Axe ’Em, Jacks!
An international student is someone who is not a U.S. citizen or a permanent U.S. resident (i.e., those who are visa holders). Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals are not considered international students.
Estimated Cost of Attendance
Note: If you are applying for an F-1 student visa, view the current financial requirements to complete the I-20 form upon receiving acceptance from SFA. Submission of financial documents is not required before an admission decision is made.
The Office of Admissions Cost of Attendance page offers details on the average cost to attend SFA. You may meet the requirements to establish Texas residency; otherwise, you are considered an out-of-state resident for tuition and fees.
Applying to SFA: The requirements
All international graduate applicants must meet the same requirements as all graduate applicants.
English proficiency
You must submit an English test score or a waiver of equivalency as part of your application for admission. Testing for graduate admissions can be done through one of the following official exams:
- TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language
- IELTS: International English Language Testing System
Important notes:
- If you have attended school in the U.S., including select language schools, additional options are available to meet the English requirement.
- A waiver of equivalency may be available for students with academic credentials from certain countries.
- Applicants to any Educator Preparation Program must adhere to requirements listed in the EPP handbook.
Visit the English Proficiency Requirement page for more information.
Credential evaluation
Submit course-by-course credential evaluations from all previous post-secondary schools that are outside the U.S.
Ready to apply?
Request an application guide for your academic program from the Office of International Programs by emailing internationalgrad@sfasu.edu.
Step one: Submit an admissions application
Applying to SFA's graduate school is easy with the online admissions application. The cost for applying to SFA is $50. You'll pay this when you submit your application.
Step two: Submit additional documents
Use the application portal to submit the following additional documents:
- proof of English Proficiency
- Visit the English Proficiency Requirement page for more information.
- a credential evaluation, as outlined in the requirements above
- a copy of your passport biographical page
- and, if younger than 22 years of age: a Bacterial Meningitis vaccination record, as required by Texas state law
- Your verification of Bacterial Meningitis vaccination form must be completed by a licensed physician.
The following documents should only be submitted if required by your academic program.
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal goal statement, or similar
- Official GRE, issued directly by ETS
- SFA school code: 6682
- Official GMAT
Note: Official GRE/GMAT scores must have been taken within the last five years to be considered valid for admission.
Once all application materials are received, decisions are typically made within three to four weeks.
Accepted? Congratulations! Here's what to do next:
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services requires all F and J student visa holders to verify they will have funds available to pay for their education, living and other expenses. This funding may come from the student, a sponsor or multiple sponsors (such as family members), loans and scholarships or on-campus employment (such as a graduate assistantship).
You will need this proof of financial support when:
- requesting an initial certificate of eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019) from the Office of International Programs
- This allows you to apply for your student visa.
- applying for a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate
- and making certain updates to the student immigration record.
Collect and submit proof of financial support
J student visa holders may have different funding requirements based on the partnership agreement with their home university/institution.
The information from the following documents will be used to complete your I-20 or DS-2019 form, which will allow you to apply for your student visa.
- A certification of finances form completed by you and your sponsor(s).
- Bank statement or other financial documentation from your or your sponsor(s) verifying funds of at least $32,389 USD.
- If you have been offered and accepted the International Student Scholarship or other scholarship of $1,000 or more, your documentation must verify funds of at least $23,829 USD
Once you've collected all required documents, submit these to OIP at internationalgrad@sfasu.edu.
Scholarship funds are limited, so apply early to SFA!
If you are transferring from another educational institution in the U.S., you also will need a transfer-in form completed by you and your international student advisor to transfer your SEVIS record.
Receiving your I-20/DS-2019 forms
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's I-20 Guidance policy and the U.S. Department of State's updated options for form DS-2019 allows OIP the option to email your I-20/DS-2019 forms to you.
We'll email you additional details about this option and you will choose if email or hard copy is best for your situation.