International Students Living Outside of the U.S.
Students or applicants who need to submit documentation to International Student Services should do this via the secure link in the application portal (linked under the online application information) or mailed to International Students Admissions Office at 815 W. Market St., Greensboro, NC 27401.
Please feel free to email the international admissions advisor at internationalprograms@greensboro.edu with any questions regarding your immigration status and beyond, and we will do our best to support you.
Application deadlines for F-1 Students**:
- April 1 – Fall admission
- October 1 – Spring admission
**Applications received after the deadline will be accepted, but the processing time for the documents and I-20/visa process may cause you to miss the deadline for your preferred semester start date.
F-1 Student Checklist Applying from Out of the US
1. Choose a program that fits your goals:
View the list of programs that we offer at Greensboro College and choose your focus.
NOTE: Online, certification, licensure, and some graduate programs are not eligible for F-1 students. If you are interested in a graduate program, please email internationaprograms@greensboro.edu for more information and eligibility of the program for F-1 visa status.
2. Contact internationalprograms@greensboro.edu to obtain your tuition, fees, and room/board costs for the current semester.
3. Complete an online application.
Once you have chosen your program, then you will complete the online application (https://www.commonapp.org/). You will need to create an account to submit the application at the Common App site. Once you have created your account, then you will be able to complete your application and submit. There is no fee to submit your application.
4. Submit proof of completion of high school or a degree program
Submit proof of completion of a high school or the equivalent, or a college degree. Any documents not in English must be accompanied by an official English Translation.
Educational Documents from Outside the US
Submit your official high school degree, diploma, national test scores, or your official college/university degree or diploma to the application link (https://www.commonapp.org/ ). You can also mail (quicker processing is electronic submission): Attn: International Admissions, 815 W. Market St., Greensboro, NC 27401.
Originals received by mail can be returned by request. If you are not sure what to provide, email internationalprograms@greensboro.edu
To earn transfer credit for college/university courses taken outside the US, you must submit an official course by course evaluation by an acceptable company. The evaluation should be sent directly (electronically or by mail) from the company to Greensboro College, or you can submit the official evaluation in a sealed, unopened envelope to International Admissions Office (815 W. Market St., Greensboro NC).
To receive credit for courses taken at institutions outside of the U.S., students must provide an official academic transcript with an official English translation and must be evaluated and approved by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, or NACES. In the rare case that a student is unable to obtain an official transcript from their country, Greensboro College will accept a certified copy of the transcript accompanied by an official English translation and an evaluation from a NACES-approved evaluation service. Transcripts from international institutions that are already in English must still be accompanied by an official evaluation from a NACES-approved evaluation service. A complete listing of NACES-approved evaluation services can be found online at www.NACES.org.
5. Submit valid immigration documents
Submit immigration documents (passport photo page) to the application portal (https://www.commonapp.org/ ). If there are dependents seeking F-2 status, then also submit a copy of the current passport information page for each dependent. Copies of documents can also be submitted by mail to Greensboro College, 815 W. Market St., Greensboro, NC 27401 (faster processing is through the electronic submissions portal).
6. Submit proof of English language proficiency
We expect students from outside the United States to meet our minimum English proficiency requirements in one of the following ways:
- Transfer of a college-level English composition or other reading intensive courses with a “B” or equivalent at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university or a non-U.S. college or university where instruction is in English is required for admission.
- SAT (Evidence-Based Reading & Writing Section) = https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat minimum sub score 480
- ACT (English & Reading Sections) = https://www.act.org/ minimum 17 average on the two sections
- Duolingo English Test = https://englishtest.duolingo.com/applicants minimum score 100
- TOEFL iBT = https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/about.html minimum score 77
- IELTS Academic = https://www.ielts.org/en-us minimum score 6.0
- Cambridge English Assessment = https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/ minimum B1 Level (140 or higher)
- Oxford Test of English – https://elt.oup.com/feature/global/oxford-test-of-english = minimum of B1 level (81 or higher)
- MLAB – a minimum score of 76; with this option the College will also assess oral proficiency post-admission for the purpose of placement
- Complete and pass the required American Language Academy (in Greensboro, NC) Academic English Level 5 assessment.
