International Student Procedures and Requirements

International Student Procedures

Applications for both freshman and transfer admission are reviewed after all required information is received. Candidates must request that all test scores be forwarded directly to Clemson. A student's personal copy or a copy from another source is considered unofficial.

Students are required to have their transcripts/mark sheets/academic records verified by a certified U.S. educational consultant agency. Prospective transfer students will need to provide translated course descriptions for coursework to be evaluated for Clemson academic credit.

For a more complete list of credential evaluation services, visit www.naces.org.

Application Deadlines

• All requested application credentials must be at Clemson University by May 1 for August entry or Oct. 1 for January entry.
• Issuance of I-20 or DS-2019 must be at Clemson by June 1 for August entry or Nov. 1 for January entry
• Class registration happens the third week of August for August entry or the first week of January for January entry. (Financial penalties apply for late registration.)

International Student Requirements

Applicants for both freshman and transfer admission must submit the following:

Requirements

• Application form with an application-processing fee, drawn on either a U.S. bank or a U.S. dollar account.
• Scores from the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or American College Testing (ACT).
• Scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A TOEFL score of 550 on the paper version, 213 on the computer version or 79-80 on the Internet-based version is generally required. The TOEFL can be waived for transfer students who have earned a grade of C or better in English Composition I and II from an accredited U.S. college or university. The test can also be waived for students from countries where English is the primary language or one of the official languages.
• Official transcripts or mark sheets sent directly from all high school(s), preparatory school(s) and/or collegiate institutions attended, including official English translations and U.S. grading equivalents when applicable. Information on credential evaluation services is included in this flier.
• Recommendation form.
• Financial certification form (IS-50).
• Deadlines:  To be considered for admission, please observe the following deadlines: ALL requested application credentials must be at Clemson University by: May 1 for August entry or October 1 for January entry, Issuance of I-20 or DS-2019: June 1 for August entry or November 1 for January entry.
  Class registration: Third week of August for August entry or first week of January for January entry (There are financial penalties associated with late registration.)
• Expenses
• Transcript/Mark Sheet Evaluation

Immigration Requirements

When academic, language and financial abilities are certified, the Office of International Affairs will issue an I-20 or DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility). This document is to be taken to a U.S. Consulate to apply for a nonimmigrant student visa. Form DS-2019 (J-1 exchange visitor visa certificate) is usually issued to students who are funded by their home government or by an international organization. If no organizational sponsor is involved, an I-20 (F-1 student visa certificate) will be issued. Students are responsible for maintaining legal status with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during their studies.

International students who are transferring from another school in the U.S. will be issued visa documents at the time of their enrollment at Clemson University. If the transfer student plans to leave the United States for a brief visit to his/her home country prior to coming to Clemson, the student must notify Office of International Affairs of this intention prior to departing the U.S.

Questions regarding immigration issues should be directed to Office of International Affairs at (864) 656-3614.

Health Insurance

The University requires international students, their spouses and dependents living in the United States to have a minimum of $50,000 in health insurance coverage including medical evacuation and repatriation. Health insurance is available through the University. An insurance waiver for existing comparable insurance is coordinated through Redfern Health Center.

Student Services

The Office of International Affairs serves international students on campus. It shares responsibility for processing all international acceptances and serves as liaison between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and all internationals on campus.