Aurora University welcomes students from countries outside the United States to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees. It is recommended that international students enroll at the beginning of the fall semester. Students who are not U.S. citizens and do not hold a U.S. permanent resident visa (i.e., green card) must complete the international student admission process. Some programs may have additional requirements or deadlines. Please contact the Office of Admission for more information.

Admission requirements are as follows:

Application Deadlines

• Fall semester (August–December): June 1
• Spring semester (January–May): October 1

Application Process for International Students

1. Apply online at aurora.edu/apply.
2. Official transcripts from schools attended in the United States must be sent directly to the Office of Admission as part of the admission process. Undergraduate applicants must request official transcripts from all secondary and/or post-secondary schools. Graduate applicants must request official transcripts from all post-secondary schools.
3. Certified copies of all official transcripts from international schools attended must be sent directly to the Office of Admission as part of the admission process.
4. Specific official certified evaluations of all academic transcripts of college-level credit from schools attended outside of the United States must be evaluated by one of the following companies: Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) OR World Education Service (WES). All evaluations must be sent directly to the Office of Admission by one of the two companies noted below. Students that have attended schools outside of the United States that provide academic transcripts in English may be waived from providing a foreign transcript evaluation.
   • If evaluating transcripts with Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) evaluations type must be a Course-by-Course Evaluation with original and/or authenticated education documents.
   • If evaluating transcripts with World Education Service (WES), evaluation type must be an Evaluation Report and Verified Transcripts.
5. ​Official English competency test results (non-native speaking countries) must be sent directly to the Office of Admission. The minimum scores required for admission are as follows:
   1. TOEFL paper-based: 550 or higher
   2. TOEFL computer-based: 213 or higher
   3. TOEFL Internet-based: 79 or higher
   4. ELS level 109
   5. IELTS: 6.5 or higher
6. Students from English-speaking countries must submit an official score report from the American College Test (ACT) – minimum composite score of 19 (online college code = 0950); or equivalent Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
7. References must be academic or professional based (all items are required). 
   1. One letter of recommendation
   2. One personal statement
   3. Two references providing contact information (email preferred)
8. International students applying for an I-20 Student Visa must submit the Statement of Financial Resources form as required by Aurora University and the guidelines from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. This form must be signed and notarized and be accompanied by an original letter from a bank official certifying the availability of funds for study at Aurora University.
9. Copy of current passport.
10. Copy of I-94.
11. Copy of visa only if applicants are currently in the U.S. or holding a valid U.S. visa.
12. Additional documentation for graduate applicants may be required. Please contact the Center for Graduate Studies at 630-844-5294 for more information.

All materials must be received prior to the deadline date to be considered for admission to Aurora University.  Students requiring an I-20 will not be eligible for need-based financial aid.

Once admitted to Aurora University, international applicants will need to submit the following items before I-20 will be issued:

1. Medical forms (including Immunization Records as required by the State of Illinois): All international students are required to submit a medical form (required by Illinois state law) with complete immunization records. Refer to the Health Services website for additional information.  Be sure to seek out medical insurance through a private vendor.
2. Proof of international medical insurance: A copy of current medical insurance card is needed. If the international applicant does not have international medical insurance, the applicant should contact the Office of Admission for assistance.
3. $1,000 non-refundable admission deposit: The deposit will be applied to the first semester’s tuition payment.

Once admitted and Aurora University receives the above required items:

1. Form I-20 will qualify the non-immigrant applicant for an F-1 student visa. The university will only issue an I-20 after the applicant has met all international application requirements; has been approved for admission to Aurora University, has submitted all required medical forms, provided proof of medical insurance, and submitted the non-refundable $1,000 deposit. The official I-20 will be mailed to the student. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule an appointment with their embassy to obtain a visa before coming to the United States.
2. There is no need-based financial aid available for international students requiring an I-20 visa.
3. Housing is limited to qualified undergraduate students. Graduate students must seek off-campus housing.