International Students
We welcome students from countries outside the United States to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees. You will become a part of a globally focused community with countless opportunities for academic inquiry, cultural experiences, and professional development. We recommend that international students enroll at the beginning of the fall term.
Students who are not a U.S. citizen and do not hold a U.S. permanent resident visa (i.e., green card) must complete the international student admission process. Some programs may have additional requirements or deadlines. Please contact your admission representative for more information.
Schedule a freshman virtual campus visit.
Download the checklist as a printable PDF.
Application Deadlines*
- Fall semester (August – December): June 1
- Spring semester (January – May): October 1
- Summer semester (May – August): February 1
*While all materials must be received prior to the deadline date to be considered for admission, students who submit documents after the deadline dates noted above may have the process completed in time for their intended start term.
Application Process for International Students
- Apply online here.
- Official transcripts from schools attended in the United States must be sent directly to the Office of Admission as part of the admission process. Undergraduate applicants must request official transcripts from all secondary and/or post-secondary schools. Graduate applicants must request official transcripts from all post-secondary schools.
- Specific official certified evaluations of all academic transcripts of college-level credit from schools attended outside of the United States must be evaluated by one of the following companies: Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) OR World Education Service (WES). All evaluations must be sent directly to the Office of Admission by one of the two companies noted below. Students that have attended schools outside of the United States that provide academic transcripts in English may be waived from providing a foreign transcript evaluation.
- If evaluating transcripts with Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) evaluations type must be a Course-by-Course Evaluation with original and/or authenticated education documents.
- If evaluating transcripts with World Education Service (WES), evaluation type must be an Evaluation Report and Verified Transcripts.
- English competency test OR standardized test
- Official English competency test results (for non-English speaking countries and all graduate applicants). Official scores must be sent directly to the Office of Admission. Below are the minimum scores required for admission from one of the following:
- TOEFL paper-based: 550 or higher
- TOEFL computer-based: 213 or higher
- TOEFL Internet-based: 79 or higher
- IELTS: 6.5 or higher
- Duolingo 110 or higher
- Official standardized test results (for English-speaking countries only). Official scores must be sent directly to the Office of Admission. Below are the minimum scores required for admission from one of the following:
- American College Test (ACT) – minimum composite score of 19 (online college code = 0950)
- Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) – minimum score (Math and Critical Reading) of at least 990 (online college code = 1027)
- Official English competency test results (for non-English speaking countries and all graduate applicants). Official scores must be sent directly to the Office of Admission. Below are the minimum scores required for admission from one of the following:
- Personal Statement responding to the following prompt must be submitted (statement to be between 250 to 300 words.
- Prompt: If accepted for admission, how will you be an asset to the Aurora University campus community?
If admitted to Aurora University, you will need to submit the following items before your I-20 is issued:
- Statement of Financial Resources: International students applying for an I-20 Student Visa must submit the Statement of Financial Resources form as required by Aurora University and the guidelines from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. This form must be signed and notarized and be accompanied by an original letter from a bank official certifying the availability of funds for study at Aurora University.
- Copy of current passport.
- Copy of I-94 may be obtained online here.
- Copy of any valid Visa
- Medical Forms (Immunization Records) All international students are required to submit a medical form (required by Illinois state law), with complete immunization records. Be sure to seek out medical insurance through a private vendor. Additional information about immunization records can be found here.
- Proof of International Medical Insurance Proof of international medical insurance is required for all international students while at Aurora University. Please provide a copy of your current medical insurance card. If you do not have international medical insurance, please contact your Aurora University admission counselor for assistance.
- $500 non-refundable admission deposit which will be applied to your first semester's tuition payment can be made here.
Additional Documentation for graduate applicants may be required. Please contact the Center for Graduate Studies at 630-947-8955 for more information.
Once admitted and Aurora University receives the above required items:
- Form I-20 will qualify the non-immigrant applicant for an F-1 student visa. The university will only issue an I-20 after the applicant has met all international application requirements; has been approved for admission to Aurora University, has submitted all required documents and the non-refundable $500 deposit. The official I-20 will be mailed to the student. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule an appointment with their embassy to obtain a visa if needed, before coming to the United States.
- Housing is limited to qualified undergraduate students on the Aurora campus. Graduate students attending classes on the Aurora campus must seek off-campus housing.