International Graduate Student Admission

DEFINITION OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT

International students are defined as "non-immigrant" visitors who come to the United States temporarily. A non-immigrant is someone who meets one or more of the following criteria:

intends to stay in the US temporarily
does not have US citizenship or legal permanent resident status (a valid "green card")
currently is in the US on a non-immigrant visa status (without a valid green card)
applies for a visa to be allowed entry into the US

APPLYING AS AN INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE STUDENT

Internal applicants submit all documents required of domestic applicants and additional supplemental documents. For detailed steps on the international graduate admissions process, see the Graduate College International Admissions site.

Application steps include the following:

Graduate Application and Fee. Submit a graduate application for your program of interest and pay your application fee.
Foreign Credential Evaluation. International and Domestic graduate applicants that attended a foreign college/university are required to have their official transcript(s) evaluated and the evaluation must be submitted to UTRGV to be considered for admission to a graduate program. International credentials (transcripts) must be evaluated through an approved evaluation service. The evaluation is the sole responsibility of the applicant and must be submitted for evaluation to one of the following credential evaluation services: World Education Services (WES), Foreign Credential Services of America (FCSA) or SPANTRAN. Applicants are required to select the course-by-course report option. General reports are not sufficient.
Certified English Translation of Educational Records. A notarized English translation must be included in the evaluation to allow for accurate interpretations.

Deadlines for the submission of evaluated transcripts and certified English translation.

Original transcripts:

Admitted for fall – October 1^st

Admitted for spring – March 1^st

Admitted for Summer I – July 8^th

Original transcripts with degree conferred:

Students graduating Fall – March 1^st

Students graduating Spring – July 8^th

Students graduating in Summer I – August 24^th

Students graduating in Summer II – October 15^th
Official English Proficiency Exam Scores. Students whose native language is not English will be expected to provide test scores for either Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Duolingo English Test or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). See the Graduate College International Admissions site for minimum score requirements and exemptions including countries exempt from the English Proficiency requirement.
Official Standardized Test Scores. Submit GRE, GMAT or other entrance exams required by your program of interest.

MENINGITIS VACCINATION

All new students under the age of 22 must provide certified proof form a health practitioner that they have received a valid bacterial meningitis vaccination or booster within the last five years. Students must submit their proof of vaccination or a booster at least 10 days prior to the first day of class for the intended term of enrollment. See the Graduate College Internal Admissions application site for information regarding exemptions.

PROCEDURE AFTER ADMISSION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS – ISSUANCE OF I-20

UTRGV is an approved Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) school to issue I-20 form needed to request an F-1 student visa.

Once the international student has received an acceptance letter from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, the student must turn in the following documents to International Admissions and Student Services:

Provide a copy of your valid passport (with at least 6 months before expiration date).
Submit a Certificate of Financial Responsibility (CFR) form.
Submit a bank statement, scholarship award, or any other financial support letter showing sufficient funds for one academic year of study and living. See cost of attendance tables for required amounts.
If applicable, please submit your Mexican Tuition Waiver form (Mexican students only).

The student must submit all documents mentioned above to the Office of International Admissions and Student Services or via email to international@utrgv.edu.

For the most up-to-date information on procedures after admission, speak to an international advisor in the Office of International Admissions and Student Services.

MEDICAL INSURANCE REQUIREMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

As required by Regents’ Rule 50402, students holding non-immigrant visas are required to maintain approved comprehensive health insurance or coverage while enrolled. Medical insurance is required each semester of attendance with required coverage by UT System. Medical insurance will be automatically billed to the student account at the beginning each semester and must be maintained throughout their time at our University. An international student can request a waiver by providing alternate health insurance coverage. To be approved for the waiver, the student’s alternate health coverage must meet or exceed the requirements set in the System regulation, be PPACA compliant, and will need to provide the required documentation. Waiver must be submitted and approved by Academic Health Plan (AHP).

International students will be automatically enrolled in health insurance coverage all year long (Fall, Spring, Summer). The only exception to this rule is for Mexican students (due to the proximity in health care services), and/or students who will be out of the United States or they will graduate in the summer session.

Mexican nationals are not required to obtain university medical insurance via AHP as long as they study at UTRGV on campus. For Mexican student doing a Curriculum Practical Training (CPT) at least 75 miles away from campus must need medical insurance coverage through AHP. For more information regarding waiver of medical insurance deadlines, the student must contact the International Student Advisor.