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INTERNATIONAL ADMISSION

Lourdes provides the following information to guide international students through the admissions process.

Speak with an admissions counselor.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Henrique Gehrke, International Admissions Coordinator.

Forms and Documents for International Students

Lourdes University provides the following documents for prospective and current international students.

If you have any questions, please email luadmits@lourdes.edu or call 419-885-5291 and ask to speak with the International Admissions Coordinator.

FORMS

HELPFUL INFORMATION

Frequently Asked Questions

IS THERE AN APPLICATION FEE?

There is no fee for applying.

WHAT SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE?

International students are automatically considered for character awards and merit (academic) scholarships. Students who are officially recruited by athletic coaches for Lourdes are also eligible for athletic awards. Please refer to the financial aid page for more information.

WHAT ARE THE UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS?

  • Completed application
  • Official transcripts from high school and any colleges attended.
    Unofficial transcripts can be used for admission decisions, but scholarship funds and travel documents will not be issued until all official copies have been received
  • Official transcript evaluation from WES (World Evaluation Services), ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators), InCred, Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS), or National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member agencies for all international colleges/universities attended.
    Student athletes should acquire their transcript evaluations through InCred.
    Nursing and transfer students need the course-by-course evaluation. New first-time students in all majors except nursing should purchase the basic evaluation.
  • Copy of passport
  • Transfer students must complete the SEVIS Transfer Release form
  • English language test scores from TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, or  Duolingo English Test.
    Unofficial copies may be submitted for admission purposes, but scholarship funds and travel documents will not be issued until official copies have been received.
    Minimum Scores:
    TOEFL: 500 for the paper-based exam; 61 for the internet-based exam; or 165 for the computer-based exam
    IELTS: minimum of 4.5
    PTE Academic: minimum of 44
    Duolingo English Test
  • Evidence of adequate financial resources.
    All international applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support one full academic year of studies at Lourdes University. One full academic year includes the cost of tuition, fees, books, food, housing, and transportation.
    Applicants must submit evidence of funding in the form of savings or other liquid assets (bank statements, et cetera).
    Statements must be dated no older than six months, and the account-holder’s name must be present on the Financial Certification Document (found HERE) as either the student or their sponsor.
    Applicants must complete and return the Financial Certification Document and all financial statements to their admissions counselor.Please note that no visa eligibility documents (I-20 or DS-2019) will be issued without evidence of sufficient financial support.

WHAT ARE THE EXEMPTIONS FROM THE TOEFL, IELTS, OR PTE ACADEMIC REQUIREMENT?

  • Graduated from a high school in the United States
  • Completed 24 semester hours of college-level coursework from a regionally accredited college/university in the United States with a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.75 (a 3.0 G.P.A. is required for Nurse Anesthesia Program). Official transcripts must be provided.
  • Education is from an English secondary or postsecondary institution in the following countries: Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, the British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (not Quebec), Cook Islands, Dominica, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Granada, Guyana, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Liberia, Mauritius, Micronesia, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, Niue, Northern Marianas Islands, Papua-New Guinea, St. Christopher Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Swaziland, Trinidad & Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom and the United States, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
  • Achieved English as a Second Language (ESL) certification at or above the advanced level from a regionally accredited university/college in the United States. Student must provide a copy of the ESL certification.
  • Demonstrated English proficiency through a structured and documented interview protocol approved by the Director of Graduate Admissions. (Graduate students only)

WHAT IS THE TRANSCRIPT/CREDIT EVALUATION, AND DO I NEED TO SUBMIT IT?

  • Students should obtain their credit evaluation by going online to each company’s website. This is a responsibility of the student to purchase and have sent to the admissions office. The credit evaluation converts foreign grades into their US equivalents, and these evaluations are used in admission and scholarship decisions.
  • Lourdes accepts transcript evaluations by World Educational Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), Credential Evaluation Service (InCred), Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS), or National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member agencies for all international colleges/universities attended
  • All students are required to submit a credit evaluation of their high school (or equivalent level) transcripts unless they meet one of the following exceptions:The student will graduate/has graduated from a US high school or eligible US-style foreign institution. If you are uncertain if your school is US-style, please contact your admissions counselor.
    The student is transferring to Lourdes from a regionally accredited US institution and has successfully completed 24 credit hours at that institution.
  • For new first-time students in any major except Nursing the Basic Level evaluation is required. For new first-time students applying for Nursing the Course-by-Course evaluation is required to determine program eligibility.
  • For transfer students transferring from a non-US school, the Course-by-Course evaluation is required to determine transfer credits.

DO I NEED TO SUBMIT ACT/SAT RESULTS?

No, Lourdes University is a test-optional for admission school. Scores that are submitted will be taken into consideration but are not a requirement for admission.

HOW DO I SUBMIT DOCUMENTS?

  • Unofficial copies can be submitted through LiquidFiles, email or fax to the admissions office.
  • Official copies must come from the issuing source, such as the high school or university the student attended.

WHAT IS THE COST OF ATTENDANCE?

  • Cost of attendance is determined by each applicant’s unique situation. Awards and scholarships have an impact on cost of attendance.
  • Please refer to the financial aid page for more information.

I-20 AND STUDENT VISA PROCESS

First, students must complete the financial certification form and return it to the admissions office with supporting evidence of funding.

