Janice Lozano
Central Washington University (CWU) offers a range of resources and support services for international students throughout the admissions process and beyond. International students are encouraged to apply early and should be prepared to submit official transcripts and complete additional steps, such as providing proof of English proficiency and undergoing a transcript evaluation. After acceptance, international students receive information regarding housing options and are required to submit immigration and financial documents to obtain their I-20, or Certificate of Eligibility. CWU also offers travel advice for international students, including recommendations for travelling while awaiting approval for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $60 or $75 |
| Application deadline | International students should apply earlier than the general deadline |
| Application process | Online through the application portal or Common App |
| Requirements | Official transcripts, 3.0 GPA or above on last 90 quarter credits/60 semester credits cumulative Grade Point Average, proof of English proficiency (TOEFL test, IELTS test, Duolingo English test, or bachelor's degree from a US university or an English-speaking university) |
| Additional requirements for international students | Submission of external examination results, immigration and financial documents, transfer of SEVIS record, $400 enrollment deposit |
| Housing | On-campus or off-campus options available, additional financial support of $5,000 per dependent |
| Orientation | CWU orientation is recommended for international students to familiarize themselves with resources and gain a sense of belonging |
| Financial aid | Submission of FAFSA or WASFA is recommended |
| OPT application | USCIS processes the OPT application, and travel outside the US is not recommended during this time |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Application requirements and fees
International students at Central Washington University (CWU) should plan to apply earlier than the general application deadline. The application process is completely online, and applicants can apply through the application portal or use Common App. The non-refundable application fee is $60, although there are opportunities for a fee waiver.
International students on an F1 visa will need departmental approval for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). CPT is only accepted for the Summer Quarters and for one of the Fall/Winter/Spring quarters of the second year, for a single employer.
To complete your admission process, you must submit official high school or college transcripts. If you have previously attended CWU as a degree-seeking student and want to finish your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit an application and any transcripts from other institutions you have attended since you left CWU. Electronic transcripts are accepted, and these should be emailed to [email protected]. If you are having your transcripts mailed, they should be sent to the following address:
> Central Washington University
> Office of Admissions
> 400 E University Way
> Ellensburg, WA 98926-7463
International students must provide proof of English proficiency. This can be done through a TOEFL test (79 IBT), IELTS test (6.5 academic), or Duolingo English test (120 minimum). These tests are waived if you received a bachelor's degree from a US university or from a university where the main language of instruction is English.
If you are an international first-year student, a $400 enrollment deposit must be received before your document I20 (a "Certificate of Eligibility" for international students who have been fully admitted) can be issued. You must also submit immigration and financial documents and complete steps to transfer your SEVIS record to CWU. If you plan to bring dependents (a spouse or children) with you to the U.S., you must provide additional financial support ($5,000 per dependent) and submit their passport and information to the International Department at [email protected].
International Students: Pathway to Bachelor's Degrees
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Additional documentation
International students at Central Washington University (CWU) should be prepared to submit additional documentation as part of the admissions process. While the application is completely online, there are several supplementary materials that must be provided to ensure a smooth application process.
Firstly, international students are required to submit official transcripts from all previously attended universities. These transcripts should be accompanied by a transcript evaluation, which can be obtained through an outside credential company at the applicant's expense. This evaluation is used to authenticate the transcripts. Additionally, international students must provide proof of English proficiency. This can be demonstrated through various means, such as the TOEFL test (79 IBT), IELTS test (6.5 academic), or Duolingo English test (120 minimum). However, these tests may be waived if the applicant has received a bachelor's degree from a US university or an institution where English is the primary language of instruction.
Another crucial aspect of the application process for international students is submitting immigration and financial documents. This includes transferring your SEVIS record to CWU to obtain the I-20 document, which is the "Certificate of Eligibility" for international students. Additionally, international students planning to bring dependents (spouse or children) to the US must provide additional financial support of $5,000 per dependent and submit their passport and information to the International Department.
Furthermore, international students at CWU should be aware of the travel restrictions during the application process. It is recommended that students refrain from travelling outside the US while the USCIS is processing their OPT application. Once the OPT is approved and the student has received their EAD card, international travel is possible, but specific documents, such as a valid Travel Signature, are required for re-entry into the US.
Lastly, international students should maintain open communication with both the Graduate School and the International Studies and Programs office throughout the admissions process. CWU provides various resources, such as the MyCWU portal and email services, to facilitate this communication and assist students in navigating the application process successfully.
International Students: Financial Aid Eligibility
You may want to see also
Explore related products
English proficiency
International students applying to Central Washington University (CWU) must provide proof of English proficiency as part of their application. This requirement can be waived if the student is from a country where English is the official language or has received a bachelor's degree or higher from an institution where all courses were taught in English.