- Complete EFL 074 and EFL 094 (Level 4) at Durham Technical Community College with an A or B grade.
The test scores or grades above must be sent directly from the respective testing center or language program to internationalprograms@greensboro.edu
If your test scores are below the requirements, then you can email internationalprograms@greensboro.edu for more information and suggestions related to how you can improve your scores.
7. Complete the International Student Information form.
The form is located in your online portal and will be included as part of your checklist (https://www.commonapp.org/).
8. Submit a request for the Affidavit of Financial Support document by emailing internationalprograms@greensboro.edu.
This document is required for processing your I-20 and often takes the most time to obtain, so do not delay the request for this document because your I-20 cannot be processed without the satisfactory completion of this information.
After completion of the Affidavit of Financial Support – Submit this affidavit to the application link (https://www.commonapp.org/ ) or email it to internationalprograms@greensboro.edu
9. Pay your Greensboro College I-20 processing fee of $75.00
International Student Services will email you once your application and documents are received and approved for admission. At this point, you need to pay a $75.00 non-refundable I-20 processing fee before the I-20 can be sent to you so you can obtain an appointment for your visa. You will receive an email from admissions with a username and password set-up instructions to log into our Empower system where you will be able to pay the $75.00 fee.
10. Contact internationalprograms@greensboro.edu
Send an email to let us know that you have paid the fee, and your I-20 will be processed and emailed to you so that you can make your visa appointment.
Next Steps after receiving the I-20
11. Pay the Sevis Fee to the US Government
- Visit FMJfee.com to pay the SEVIS I-901 by credit or debit card. Western Union is also an option and may be required for students from certain countries (Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, and Cameroon). Read instructions on the website carefully.
- To pay the fee you will need the following information from your I-20
- SEVIS number (number on front of I-20 that starts with an N)
- Greensboro College’s school code on I-20 page 1, under School information, school code and approval date. (The school code begins with ATL etc.)
- Print a copy of the receipt after making the payment. This receipt will be shown as proof of payment to the visa-issuing officer at the US Embassy or Consulate.
12. Research information on the Consulate/Embassy where you will apply for the visa
- You may need to make an appointment. Pay attention to the visa fee and the form of payment accepted. Visa processing times can vary. Make sure you allow enough time to get the visa in order to enter the US prior to the start of the semester because you will need to attend the mandatory orientation at Greensboro College (usually the Friday/Saturday before the semester begins).
- These links may be helpful in preparing for your interview:
13. Suggested (and required) items to bring to interview for your visa application
- Current valid passport
- I-20 documents signed by school official and printed and signed by student
- SEVIS I-901 receipt of payment
- Acceptance letter from Greensboro College
- Letter from the Greensboro College president
- Any other documentation listed on the Consulate/Embassy’s website, such as visa application, photos, visa fee payment or proof of payment, proof of ties to home country, etc.
Next steps after receiving your F-1 Visa stamp
Congratulations! Now you only have a few more steps to take!
14. Notify internationalprograms@greensboro.edu when you receive your visa.
Notification is necessary so that we can send you the new student information related to housing, immunizations, health insurance, TB testing, and other pre-arrival information.
15. Research and book your flight to the US
You must arrive in time to attend the mandatory international student orientation and the college orientation (PAWS). You can arrive in the US 30 days prior to the I-20 start date. See the date listed under “Earliest Admission Date” on your I-20. However, if you are living on campus, you will need to check your move-in date for housing since the dorms usually open only a few days before the start of the semester. Arrange for other housing if you arrive before the move-in date (found in your new student email information).
16. Register and pay for your classes.
After you register, you will receive an email with further instructions about orientation, move-in day (if you are using on-campus housing), and when the first day of classes will be.