Nonimmigrant International Students
NLU is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant students. If you are a resident of a foreign country who wants to study at NLU, please note that you must satisfy the following requirements before your I-20 can be issued. NLU faculty and staff will be there to help you on your way to getting an NLU education.
- Complete and submit your NLU Application.
- Be certain that you meet the admission requirements for your program of study.
- You must have all of your secondary, college and university foreign transcripts evaluated by one of NLU's approved foreign credential evaluation agencies. The course-by-course evaluation must verify degree equivalency of a level of education equivalent of a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in the U.S.
- Proof of English language proficiency is required if English is not the applicant's native language and /or high school degree was earned outside the United States. Applicants must have official results of a TOEFL or other University-approved examination sent to the Office of Admissions.
- Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Scores: Undergraduate applicants: A minimum score of 72 for the Internet-based test (iBT) or a minimum of 533 total for the TOEFL paper test (PBT). Graduate applicants: A minimum score of 80 for the Internet-based test (iBT) or a minimum of 550 total for the TOEFL paper test (PBT). TOEFL scores are only valid for two years.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Scores: Undergraduate applicants: 6.0, with no individual band below a 5.5. Graduate applicants: 6.5, with no individual band below a 6.0. IELTS scores are only valid for two years.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE). Scores: Undergraduate applicants: A minimum score of 50. Graduate Applicants: A minimum score of 54. PTE scores are valid for two years.
Please click here for more details concerning NLU-approved examinations.
The English Proficiency requirement may also be considered as met for students who satisfy any of the following criteria:
- Completed an accredited ESL program within the last 3 years
- Are a citizen of a country where English is an official language and have competed at least three years of high school or secondary education where English is the primary language of instruction
- Completed at least two years (48 semester hours) of education at a college or university where English is the primary language of instruction
- The person(s) paying your tuition and living expenses while you attend NLU must complete and sign an affidavit of support, or a letter of support, in the presence of a Notary Public or First Class Magistrate. You or your sponsor(s) must also provide a financial statement, on business stationery, indicating the amount of funds available in U.S. currency. If the sponsor(s) are U.S. citizens, or self-employed resident(s), they will need to send NLU a copy of the latest income tax return they filed.
- You or your sponsors(s) must submit documented proof of sufficient funds to defray all living and school expenses during the first year that you anticipate studying in the U.S.
- You must submit a copy of your passport and, if you are currently residing in the U.S., a copy of your U.S. visa stamp and I-94 card as well, if you were issued one.
- For F-1 visa related questions, please contact Brisbane Rouzan, Principal Designated School Official, PDSO, at BRouzan@nl.edu or 312-261-3461.