  • All international applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support one full academic year of studies at Lourdes University. One full academic year includes the cost of tuition, fees, books, food, housing, and transportation.
  • Applicants must submit evidence of funding in the form of savings or other liquid assets (bank statements, et cetera). Statements must be dated no older than six months, and the account-holder’s name must be present on the Financial Certification Document (found HERE) as either the student or their sponsor. Applicants must complete and return the Financial Certification Document and all financial statements to their admissions counselor.
  • Please note that no visa eligibility documents (I-20 or DS-2019) will be issued without evidence of sufficient financial support.

Second, students must provide proof of health insurance valid in the US. Lourdes does not provide a health insurance plan for international students.

  • Once the Designated School Official has issued the I-20, students must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee online to the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Regulation requires payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee before the Department of State issues a student visa. The student will need to go to a designated U.S. Embassy or Consulate with the completed I-20 form issued by Lourdes University to apply for an F-1 Student Visa. The student must be prepared for a Visa interview. During the Visa interview, the student must explain why he/she wishes to study in the U.S.; indicate how he/she plans to support self in school and provide post-graduation plans.
  • Upon arrival at Lourdes University the student must check in with their Designated School Official and provide a copy of their Student Visa and subsequent I-94 (arrival/departure document). The student must enroll in a full course of study within 30 days of arriving in the United States.
  • International students must visit their Designated School Official whenever travel is planned or if the student is planning on making any changes to the existing plan of study. International students must maintain a “full course of study” and not drop below full-time status. They must also remain in good academic standing. If any issue(s) arise, it is imperative that the Designated School Official is notified.

HOW DO I GET RECRUITED FOR A SPORT?

All interested athletes need to complete the prospective athlete request for information form HERE. This will give your information to the coach of your requested sport. Filling out the form does not guarantee a spot on the team, roster decisions are entirely made by each coach.

International Admission Requirements

UNDERGRADUATE FRESHMAN

  • Complete online application
  • Submit course by course transcript evaluation by World Educational Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), Credential Evaluation Service (InCRED), Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS), or National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member agencies for all international colleges/universities attended
  • Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for high school credits
  • Provide a copy of high school transcript(s)
  • Provide proof of English proficiency
    • Official TOEFL score: 70 for the internet-based exam
    • Official PTE Academic score: minimum of 44
    • Provide ACT or SAT scores (optional)
  • The institution code for Lourdes University is 1427

UNDERGRADUATE TRANSFER

  • Complete online application
  • Submit official U.S. college transcript(s)
  • An official high school transcript is needed if the student is enrolled in the first semester of a college/university or has less than 12 semester hours at a college/university
  • Complete SEVIS form
  • Submit course by course transcript evaluation by World Educational Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), Credential Evaluation Service (InCRED), Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS), or National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member agencies for all international colleges/universities attended
  • Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.3 on a 4.0 scale for college credits
  • Provide proof of English proficiency
    • Official TOEFL score: 70 for the internet-based exam
    • Official PTE Academic score: minimum of 44
    • Provide ACT or SAT scores (optional)
  • The institution code for Lourdes University is 1427

GRADUATE

  • Complete online application
  • Submit official U.S. and non-U.S. college transcript(s)
  • Submit course by course transcript evaluation by World Educational Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), Credential Evaluation Service (InCRED), Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS), or National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member agencies for all international colleges/universities attended
  • Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.75
  • Provide proof of English proficiency
    • Official TOEFL score: 79-80 for the internet-based exam
  • Must meet individual program admission requirements
  • The institution code for Lourdes University is 1427

EXEMPTIONS FROM TOEFL OR IELTS REQUIREMENT FOR UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE

  • Graduated from a high school in the United States
  • Completed 24 semester hours of college-level coursework from a regionally accredited college/university in the United States with a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.75 (a 3.0 G.P.A. is required for Nurse Anesthesia Program). Official transcripts must be provided
  • Education is from an English secondary or postsecondary institution in the following countries: Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, the British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (not Quebec), Cook Islands, Dominica, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Granada, Guyana, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Liberia, Mauritius, Micronesia, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, Niue, Northern Mariannas, Papua-New Guinea, St. Christopher Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Swaziland, Trinidad & Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom and the United States, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
  • Achieved English as a Second Language (ESL) certification at or above the advanced level at a regionally accredited university/college in the United States; student must provide a copy of the ESL certification
  • Demonstrated English proficiency through a structured and documented interview protocol approved by the director of graduate admissions (Graduate students only)

International Admissions Checklist

Lourdes University Policy is that an I-20 will not be started until all application materials are submitted and $500 enrollment deposit has been paid.

General application and supporting documentation should be submitted on the following schedule to ensure timely processing: Fall semester – no later than June 1; Spring semester – no later than November 1.

Please complete the following checklist to ensure you have all the materials you need for admission to Lourdes University.

APPLY ONLINE

EVIDENCE OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT

  • Evidence of sufficient financial resources for a full year of academic study, including tuition, housing, meals, fees, and expenses. Scholarships from Lourdes will count toward the academic year cost, meaning students will need to show funding only for the difference.
  • Completed Financial Certification Form
  • Bank statements or other acceptable financial statements

PROOF OF ENGLISH PROFICIENCY

  • TOEFL: 70 for the internet-based exam
  • PTE Academic: minimum of 44
  • See exemptions in International Admissions Requirements above

TRANSCRIPTS

  • High school transcripts
  • If applicable, transcripts from previous colleges/universities attended
  • Official Credit Evaluation of transcripts (course-by-course for transfer and nursing, basic for all else)

IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS

  • Copy of passport
  • If applicable: copies of Visa, I-94, and previous I-20s

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact a Lourdes University Admissions Counselor luadmits@lourdes.edu or 800-878-3210, ext. 5291.

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