FAQ for International Students

IUP assists more than 1,000 international students from more than 60 countries. See a list of student contacts and international club websites. If you cannot find your country listed, please contact intl-education@iup.edu and we will try to find someone from your country to contact you.

Here is a list of clubs you may want to contact:

• Chinese Student Association
• Indian Student Association
• Japanese Student Association
• Korean Student Association
• Latino Student Association of IUP
• Malaysian Student Association
• Muslim Student Association
• Pan-African Student Association
• Saudi Student Association
• Taiwanese Student Association

Yes! Students are allowed to order a custom stole with the official IUP brand that can include up to two country flags. Please allow plenty of time to order. Stoles must be ordered to the student's direct mailing address.

For every semester you are at IUP, you need to register for classes one semester in advance. Here's a step-by-step guide to what you need to do.  See How to Register for Classes.

Undergraduate students should plan on registering for twelve or more credits; Graduate students must register for nine or more credit during each academic semester. Only three distance education credits can count toward the full-time enrollment requirement.

International students may apply online through Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

See the International Admissions page for details.

Notification of admission varies, but, in general, it takes two to four weeks for a decision to be made after the date your admission application is complete.

Once an international student is admitted, his/her acceptance letter is sent to the Office of International Education, which mails out all the acceptance packages to international students. These packages include an acceptance letter, immigration document, and orientation information are sent to the email used in the application. Students who need a paper copy can opt to pay for express mail.

Acceptance packages can be sent no more than one year in advance of the start date. 

• Pay a $25 Application Fee
• English Language Proficiency
• International Student Financial Statement 
• Official Transcripts 
• Passport Copy 

Learn more about how to pay and summit your paperwork undergraduate application requirements

• Pay a $50 application fee
• English Language Proficiency
• International Student Financial Statement 
• Official Transcripts 
• Passport Copy 

Learn more about how to pay and submit your paperwork graduate application requirements

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or International English Language Testing System (IELTS), is an application requirement for all students whose native language is not English. Students who have earned a degree from a university in the United States or another English-speaking country may have the English proficiency test waived. Please check with the Admissions Office for TOEFL waivers/exceptions. Students who do not meet the score requirement may apply for provisional admission through the American Language Institute. Provisional admission is available for undergraduate programs and select graduate programs.

Minimum Scores to Apply for Admission:

• Paper-based TOEFL test: Undergraduate students: 500; Graduate students: 540 (Select programs have higher requirements.)
• Internet-based TOEFL test: Undergraduate students: 61; Graduate students: 76 (Select programs have higher requirements.) The institutional code for sending TOEFL results to IUP is 2652.
• IELTS: Undergraduate Students: 5.5 minimum; Graduate Students: 6.0 (Select programs have higher requirements.)
• Duolingo English Test: Undergraduate students only 90

For more information, see TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test.

For over 30 years, the American Language Institute has welcomed students from around the world to study in our Intensive English program to enjoy:

• Small class sizes 
• Personalized guidance 
• Tutoring and support 

Learn more about the American Language Institute or provisional admission if all of IUP's admission requirements are met except for proof of English proficiency.

All prospective international students must show the amount of money covering the cost of two semesters at IUP on their financial statement, as well as provide a bank statement or letter from their sponsor for the first year at IUP.

An international student may use the IUP International Student Financial Affidavit as part of their application. Learn more about the costs at the Office of Student Billing.

About Sponsors

If an international student has a sponsor person willing to support the student while he or she is studying at IUP, then the sponsor must submit a letter indicating his or her willingness to support the student. The sponsor's financial institution must sign the appropriate section of the IUP Affidavit of Financial support form.

When arriving in America it may become overwhelming to know what you should do next. Please look ahead and remember to bring all immigration requirements and personal needs.

Please remember many Hotels and transportation services only accept credit or debit cards (you may need to contact your bank for international travel).

Here are some links to more detailed information you should know before traveling to America.

• Immigration Documents
• Arrival, Transportation, and Hotels.

All degree-seeking, international students (F-1 or J-1 visa status) are reviewed for financial assistance from IUP's Office of International Education through a partial tuition waiver. 

See more about financial assistance.

International students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week during the semester and up to 40 hours a week during winter/spring break and summer. To find out about on-campus jobs, go to the Student Employment Center website. F-1/J-1 visa students are only eligible to work in jobs that are non-work study (federal).

In order to work on campus, international students must have a Social Security number. See procedures for applying for a Social Security number.

Remember, F-1 students may not work off-campus without proper authorization from the Office of International Education or the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

SEVIS stands for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. It maintains current information on non-immigrant students, exchange visitors, and their dependents (i.e., all those in F or J status). As an F-1 student, you will be assigned a SEVIS number, and a SEVIS record will be created for you. SEVIS will track you from the time you receive your I-20 until you complete your program.

See more at Study in the States.

You should apply for a visa at the nearest US embassy or consulate in your home country using the admission letter and I-20 from the Office of International Education.

You should apply for a visa at the nearest US embassy or consulate in your home country using the admission letter and DS-2019 from the Office of International Education.

• Currency
  • Make sure you are aware of the difference in monetary value before coming to the states so you are aware of what expenses might be like. The Xe Currency Converter can help explain the difference in a value of a dollar between rates.
• Metric Conversions
  • The United States does not use the metric system in everyday life. Utilizing a metric converter will help you understand things like distance, temperature, weight, and more!
• Fahrenheit/Celsius
  • Outdoor and indoor temperature is often measured using the Fahrenheit system. Compared to Celsius, temperatures will read very differently. Use the calculate temperature converter to have a better understanding of what level of hot/cold your new peers may be referring to.