Information for Prospective and Recently Admitted International Students

Requirements for admission to CU for International students

International students must first meet the academic requirements established by the individual colleges and schools. A minimum standard of English proficiency must also be met.  For undergraduate students, the TOEFL requirement is 560 (220 - Computer Based Test) for the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and 500 (173 CBT) for all other schools.  For graduate students, the TOEFL requirement is 500 (173 CBT), although several graduate programs have higher requirements.  These departments are posted on the International Prospective Student Web site at: http://www.colorado.edu/prospective/international/requirements/grad-requirements.html .

In addition, a student must prove that he or she has the financial resources to attend CU. If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States and are considering attending the University of Colorado at Boulder as a degree seeking student, you should check the following sources for information and application procedures:

Prospective International Students

Graduate School

It is also possible to take credit bearing classes at CU as a non-degree student. These classes are offered through the Division of Continuing Education, either through the Boulder Evening Credit Classes program, or through the Access program (formerly SAVE). Foreign nationals should contact the International English Center for more information about how to enroll. You can also call them at (303)-492-5547 for more information.

Housing Information

Financial Aid

Financial aid for international students is generally very hard to find. The cost of an education in the US is very high, and if you are admitted you will first need to show proof of sufficient funds before you will be sent the appropriate immigration document by CU.

In general, there is very little financial support available for undergraduate international students. However, if you are a graduate student, and you are interested in financial aid, you should talk to your department about either a teaching or research assistantship. The Graduate School at the University of Colorado at Boulder also offers various awards, fellowships and grants.

Other resources:

The following websites provide general information about the types of financial aid available and a list of resouces: Financial Aid for International Students , Financing Your Education in the United States , and Funding for Undergraduate International Students.

We also have a useful book in our office is entitled "Funding for U.S. Study", published by the Institute of International Education . You are welcome to stop by and look through this book.

Information for Recently Admitted International Students

You will receive a lot of information from various departments on campus, including the Registrar's Office (for class registration information), the Housing Office, and your major department. Please be sure to review our ISSS welcome letter  for more information about how to prepare for your arrival at CU-Boulder. The welcome letter includes information about:

• checking in at ISSS
• orientation
• registration
• finances
• housing
• getting to Boulder and hotel information
• immunization records
• English Placement Exam

Exchange Students

If you are an exchange student coming to the University through a cooperative agreement with the University of Colorado, you should register through PLUS before arriving. Try to get at least one class before you arrive.

Because you will not attend an academic orientation, you absolutely must attend the special meeting for exchange students on Thursday, January 7, 2010, 11:00 a.m. to12:30 p.m., in room 120 of the Environmental Design Building.

The SEVIS Fee

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has a database to keep track of all F and J visa holders, called the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). All schools that admit F1 students and J1 exchange visitors are required to use this database to issue forms and report certain events to DHS. DHS began collecting a SEVIS fee on September 1, 2004, to cover the costs of running the SEVIS program.  This fee is $200 for F1 students and $180 for J1 students.

As an F1 student or J1 Exchange Visitor coming to begin a new program at the University of Colorado at Boulder, you will have to pay this fee prior to obtaining your F1 or J1 visa (or for citizens of Canada, Bermuda or the Bahamas , prior to entering the U.S. as an F1 student or J1 Exchange Visitor).

This fee is charged to all F1 students or J1 Exchange Visitors whose form I-20 (for F students) or form DS2019 (for J exchange visitors) was issued on or after September 1, 2004 to begin a new program. The fee is generally not charged to those transferring from one program to another. Family members accompanying the principal F1 students as an F2 spouse, or accompanying the Exchange Visitor and entering as J2 dependents are not required to pay this fee. For more information, please go to our SEVIS Fee page http://www.colorado.edu/oie/isss/sevisfee.html.

If you find that you have more questions, please feel free to contact us by email, phone (303)-492-8057, or fax (303) 492-5185.