As an International applicant for Furman University Graduate Studies, you must complete the Furman Graduate Studies Application, and all required documents by the deadlines below to allow enough time to apply for your F-1 student visa:

• Furman requires demonstration of English proficiency. Furman requires official* TOEFL or IELTS test scores for international applicants, except those from countries where English is the official language or those who have received a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution. See Exempt Countries listed below.

*To be official TOEFL or IELTS test scores, the testing institute must send scores directly to Furman that are no more than 2 years old. Non-native speakers of English should have a TOEFL Internet-Based Test (IBT) score of at least 100 (out of 120) with a subtest speaking score greater than 20, or an IELTS score of at least a 7.0. (Note: the Master of Science in Community Engage Medicine program requires an IELTS score of 7.5)

• Furman requires Official transcripts. International applicants must provide official* transcripts that show a complete course listing with grades, your grade point average (GPA) and that you have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

*To be official transcripts, the issuing institution must send it directly to Furman University or to a third-party transcript evaluation service.

Transcripts must  be translated in English and evaluated by a third-party transcript evaluation service.** The exception are transcripts from a college or university located in the U.S. that are in English.

**Furman accepts transcripts from evaluation services listed with the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE) or the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).   Josef Silny & Associates, a member of NACES, offers a $30 discount to Furman applicants.  For the transcript evaluation, applicant requests that the university attended send transcript directly to the independent evaluation service per the service’s instructions.  The service then sends transcript evaluation directly to Furman University that include a course-by-course listing with course grades, the overall grade point average (GPA), and date bachelor’s degree awarded.

Upon receipt of this admission acceptance notice from Furman University, you must complete the first four steps below in order for Furman to issue you the I-20 “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status” required by the U.S. Student Exchange Visitor Program for your F-1 Student Visa application.

1. ACCEPT OFFER: Accept Furman’s offer of admission in the Furman Graduate Studies application portal.
2. SUBMIT PROOF OF FINANCES: Complete and submit the International Student Confidential Financial Statement, along with a certified bank statement that is no more than 60 days old, on official bank letterhead, and shows that you and/or your support person* have funds available to cover one-year of expenses as a Furman University graduate student.  The amount of those expenses depends on the Furman program you are applying to (between $41,536 and $55,485), These amounts include an estimate of your tuition, housing/meals, books/supplies, personal & transportation expenses, and health insurance for yourself and/or your dependents if they will be in the United States. NOTE:  *Financial support from parent or guardian requires that they also complete the International Student Confidential Financial Statement, and submit a certified bank statement.
3. PAY ENROLLMENT DEPOSIT: If the program you are accepted to requires a deposit, then that $500 enrollment deposit is due upon accepting an offer of admission in order to secure your spot in the program.  Most programs require the deposit and Furman requires payment of the enrollment deposit (if applicable) prior to issuing your I-20 “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status”, which is necessary for applying for an F-1 student visa.*  The U.S. government will not issue your visa prior to 120 days before the start date of your program in the U.S.  The visa application process can take several weeks.  An F-1 visa is required for an international student to enter the U.S. *If the United States denies your visa application, or travel restrictions prohibit you from enrolling, Furman will refund your enrollment deposit upon receipt of documentation from you.
4. PROVIDE PASSPORT: Upload your passport* to your application portal.                                                                                                       *If you have spouse or children who will live in the United State while you study, submit the International Student Dependent Information form and upload their passports, as Furman will need to include their information for the I-20 form that you need for the student visa application.

When Furman receives the applicable documents, we will issue to you the I-20 “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status”.  Upon receipt of this document, you must pay the mandatory I-901 SEVIS Fee before you apply for a F-1 student visa.  In order to pay the SEVIS fee, you need Furman’s School Code and SEVIS Identification Number from the I-20 document that Furman sends to you.

After paying the I-901 SEVIS Fee and getting a receipt, you must apply for a visa at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate before coming to the United States.

1. Make appointment at U.S. consulate or embassy*
2. Bring your I-20 form for Furman University, SEVIS receipt, identification documents/passport, and certified bank statement to your appointment with the U.S. consulate or embassy.

F-1 student visas for new students can be issued up to 120 days in advance of your programs start date. The United States will not allow you to enter the country more than 30 days before your program start date. 

* To receive a visa, you must participate in an in-person interview to establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive the F-1 student visa.  The consular officer determines if you qualify to receive a visa, and which visa category is appropriate.  A visa does not guarantee entrance to the United States; it only permits you to arrive and seek permission to enter the country. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the U.S. port of entry has the final authority to admit entry into the country. Visit the U.S. Department of State Visas for information on applying for your F-1 student visa.

After receiving your student F-1 visa from the U.S. Department of State, you need to:

1. Upload to the Furman application portal a copy of our student visa and passport.
2. Prepare to travel to the United States by learning about procedures for students with F visas entering the United States that are listed on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website under Arrival Procedures for Students or Exchange Visitors, and about admissions and entry requirements and restrictions list on  the CBP website.
3. Make travel arrangements – The earliest the U.S. Customs and Border Protection will admit a new international students to the United State is 30 days before your Furman program start date.
4. Begin searching for off-campus housing in Greenville, South Carolina.
5. Bring to United States your passport, I-20 document, and visa.
6. Upon arrival in the United States, receive passport stamp granting F-1 visa status, and obtain and verify online Form I-94 document.

Furman University requires you to attend a Mandatory International Student Orientation typically held the day before the start of the term. Furman will provide details later. During orientation, you will present your official documents for verification, and learn about regulations governing international students, and navigating Furman campus and Greenville, South Carolina.

Furman requires International Students to present the following documents for official verification and copying:

1. Your printed I-94 form from U.S. Customs and Border Protection website
2. Your official passport
3. Your official F-1 Visa