International Student Applicants

Unleash Your Potential with Online Education

REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT APPLICANTS

According to the US Department of Education, an international student is defined as an “individual who is enrolled for credit at an accredited higher education institution in the U.S. on a temporary visa, and who is not an immigrant (permanent resident with an I-51 or Green Card), or an undocumented immigrant, or a refugee.”

Proof of Official Identification

Each international applicant is required to submit a legible copy of an official, government-issued passport from their country of origin. This includes copies of the passport’s biographical pages.

Required Financial Support Documents

For F-1 visa applicants, an official bank statement of the sponsor and a Statement of Financial Support must be submitted. These must be bank-issued financial documents. If the student is to be sponsored, a Sponsor’s Affidavit of Support is required.

ESTIMATED EXPENSES
Tuition and Fees

For International Students at Fairfax University of America on an F-1 Student Visa

2022/2023 Academic Year Expenses

Programs
(Total Credits)		 Calculated Full Time Tuition
(per academic year)		 Living Expenses per Year
(estimated)		 Books per Year
(estimated)		 First Year Total Cost*
Graduate Degree
(36 credits)		 $13,068 $12,680 $960 $26,708
Undergrad. Degree

( 120 credits) **

 $12,660 $12,680 $960 $26,300
Grad. Certificate

( 18 credits)

 $13,068 $12,680 $960 $26,708
ESL-7 week Sessions

( 140 Hours )

 $7,560* $12,680 $200 $20,440*

Estimated Expenses Per dependents: $4000 (1st Dependent)- $2000(per additional Dependent)

*There are two mandatory semesters in one academic year − Fall and Spring. These costs are based on a student enrolled in full−time classes for two semesters.

** Total Undergraduate Tuition per semester will not exceed $6,330 up to 21 credits hours.

Living Expenses:

Each student may choose living accommodations or other expenses, which would cost more than the amounts listed above. This is an estimate of minimal expenses only. It is advised that each student should arrive in the U.S. with at least $2,500 in cash to cover “settling−in” expense.

Tuition and Fees:

Subject to change without prior notice. Money for personal expenses (books, supplies, etc.) is not included in tuition

Housing:

The university does not provide housing or dormitories. Students are responsible for their own living accommodations. FXUA’s Student Affairs staff helps students locate suitable housing, based on the students’ needs and desires.

Contact:

  • The average annual living expense (housing and food) in the Washington, DC area is $12,680 per These estimated expenses are for a single student, with no dependents (spouse or children).

Types of F1 Student Applicants

Each international applicant is required to show a proof of funding and required documents based on these different types of F1 applicants:

Prospective Overseas Applicant

  • If you are overseas and plan to come here in the USA on a student visa, please click here for more information.
  • New Students – Student (F and M) visas for new students can be issued up to 120 days in advance of the start date of your program of study.
  • F-1 New Students are not allowed to enter the United States on student visa more than 30 days before the start date of the program

Where is the Applicant?

  • The Applicant is overseas/outside the United States.
  • The Applicant needs to apply for an F1 Visa from his/her Country of Citizenship or Residency

What is needed?

  • I-20 form: Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant

(F-1) Student Status – For Academic and Language Students

  • Applicant needs to apply for admission, I-20, and F1 visa at the US Embassy Overseas

What are the required documents for Prospective Overseas Applicant?

1) Evidence of Financial Ability showing one year of financial support (choose one or combine)

Type of Financial Supports Required Documents
Scholarship Scholarship Letter
Self Sponsor Statement of Financial Support
Bank Issued Financial Documents
Inside USA Sponsor  I-134 Form
Bank Issued Financial Documents
Outside USA Sponsor  Statement of Financial Support
Bank Issued Financial Documents

2) F-1 Visa Student Documents

What are the processes to admit F1 Overseas Applicant?

  1. Applicant needs to provide all required documents to the Admissions Office.
  2. Once the file is complete and the admission/acceptance letter is issued, the file will be forwarded to the ISSO for I-20 processing.
  3. Admission letter, I-20, and F1 Prospective handout guides will be mailed to the Applicant.
  4. Upon receipt of the I-20, the applicant will need to pay the SEVIS fee and schedule an F1 Visa appointment with the US Embassy in his/her Home Country.
  5. The applicant will communicate with Admission Office and DSO if Visa is approved or denied.
  6. If F1 Visa is approved, ISSO will guide the students.
  7. If F1 Visa is denied, Admission Office works with the applicant if he/she wishes to reapply.
  8. If the applicant wishes to reapply, the admission office works with the applicant to be readmitted.
  9. Once the student is readmitted, the admission process above starts over.

