international admissions

For purposes of admission and student accounts, international student is defined as any person in the United States on a non-immigrant visa (including but not limited to: F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, H-4, H-1B, etc.) or any non-US Citizen taking classes online from abroad.

To apply for admission as an international student, the applicant must submit the following:

1. Completed Application Form
2. $100 Application Fee (non-refundable)
3. Proof of English Proficiency (see the English Proficiency section below)
4. An official evaluation of foreign credentials: Must be completed by an approved National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member which includes, but is not limited to Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) and World Education Services (WES). Students who wish to transfer credit to Bellevue University will need to order a course-by-course evaluation.

International Students (including those who are taking classes online only) must prove English proficiency for admission in one of the following ways:

1. Provide English Proficiency scores with a minimum score in one of the following English Proficiency tests, or an approved equivalent:
   1. TOEFL test results with a minimum score of 500 (paper-based) and/or 61 (internet-based)
   2. IELTS test results with a minimum score of 5.5
   3. Duolingo Language Test results with a minimum score of 85
   4. ITEP test scores with a minimum score of 3.5
   5. Aptis test scores with an overall CEFR score of B2; OR
2. Identify as a native speaker from one of the select exempt English-speaking countries or an approved equivalent (see exempt countries list below); OR
3. Provide official transcripts of an awarded degree from an accredited US institution of higher education or an institution of higher education whose language of instruction is English showing successful completion of coursework, OR
4. Provide transcripts with at least 60 credits at an accredited university in the US or an institution of higher education whose language of instruction is English; OR
5. Provide transcripts with a passing grade for the equivalent of EN 101 at an accredited U.S school; OR
6. Provide proof of a completed and passed English as a Second Language (ESL) program; OR
7. Under extraordinary circumstances, an exception may be made only through approval from the Director of Admissions.

Students who are requesting F-1 or J-1 status from Bellevue University must meet the requirements for the respective immigration document (I-20 or DS-2019). This requirement is separate from admission.

Once admitted to a Bellevue University program, students requesting F-1 or J-1 status through Bellevue University will be contacted by International Student Services for the additional documents required for the I-20 or DS-2019. All students requesting an I-20 or DS-2019 must meet these additional requirements before an I-20 or DS-2019 can be created:

1. Proof of Finances: International students requesting F-1 status must submit financial documentation to prove that enough funds are readily available for the first year of estimated expenses. Students requesting J-1 status must submit financial documentation to prove that funding is available for the entire J-1 program. (See cost estimates in the “Estimated Cost of Attendance” tables below). All financial documents must meet the following requirements:
   1. The funds must be liquid funds available in a checking account, savings account, and/or a certificate of deposit (CD), as verified by an official bank letter (on letterhead) or bank statement. The bank statement or bank letter must clearly indicate the account holder’s name and the current balance.
   2. The financial documents must be dated within the last 6 months.
   3. Government organizations or Company-Sponsored students must provide a sponsorship letter indicating the details of their sponsorship. All company/government sponsorship letters must be presented on letterhead and signed by the sponsor
   4. If the account is not in the student’s name, an Affidavit of Support will be required. The sponsor’s name on the Affidavit must match with the name on the financial documents
   5. If the documents are not in English, an official translation must be provided.
2. A copy of your passport (or government ID, if your passport is not available)
3. If you are currently on F-1 or J-1 status at another school within the US and plan to transfer to Bellevue University, the SEVIS record must be transferred to Bellevue University before an I-20 or DS-2019 can be created.
4. Information about your dependents, including a copy of their passport, if you are bringing your child or spouse to the United States. Additional proof of finances will be required for each dependent.

Immigration documents cannot be created unless all of the above documents have been submitted and reviewed. Bellevue University reserves the right to verify the validity of all documentation provided.

Students who are not able to meet the deadlines for document production and visa issuance will be encouraged to defer their admission. See document production and visa issuance deadlines in the “Application Deadlines” table below.

After all documents are received, the application will be evaluated. Bellevue University reserves the right to verify the authenticity of submitted documents at any time.

Bellevue University may issue a Form I-20 or DS-2019 only if all applicable requirements are met. The DSO or (A)RO may decline to issue a Form I-20 or DS-2019 in his or her sole discretion. Reasons for such a decision may include, but are not limited to: failure to meet all legal requirements, failure to meet admission requirements, program ineligibility as determined by the institution, prior “for cause” SEVIS terminations or visa status violations, prior institutional I-20 or DS-2019 issuances resulting in “no shows” or a lack of meaningful academic progress as determined by the DSO or (A)RO, student suspension or expulsion status, and suspected fraud or discrepancies in documentation. DSO or (A)RO decisions on issuance of Forms I-20 or DS-2019 are not subject to appeal.

Students will be contacted via email with the admission decision.

For specific questions concerning the undergraduate or graduate program application, please contact Admissions, or phone 1.800.756.7920.

For specific questions about the I-20/DS-2019 process, please contact iss@bellevue.edu.

Send completed application requirements to:

Bellevue University
Attn: Admissions/International
1000 Galvin Road South
Bellevue, NE 68005
USA