There are several ways for students to demonstrate their English proficiency. One option is to submit official IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores. These scores must be sent directly to CWU from IELTS, and photocopies are not accepted. CWU's school code is #4044, and the minimum required score is 6.0 or 6.5 on a 4-point scale, depending on the source. Scores must be less than two years old.
Another option is to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) test. Official scores should be sent directly to CWU from ETS (Educational Testing Services), and photocopies are not accepted. Scores must be less than two years old and cannot be from the Institutional TOEFL.
The Duolingo English Test is another option, which can be taken online in under an hour for $49. This test includes a proficiency score, video interview, and writing sample, and certified results are available within 48 hours. The minimum required score is 120.
Additionally, students can provide proof of English proficiency by submitting transcripts from college-level English composition courses with a grade of C or 2.0 or higher from a US college or university. A higher-level English grade of 5 or better is also accepted.
For students with a bachelor's degree or higher from China, the official Chinese transcript must be given to the China Academic Degrees and Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC) for translation before being sent to CWU.
International Students: How to Navigate Tax Laws
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Visa and travel considerations
International students at Central Washington University (CWU) should plan to apply earlier than the general application deadline. This is because it can take additional time to submit official transcripts, and if admitted, to receive a visa appointment.
International students on an F1 visa will need departmental approval before being authorised for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). CPT is only accepted for the Summer Quarters and for one of the Fall/Winter/Spring quarters of the second year, for a single employer. The necessary information and signatures will be obtained by completing a "learning agreement", which can be downloaded from the Career Services website.
After acceptance into your program, you will receive an email from the International Department regarding your options to live on or off campus. If you plan to live on campus, you will apply through MyCWU. If you plan to bring dependents (spouse or children) with you to the U.S., you must provide additional financial support of $5,000 per dependent, and submit their passport and information to the International Department at [email protected]. They will be added to your I-20 and will need to apply for an F-2 dependent visa.
The I-20 is a "Certificate of Eligibility" that is issued to international students who have been fully admitted to CWU. To obtain your I-20, you must submit immigration and financial documents and complete steps to transfer your SEVIS record to CWU.
It is not recommended that students travel outside of the U.S. while USCIS is processing their OPT application. Once the OPT is approved and the EAD card received, students may travel outside the U.S. but will need a valid Travel Signature to re-enter. Travel Signatures are valid for only six months from the date of signature while on OPT.
International Students: Getting a Driver's License in Canada
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Housing and financial aid
Housing
After receiving your acceptance letter, you will receive an email from both the International Department and Housing Services regarding your options to live on or off campus. If you plan to live on campus, you will need to apply through MyCWU. You can contact [email protected] for more information.
Financial Aid
There are various financial aid options available for international students at Central Washington University. Firstly, you must provide adequate financial documentation before your I-20 can be issued. This includes completing the Confidential Financial Statement Form 1 or Form 2, depending on whether you will be studying at the Ellensburg campus or a University Center. Along with this form, you must submit a current bank statement in the name of the student's sponsor or the student. The bank statement should be no older than three months and show that the account holder can pay for the estimated costs of attending CWU for at least one academic year.
Additionally, international students on an F or J visa can learn more about Financial Resources and Scholarships for International Students. There is also the option of applying for grants, loans, and work-study programs through the Office of Financial Aid. The first step is to complete the FAFSA or WASFA, and CWU will then determine your eligibility for financial aid.
Furthermore, international students at CWU are eligible for scholarships based on merit, with a maximum undergraduate award of $11,600 and a maximum graduate award of $12,000 for the 2024/2025 tuition rates. Scholarship eligibility is assessed once students are accepted to CWU, and qualified students will be notified via email within 2-3 weeks. Scholarships are re-awarded each academic year based on students' spring quarter cumulative GPA.
International Students: Working at Morgan Stanley
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
International students at CWU must pay a non-refundable application fee of $60 or $75 before submitting their application. They must also provide proof of English proficiency, as well as official transcripts from all universities attended. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required, alongside a TOEFL score of 79 IBT, an IELTS score of 6.5, or a Duolingo English test score of 120 minimum. International students should apply earlier than the general deadline to allow time for submitting official transcripts and, if admitted, receiving a visa appointment.
After receiving your acceptance letter and I-20, you will receive a welcome packet of information from International Student Services. This will include information about registration and orientation. You will also receive communications from the International Department and Housing Services regarding your options to live on or off campus.
If you plan to bring a spouse or children with you, you must provide additional financial support of $5,000 per dependent. You must also submit their passport and information to the International Department at [email protected]. They will be added to your I-20 and will need to apply for an F-2 dependent visa.
