Applicants to the University are considered international if they are not U.S. Citizens, dual citizens, or permanent residents. In addition to the policies and procedures stated for the different categories of admission, the following information pertains to international applicants.
ACADEMIC RECORDS
International applicants must submit original documents or signed, officially certified photocopies of original documents, as well as certified translations of all documents that are not in English.
International applicants must also have their foreign credentials evaluated by one of the four evaluation services listed below. The evaluation should contain a course-by-course description and a grade point average from each institution attended. Applicants have the responsibility to contact the evaluation agency directly and have the evaluation agency send the official evaluation report to UWF. The official evaluation report must be received by the application deadline for the semester the applicant plans to attend. The acceptable evaluation services are:
Educational Credential Evaluators (EEE)
P.O. Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
Ph: (414) 289-3400
Fax: (414) 289-3411
www.ece.org
eval@ece.org
International Education Evaluators (IEE)
P.O. Box 545863
Surfside FL 33154
Ph: (305) 503-9063
Fax: (305) 993-5550
info@iee-usa.com
www.iee-usa.com
Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
International Education Consultants
7101 SW 102 Avenue
Miami, FL 33173
Ph: (305) 273-1616
Fax: (305) 273-1338
Translation Fax: (305) 273-1984
info@jsilny.com
www.jsilny.com
World Education Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 5087
Bowling Green Station
New York, NY 110274-5087
Ph: (212) 966-6311
Fax:(212) 739-6120
www.wes.org
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY TEST
If the international applicant?s native language is not English, or the
applicant is from a country in which the primary language is not
English, they must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
before applying for admission. For undergraduate applicants, a minimum
composite score of 525 and a listening comprehension score of 52 are
required by the University. Those scores are equivalent to 193 composite
and 18 listening scores on the computer-based TOEFL, and a 69 composite
and 17 listening scores on the internet based TOEFL. For graduate
applicants, a minimum composite score of 550 and a listening
comprehension score of 52 are required by the University. Those scores
are equivalent to 213 composite and 18 listening scores on the
computer-based TOEFL, and a 79 composite and 17 listening scores on the
internet based TOEFL. TOEFL scores are considered official only when
they are sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the Educational
Testing Service, Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey, 08541-6151, USA.
TOEFL information and registration forms are available in many locations
outside the U.S., usually at U.S. embassies and consulates, at offices
of the U.S. Information Agency (U.S.I.A.), from U.S. educational
commissions and foundations, at Binational Centers, and from many
private organizations such as the Institute of International Education (IIE),
American-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc. (AMIDEAST), and
the African-American Institute (AAI).
All international students who must take the TOEFL for admission are
also required to demonstrate proficiency in English by either passing
the English Entry Exam or completing a course in English for Non-Native
Speakers. The English entrance exam is required in addition to the TOEFL
for admission. Students will be required to take the English Entry Exam
at the University prior to initial registration. Students failing to
pass the exam must take the required English for Non-Native Speakers
course. Students who fail this course must retake the course the next
semester.
International students expecting to receive appointments as teaching
assistants also are required to pass a test of spoken English.
CERTIFICATION OF FINANCES
Certification of finances must be completed before the student visa,
?Certificate of Eligibility? (Form I-20 or DS 2019), is issued. The
University is required by U.S. Immigration authorities to check the
financial resources of each student prior to issuing Form I-20 or DS
2019. Therefore, it is important for the applicant know the costs of
attending the University and have the necessary funds for the entire
period of enrollment. Funds for one year of study and living expenses
must be documented and approved by the University before an I-20 or DS
2019 is issued.
The ?Confidential Financial Statement? form must be completed, signed by
the student, and verified by the student?s or sponsor?s bank or
financial institution with a statement of deposit. Before completing the
?Confidential Financial Statement,? the applicant should review the
estimate of institutional costs and living expenses. The total amount of
funds available to the student must be listed for each year of planned
attendance and must equal or exceed the total estimate of institutional
costs and living expenses. The ?Confidential Financial Statement? must
be accurate and documented to avoid unnecessary delay in processing.
HEALTH FORM/HEALTH INSURANCE
Applicants must submit a ?Student Health Form? completed in its entirety
by a physician. Documentation of measles (rubella and rubeola)
immunization must be submitted. Any document submitted in a language
other than English must be accompanied by a translation. Florida law
also requires that students residing on campus must provide proof of
immunization for meningitis and hepatitis B, or sign a waiver indicating
their informed decision not to be vaccinated.
International students are required to show proof of adequate medical
insurance coverage for illness or accidental injury before they will be
permitted to register or to continue enrollment. An adequate medical
insurance policy must meet a number of requirements, including that the
insurance proceeds are payable in U.S. currency. Insurance may be
obtained at the University before registration.
DEADLINES FOR APPLICATIONS AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
| Fall Semester |
June 1 |
| Spring Semester |
October 1 |
| Summer Semester |
March 1 |
NOTICE OF ADMISSION
If a student?s application for admission to UWF is approved, an official
notice of admission will be sent by the Office of Admissions. Admission
is for a specific semester only. If the student is unable to enroll for
the semester indicated on the notice of admission, the Office of
Admissions should be informed immediately. If the student wishes to
enter a different semester, the Office of Admissions must be notified in
writing. Under no circumstances should an applicant make departure plans
for Pensacola until official approval has been given by the Office of
Admissions and the student has received the Form I-20 from the
International Student Advisor (see section on passports and visas).
Students who come to the campus without first receiving an official
notice of acceptance do so at their own risk. The student?s presence on
the campus will not influence the decision on an application for
admission.
PASSPORTS AND VISAS
Students meeting all admission requirements of the University will be
mailed a ?Certificate of Eligibility? by the International Student
Advisor. Students possessing a valid Form I-20 or DS 2019 will be
considered for a student visa (F-1 or J-1) by presenting it and the
following documents to the nearest U.S. Embassy, or Consulate:
- A valid passport,
- Evidence of adequate financial support,
- Evidence of proficiency in the English language, and
- The type of health certificate required by the U.S.
Consulate.
The student visa is stamped on a page in the passport.
TRANSFER OF FUNDS
Prospective students should familiarize themselves with the current
regulations of their own governments, as many restrict the purchase
of U.S. dollars. Students should arrive with ample funds in U.S.
dollars or traveler?s checks. Local banks provide exchange services,
but this procedure can be lengthy and expensive.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADVISOR
The International Student Advisor is available to assist students
with problems ranging from immigration to cultural and personal
matters. Students should feel free to ask questions and seek
assistance from this office at any time. The International Student
Advisor may be reached at 850-474-2384.
EMPLOYMENT
The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service specifically
restricts permission for international students to accept employment
off campus. Permission is not granted during the first year of
study. Permission, if granted, is restricted to 20 working hours per
week. Permission to accept employment after completion of a degree
for the purpose of practical training is not a right associated with
a student visa, but a privilege. Any application for practical
training must be approved by the Immigration and Naturalization
Service. This employment is for training purposes only, for a
temporary period not to exceed one year, and provides training in
the student?s field of study which is not available in the home
country.