INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Definition of an International Student

International students are defined by the university as those persons who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States of America.

General Information

Asher University welcomes applications from qualified international candidates around the world.  In view of the participatory nature of the undergraduate programs, students must possess highly developed proficiency in written and oral English.  Applicants from non-English-speaking countries are required to take the Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL).  Certain applicants may be required to attend intensive English language courses (ESL) before beginning the program.  International undergraduate students in F-1 visa status may only enroll in one on-line course per term.  Overseas applicant may expect to receive written notification of an admissions decision approximately six weeks from the time the application and all supporting documents are received by the Admissions Office.  Applicants should be aware, however, that delays in international mail are frequent.  Prospective students should make necessary visa, financial, and personal travel arrangement before departing for the United States.  The I-20 will be issued after all admission requirements are satisfied.  Under no circumstances should an international applicant plan to depart to the United States without having received his/her notification of admission to the University and issuance of the I-20.  The applicant must use this form to secure an F-1 student visa at an American Embassy or Consulate abroad.  All F-1 student are required to sign their I-20 forms outside the U.S. prior to their entry.  By signing the I-20 form, students acknowledge that they understand and will maintain F-1 regulations.  Students who enter the U.S. on an F-1 Students visa are required by the United States Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) to attend the school who issued the I-20 Form.  If the student fails to do this, they are “out of status.”  In other words, students who enter the U.S. on I-20 issues from Asher University must enroll at Asher University during the first term they arrive for their studies.  Students who arrive at the University without prior notification of admission do so at their own risk, and their presence will neither guarantee admission nor a visa status adjustment.  The USCIS), not the University, processes visa adjustment applications.  Students who plan to study are highly discouraged from arriving in the United States without their F-1 visa.

Application Procedures

Applicants who do not reside in the United States are advised to apply for admission at least six months before the beginning of the term for which they wish to enroll.  Completed applications, including all supporting academic and financial documents, should be received prior to six months before they enroll.

At the request of an applicant, late applications and supporting documents may be deferred to the following term and should contact the Office of Admissions to confirm.  In case of deferred applications, updated financial support documents are likely to be required.

 UNDERGRADUATE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADMISSIONS

Categories of Undergraduate Admission

International undergraduate students may only enter as degree-seeking students.

Degree-seeking

Applicants who meet all undergraduate admission requirements and who wish to complete a degree program will be admitted under degree-seeking status.

Admission Requirements for Degree Seeking Students

International Applicants applying for undergraduate admissions must meet many of the same admission requirements as degree seeking students and must also:

1. Submit a properly completed international undergraduate application form and return it with a non-refundable application fee (see schedule for fees). Bank drafts or international money orders sent from overseas must be in US dollars and made payable to Asher University.  S. Immigration Form I-20 will be issued to students residing outside the U.S. only when all admission requirements are met.
2. Plan to have official or certified true copies of transcripts of coursework earned at the secondary school, national examinations records, and college-level transcripts sent directly to the Admissions Office.  All official /certified transcripts must be accompanied by an official translation in English.  Only originals or notarized copies will be accepted.  The term “official” means a computer -generated record of the students’ transcripts or copy of student’s original transcript certified by an officer of the school or by a notary public.  Faxed copies and photocopied transcripts or translations are not accepted.   Official transcripts of any college or university work completed outside the United States will need to be evaluated at the applicant’s expense by an accredited credentialing service.  The Knowledge Company (www, knowledgecompany.com) and The World Education Service (wes.org) are two approved sources.  Other credential evaluation services must be accredited.  Diplomas alone cannot be used for admissions evaluation clearance.
3. Complete the Math, and English University Placement Test (only if the applicant is not transferring the equivalent of ENGLISH 101, MATH 101 or more advanced courses in these fields. Applicants who wish not to take the tests will be placed in enrichment courses.  Applicants may submit official/valid SAT scores in lieu of completing the University Placement Tests.
4. Provide immunization (vaccination) records for Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) and Diphtheria/Tetanus (DT). These records are necessary for applicants under the age of 26.
5. Submit official Test of English as a Second Language (TOEFL) scores that are no more than two years old (only necessary for undergraduate applicants whose native language is not English and who have not completed ENGLISH 101 at an accredited institution within the United States or English-speaking country).  A valid TOEFL score (not more than two years old) of 500 (paper-based) 173 (computer-based) or better will be considered evidence of English proficiency and will qualify students to enroll in regular undergraduate courses.  Applicants who score below 500 will be required to enroll in the University’s ESL program.  Applicants who have completed the equivalent of ENGLISH 101 are not required to submit a TOEFL score.  Applicants whose native language is English are not required to submit TOEFL scores.
6. International undergraduate students in F-1 visa status must be enrolled full-time and complete 9 credits per term.  The following steps are only necessary for an applicant who plans to apply for an F-1 visa at an American Embassy or Consulate.  A students who plans to apply to change his/her visa status to F-1 while in the United States.
7. Submit two original, notarized “Statement of Financial Support forms” and supporting verification documents for each individual financial sponsor.  The statement of Financial Support forms may be requested from the university.  Through completion and submission of the forms and supporting documentation, financial sponsors must demonstrate the source and availability of adequate funding to cover all costs related to the student’s educational and living expenses while pursuing study in the United States.  Supporting documentation may include letters from the financial supporter’s employer stating the sponsor’s annual salary in US dollars and a notarized letter from the sponsor’s bank indicating the current balance of their deposits in US dollars.  All supporting documentation must be in English, and amounts stated in US dollars.
8. Submit a $15,000.00 tuition deposit (only necessary for applicants who are currently outside of the United States).  The deposit will be applied to the first years tuition.  If the applicant’s visa is denied or if the applicant chooses not to attend Asher University, the applicant may request a refund of the tuition of ($7,500.00 of which is refundable).  The request for a refund must be made within one year of the start date of classes stated on the applicant’s I-20 form.  S. Immigration Form I-20 will be issued to students residing outside the US only after all the admission and documentation requirements are met.
9. After the I-20 is issued, then complete the SEVIS I-901 form with the appropriate fees to register into SEVIS. https://www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml  It is highly recommended that applicants pay the additional fee to expedite receipt.  See Tuition & Fees Section in this catalog