International Students

Your first step is to complete Taylor’s online Admissions Application or Common Application. The name you use on your application should match the name on your passport.

The Admissions application will include:

• Completing the application form.
• Sharing your story.

  Write about what God is doing in your life.

• Sending your academic transcript.

  Submit a transcript from each secondary and post-secondary school attended, current through the time of application. It is important that your academic transcripts be translated into English and evaluated by an approved credential evaluation service before being sent to the Admissions Office. You can contact any credential evaluator approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluators (NACES).

• Submitting your test scores: send in your SAT, ACT, TOEFL, and/or IELTS scores.

  Depending on the test scores achieved on these exams, students might be required to take the Oxford Online Exam (this test will be provided by Taylor to you at no cost). This will help us identify students who may qualify for any accommodations through the Academic Enrichment Center or who would benefit from ESL classes. These resources can help you to experience academic success at Taylor.

• Submitting your Affidavit of Support.

  In your Affidavit of Support, you will outline sources of financial support (separate from the University). This can include grants from your native country, bank statements, pledges from family, friends, or other sponsors. This information is kept confidential.

  Your application will not be considered until the affidavit of support is received by the Admissions staff.

Once you have completed Phase 1, you have officially applied to Taylor. We will review your application and notify of you of our decision and next steps via email.

If you are accepted to Taylor, you will need to confirm your intention of attending Taylor before proceeding with the international student process.

Confirm your acceptance by paying your matriculation fee online.

After you pay your matriculation fee, you will receive an email from your Admissions Counselor with the housing form. Please complete the form to indicate your preferences for where you will live on campus.

After you pay your matriculation fee, your acceptance to Taylor is confirmed. At this point, your Admissions Counselor will have connected you to Taylor’s Office of Intercultural Programs (OIP).

To begin the international student process, you will need to:

• Submit information for the I-20 form.

  Taylor will send you the I–20 form. In order to get the I–20 form to you, Taylor needs a phone number and a physical address (no P.O. boxes). The physical address should match the following fields as closely as possible:

  • Name
  • Street Number
  • Street Name
  • City
  • Country
  • Zip Code

  If you have concerns, please contact your Admissions Counselor.

• Pay your SEVIS fee.

  You must pay a $350 SEVIS fee to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) before you apply for a student visa.
  You can pay by:

  • Credit Card: online at DHS’s fmjfee.com.
    • Follow the instructions.
    • Print out the payment screen to verify your payment.
    • Bring that printout to your visa interview.
  • Western Union with local currency.
    • Only available where Western Union offers its Quick Pay service.
    • A properly completed Western Union receipt serves as a proof of payment for the visa interview.
    • Request the Blue Form by clicking on Payment Services or Quick Pay.
    • More instructions here.
    • Find the nearest Western Union agent location.
  • Check or money order.

    Check or money order should be:

    • Payable to “I–901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee.”
    • Made in U.S. dollars and drawn from a bank located in the United States.

    Two options:

    1. Internet-generated coupon.
       • Go to fmjfee.com.
       • Enter basic information.
       • Print out a coupon.
       • Mail a check or money order with the coupon to:

         I–901 Student/Exchange Visitor
         Processing Fee
         P.O. Box 970020
         St. Louis, MO 63197–0020

       • Paper option.
         • Download or obtain Form 1–901.
         • Complete form and mail it, with check or money order, to:

           1–901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee
           1005 Convention Plaza
           St. Louis, MO 63101

    For both options, once the information and fee are processed, SEVIS will be updated with the fee payment information and a receipt will be issued. The first options will allow you to print an electronic receipt. The second will send you a receipt in the mail.

    The fee must be paid at least three business days before your scheduled interview.

    Bring your I–901 receipt with you to your visa interview.

• Obtain a Student Visa.

  To study in the United States, you must obtain a student (F–1) visa from the U.S. embassy in your country of residence. To apply for this visa, you need your I–20 form.

  Most likely, you will also need:

  • Visa application form.
  • Proof of financial resources.
  • Passport-size photographs.
  • Contact the U.S. embassy closest to you for specific instructions.

  Find more information here.

  Students from Canada and Bermuda are exempt from applying for a visa, but must provide SEVIS fee payment verification and their I–20 or DS–2019 Form to an immigration inspector when applying for entry to the United States as an F–1 student.

  You will be sent more information about the visa interview process. Be sure to read and follow it closely. The sooner you apply for your visa, the better.

Everything is in order for you to move to campus! We’re excited that you will be joining our community soon. Please prepare to move to campus a week before the semester begins so you can participate in International Orientation.

Register for International Orientation