University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Policy Name: International Student Requirements
Policy Number: LR 502.6
Effective Date: February 2019
Revised Dates: February 2019, April 30, 2010
Most Recent Review Date: February 2019 (Faculty Senate)
Policy
UA Little Rock is authorized by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of State to enroll non-immigrant international students.
International students applying for admission to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock must apply online and submit complete credentials and detailed information before being considered for admission. This includes any student classified by USCIS as A-1, A-2, F-1, F-2, H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4, J-1, J- 2, K-1, K- 2, L-1, or L-2.
International students must apply online and submit complete credentials before being considered for admission. The application and credential deadlines are as follows: Fall semester – July 15, Spring semester – November 15, and Summer semester – May 15.
International Freshman Students
Applicants must submit the following:
- An online application for admission.
- Non-refundable application fee.
- Proof of two MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) immunizations. (required of all applicants born after January 1, 1957). This document must be in English, signed by a physician, and list the dates of the two MMR immunizations.
- Proof of English language proficiency (see the following section).
- Official secondary school completion credential granting access to post-secondary education in their home country.
- Submit online Immigration Verification Form and attach:
– Copy of passport
– Bank reference letter Submit a financial statement (F and J visas only) certifying that they have the financial resources to live and study in the United States apart from on-campus employment. The proof of financial guarantee must be issued within the past 6 months and funds must be liquid. Additional funds for any dependents must also be included.
International Transfer and Post-Baccalaureate Students
Applicants must submit the following:
- An online application for admission.
- Non-refundable application fee.
- Proof of two MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) immunizations. (required of all applicants born after January 1, 1957). This document must be in English, signed by a physician, and list the dates of the two MMR immunizations.
- Proof of English language proficiency (see the following section).
- Official course-by-course transcript evaluation from all post-secondary institutions from IEE (International Education Evaluators}
- Submit online Immigration Verification Form and attach:
– Copy of passport
– Bank reference letter (F and J visas only) certifying that they have the financial resources to live and study in the United States apart from on-campus employment. The proof of financial guarantee must be issued within the past 6 months and funds must be liquid. Additional funds for any dependents must also be included.
Proof of English Language Proficiency for Undergraduate/Post-Baccalaureate International Students
Applicants whose native language is not English must submit proof of English language and academic skill proficiency before admission to UA Little Rock. All other admission criteria must be met. Students may satisfy the English language requirement in one of the following ways:
- A score of at least 61 (iBT) earned within the last two years on the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based-Test (TOEFL lbt) (UA Little Rock Code is 6368); or
- A score of at least 6 on the IELTS earned within the last two years; or
- Completion of Composition I and II at a regionally accredited post-secondary U.S. institution with a grade of C or better; or
- Attendance at a U.S. school for the past six years; or
- Successful completion of the UA Little Rock Intensive English Language Program through the final level; or
- An official ACT score of at least 19 on both the English and Reading sections of ACT earned with the last five years; or
- An official SAT score of at least 330 SAT ERW; or
- Citizenship of an exempt country: Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, United Kingdom. Australia, New Zealand, or the Commonwealth Caribbean.
Requirements upon Arrival at UA Little Rock for International Students
- Attend the mandatory International Student Orientation.
- Newly admitted international students with a 1-20 or DS-2019 must physically check-in at the Office of International Students to provide copies of all current immigration documents along with other appropriate information required by SEVIS.
- Students transferring from another institution within the United States must have an active immigration record and must submit a SEVIS Transfer request completed by the applicant and by the foreign student advisor of the institution the applicant is currently attending. The student’s SEVIS file must also be transferred electronically by the previous institution to UA Little Rock.
- Assessment of new freshmen for academic placement. All first-time entering freshman students who have not taken the ACT or SAT will be required (upon arrival on campus) to be further assessed for academic placement purposes prior to registration.
