, try using eight asterisks (*) instead.

Step Two: Compile supporting documents

Gather and send these additional supporting documents listed below to the Office of International Programs to complete your application for admission paperwork. 

All applicants must submit:

Ways to send documents

Once all application materials are received, decisions are typically made within one to two weeks.

Accepted? Congratulations! Here's what to do next:

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services requires all F and J student visa holders to verify they will have funds available to pay for their education, living and other expenses. This funding may come from the student, a sponsor or multiple sponsors (such as family members), loans and scholarships.

You will need this proof of financial support when:

  • requesting an initial certificate of eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019) from the Office of International Programs
    • This allows you to apply for your student visa.
  • applying for a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate
  • and making certain updates to the student immigration record.

Collect and submit proof of financial support and biographic information

J student visa holders may have different funding requirements based on the partnership agreement with their home university/institution.

The information from the following documents will be used to complete your I-20 or DS-2019 form, which will allow you to apply for your student visa.

  1. A certification of finances form completed by you and your sponsor(s).
  2. Bank statement or other financial documentation from your or your sponsor(s) verifying funds of at least $38,208 USD. If you have been offered and accepted the International Student Scholarship or other scholarship of $1,000 or more, your documentation must verify funds of at least $27,128 USD.
  3. A copy of your passport biographical page.
  4. If you're younger than 22 years of age, you must also submit a Bacterial Meningitis vaccination record, as required by Texas state law. Your verification of Bacterial Meningitis vaccination form must be completed by a licensed physician and must be received by SFA to release the registration hold on your account.

Submitting documents

Once you've collected all required documents, submit these to OIP at international@sfasu.edu.

Receiving your I-20/DS-2019 forms

You will receive your I-20/DS-2019 form by email. You must print, sign the form and use the information on the form to pay your visa fee and make your visa interview appointment. Details about this process will be sent with your acceptance materials.

Once you arrive at SFA and are registered for classes, you'll receive an updated form indicating you're a current attending student.

If you are transferring from another educational institution in the U.S., you'll receive a transfer-in form. Your current international student advisor must complete this form to to transfer your SEVIS record to SFA.