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 on paper rather than online. You can download an application from the forms and documents page of the Graduate Admissions Web site.
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 the items listed under the general graduate admission criteria you’ll need to provide the following:
- Transcripts. If your previous college academic work was undertaken in other than the US 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 organization providing this service (for a fee) is World Education Services, Inc (www.wes.org). 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 or TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam and have score reports sent to SBU. Successful applicants typically show TOEFL scores of at least 213 on the computer-based test or 550 on the paper edition; SBU will look for IELTS band scores of at least a 6.0 with no band lower than a 5.0.
SBU does not offer an English language training program.
Application for admission should be completed on paper.
Send application documents to:
St. Bonaventure University
Office of Graduate Admissions
P.O. Box 2520
St. Bonaventure, NY 14778
You'll need Adobe Reader to view the International Application PDF link. If you do not have this installed on your computer, please use the following link to download a free version: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. To request a paper copy of the application, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at 716-375-2021 or at gradsch@sbu.edu.
International Student Enrollment
Once admitted, you must demonstrate sufficient resources to cover one full year of study ($25000 USD) before the University will issue an I-20. The necessary documents and instructions are provided with the admission application and available here. Many applicants provide this information at the time of application.
Once in receipt of an I-20, you may visit the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to apply for an F-1 visa. Be advised that consular officials may require their own proof of financial support and English proficiency.
Enrollment Status & Health Insurance
St. Bonaventure University requires that international students be enrolled full time except for the last semester in attendance. You'll also be required to purchase the University's student health insurance coverage.Click here for more information
Support Services
The Office of International Studies issues the I-20 and provides a range of advisement and services to international students, both before arrival and during attendance. This office also ensures adherence to U.S. immigration regulations and works with internationals to help them maintain the F-1 visa status. All immigration-related petitions, including employment requests, are filed through this office. Alice Sayegh is director of the Office of International Studies. She may be reached via asayegh@sbu.edu.
Housing
St. Bonaventure does offer 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 or via the University Web site www.sbu.edu 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 $200 (USD) 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.
The International Studies 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.