F-1/SEVIS Transfer Students Applicant

What does SEVIS Transfer mean?

  • SEVIS Transfer is the process of moving the student’s SEVIS record from the student’s current school to a new school (FXUA), after the prospective student is admitted. Admission to a new school alone does not automatically allow an F-1 student to begin studies at another school.
  • Note: SEVIS Transfer is different than Credit Transfer

Where is the applicant?

The applicant is already on an F1/Student Visa here in the USA and has an I-20 with another SEVIS approved school.

What is needed?

Applicant needs to apply for admission and Request for his/her I-20 /SEVIS Records to be Transferred to FXUA and apply for an I-20.

What are the required documents for F1/SEVIS Transfer Student Applicant?

1) Evidence of Financial Ability showing one year of financial support (choose one or combine)

Type of Financial Supports Required Documents
Scholarship Scholarship Letter
Self Sponsor Statement of Financial Support
Bank Issued Financial Documents
Inside USA Sponsor  I-134 Form
Bank Issued Financial Documents
Outside USA Sponsor Statement of Financial Support
Bank Issued Financial Documents

2) F-1 Visa Student Documents

What are the processes to admit SEVIS Transfer Students Applicants?

  • The applicant applies for admission.
  • The admission Office provides the list of required documents to the applicant.
    1. The International Student Services Office provides the list of required documents to issue the I-2o form including the SEVIS Transfer Eligibility Form to the Applicant.
    2. Once the file is complete and the admission/acceptance letter is issued, the file will be forwarded to the ISSO for I-20 processing.
    3. ISSO works with the applicant on Transferring his/her I-20 SEVIS records from his/her current school to FXUA.
    4. The applicant will need to request his SEVIS/I-20 Records to be released or Transferred out to FXUA.
    5. The applicant will need to provide his admission letter to his current school.
    6. Once the Applicant SEVIS records are released/Transferred to FXUA SEVIS System, ISSO can issue the applicant an I-20 form.
    7. I-20 Pending Transfer is issued by the ISSO office.
    8. Admission Letter+ Transfer Pending I-20 will be sent to the applicant.
    9. The file will stay within the ISSO until the student is registered for classes.
    10. Once the applicant is registered for classes, continue attendance I-20 will be issued by the ISSO.

Change of Status Applicant

If you are already here in the USA on a different Visa/Status and would like to Change to a Student (F1) Visa/Status, please click here

Who are eligible to change status to F1 ?

  • Prospective students may apply to change their nonimmigrant status if they are lawfully admitted to the United States in an eligible nonimmigrant status, their nonimmigrant status remains valid and have not violated the conditions of their status.
  • Prospective Students are not on valid F1 status until they receive the approval notice from USCIS.

Where is the applicant?

The applicant is already in the United States on a different Visa/Status and would like to study Full time in the Unites States/FXUA.

What is needed?

The applicant will need to change his/her status to F1Visa/Status before being able to study.

  • The applicant will need to be on valid Status before eligible to apply for a change of status to F1
  • The applicant will need to be admitted and be issued for a Change of Status I-20
  • Once Change of status I-20 is issued, the applicant will need to send his/her Change of status Application to USCIS.
  • Applicant cannot attend classes until Change of Status Application is approved by USCIS

Note:

    • Processing Time for Change of Status varies and may take between 3 months to one year or more.
    • The applicant will need to remain in the USA while the change of status application is pending. If the applicant leaves the USA, his/her application will be automatically withdrawn.

What are the processes to admit Change of Status (COS) Students?

  1. Student contact the admission office of the need of changing his /her status to F1 Visa/Status
  2. The admissions office refers the student to contact if the change of status (COS) I-20 can be issued or not.
  1. ISSO will require the applicant to send his/her current Immigration Documents.
  2. If Change of status I-20 cannot be issued due to the applicant’s current nonimmigrant status, the applicant and admission office will be notified by the ISSO.
  3. If a Change of status I-20 can be issued, ISSO will notify the applicant and Admission Office to move forward on the admission process.
  4. Admission Office sends a list of required documents to the applicant.
  5. Applicant needs to provide all required documents to the Admissions Office.

