INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International students must be proficient in English and academically proficient students in their own countries before they are accepted to FMU. The course of study must include course selections from English, history, mathematics, and science, and the application must include appropriate test scores. International students should attain the educational equivalent of an American high school diploma to be considered for admission to FMU. Further information about these requirements can be obtained from the educational system in the applicant's own country or from the Office of Admissions at Francis Marion University.

The following steps must be completed in order for international students to be considered for admission to FMU:

1. Application Form-The student must submit a completed application for admission. The principal or headmaster of the school the applicant now attends or last attended must answer all questions on the application form in the designated areas. The application form must be accompanied by a $30 non-refundable application fee.

2. Financial Certification-An applicant must provide proof of his or her ability to pay expenses. This support can come from the applicant's family or sponsor. The cost of attendance changes annually. Please call the Admissions Office or check the website for current information. This sum includes tuition, room, food, books, and miscellaneous expenses. The University requires an official statement from a bank, employer or sponsor or some other official affidavit of support. Financial certification must be sent to the University before an I-20 can be sent to the student. The student can expect to use one-half of the total each semester. Financial certification should come directly from the source. No facsimiles will be accepted.

3. School Records-An applicant should request a transcript or certificates of satisfactory study from each institution attended. Examples of this include "A" or "O" levels, baccalaureate, bachillerato, Reifezeufgnis, or other school certificates. These records should include an English translation of the subjects studied, grades received in those subjects, and degrees, diplomas, or certificates earned. An explanation of the school's grading system should accompany the transcripts. To be considered official documents, all transcripts must come directly to FMU from the educational institution attended. No facsimiles will be accepted.

4. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)-The TOEFL is required of all international students except those whose native language is English. An acceptable TOEFL score of at least a 500 (173 on the computerized version) is required.

Information about the TOEFL can be found at many schools or at U.S. embassies, consulates, or offices of the United States Information Service. If information is not available in the applicant's country, it can be obtained by writing to TOEFL, Box 6161, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6161, USA.

In some instances students who are transferring from other post-secondary educational institutions in the United States may be accepted for admission to Francis Marion University without TOEFL scores. This could occur if the student has a high verbal score on the SAT and/or acceptable grades on Freshman English courses at the institution from which the student is transferring.

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