
International Student
Discover your American home
Saint Francis welcomes students from all over the world! Here, you’ll join a friendly, faith-based community and that will quickly feel like home. You will be supported and inspired in every aspect and will graduate prepared to live a meaningful life. Discover greater as an international student at the University of Saint Francis.
Start here: apply
International applicants to the University of Saint Francis should start their correspondence several months prior to enrollment and follow the same application process as domestic students, with a few additional requirements.
Those who do not yet have a visa must be admitted to Saint Francis no fewer than 60 days before the start of the semester.
Checklist for applicants
Use the following checklist to stay on top of the application process! Note, the university requires all documents to be in English or translated into English. If applicable, official documents such as transcripts need to be translated by a certified translator.
Present official transcripts of academic work completed at a school comparable to a secondary school program in the United States. Certified English translations must accompany all documentation in languages other than English. For coursework done outside of the United States, a course-by-course evaluation needs to be completed by World Education Services (WES), InCred, or a similar organization and submitted alongside your official transcripts. For student athletes, you will be required by the NAIA to have an InCred for eligibility decisions. This InCred evaluation will be used for admissions.
If applicable, present all official transcripts of academic work completed at a post-secondary institution. For coursework done outside of the United States, a course-by-course evaluation needs to be completed by World Education Services (WES), InCred, or a similar organization and submitted alongside your official transcripts. For student athletes, you will be required by the NAIA to have an InCred for eligibility decisions. This InCred evaluation can also be used for admissions.
Present the title page of your passport, which includes information such as your full name and date of birth. This can be sent to the admissions office as an image or a PDF.
Students whose first language is not English must submit an English language exam score to the university from one of the agencies below.
Accepted English proficiency exams and minimum scores for admissions consideration
- TOEFL: 4.5
- IELTS: 6.5
- Duolingo English Test: 105
- Students attending US high schools: last 2 years of high school English completed with a grade of C or higher
- Semester of ESL coursework or college-level Composition from an accredited US institution with a grade of C or higher
All international applicants are required to submit a financial statement showing financial ability sufficient to cover tuition, room and board, and other expenses for one year (Fall and Spring semesters) at Saint Francis after scholarships have been applied. This must be a notarized bank statement from a checking, spending, or savings account. We cannot accept lines of credit or credit balances for the financial statement. The statement should be in English or translated by a certified translator and converted to U.S. Dollars.
If the student is not the account holder, the person whose name is on the account will need to send an accompanying letter or email stating their name, their relationship to the student, and that they are responsible for paying tuition while the student is enrolled at Saint Francis.
Once an international applicant has been admitted to Saint Francis, a confirmation deposit of $150 in USD must be submitted to the university. After the confirmation deposit and financial statement are received, the Form I-20 necessary to obtain an F or J visa (student visa) will be issued.
The I-20 will be issued only after the student has supplied the above documentation and has been accepted into an on-ground program of study. The I-20 is not issued for Crown Point students.
Though the university does not require health insurance, students who wish to get coverage can do so. Saint Francis works with E.J. Smith & Associates for insurance plans, and students can look at the options on their website. If students have questions or need help finding what they need, they can call E.J. Smith at 847-564-3660 to speak to a representative.
Student athletes are required to have health insurance coverage and should contact their coach or athletic trainer for more information.
Your student account is the place for paying your tuition and fees online. The University of Saint Francis has teamed up with TransferMate to provide a streamlined and secure payment method through your student account that also reduces bank fees and improves your payment experience. Students can pay tuition and fees in their local currency from nearly any country.
To use TransferMate, you will log into your student account, select Make A Payment, choose TransferMate from the dropdown menu, and follow the prompts.
Saint Francis does not allow overpayments. If you transfer more funds than what is due on the student account, we may return the total or overpayment amount to the originating bank. Students may opt to keep the credit on the student account to cover future charges. Overpayments will not be refunded.
We invest in students
International students qualify for a variety of institutional scholarships, including academic, talent and athletic scholarships. Some may require students to apply for the scholarship to be eligible.
“I’m from Mexico and was recruited by the university to play tennis. When I came to Saint Francis the first time, I noticed two things: the beauty of the campus and how friendly everyone was. I met my teammates and other students and felt really welcomed. Everything fit well.”
Enzo Bozonnet ʼ27 Business Administration
“The culture is my favorite part of the university. Everyone is so kind and we all know each other. As an international student, it’s difficult being far from home, but they take care of international students here. Saint Francis has become my second home.”
Luis Miguel Parodi ʼ27 Business Administration
“I’m from Germany and knew I wanted to study Business, because I did an apprenticeship back home. I wanted to get a degree and play soccer, which you can’t do in Germany, so I started to look at U.S. colleges. An agent put me in touch with the Saint Francis soccer coach and we had a great conversation. Once I came to campus, I loved the environment. It’s a very comfortable place and I developed a home feel here.”
Marvin Wehmeyer ʼ27 Business Administration
“I came to Saint Francis from Australia because it offered me the opportunity to follow my two passions: music and soccer. I wanted to do both and couldn’t find a college in Australia that offered that. Luckily, my father searched and found Saint Francis. I’m a member of the soccer team and a Music Technology major, so both my passions are merged into one college experience.”
Jack Doughty ʼ26 Music Technology
International Student Resources
Our team of Saint Francis DSOs (Designated School Officials) are available to support international students.
Pre-Arrival Students
For help with pre-admission, admission and I-20 granting, contact:

Madison Wharton
Graduate and Transfer Coordinator, Coordinator of International Student Admissions
mwharton@sf.edu
San Damiano Hall, Room 127
Current Students and Those Completing Post-Graduation OPT
For visa questions, travel endorsements, course registration guidance, SEVIS registration and OPT and CPT information, contact:

Jay Segal
Dean of Students, Coordinator of Current International Students
jsegal@sf.edu
Trinity Hall, Room 129
Apostille and Enrollment Verification Document Requests
For apostille and enrollment verification documentation requests and course registration guidance, contact:

Alison Rynearson
Registrar, Coordinator of International Student Reporting
arynearson@sf.edu
Pope John Paul II Center, Room 302
Additional Assistance
For help with international student billing and tuition payments, contact:

Jamy Hess
Director of Student Financial Services
jhess@sf.edu
San Damiano Hall, Room 112
Support Services and Common Resources
- Study in the States Resource Library
- Advising Guide
- Apostille (authentication of documents)
- Ordering Official Transcripts and Duplicate Diplomas
- Academic catalog (including degree requirements and course descriptions)
- Academic calendar
- Local Social Security offices
- E.J. Smith & Associates (insurance resources)
- Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (apply for a driver’s license)
Contact Us
Office of Admissions
Welcome Center
San Damiano Hall (North Campus)
Phone: 260-399-8000
Text: 260-217-0854
Email: admis@sf.edu