What will happen when the COS (change of Status) Applicant student is admitted?

  1. Once the file is completed and the admission/acceptance letter is issued, the file will be forwarded to the ISSO for Change of Status I-2o processing.
  2. Admission letter and I-20 will be mailed to the Applicant
  3. Upon receipt of the I-20, the applicant will need to prepare his/her Change of Status Application Documents and send it to USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services).
  4. The applicant will need to communicate with Admission Office and DSO for any updates from USCIS and if the Change of status application is approved or denied.
  5. If the Student’s Change of Status Application is still pending and the program Starting dates on the admission letter and I-20 has passed, the Admissions office will need to reissue an updated admission letter.
  6. The admission office will need to send the updated admission letter to the ISSO.
  7. Updated COS I-20 will be issued and send to the Applicant.
  8. The applicant will need to send the updated Change of Status I-20 to USCIS along with a copy of his Notification Receipt.
  9. If the applicant ‘s Change of Status application to F1 status is approved, the applicant will need to provide the Change of Status Approval Notice and F1/I-94 from USCIS
  10. Upon approval of the student’s F1 Status, the student can register for classes.
  11. If the applicant ‘s Change of Status application to F1 status is denied, the applicant will not be able to attend classes on F1 Status and will need to follow on the Notification Receipt from USCIS

What are the required documents for F1 Applicant already here in the USA on a different Visa Status and would like to change status to F1?

1) Evidence of Financial Ability showing one year of financial support(choose one or combine)

Type of Financial Supports Required Documents
Scholarship Scholarship Letter
Self Sponsor Statement of Financial Support
Bank Issued Financial Documents
Inside USA Sponsor I-134 Form
Bank Issued Financial Documents
Outside USA Sponsor  Statement of Financial Support
Bank Issued Financial Documents

2) F-1 Visa Student Documents

  • I-20 request form
  • Copy of Passport Biographical Pages
  • Copy of the old Visa
  • Copy of most recent I-94
  • Change of Status Approval Notice Form

For additional information on how to change Status to F1 status, please click here.

FXUA F1 Graduate Applicant

Where is the applicant?

The applicant holds an FXUA I-20 and would like to apply and enroll for another Degree Program within FXUA

What are the required documents?

1) Applicant needs to apply for admission and Request a new I-20 with a new Degree program.
2) Evidence of Financial Ability showing one year of financial support (choose one or combine)

Type of Financial Supports Required Documents
Scholarship Scholarship Letter
Self Sponsor Statement of Financial Support
Bank Issued Financial Documents
Inside USA Sponsor I-134 Form
Bank Issued Financial Documents
Outside USA Sponsor Statement of Financial Support
Bank Issued Financial Documents

3) F-1 Visa Student Documents

  • I-20 request form
  • Copy of Passport Biographical Pages
  • Copy of most recent I-94
  • Copy of F1 Visa, or F1 Change of Status Approval

Recognition of Foreign Degrees

In recognition that education systems around the world differ, FXUA wishes to ensure that students having received degrees or diplomas from non-US universities are treated in a way that is considerate of how these systems vary, while also ensuring the quality of students entering programs offered by the university. In doing so, FXUA recognizes degrees or coursework from non-US universities as outlined below.

Bachelor’s degrees from foreign universities must come from institutions that are accredited by the host country’s government or proper higher education authority, and must be equivalent to the completion of a four-year program of study at a US college or university with a minimum of 120 semester credits. Those who have obtained a bachelor’s degree from abroad with less than 120 semester credits will be considered for conditional acceptance into a graduate program and will be required to make up the credit difference.

Foreign Degree/Transcript Evaluation

All applicants seeking admission to a program of study at the university with a degree from a non-U.S. institution must comply with the following requirements:

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE:

Students being admitted to a program leading to an undergraduate degree, certificate, or diploma shall include graduation from high school or its equivalent from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants submitting international education credentials must provide an official general evaluation from a member of Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE), or National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) to validate equivalency with graduation from the high school and eligibility to enter college/university in the United States.

