International Students

Acceptance into a degree program is based on the following items:

All required documents listed below can be uploaded to the Admissions Portal once you have applied to SUNY Niagara.

Apply to SUNY Niagara

• Complete the SUNY Niagara Application for International Students

Transcripts

• High School (Secondary School): Official High School (Secondary School) transcript in certified English translation with proof of graduation.
  • Enter 777777 for high school code, if yours is not listed.
• College/University (if applicable): All International college/university transcripts must be sent to a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). This service will evaluate transcripts and provide the American grade and course equivalencies.
  • TEC(formerly SpanTran) has created a custom application for SUNY Niagara that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. You can access their application here:
    • TEC Application – SUNY Niagara

Passport

• Submit copy of valid passport.

Personal Essay

• Written autobiography essay highlighting the student’s goals and reasons he/she is seeking admission to SUNY Niagara. (Form FSA-2) The form must be used.

Financial Documents

As an international student, you are required to provide documented evidence of your financial resources for the first full academic year (10 months).  For international students, this amount is $19,000 minimum in U.S. dollars.  For Canadian commuter students, the amount is $10,000 minimum in U.S. dollars.

You must provide the following:

• A certified bank statement confirming the required amount with the appropriate bank signatures and listed acceptable documentation is also required.  Statements must be less than 6 months old and written in English.
• If you are being supported by a sponsor, complete SUNY International Financial Statement Form (FSA-4) indicating financial support of $19,000 minimum in U.S. dollars ($10,000 for Canadian commuter students).
• If you are bringing dependents, you are required to submit proof of additional funds to cover the cost of dependent expenses as well as passport copies for each dependent:
  $5,000.00 for spouse
  $2,500.00 for each child

English Proficiency

International students can provide proof of English language proficiency by one of the following means:

• TOEFL score of 61 or higher on internet-based test (ibT) or score of 500 or higher on paper – OR –
• IELTS score of 6 (Competent User) or higher – OR –
  • Applicants should search or provide test center with the following Account Name:
    • Account Name: SUNY, Niagara
    • Address: Undergraduate Admissions
      3111 Saunders Settlement Rd
      Sanborn, NY 14132
      United States
• Duolingo English Test score of 90 or higher – OR –
• Proof of citizenship from an English-speaking country and a short essay outlining why you should be waived from English language proficiency testing requirement.

Immunization

• Proof of immunization
  • Measles, mumps, and rubella is required
  • Meningitis vaccine is optional, but must be acknowledged by a signature on the Health Form in our Wellness Center.
  • COVID-19 Vaccine & Booster – All students are strongly encouraged to stay up to date on their initial course of vaccinations and boosters consistent with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations. While vaccines are not required at this time as a condition of enrollment, SUNY reserves the authority to change this policy at any time because of changes in local conditions or due to requirements imposed by Federal, State or local authorities.

More information about immunization requirements can be found on the Wellness Center webpage.

Placement Testing

• International students are required to complete placement testing once accepted to SUNY Niagara.  Placement testing can be completed online.  More information can be found on our Placement Testing webpage.

Student Visa Requirements

International students (excluding Canadian students) entering the United States for study must obtain an F-1 student visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. To obtain your visa, you must present the following documents:

• Your passport
• Your acceptance letter from the College
• Your I-20 form (provided by the College)
• Any other required materials as specified by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate

SEVIS Fee Payment (Form I-901)
Before applying for your visa, you are required to pay a $350 SEVIS fee to the U.S. Government. This fee must be paid online and a receipt of payment must be presented during your visa interview and at the port of entry.

Note: Canadian students must also pay the SEVIS fee, but do not require a visa to enter the U.S.

For more information on SEVIS requirements, payment instructions, and visa interview preparation, visit: 🔗 https://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901

Express Mail Shipment of I-20

The Admissions Office at SUNY Niagara offers an optional express mail service for international students applying for F-1 visas to receive their I-20 forms via FedEx, UPS, or DHL within 3–5 business days.

Important: I-20 forms are typically sent via regular mail, which can take several weeks for delivery.

How to Use Express Shipping (eShipGlobal)

To use this service:

1. Visit the secure website: https://study.eshipglobal.com
   (Best used with Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox)
2. Create a login and password (if using for the first time)
3. Enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport
4. Choose “Admissions Office” as the sender’s address
5. Leave the “Student ID” field blank (optional)
6. Pay with a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover only)

Once your request is complete, eShipGlobal will email you a tracking number so you can monitor your package.

For help with the process:

• Visit the FAQs section on eShipGlobal’s website
• Or email: 📧 student.support@eshipglobal.com

⚠️ Please double-check your information before submitting. Incorrect credit card details or address information can cause delays in shipping your I-20 form.

If you’re a Canadian student, you’ll have to pay the SEVIS fee, but you don’t need a visa to enter the United States for study. You must, however, have proof of Canadian citizenship and your acceptance letter and I-20 from SUNY Niagara. If English is your first language, TOEFL scores are not required. Other admission requirements still apply.

International students currently studying in the U.S. at a college or university can begin the process of transferring to SUNY Niagara by completing the I-20 Transfer In form for F-1 International Students.  This form must be completed by the PDSO or DSO at your current college or university and sent to the SUNY Niagara Admissions Office for review.  The PDSO or DSO at your current college or university must also transfer your SEVIS record to SUNY Niagara as soon as possible.

Incoming students must also request official transcripts to be sent from any college or university attended.  Official transcripts can be mailed to SUNY Niagara Admissions; 3111 Saunders Settlement Rd., Sanborn, NY 14132.  Electronic official transcripts can be emailed to admissions@niagaracc.suny.edu.

Once you arrive at SUNY Niagara, you are required to meet with the DSO for current students with 10 days of your arrival on campus.

Contact for an appointment:

Andrea Adinolfe, DSO for Current Students
In-Person: Student Success Center (D-102)
Phone: (716) 614-6290
Email: aadinolfe@niagaracc.suny.edu