- Complete the TB screening, unless exempt. Obtain an Arkansas Certificate of Immunization for Institutions of Higher Education (required of all applicants born after 1/ 1/ 1957). The certificate can be obtained at UA Little Rock’s Health Services Center; the test must be taken before class registration.
Maintaining Immigration Status
Ultimately, it is the international students’ responsibility to understand and comply with the terms of their immigration status while they are studying in the US.
To maintain legal status international students (F and J only) need to:
- Have a valid I-20/DS-2019.
- I-20’s and DS-2019’s have expiration dates, which can be found in the Program of Study section on the Form 1-20 and Item 3 on the DS-2019.
- If a student’s 1-20 or DS-2019 is going to expire before finishing his or her program, the student should consult the Office of International Services at least 30 days before the expiration date to discuss options.
- Enroll full-time
- In order to maintain status, F-1 and J-1 students must be enrolled full-time for each fall and spring semester.
- Enrollment in summer sessions is not required unless a student begins study at UA Little Rock in the summer.
- Failure to enroll in the school by the program start date will result in the loss of the student’s immigration status.
- Undergraduates – Full-time enrollment is a least 12 credit hours per semester. (Only 3 of these hours can be web-based online courses.)
- Graduates – Full-time enrollment is 9 credit hours per semester. (Only 3 of these hours can be web-based online courses.)
- Keep US Physical Address Up-to-date
- International students are required to report their US physical address to their schools.
- Any change of address must be reported within 10 days.
- US address must be the student’s physical address and cannot be a PO Box.
- Be in good academic standing
- Academic suspension, dismissal, expulsion, unauthorized drop below a full course of study, or any other similar action that prevents enrollment may negatively impact the student’s immigration status.
- Inform the Office of International Student Services prior to any of the following:
- Change of major, program, or degree level.
- Change of education level.
- Transfer to a new school or take a leave of absence.
- Request permission for Authorized Early Withdrawal (AEW).
- Travel outside of the U.S.
- Request a program extension.
- Request to add F2/J2 dependents.
Online and Distance Learning Programs
Students in Hl-B and H-4 visa status are exempt from the one course or three credit online or distance education restriction but may experience difficulties if they convert to an F-1 visa during the duration of an online or distance education program.
Enrolling in an online or distance education program, even with a residency requirement, does NOT authorize entry into the U.S. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain all documents required for entry into the U.S. prior to travel or, when required by the program, prior to admission to UA Little Rock.
On-Campus Employment
U.S. immigration laws permit international students to work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during university breaks, including summer, winter, and spring break. Official breaks begin on the day after the last day of final exam according to the UA Little Rock Academic Calendar. Prior permission must be obtained from the Office of International Student Services. Any unlawful off-campus employment will result in termination of the student’s immigration status in the US.
Health Insurance
All F-1 and J-1 international students are required to purchase health and accident insurance provided through UA Little Rock and maintain coverage year-round, as per this policy.
Premiums for insurance coverage are assessed twice a year on a six-month basis: Half is assessed at the beginning of the fall semester and half is assessed at the beginning of the spring semester. Each international student’s account is automatically charged for health and accident insurance. Students entering in the spring semester will be billed at a slightly higher rate, while students entering in at the beginning of the summer semester will be billed at a lesser rate.
Insurance enrollment is finalized on the 11th day of the class. Any change in registration, personal situation or immigration status will not result in removal from the insurance plan for that semester. Students with a pending change of status to F-1 will be enrolled in the insurance plan in the first semester they are classified as F-1.
All J exchange visitors including their dependents are required to maintain health insurance coverage meeting the Department of State regulations for the duration of their program.
Summary/Purpose
Identifies the terms and conditions for international student admissions at UA Little Rock.
Source: Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes (2/2019; 1/2019; 2/2005; 3/1994; 9/1990; and 4/1981)
Status: Active
Approved By: Andrew Rogerson, Chancellor
Originator: Faculty Senate
Custodian: Faculty Senate