International Students (F-1 Visa)

Other Required Forms for International Students | I-20 Issuance Requirements | General Information & Policies

Southwestern Adventist University classifies as an international student all applicants not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. SWAU is approved by the U.S. government for the admission of non-immigrant students (F-1 status). International students should not leave their country with the intention of enrolling at Southwestern Adventist University without a letter of acceptance, an I-20 form issued by SWAU, and a student visa.

Academic Acceptance Requirements

  1. Submit an SWAU Application and Personal Data Form* to the Admissions Office.
  2. Students without post secondary academic credit must submit an official academic transcript or Examination Certificate to show completion of the secondary level as determined by SWAU. Students who have completed postsecondary level academic credit for a degree must submit an official transcript of all credit earned before an acceptance will be granted.
  3. Submit documentation of English language proficiency.§. Any of the following will meet this requirement:
    1. the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum proficiency level of 190 on the computer-based test, or 520 on the paper-based test
    2. the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery with an average score of 80 in each section†
    3. an SAT I Verbal score of 400 or higher‡
    4. an ACT English score of 17 or higher
    5. transfer of at least 24 semester credit hours to SWAU with the last three years of education at a school or schools where English is the language of instruction
    6. transcripted university level credit for an English composition course if English is the national language of a student's country of citizenship, is the student's first language, and the last three years of education have been completed in English.
    †SWAU's English as a Second Language Department gives the Michigan test for a fee of $25.00.

    ‡SWAU's Counseling and Testing Center gives the SAT I test for a fee.

    §All acceptable documentation must be current (within the last six months). Students who do not submit proof of English language proficiency will be tested upon arrival at SWAU. Students who do not meet these minimum requirements will be required to take ESL courses, Transitional Program courses, or a combination of these classes in the first semester of enrollment at Southwestern.
  4. Submit an explanation if involved in any incident of suspension, probation, dismissal, criminal conduct, or substance use as indicated on the application. The explanation will be reviewed to determine the applicant's eligibility for admission.

Application Deadlines
SWAU will give priority to international applicants who meet all financial and academic requirements for admission before July 1 for the Fall semester and before November 1 for Spring semester. International applicants who have not submitted all academic and financial requirements by these deadlines may be deferred to the next semester. After deadlines have passed SWAU gives priority to ESL applicants.

Acceptance Notification
The Admissions Office will notify applicants by letter regarding acceptance status after an application and official transcript(s) have been received. Acceptance will not be granted without official academic certificate(s) and/or transcript(s).

Academic Credentials Evaluation
Degree-seeking students with previous college work from outside the U.S. must submit an official independent credentials evaluation before a degree audit can be prepared or transfer credit granted. (An academic credentials evaluation costs approximately $135.)

Students who successfully complete 12 hours of ESL, passing each class with a grade of C or better, and who pass the Michigan Test of English, are not required to submit ACT or SAT scores to continue in another academic area.


Requirements for SWAU I-20
After academic acceptance is granted, an international student must meet the following requirements to obtain I-20 and I-901 forms necessary for issuance of a student visa for entry into the U.S. and enrollment at SWAU.

  1. Submit $7,900.  Of that, $6,900 is applied to the student's account, $100 pays the SEVIS I-901 fee, $100 reserves a dormitory room, and $800 is held in reserve and is returned at graduation or withdrawal if the account is paid in full.  (Canadian citizens need only submit $200 for SEVIS and room reservation fees.)  If an applicant does not register, all funds will be returned except a $200 processing fee and the $100 SEVIS fee.
  2. Submit a legible copy of a current passport, showing legal name.


General Information & Policies

Arrival on Campus
When international students arrive at SWAU they must take their Passport, Visa, I-20, and I-94 card to the Admissions Office so copies can be made to go into their admissions file.

Concurrent Enrollment
International Students on SWAU’s I-20 must complete a minimum of two semesters of full-time enrollment before SWAU will grant concurrent enrollment with another school. A student granted concurrent enrollment will be allowed to take only one class at another school unless on Economic Hardship and then a maximum of two classes will be allowed.

Financial Aid
International students on F-1 visas do not qualify for Federal and State loans or grants as detailed in the financial section of the SWAU Bulletin although campus employment is available. The student is expected to have sufficient funding (either sponsorship or personal funds) to cover tuition, food, lodging, books, fees, insurance, and personal expenses. International students are expected to meet required payments at registration and throughout the semester.

I-20 Transfer to Another School
The student must see SWAU’s Foreign Admissions Counselor to have their I-20 transferred to another school.

Immigration Reporting
As required by U.S. law, SWAU notifies the U.S. government through the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) when an I -20 is issued, when an international student enrolls or does not enroll at SWAU and if an international student drops out or falls below a full load of classes. Change of addresses are also reported to the U.S. government through this system. It is imperative that all international students on an I-20 notify the International Student Advisor or SWAU’s Foreign Admissions Counselor in advance if they move to a new residence or plan to transfer to another school or if they need to drop below the 12 minimum required hours of classes.

Medical Insurance
SWAU requires all international students to purchase major medical insurance coverage at registration if not already insured through the SDA system.

Nursing Students
All International students in SWAU’s nursing program must be on SWAU’s I-20.

Other Visa Enrollment
SWAU will allow F-2, B-1, or B-2 visa holders to enroll for a maximum of 1 class of up to 4 hours per semester. These students are not allowed to enroll in nursing classes or to work on campus. Immigrants with an R-1or R-2 visa can enroll full-time but are not allowed to work on campus. These visa holders must apply and meet academic requirements for acceptance before they can register for classes.

Orientation Program
An International Student Orientation is conducted the first week of the semester. Attendance is required for all non-ESL non-immigrants who are new to SWAU, including international transfer students. Students are notified of this orientation program in acceptance letters. All international students are given an International Student Handbook at orientation or can pick up a handbook at the Admissions Office.

Residence Halls
After being accepted, international students who plan to live in one of SWAU’s residence halls should immediately submit a housing information form. The room reservation / damage deposit required by SWAU residence halls is included in the international student deposit.

Work
According to current U.S. immigration laws, international students with student visas may work on-campus provided the student is enrolled in a full course of study and is making progress toward the completion of a degree. On-campus employment is limited to a maximum of 20 hours per week when school is in session but may go up to 40 hours per week during school vacations. International students in F-1 status are required by law to secure permission from the International Student Advisor before accepting any off-campus employment.

International students with F-1 status are not able to do Curricular Practical Training until they have completed at least 12 months of regular schooling. International students who have completed just one semester of regular classes or two semesters of ESL are not eligible to work in an off-campus Literature Evangelism program or at a summer camp. These students are only allowed to work on campus.



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Note: The Nursing, Education, and Social Work programs have additional admission requirements. Contact the departments regarding these requirements. Department chairpersons are the initial advisors for new students.

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