Thank you for your interest in Stephen F. Austin State University. We are happy to have students from over 40 countries attending SFA.
SFA offers over 80 undergraduate programs and 40 graduate programs including 3 doctoral programs. We also offer our English Language Institute (ELI) to assist those students needing additional English instruction.
Please do not hesitate to contact our office if we can assist you in any manner.
Telephone - (936) 468-3927
Fax - (936) 468-7215
Email - FeltsKR1@sfasu.edu
ALL documents should be mailed to the following address:
International Admissions
Stephen F. Austin State University
P.O. Box 6152, SFA Station
Nacogdoches, TX 75962
Find an Education Advising Center in your Home Country
EducationUSA centers are the U.S. State Department's network of over 400 advising centers in 170 countries designed to assist local students find the appropriate college or university in the United States. We encourage you to visit your local center for information on selecting the U.S. college or university that meets your needs, understanding and preparing for the required admissions tests, assistance in the admission process, advice on finding financial aid for your studies, preparation for the student visa process, and pre-departure orientations.
Click here to find your center!
Admission to the English Language Institute
All students who wish to be admitted to the English Language Institute must have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Please note that a basic understanding of English as well as the English alphabet is required. A completed application for admission to the ELI must include:
- Application for ELI . This application should only be completed by those students applying for ELI only. If you are applying as an academic student seeking conditional admission pending English proficiency, please submit the appropriate academic application.
- $50 application fee paid via check or money order made payable to "SFA".
- A diploma or certificate from high school or highest level of education.
- Original bank statement from you or your sponsor(s) verifying funds of at least $16,100 USD.
- Original Certification of Finances completed by you and your sponsor(s).
- Proof that you have received the bacterial meningitis vaccination.
Students are encouraged to complete the application form as soon as possible to allow time to secure your visa and arrange travel to the U.S. Successful applicants will be sent a letter of acceptance and a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 form) by regular air mail. The I-20 form is required in order to apply for a visa at the nearest US consulate.
Admission as an International Freshman Student
International freshman applicants must have at least a 2.500 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) on all secondary coursework.
To apply as an international freshman applicant, you must submit the following documents:
- International Application for Admission. You must apply using the Texas Common Application website.
- $50 application fee. This fee may be paid on the Texas Common Application website or via a check or money order payable to "SFA".
- Official TOEFL score report (if taken) issued directly by ETS. Our school code is 6682. Alternatively, you may submit an IELTS score report to demonstrate English proficiency. You may still be considered for conditional admission without English proficiency, but would be required to submit a passing TOEFL or IELTS score report or enroll in our English Language Institute (ELI) prior to beginning academic courses. * Beginning with Spring 2013 Admissions, students who have not demonstrated English Proficiency and opt to take the English proficiency exam at SFA will be required to pay $40 upon arrival.
- Official transcripts from all secondary schools attended showing all courses taken and all grades received.
- Official transcript evaluations for all non-U.S. secondary schools attended. Please visit our Transcript Evaluation Agencies page for a list of approved agencies. We are willing to consider other agencies not found on this list as long as they are reputable companies.
- Official ACT or SAT (if taken). The ACT or SAT are not required for international students, but may be used to satisfy requirements for the Texas Success Initiative (TSI).
- Proof that you have received the bacterial meningitis vaccination.
If accepted, you would be required to submit the following documents prior to any acceptance letter and I-20 being issued:
- Original bank statement from you or your sponsor(s) verifying funds of at least $24,500 USD.
- Original Certification of Finances form completed by you and your sponsor(s).
Admission as an International Transfer Student
International transfer applicants must have at least a 2.000 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) on all post-secondary coursework.
To apply as an international transfer applicant, you must submit the following documents:
- International Application for Admission. You must apply using the Texas Common Application website.
- $50 application fee. This fee may be paid on the Texas Common Application website or via a check or money order payable to "SFA".
- Official TOEFL score report (if taken) issued directly by ETS. Our school code is 6682. Alternatively, you may submit an IELTS score report to demonstrate English proficiency. You may still be considered for conditional admission without English proficiency, but would be required to submit a passing TOEFL or IELTS score report or enroll in our English Language Institute (ELI) prior to beginning academic courses. * Beginning with Spring 2013 Admissions, students who have not demonstrated English Proficiency and opt to take the English proficiency exam at SFA will be required to pay $40 upon arrival.
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended showing all courses taken and all grades received.
- Official transcript evaluations for all non-U.S. post-secondary schools attended. Please visit our Transcript Evaluation Agencies page for a list of approved agencies. We are willing to consider other agencies not found on this list as long as they are reputable companies.
- Proof that you have received the bacterial meningitis vaccination.
If accepted, you would be required to submit the following documents prior to any acceptance letter and I-20 being issued:
- Original bank statement from you or your sponsor(s) verifying funds of at least $24,500 USD.
- Original Certification of Finances form completed by you and your sponsor(s).
- School Transfer Eligibility form completed by you and your current International Student Advisor.
Admission as an International Graduate Student
All admission decisions regarding international graduate applicants are made by their respective academic departments. Once all documents are received by International Admissions, your file will be sent to the appropriate academic department for their consideration. Most departments return an admission decision within 2-4 weeks, however, some departments may take longer.
International graduate applicants should consult the website of the academic department you are seeking admission into for any department specific requirements.
To apply as an international graduate applicant, you must submit the following documents:
- International Application for Admission. You must apply using the Texas Common Application website.
- $50 application fee. This fee may be paid on the Texas Common Application website or via a check or money order payable to SFA.
- Official TOEFL score report (if taken) issued directly by ETS. Our school code is 6682. Alternatively, you may submit an IELTS score report to demonstrate English proficiency. You may still be considered for conditional admission without English proficiency, but would be required to submit a passing TOEFL or IELTS score report or enroll in our English Language Institute (ELI) prior to beginning academic courses. * Beginning with Spring 2013 Admissions, students who have not demonstrated English Proficiency and opt to take the English proficiency exam at SFA will be required to pay $40 upon arrival.
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended showing all courses taken and all grades received.
- Official transcript evaluations for all non-U.S. post-secondary schools attended. Please visit our Transcript Evaluation Agencies page for a list of approved agencies. We are willing to consider other agencies not found on this list as long as they are reputable companies.
- 3 letters or recommendation.
- A personal goal statement.
- Official GRE (if required) issued directly by ETS. Our school code is 6682.
- Official GMAT (if required).
- Proof that you have received the bacterial meningitis vaccination.
If accepted, you would be required to submit the following documents prior to any acceptance letter and I-20 being issued:
- Original bank statement from you or your sponsor(s) verifying funds of at least $21,200 USD.
- Original Certification of Finances form completed by you and your sponsor(s).
- School Transfer Eligibility form completed by you and your current International Student Advisor (only if transferring from another institution in the U.S.).
