Application Process for International Students
If you are an international student seeking admission to St. Bonaventure University, please plan to commence the application process well in advance — at least 5 months — of the desired start date. The process can be involved and lengthy.
Plan to apply online.
Keep in mind that a minimum of 16 years of schooling and an earned degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree is required.
Application Items
Please note that
in addition to meeting the general graduate admissions requirements listed below, you’ll need to provide the following:
- Transcripts. If your previous college academic work was undertaken in other than the U.S. or Canada, you must provide an evaluated transcript along with the official copies. This evaluation must be done by a professional educational evaluation service. Among the organizations providing this service (for a fee) is World Education Services, Inc. Transcripts should bear the official seal of the issuing school along with the signature of a school official and be provided in sealed envelopes.
- If English is not your native language and you have not earned your undergrad degree in an English language environment, you should plan to take the IELTS, TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), or DuoLingo exam and have score reports sent to St. Bonaventure University. Successful applicants typically show TOEFL scores of at least 213 on the computer-based test, 550 on the paper edition and 80 on the Internet-based test. St. Bonaventure will look for an IELTS overall score of at least a 6.0 with no band lower than a 5.0. The DuoLingo minimum score is 105.
SBU does not offer an English language training program.
Application for admission should be completed
online.
Send application documents to:
St. Bonaventure University
Office of Graduate Admissions
P.O. Box 2520 Hopkins Hall
St. Bonaventure, NY 14778
To request a paper copy of the application, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at 716-375-2021 or at
gradsch@bocci-life.com.
Confirmation deposit
The confirmation deposit for international students is $750.
- International Students (Your confirmation deposit is $750):
International Student Enrollment
You must demonstrate sufficient resources to cover one full year of study (the ISSO office will reach out to advise on the funds needed to qualify) before the university will issue an I-20. The necessary documents and instructions are provided with the admission application and the certification of finances form (See below).
Many applicants provide this information at the time of application. Students applying for an online graduate program are not eligible for F-1 visa. Once in receipt of an I-20, you may visit the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to apply for an F-1 visa. (Note: Citizens of Bermuda and Canada do not need a visa; the I-20 is sufficient). Be advised that consular officials may require their own proof of financial support and English proficiency.
F1 Transfer Certification
Any international student with F1 status who is coming from another US institution (college, university, high school, or ESL program) must complete the F1 Transfer Form and have it certified by the international student advisor at their previous school. This form is required before St. Bonaventure will issue an I-20.
Enrollment Status & Health Insurance
St. Bonaventure University, per U.S immigration regulations, requires all international students to be enrolled full time by maintaining a full course load (9 credits, of which only 1 course may be online), except for the last semester in attendance.
St. Bonaventure University has selected health insurance that will meet all your health care needs while you are here, as well as satisfy any requirements established by the U.S. government. For your own piece of mind and convenience, we strongly encourage you to accept the insurance offered by the university. If you wish to attempt to waive the insurance offered by the university, and for further information regarding health requirements, consult this health information document.
Support Services
The International Student Services Office issues the I-20 and provides a range of advisement and services to international students, before arrival and during attendance and post-graduation. This office also ensures adherence to U.S. immigration regulations and works with international students to help them maintain the F-1 visa status. All immigration-related petitions, including employment requests, are filed through this office. For assistance from the International Student Services Office, email Jonathan Mascaut, associate director of International Student Services and Study Abroad.
Housing
St. Bonaventure offers housing to single international students — most residential graduate students live in Francis Hall. Meals may be obtained through the university's meal plans or can be prepared in cooking facilities in the residence area. Contact the university’s housing office at 1-716-375-2009 if you have questions. Housing for married couples is not available.
U.S. Government Fees
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security requires all non-citizens who enter the U.S. as students to complete the I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor (SEVIS) Processing Fee Form and to pay a SEVIS fee before they may receive a visa to enter the U.S. This fee, along with the I-901 form, must be paid via credit card at
www.FMJfee.com.
Please visit
http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/index.htm for details. Note that the SEVIS fee is not a visa fee. You may incur additional visa fees associated with securing an appointment at an overseas embassy.
Please Note: If you receive a scholarship or exchange award and your scholarship exceeds the amount of tuition or designated room grants, you may be responsible for a 14% foreign scholarship tax, depending on your country of origin.
The
International Student Services Office is responsible for monitoring students' F-I student status, and for implementing university and U.S. immigration regulations. All immigration-related petitions, including employment requests, are filed through this office.