Application Process for International Students
Welcome to graduate studies at FSU! We’re here to support you and wish you the best of luck starting the graduate program of your dreams.
FSU’s international student application focuses on three areas: academic qualifications, English language skill and financial support.
If you have any questions or need assistance with the application process, contact the Office of Graduate Services at 301.687.7053 or gradservices@ngskmc-eis.net.
For help with visas and other travel documents, contact FSU’s Center for International Education at 301.687.4714 or FSUinternational@ngskmc-eis.net.
Deadlines
Each graduate program sets its own specific application deadlines. Check the Graduate Catalog or graduate website pages for application deadlines for your program.
International students must begin the application process early due to the variety of additional steps in the process, both in terms of program requirements and various other international student requirements. See the checklist for details of these items. Please note that International students must follow the program deadlines to receive admission, all other forms such as financial guarantees associated with receiving an I20 will be required before an I20 can be issued. Therefore, the following deadlines for providing the financial guarantee, copy of passport, and various other documents to receive your I20 should be considered:
Fall Enrollment – June 15
Spring Enrollment – December 1
Please note that FSU Graduate Office and the Center for International Application strives to be flexible with deadlines for documents required for issuing the I20 once an admission decision is made. However, student must adhere to the admission deadlines in order to assure admission. For programs with rolling admission (those without deadlines), students should apply and have all documents at FSU two months in advance to allow plenty of time for the processing of the application and documents.
The International Student Applicant Packet for Graduate Students contains several forms you'll need to complete your application. The packet includes
- Application checklist
- International Student Certification of Financial Support
- Health Insurance Acknowledgement Form
International Student Applicant Packet for Graduate Students
How to Apply
- 1. Check your intended graduate program for exams and additional criteria.
Most programs require you to take an entrance exam, such as the GMAT or GRE. Some programs require additional application materials, such as a resume, interview, professional reference or writing sample.
Check your program in the graduate catalog or on the website for program requirements.
- 2. Complete an online Application for Graduate Admission and submit your application fee.
You can pay your one-time $45 (USD) application fee at the end of the online application, by credit card online or with a check or money order (make payable to Frostburg State University). Do not send cash. Please send checks or money orders to FSU Billing Office, 101 Braddock Rd. Frostburg, MD 21532.
If you pay with a check or money order, please be sure to include your name with any payment.
- 3. Send your official academic transcript.
Request an official academic transcript from all colleges/universities you have attended. Your transcript(s) should include courses taken, grades, annual mark sheets, examination sheets and leaving certificates, as they apply in your home country.
If your school cannot provide a transcript in English, your transcript must be accompanied by an official English translation by a licensed translator.
- 4. Send a course-by-course evaluation of any non-U.S. transcripts.
If you graduated from a university outside the U.S., you must also submit a professional course-by-course evaluation with GPA of your transcript(s). This will determine your academic level within the American system of education. You may send your transcript(s) to any of the following evaluation services:
- 5. Provide a photocopy of your passport identification page.
If you are already in the United States, please also include clear photocopies of all immigration documents issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Most recent visa (even if expired)
- I-94 card
- Any I-20 documents from previously attended U.S. universities
- Any Notices of Action
Note: If you are a B1/B2 Visitor in the U.S., you must be approved by the USCIS for a Change of Status to F-1 International Student. Contact FSU's Center for International Education at 301.687.4714 or FSUinternational@ngskmc-eis.net for more information or assistance.
- 6. Pass an English proficiency exam.
If your native language is not English, you must submit an English proficiency score. FSU will consider scores from:
- TOEFL – passing score of 550P/213C/79iBT
- IELTS – passing score of 6.0
- ELS Language Centers – successful completion of ELS Level 112
- Inlingua Language Center – successful completion of Level 8
- The Language Company – successful completion of Level 9
- LADO International College– successful completion of LADO Level 10
- iTEP – passing score of 4.5
- EIKEN – successful completion of Grade Pre-1
- DuoLingo passing score of 100
If you choose to take the TOEFL or IELTS exam, we recommend that you take it at least six (6) months in advance of the semester for which you are seeking enrollment.
- 7. Send an International Student Certification of Financial Support.
You or your financial sponsor must show you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition, fees, room and board, books, health insurance and personal expenses for at least the first full year of academic study.
The form has two parts – one for a bank official, and one for you or your sponsor – and requires a bank statement.
- The name of the account holder on the bank statement must match the name of the person signing the Certification of Financial Support.
- The bank statement must be less than 6 months old at the time FSU issues your DS-2019/I-20.
- The bank statement must include the bank’s address and phone number.
- Any bank letters must be signed by a bank official and printed on official letterhead paper.
Copies of financial documents will be accepted during the application process; however, ORIGINALS must be submitted upon your arrival to campus.
Visit the Office of Financial Aid website to view a summary of tuition and expenses.
Health Insurance Coverage
All F-1 and J-1 visa international students at FSU are automatically enrolled in a group health insurance plan through FSU’s international student insurance provider. The cost will be added to your bill for tuition and fees as a lump sum at the start of each semester. If you stay in the U.S. during the summer months, you will also be required to maintain health insurance coverage during that time. For more information, visit FSU’s Health Insurance page.