How to study in the US as an international student: the steps
Families outside the United States often ask me where to start. Studying at a US college takes more steps than most people expect, but the order is always about the same. This guide walks through it, from choosing schools to the F-1 visa interview and paying for it, with a link to the official source for each fact.
Please read this first. Visa and immigration rules change. This post is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Check every step on the official sites linked below and with each school's international student office.
The order at a glance
- Choose schools that are allowed to enroll international students.
- Plan the tests: an English test, and the SAT or ACT where a school asks for it.
- Apply, with school records translated into English.
- Get the Form I-20, show proof of funds and pay the SEVIS fee.
- Apply for the F-1 visa and go to the interview.
- Plan how to pay, and arrive.
Step 1: Choose schools that can enroll international students
Not every US school can accept a student on a student visa. The school needs SEVP certification, which lets it enroll international students who enter the US on an F or M visa. The Study in the States School Search map finds certified schools by name, location, type of education or visa type.
For free advice in your own country, look up EducationUSA. It is a US Department of State network of over 430 advising centers in more than 175 countries and territories. Its advising center finder can be filtered by region, including South America and Central America. EducationUSA sums up the path in five steps: research your options, finance your studies, complete your application, apply for your student visa and prepare for your departure.
Step 2: Plan the tests
Most US colleges ask international applicants for proof of English, and the rules differ by school. As one example, East Carolina University accepts a Duolingo English Test score of at least 105, an IELTS score of at least 6.0, or a diploma from a US high school with two years of attendance. Another school may ask for something else, so check each school's international admissions page.
Some schools also ask for SAT or ACT scores. Check each school's admissions page before your student registers. Here is what each test looks like.
| Test | What it covers | How it is scored |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | Reading, listening, speaking and writing, the way they are used in a classroom | 1 to 6 scale in half points, with a comparable 0 to 120 score during a transition period |
| IELTS Academic | Listening, reading, writing and speaking, in 2 hours and 45 minutes | 9-band scale |
| Duolingo English Test | An online, adaptive test of about an hour, with results in 2 days | 10 to 160, in steps of 5 |
| SAT | Reading and Writing, and Math, in 2 hours and 14 minutes | 400 to 1,600 |
| ACT | English, math and reading, with optional science and writing | Composite score up to 36 |
Our test prep page explains each of these tests in more detail, with sources.
Step 3: Apply, with translated records
Each school sets its own rules for transcripts. At East Carolina University, for example, all records must be officially translated into English, and high school records must come straight from the school (a counselor or principal) or from the official translator. Students who took university courses outside the US send a course-by-course evaluation from an agency that is a member of NACES. Start collecting records early, because a translation can take time.
Step 4: The Form I-20, proof of funds and the SEVIS fee
Once a school accepts your student, the student is registered in SEVIS, pays the SEVIS I-901 fee and gets a Form I-20 from the school. The Form I-20 is the key document for the visa application, for entry into the US and for keeping student status. Only a designated school official (DSO) at an SEVP-certified school can issue it.
The I-901 fee must be paid before applying for the visa, using details from the I-20 such as the SEVIS ID number and school code. The I-901 SEVIS fee FAQ answers common questions about it.
Money comes up before the visa, too. An F-1 student must have the financial resources to live and study in the US, including tuition, books, living expenses and travel. The school collects proof of funds before it issues the I-20. Proof can include family bank statements, a letter from a sponsor, financial aid or scholarship letters and a letter from an employer showing annual salary. Keep these papers with you at the visa interview and when you arrive.
Step 5: The F-1 visa interview
Most visa applicants need an interview, and students should schedule it at the US Embassy or Consulate in the country where they live. Wait times vary by place and season, so apply early. F-1 visas for new students can be issued up to 365 days before the program starts. Bring a signed copy of the I-20 to the interview.
Students can enter the US up to 30 days before the start date on the I-20. They show a signed I-20 at the airport, so it should go in a carry-on bag, not checked luggage.
Step 6: Paying for it
This is the hard part for many families. Students on an F-1 visa cannot receive US federal student aid. They may still find scholarships and other aid, so ask each college what it offers students like yours. Many colleges give their own aid to international students, and the CSS Profile lets families enter income, assets and expenses in their home currency.
Two habits protect your money. First, never pay to apply for a scholarship. Walk away from any offer that asks for a fee, or for a bank account number to hold an award. Second, compare net price, not sticker price, when offers arrive. Our paying for college page covers aid offers in more detail.
About work: F-1 students in an on-campus job may not work more than 20 hours per week while school is in session. Talk to the DSO before accepting any job.
What your student can do this year
The paperwork is the family's job. The student's job is strong English, strong math and good study habits. As a dad, that is the part I would start on first.
- Read our full guide for international students, with every source listed.
- Take the free placement test to check math, reading and English foundations, and the free language check for an English level.
- Work through the high school courses in the lesson library. The first topic in every grade is free.
- For Spanish or Portuguese speakers getting ready for college writing, the English workbooks for Spanish speakers and Portuguese speakers, grades 11 to 12, practice essays and college applications.
If your student plans a health career, our page on international applicants to health programs explains how foreign coursework is handled. Then, when you are ready for every lesson, the membership covers all of them.
Common questions
Can international students get financial aid in the US?
Students on an F-1 visa cannot receive US federal student aid. Many colleges give their own aid to international students, so ask each college's financial aid office what it offers.
Do international students need the SAT or ACT?
It depends on the school. Some ask for SAT or ACT scores and some do not, so check each school's admissions page.
What English test score do I need for a US college?
Each school sets its own minimum. One university, for example, accepts a Duolingo English Test score of at least 105 or an IELTS score of at least 6.0.
What is a Form I-20?
It is the document a US school issues after it accepts an international student. It is needed for the F-1 visa application, for entry into the US and for keeping student status.
How early can an international student enter the US?
Students can enter up to 30 days before the program start date on their Form I-20. Check the official Study in the States site for current rules.