FXUA will recognize transcripts as official if they are provided by AICE or NACES DIRECTLY to the Office of the Registrar.

These agencies should use the following contact information for delivering official transcripts:

Email Address:

Mailing Address:
ATTN: Office of the Registrar
4401 Village Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030

  • When submitting a general evaluation based upon official academic credentials (transcript, diploma, or other evidences of completion of a secondary education that would be recognized by their home country’s Ministry of Education or its recognition body) from one of the aforementioned organizations, the university will recognize the evaluation as the documents are validated.
  • When submitting a general evaluation based upon a copy of academic credentials (transcript, diploma, or other evidences of completion of a secondary education that would be recognized by their home country’s Ministry of Education or its recognition body) from one of the aforementioned organizations or if an evaluation report does not state whether the evaluation was done using an official document, the university will require the student to submit an official academic credentials to the university registrar’s office before the end of add/drop period. Students who are unable to provide an official academic credential will be dismissed from the university on the last day of add/drop.
    1. The university will recognize academic credentials as official if they are provided physically to the Office of the Registrar in a sealed envelope from the issuing institutions; or if they are provided electronically to the Office of the Registrar from a secure site formally linked to the issuing institution or trusted sender.
    2. In the event that a student is unable to provide an official academic credentials (following i above), the student may provide an unofficial academic credentials for review to the Office of the Registrar.
      1. The unofficial transcript will be reviewed against the evaluated version. If the two documents match, the Office of Registrar will use opened/original version of academic credentials as verified documents.
      2. The student will also be required to submit a notarized attestation of the originality of the documents. The registrar will keep an electronic copy of the academic credentials in the university student system (for example, transcript, diploma, etc.). For those that are provided unsealed to the registrar’s office, a copy of the attestation will accompany the documents.

GRADUATE DEGREE:
Students being admitted to a program leading to a graduate degree, certificate, or diploma shall include graduation from bachelor’s degree program, its equivalent, or a higher degree (i.e. master’s degree) from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants submitting international education credentials must provide a course-by-course evaluation from a member of Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE), or a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) to validate equivalency with graduation from the undergraduate program and eligibility to admit in graduate program in university in the United States.

FXUA will recognize transcripts as official if they are provided by AICE or NACES DIRECTLY to the Office of the Registrar.

These agencies should use the following contact information for delivering official transcripts:

Email Address:

Mailing Address:
ATTN: Office of the Registrar
4401 Village Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030

  • When submitting an evaluation based upon an official transcript from one of the aforementioned organizations, the university will recognize the evaluation as proof of the official transcript.
  • When submitting an evaluation based upon a copy of transcript from one of the aforementioned organizations or if an evaluation report does not state whether the evaluation was done using an official transcript, the student will be required to submit an official transcript to the university registrar’s office before the end of add/drop period. Students who are unable to provide an official transcript will be dismissed from the university on the last day of add/drop.
    1. The university will recognize transcripts as official if they are provided physically to the Office of the Registrar in a sealed envelope from the issuing institutions; or if they are provided electronically to the Office of the Registrar from a secure site formally linked to the issuing institution or trusted sender.
    2. In the event that a student is unable to provide an official transcript (following i above), the student may provide an unofficial transcript for review to the Office of the Registrar.
      1. The unofficial transcript will be reviewed against the evaluated version. If the two documents match, the Office of Registrar will use the opened/original version of transcript as verified documents.
      2. The student will also be required to submit a notarized attestation of the originality of the documents. The registrar will keep an electronic copy of the academic credentials in the university student system (for example, transcript, diploma, etc.). For those that are provided unsealed to the registrar’s office, a copy of the attestation will accompany the documents.

English Proficiency Requirements

English is the language of instruction at Fairfax University of America, and therefore international applicants must provide evidence of English language proficiency to ensure that their communication skills are sufficient for effective class participation and completion of course assignments.

We look forward to helping you along your professional journey. With our student-centered approach, we believe that your success is our success.

FXUA
international-student

Fairfax University of America

4401 Village Drive, Fairfax VA 22030

FXUA is certified to operate in Virginia by SCHEV.

Copyright © 2024 Fairfax University of America.