Loyola University Chicago

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International Students

The Graduate School welcomes applications from international students who have completed a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or its equivalent.

English Language Proficiency Requirement for Admission

In addition to completing the regular application procedures, international applicants whose native language is not English must take one of the following tests:

Test scores should be sent directly to Loyola University Chicago (our institutional code is 1412).

If your scores are not quite high enough to gain admission to a university, that is low advanced or above (TOEFL ~500/173/61), you may want to attend one of our full-time ESL programs.

Transcripts and Credentials

International applicants who have completed their studies outside the United States must present all post-secondary credentials. Credentials must include all grades or examination results and all degrees, diplomas, and certificates earned. Documents must be authentic and certified by the institution or authorized agency. Those not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations. One (1) set of your post-secondary credentials with supporting documents must be submitted to:

Graduate and Professional Enrollment Management
Loyola University Chicago
820 N. Michigan Avenue #800
Chicago, IL  60611, USA
Phone: +1 312 915-8950
Fax: +1 312 915-8905
E-mail: gradapp@luc.edu

In addition, international students are required to submit non-U.S. transcripts to one of the following approved outside credential evaluation services:

The evaluation is to be sent to Loyola directly from the credential service to the address above. Plan ahead to request this service at least one to two months before submitting your application for admission. Applicants should request a General Evaluation Report; a Course-by-Course Evaluation is not required.

Visa Requirements and Proof of Financial Resources

All international students who wish to attend school in F-1 or J-1 student status must fill out the Declaration & Certification of Finances Form for International Graduate & Professional Students. You will need to provide this Declaration and Certification of Finances documentation once a decision has been made to accept you for admission to Loyola. The purpose of this documentation is to prove that you already have enough money in savings for tuition and living expenses for a period of twelve months, with the understanding that you will be able to fund your entire education at Loyola University Chicago. 

The financial proof can be in the form of your personal bank statement or a letter from any agency, government, or employer offering to cover your tuition and living expenses. You may also receive financial support from a family member or another source. If support is obtained from a family member or another sponsor, there must be a written letter on behalf of the sponsor stating that they will cover your expenses accompanied by an original bank statement for the academic year; the required amount is listed in the Declaration & Certification of Finances Form for International Graduate & Professional Students. The total expense for the academic year is non-negotiable and must be shown to receive a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019 form). Bank statements must be originals, written in English, and converted into U.S. dollars. We will not accept any statement that is over 6 months old.

You must provide written proof of this support to:

Office of International Programs
Loyola University Chicago
6525 North Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL  60626-5311, USA

The Certificate of Eligibility, Form I-20, is the document that enables individuals to apply for the F-1 student visa. The Certificate of Eligibility, Form DS-2019, is the document that enables individuals to apply for the J-1 exchange visitor visa. Only upon full acceptance to the university is a certificate of eligibility issued. Full acceptance is based on the following criteria:

  • Submission and approval of all appropriate academic requirements
  • Satisfactory TOEFL, IELTS, or TELA score from applicants whose native language is not English
  • Sufficient, documented financial support

After you have been admitted to an academic program at Loyola University Chicago, and after the International Center has received the complete documentation listed above, you will receive a Form I-20 or DS-2019 in the mail. Take this form to a U.S. Consulate to apply for an F-1 student visa or J-1 exchange visitor visa, respectively, for entry into the U.S.

If you have any questions about your student status or about this process, feel free to contact International Student and Scholar Services in the Office for International Programs at intlcntr@luc.edu.

Initial Attendance and Transferring Schools within the U.S.

The Immigration and Naturalization Service requires every international student who enters the United States on the F-1 or J-1 visa for study at a particular school to complete at least one academic term at the school before being eligible to transfer to another school. For example, if you enter the U.S. on an I-20 from Loyola University Chicago, the U.S. government requires that you attend Loyola for at least one term before you are permitted to transfer to another university.

If you are transferring to Loyola from a school in the United States, you must obtain a Transfer Verification Form from your current institution to send to Loyola so that we can transfer your F-1 or J-1 status. The International Advisor should complete this form at your current or most recent school attended. You need to instruct the International Advisor at your former school what date you would like to be released and transfer to Loyola. Loyola cannot issue the transfer I-20 or DS-2019 until your previous school releases you to transfer. If you are out of status with your former school, please contact the Office for International Programs at intlcntr@luc.edu or +1 773 508-3899.

If you are currently in the U.S. on a dependent non-immigrant visa such as H-4, L-2, F-2, J-2 or Permanent Residency, please let the Office for International Programs know your status and if you are interested in changing your non-immigrant status to F-1.

Deadlines for Visa Requirements

Applicants from within the United States must submit all supporting documentation (proof of financial support, TOEFL or IELTS score, hospitalization insurance information) at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the academic term they wish to attend. This is necessary to ensure that applicants will have sufficient time to make arrangements for their transfer.

Applicants applying from outside the United States must submit all supporting documentation (proof of financial support, TOEFL or IELTS score, hospitalization insurance information) at least 90 days prior to the beginning of the academic term they wish to attend. This is necessary to ensure that applicants will have sufficient time to make arrangements for their visa.

Hospitalization Insurance

Loyola University Chicago requires that all international students carry hospitalization insurance before they register for classes. The university participates in an insurance program which is available to international students.

Immunizations

Illinois Public Act 85-1315 requires that all students born on or after January 1, 1957, entering universities must present proof of immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria and tetanus. This requirement applies to international applicants. A Medical Health Report form will be sent with the Certificate of Eligibility.

Financial Assistance

International students are not eligible for any state or federal financial aid. Institutional aid is available on a very limited basis and is generally awarded according to academic merit. For more information, please see the Graduate School's information on merit awards.

Housing

On-Campus housing is available on a limited basis for unmarried international graduate students. For more information, please visit www.luc.edu/oip/housing.shtml.

More Questions?

The International Center will be happy to answer any questions you might have about your possible visa status in the U.S. You may reach the International Center at any of the following:

Phone: +1 773 508-3899
Fax: +1 773 508-7125
E-mail: intlcntr@luc.edu
Website: Office for International Programs

English Language Degree Requirement

Students who have not received a bachelor's degree from an institution where English is the language of instruction are required to complete the English language degree requirement. This is a very important requirement: students who do not fulfill the requirement will not be eligible to receive a degree.

The policy states that incoming students are required to take a placement test at the beginning of the first semester as a degree-seeking student (the placement test is a different test from the Test of English as a Foreign Language [TOEFL] and the International English Language Testing System [IELTS]). Detailed information on the test is available at the English as a Second Language (ESL) department website: www.luc.edu/esl/. The ESL department will notify students of the results of the test. Depending on their test results, students may be required to complete one or two ESL courses to satisfy the English language degree requirement.

Students with questions regarding this policy should contact their graduate program director or the Graduate School.