SFA Admissions - International Students Welcome!

International Students Welcome!

SFA is looking forward to meeting your needs as a new international student. Find out why nearly 12,000 current students truly love SFA.

The International Student Advisor oversees the admission of international students, and provides information on immigration matters. Our international program at SFA offers personal attention and quality service. The International Student Advisor will process the certification for your student visa and oversee your overall care.

Specific information on Study Abroad Programs, and SFA's American English Language Institute, please refer to the Office of International Programs.

Nacogdoches, Texas
Nacogdoches is a wonderful community in which to pursue your academic goals. The community and campus offer a safe and peaceful environment for study and social interest. Nacogdoches is located in east Texas about 150 miles (241 km) north of Houston; 165 miles (265 km) southeast of Dallas; and 95 miles (153 km) southwest of Shreveport, Louisiana.

Climate
The average temperature in East Texas ranges from 30 degrees F (4 degrees C) during the winter to 94 degrees F (35 degrees C) in the summer. Record temperatures for the region are -4 degrees F (-20 degrees C) and 110 degrees F (44 degrees C). East Texas receives 2 to 4 inches of rain each month. The winter season in Nacogdoches is a brief 8-to-12 week period with temperatures occasionally dropping below freezing. The summer season is from 16 to 20 weeks in duration. Very warm temperatures and high humidity occur in the summer months

Financial Information
Federal and state financial assistance is not awarded to international students. Graduate assistantships may be available to outstanding graduate students. The United States immigration Service does not permit international students on student (F-1) visas or their dependents to work. As a result, new international students are required to submit all necessary deposits and documents verifying financial support during enrollment.

To ensure that sufficient finances are available, international students must complete the Certification of Finances (page 4 of the International Application for Admission) which provides an affidavit of financial support in the amount of at least US $17,850 for each academic year of study anticipated at SFA. Married students must add at least $5,000 per year for their spouse or other first dependent, plus $2,000 per year for each additional dependent. This certification must be complete with notarized signatures and must indicate the source of funds available to the student, as well as the amount of money and the length of time the funds will be made available. This form can be completed after you receive your letter of acceptance.

Housing Accomodations
SFA offers a variety of living facilities for students. Single undergraduate students with fewer than 60 semester hours are required to live in on-campus residence halls. (A $50 deposit is required with he application for on-campus housing.) For information and an application, visit the Residence Life Department. Campus food service provides well-prepared food at the lowest possible cost. Students may choose from two different meal plans with meals served in three campus cafeterias.

Admissions
International student applicants are evaluated on the quality, content and level of previous work. Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit results from Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). SFA requires a minimum composite TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based test, 213 on the computer-based test, or 79 on the internet-based test. Applicants who have completed 12 years or less of preparatory education are required to present secondary studies equivalent to graduation from high school in a United States university preparatory program. Submission of offical SAT or ACT scores is recommended.

International transfer students are considered eligible for admission if they are not currently on suspension from another educational institution, and have a grade point average of at least 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in transferable courses. Internationals must also satisfy all applicable requirements of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Service.

Both international and domestic undergraduate students who transfer from a foreign college or university, and international and domestic graduate students, whose degree(s) is from a foreign college or university, will be required to use a professional credential evaluation service. SFA will use the information contained in the evaluation report for admission and placement purposes for these students.

Students must use either the Foreign Credentials Service of America (http://www.fcsa.biz/) or World Education Service (http://www.wes.org/). The student should visit the websites of these agencies in order to obtain the evaluation application and information. The cost of this evaluation will be borne by the applicant. SFA will review and may accept evaluations completed and submitted by other reputable professional credential evaluation services. However, these evaluations must provide services similar to the Foreign Credentials Service of American or World Education Service.

All international prospects are required to submit the following:

International application
US$50 nonrefundable application fee (subject to change)
Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) score = 550 on paper-based examination, 213 on computer-based examination, or 79 on the internet-based examination
Official transcripts, certificates, and/or mark sheets of all academic records and examination results for each year of study from the first year of secondary school, and for all post secondary or University level work attempted
All non-English documents must be accompanied by certified English translations
Certification of Finances or affidavit of support must be received prior to issuing I-20
Proof of Insurance: Due to forthcoming regulations from the Citizenship and Immigration Service, SFA requires that all international students have some form of medical insurance. You will need to provide documentation that you have medical insurance or be prepared to purchase it before registering for classes. The insurance endorsed by the university can be purchased and paid along your registration bill.

Undergraduate Requirements:

Certification of completion of secondary level of education (equivalent to 12 years of American elementary and secondary schooling)
American College Test (ACT) score of 23 or higher recommended, or
Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) score of 1050 or higher recommended
Certification of completion of post-secondary level of education if applicable (university/college studies)

Graduate Requirements:

Certification of completion of post-secondary level of education (equivalent to four years of American University schooling).
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score = 1000 (minimum of 450 each on verbal and quantitative).
MBA Degree Program applicants only
MBA degree program applicants must present an acceptable score from a combination of undergraduate grade-point average and GMAT score. The score may be derived from either:
- (a) Overall GPA x 200 + GMAT > 950 or
- (b) Upper Level GPA x 200 + GMAT > 1000
- No probationary admission is permitted.
Three letters of reference from former professors.

Application Deadlines:

Fall Semester (August-December): June 1
Spring Semester (January-May): November 1
Summer I (June-July):April 1
Summer II (July-August): May 1

To apply, use the Texas Common Application.

For more information regarding International Student Admission contact:

Stacy Gee
International Student Advisor
Office of Admissions
Box 13051, SFA Station
Nacogdoches, TX 75962-3051
936-468-2504
slgee@sfasu.edu

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Stephen F. Austin State University

International Students Welcome!