St. Bonaventure University encourages qualified international students to apply for admission.
When applying to St. Bonaventure University as an international student, there are three phases of the admissions process. Phase 1 is the review of academic credentials and Phase 2 is the Certification of Financial Responsibility. Phase 3 is the confirmation of enrollment and issuing of I-20 application for student visa. If you have questions about international admission, please contact the admissions office at
admissions@sbu.edu.
Phase 1: Review of Academic Credentials The following credentials and test scores must be submitted to the Admissions Office no later than three months prior to the anticipated date of entrance to the University (June 1 for the Fall semester and October 1 for the Spring semester):
1. If your academic records are from a U.S. or Canadian institution, you may
submit them directly to St. Bonaventure. However, if your
credentials are from any other country, you must contact a credential evaluation service and submit your credentials, college transcripts and any required fees to the agency for review and
subsequent submission to SBU. Your credentials will not be reviewed without an outside evaluation. You may use any of the following credential agencies at the following web sites:
Original of OFFICIAL credentials (transcripts, diplomas, etc.) with seals attached from all previous institutions attended must be submitted to St. Bonaventure University. Official evaluations must be submitted directly from the credential agency.
2. Applicants from countries where English is not the official language must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL.) Please indicate the St. Bonaventure code (2793) when you register for the exam.
Applicant will be notified of the admission decision in writing.
Phase 2: Certification of Financial Responsibility After an international student is admitted to the University, he or she must demonstrate the ability to pay for the costs associated with a St. Bonaventure University education. Included with this international student application is a "Certification of Financial Responsibility." You must fill out this form, and identify each source of funding for your education. If you intend to draw bank funds from any account, a bank official and the holder of the account must certify that the information on the "Certification of Financial Responsibility" is accurate. You are also required to submit a certified copy of any bank statement for funds you intend to contribute to your education, either from your own account, or from another individual's account.
Phase 3: Confirmation of Enrollment and Issuing of I-20 Application for Student Visa. Upon receipt of your letter of acceptance to St. Bonaventure University, you will be requested to confirm your place at the University by sending a $200 U.S. confirmation deposit to the Office of Admissions. When we receive this deposit, your application will be forwarded to the St. Bonaventure University Office of International Studies, where an I-20 student visa application will be initiated, signed and mailed to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. As an international student, will I qualify for any financial aid? St. Bonaventure University offers
a variety of scholarships based on academic merit.
2. What degree programs and majors does St. Bonaventure offer? St. Bonaventure University offers more than 30 different
majors at the undergraduate level. These programs are designed to be completed in four years. Students who successfully complete these courses of study are awarded a bachelor degree in arts, sciences, education or journalism and mass communication.
3. Do I have to submit a statement of financial responsibility and have it notarized? Yes. The "Certification of Financial Responsibility" is required for U.S. Immigration purposes, in order to prove that you have sufficient funds to complete your program. We will not issue an I-20 form (required to obtain a student visa) until you have completed the information on the "Certification of Financial Responsibility" to our satisfaction. Additionally, you are likely to need to have this form to prove to U.S. Consular officials that you have sufficient funds for your education. When you complete the form, you must sign it and have a bank official notarize it if you intend to use funds in a bank account to pay for any portion of your education.
4. Are there other fees that I am required to pay?
All international students must pay a SEVIS fee, mandated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, before receiving a visa to enter the U.S. This is not a visa fee; there may be visa fees associated with securing an appointment at an overseas embassy. The $200US fee, along with the I-901 form, must be paid for and completed online with a credit card at:
www.FMJfee.com
Scholarships for room and board are taxable income for non-resident alien students under federal (U.S.) tax laws. Accordingly, applicable income tax will be added to your student account and must be paid by the student each semester.
5. Do I have to take the TOEFL? Students who are not U.S. citizens and are residents of countries where English is not the official language must take the TOEFL and earn a satisfactory score. The code for St. Bonaventure University is 2793.
6. Do I have to take the SAT?
If you intend to participate in our Division I intercollegiate athletics program, you must take the SAT to be cleared by the NCAA to participate. International students who do not intend to be members of our Division I athletics teams do not have to take the SAT as long as they have earned a satisfactory score on the TOEFL exam.
7. When will I get an I-20 from St. Bonaventure? The international student application is a three-phase process. Once we have reviewed your academic credentials and certified your financial responsibility, you must confirm your enrollment by sending a $200 U.S. confirmation deposit to the Office of Admissions. When we receive this deposit, your application will be forwarded to the St. Bonaventure University Office of International Studies, where an I-20 student visa application will be initiated, signed and mailed to you. Delivery of the I-20 can take up to several weeks.
Useful Links for Prospective International Students