Who needs to process their admission through the Office of International Student Services (OISS)?
What is the checklist of items needed for international applications?
What is the estimate of fees?
Will I pay resident or non-resident fees?
Are there any scholarships available for international students?
Can international students apply for financial aid?
Are there any loans available for international students?
How can I get a Social Security number?
How can I get an Indiana driver’s license?
Are there any on-campus jobs available?
If I change my major, what do I need to do?
What do I need to do if I move?
How do I contact your office?

Who needs to process their admission through the Office of International Student Services (OISS)?
Any person educated outside the U.S. must be admitted through the OISS. Even individuals that are U.S. citizens and permanent residents, but were educated outside the U.S., must be admitted by the OISS.

What is the checklist of items needed for international applications?

1. International Application for Admission – Graduate and undergraduate applicants complete the same application. If a student submits a domestic application form, they must also complete an international application form because it asks for more detailed information regarding educational background and visa information.
2. Application Fee – U.S. $55 check made payable to IU South Bend
3. Academic Records
   • UNDERGRADUATE APPLICANTS – The official high school transcript is required. If the transcript is not in English, then we must have an official translation. If the student is currently studying at another university or college and is applying as a transfer student, then we must have an official transcript from that college, along with their high school transcript; if they have only been attending that college for less than 2 years.
   • GRADUATE APPLICANTS – We must have an official transcript and official translation (if necessary) from their bachelor’s degree program and a certified true copy of their diploma. We do not need their high school records. If the student has attended more than one post-secondary institution, then we must have official transcripts from those institutions as well.
4. English Proficiency – Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Report – A TOEFL report is required for applicants who are overseas and who will not be attending the South Bend English Institute (SBEI). If a student is transferring from a U.S. institution of higher education and has English Composition on their transcript (with a grade of C or better), then we do not need a TOEFL score. If a student has taken the GCE O Level Examination in English or is from a country that uses English as the medium of instruction, students can be waived of the TOEFL requirement if they have a grade of A or B on their English Paper on the secondary or higher secondary certificate of education. If graduate students want to be waived of the TOEFL requirement, then they must submit their O-Level certification as verification of their English skills. We only waive the TOEFL requirement in cases where the student has received a grade of A or B.
   
   Minimum TOEFL scores required for admission:
   Undergraduate – 71 on the Internet-based exam, 197 computer-based, or 530 paper-based
   Graduate – 79 on the Internet-based exam, 213 computer-based, or 550 paper-based
   
   Immigrants to our community, i.e., a permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or U.S. citizen whose native language is not English can take the Interim English Entrance exam in lieu of submitting a TOEFL score. These students must submit their application materials first, and then the OISS director will make arrangements for them to take the Interim English Entrance exam.
   
   Students who have received a U.S. post-secondary degree do not need to submit a TOEFL score. Students who are transferring from another U.S. university or college and have English Composition on their transcript (with a grade of C or better) are waived of the TOEFL requirement.
5. Special Tests
   Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) – A GMAT score is required for students applying to the MBA, MSA, or MS-MIT programs. Graduate business programs is willing to review applications from students seeking conditional admission (without GMAT scores), however, the students must have at least a B average.
   
   Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) – The GRE score may be required for applicants for applied math/CSCI, education, MLS, MPA graduate programs. MPA applicants only need to submit a GRE score if their cumulative grade point average is below 2.5.
   
   Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) – The SAT is required if the student graduated from high school less than a year ago. We will process applications without a SAT score, but students must take the exam during their first semester if they have not taken it before they start at IU South Bend. If we have applicants that graduate from U.S. high schools, then we must receive their SAT score to process their application for admission.
6. Statement of Purpose – A statement of purpose is required for both undergraduate and graduate international applicants. Applicants can write about their career plans, their life, etc. Statements should be 300 – 500 words long.
7. Letters of Recommendation (Graduate students only) – Three letters of recommendation are required for graduate applicants. The letters must be on letterhead stationery. We do not accept recommendation letters on plain paper.
8. Financial Documents – Any student who is overseas or is on a J-1 or F-1 visa must submit evidence of financial support. They must submit a sponsor letter (if applicable) and an original or certified true copy of a bank statement that verifies a minimum amount of funding for their first year of study. If the student is sponsored by their parents, then they can just have the parents fax us the sponsor letter—the bank statement must be an original or a certified true copy. The cost breakdown is listed on the front page of the application form.

What is the estimate of fees?
Please refer to the international application cover sheet. The breakdown of expenses for undergraduate and graduate students is listed there.

Will I pay resident or non-resident fees?
Most students on non-immigrant visas pay non-resident fees. This includes individuals on F, J, H, and R visas. Students who are under 21 years of age and living in Indiana with their parent or legal guardian are considered residents for tuition fee purposes.

Are there any scholarships available for international students?
Yes, we have a limited number of international student scholarships. Awards are based upon academic performance and demonstrated economic need. Application forms are available in the OISS. Deadline for fall semester is July 1 and the deadline for spring semester is November 1.

Can international students apply for financial aid?
Only U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, asylees, and refugees can apply for financial aid.

Are there any loans available for international students?
Yes, the Opportunity Loan is available for international students who have a Social Security number. Students must apply through the Office of Financial Aid.

How can I get a Social Security number?
Students on F-1 and J-1 visas must have an on-campus job offer before they can apply for a Social Security number (SSN). Once they have a job offer, the student must get letters from the hiring department and the OISS to take with them when they submit their SSN application.

How can I get an Indiana driver’s license?
Information is provided in their orientation handbook and can also be accessed online at http://www.in.gov/bmv/driverlicense/drlicensefaq.htm#1.

Are there any on-campus jobs available?
Many students work on campus in the library, bookstore, Student Activities Center, cafeterias, and many other offices on campus. You must go to each department in which you are interested and complete an application.

If I change my major, what do I need to do?
If you are on an F-1 or J-1 visa, you must talk to your academic advisor first, and make sure that you can switch to the new major. Once you have confirmed that you can academically change your major, then make an appointment with the OISS director to update your visa document.

What do I need to do if I move?
Go to OneStart and update your address and also notify the OISS that your address has changed.

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You may contact the Office of International Student Services by phone at (574) 520-4419 or by e-mail at oiss@iusb.edu.

Contact the information center.