Thank you for your interest in Stephen F. Austin State University. We are happy to have students from over 30 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
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 . The Application includes a Certification of Finances statement, which is required for a visa. 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 nonrefundable application fee (US check, international bank draft, or money order made payable to "English Language Institute").
- A diploma or certificate from high school or highest level of education.
- Original bank statement from you or your sponsor verifying funds of at least $16,000 USD.
- Proof that you have received the bacterial meningitis vaccination. Information may be found here.
Students are encouraged to complete the application form as soon as possible since the number of places is limited. 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.
Successful applicants will be required to confirm their acceptance of admission and to send a $100 deposit (for housing). The deposit is not refundable. We will not be able to reserve places for students who do not submit the required deposit.
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.
- 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 Iniative (TSI).
- Proof that you have received the bacterial meningitis vaccination. Information may be found here.
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 verifying funds of at least $23,000 USD.
- Original Certification of Finances form completed by you and your sponsor.
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.
- 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. Information may be found here.
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 verifying funds of at least $23,000 USD.
- Original Certification of Finances form completed by you and your sponsor.
- 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.
- 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. Information may be found here.
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 verifying funds of at least $20,000 USD.
- Original Certification of Finances form completed by you and your sponsor.
- School Transfer Eligibility form completed by you and your current International Student Advisor (only if transferring from another institution in the U.S.).