International Students

We welcome students from countries outside the United States to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees. At AU, 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 first-year undergraduate 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 counselor for more information.

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 application 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

1. Apply online here or via the Common App.
2. Official transcripts from schools attended in the United States must be sent directly to the Office of Admission as part of the admission process.
   1. First-year undergraduate applicants must request official transcripts from all secondary and/or post-secondary schools.
   2. Transfer and graduate applicants must request official transcripts from all post-secondary schools.
3. Specific official certified evaluations of all academic transcripts of high school and college-level credit from schools attended outside of the United States must be evaluated by a NACES member evaluator. All evaluations must be sent directly to the Office of Admission by one of the companies noted below.
   1. High School: transcripts must be a general evaluation that verifies the transcripts with GPA.
   2. Transfer and graduate students: transcript evaluations type must be a Course-by-Course Evaluation
   3. AU Preferred Members to consider:
      • Spantran (discount)
      • World Education Service (WES)
      • Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
      • Other NACES members
4. English competency test OR standardized test
   
   1. Official English competency test results. 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
      • SAT or ACT
        
        • American College Test (ACT) – minimum English and Reading sub score(s) of 19 (online college code = 0950)
        • Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) – minimum score ERW of at least 510 (online college code = 1027)
5. Additional information may be requested upon receipt of the materials listed above.

Additional documentation for graduate applicants may be required. Please contact the Center for Graduate Studies at 630-947-8955 for more information.

Process for Issuing I-20

1. Receive acceptance/admission to AU and your financial aid award offer.
2. Submit the following documents as required by Aurora University and the guidelines from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program:
   • Financial Resources Form: International students applying for an I-20 Student Visa must submit the Financial Resources Form as required by Aurora University and the guidelines from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS). 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 valid current passport.
   • Copy of any valid visa (if applicable).
3. $500 non-refundable tuition deposit, which will be applied to your first semester's tuition payment, can be made here. (Refunds will not be issued if a student's F-1 visa is denied by the United States government.)

Issuing an I-20 and Preparing for Arrival

1. Form I-20 confirms that the applicant has been admitted to a full-time program of study at Aurora University. This form is required when the applicant applies for an F-1 student visa.
2. Preparing for appointment and arrival in the U.S.
   1. Pay $350 SEVIS fee. Learn more here.
   2. 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.
   3. Additional resources for your arrival into the United States may be found here.
   4. Medical Forms (Immunization Records) All international students are required to submit a medical form (required by Illinois state law), with complete immunization records. Additional information about immunization records can be found here. A complete list of required immunizations for international students is available here.
   5. 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.

Housing Options

• Housing is limited to qualified undergraduate students on the Aurora campus. Graduate students attending classes on the Aurora campus must seek off-campus housing.