USF has a vibrant community of learners all due to our diverse population of international student community.
The application process for international students is the same as for domestic students, with the exception of submitting proof of English proficiency. After admission, international students are also required to obtain a U.S. visa, which includes submitting a graduate financial guarantee.
You must have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from an international institution that is officially recognized by that country.
You must have maintained a 2.75 or 3.0 on a 4.00 scale grade point average (GPA). If you do not meet the minimum GPA requirements, your application may still be considered. Please check your respective program requirements for the GPA requirements.
For students with international credentials, a professional credential evaluation is needed by an outside credential evaluation service. Please see International Transcript Evaluation below.
Official transcripts and transcript evaluation must be sent directly to University of St. Francis from the issuing institutions either by email: admtranscripts@stfrancis.edu or mail: University of St. Francis, International Admissions, 500 Wilcox Street, Joliet, IL 60435 USA
Note: Any document USF receives becomes property of USF and will not be returned to you. Photocopies certified by a notary public are not official. Scanned copies are also not accepted in lieu of original official academic documents.
Foreign transcripts shall be evaluated by one of the Transcript Evaluation agencies approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (naces.org). A Course-by-Course Evaluation with a U.S. grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale and degree equivalency is required for international graduate students. The required transcript evaluation agencies for social work applicants is Council on Social Work Education.
The transcript evaluation company shall submit the official transcript evaluations directly to USF at: admtranscripts@stfrancis.edu.
For additional information, please visit USF’s international transcript page.
Proof of English Proficiency
Please submit one of the following tests for direct admission:
English Language Requirement Waivers:
Applicants have completed secondary or tertiary studies in English in one of the following: Australia, New Zealand, Bahamas, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Australia, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom.
Completion of English Language Program. Applicants who have completed an English language program that is accredited through the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA), The Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) or EnglishUSA, will be exempt from providing further English proficiency and will qualify for undergraduate or graduate program application.
Conditional Admission
Applicants, who are eligible for conditional admission without submitting one of the English test results, are admitted to the English Language for Academic Purposes program (ELAP) at University of St. Francis and must meet English proficiency requirements before being offered full admission to the university. Eligible students will receive an I-20 for English Language training and may receive an updated I-20 for academic study after receiving full admission.
Click here for more information regarding proof of English proficiency
Congratulations on your acceptance to the University of St. Francis! The next step is to submit the documents we need to issue you a Form I-20. The I-20 is the “Certificate of Eligibility” that allows an international student to apply for an F-1 student visa. The Form I-20 is an important document you will need to study in the United States.
You must be a “bona fide” student and accepted to a full-time program of study. You must prove that you can support the costs of studying and living in the U.S. during your program of study at USF by providing the followings:
Pay Your Tuition Deposit
To confirm your spot in our next incoming international class, please submit a $550 tuition deposit. Student Wire Instructions (PDF)
For more information visit: stfrancis.edu/admissions-aid/i-20.
Advance travel planning and early visa application are important. Below are the steps after you receive your Form I-20.
For more helpful information, please visit Student Visa and the U.S. Department of State website (link is external).
