International Students
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Document Number: ENRSER--106
Revision #: 2.0
Document Owner: VP of Enrollment Management
Date Last Updated: 03/20/2018
Primary Author: Executive Director of Enrollment Services Status: Approved
Date Originally Created: 11/29/2011
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General Description
Description:
Information about admission requirements for international students.
Purpose:
Delineation of policy.
Scope:
Enrollment Services
Students
Responsibility:
Enrollment Services
Student Financial Services
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Requirements
Relevant Knowledge:
Federal statutes
Local statutes
Standard company policies
Current University policy
Standards of good practice
State statutes
Terms and Definitions:
Additional training
Loss of privilege, general
Suspension-student
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Policy Provisions
1. International Students
International applicants should apply at least six months in advance to allow sufficient time for completion of files and correspondence. No international student will be considered for admission and enrollment at until all official documents have been received and are on file. It is the applicant’s responsibility to make certain all documents are received by the appropriate deadline.
1. All international students must file an Application for Admission and submit a non-refundable application fee of $50, which must accompany the application form. International students may also apply to the University online at www.cumberland.edu. Students who apply online may pay their application fee online. The application form must have all the appropriate spaces completed. Failure to complete the application form or to submit the $50 application fee will result in a delay in processing and consideration of the application.
2. Graduation from an accredited high school is required. All students must submit English translated official transcripts of all secondary work.
3. All students from countries where English is not the native language must demonstrate a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination, 500 or higher on the written exam, 61 or higher on the internet-based exam, or a 173 on the computer-based exam, by submitting an official copy of the TOEFL grade report.
4. All students must submit an affidavit that shows the student has funds for the cost of living and studying at Cumberland University for two semesters on deposit at a financial institution in the United States or a foreign country. An affidavit of support is required each academic year.
5. International students must submit their official transcripts to an evaluation agency that is a member of NACES (National Association of Credential Services) for translation, evaluation, and to provide a cumulative grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale. Examples of agencies offering these evaluation services include, but are not limited to World Educational Services (WES), Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. (JS&A) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). An original copy of the evaluation must be on file before the student is considered for admission. Minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 for freshmen is required for secondary work. All students who wish to transfer from another college or university must have a cumulative GPA for 2.0 or better to qualify for undergraduate admission.
6. ACT or SAT examinations are required for freshman or transfer students who have less than 30 hours of college work. The minimum scores that are required are a composite score of 21 on the ACT or 980/990 SAT critical reading and math combined score. The official score report must be submitted from the high school or from the ACT or SAT testing agency.
7. Students who have completed a thirteenth year in a secondary (high) school must take and pass College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations to receive college credit for courses taken in that thirteenth year.
8. All international students must enroll in health and accident insurance approved by Cumberland University and provide evidence of appropriate insurance. The Designated School Official (DSO) will assist in locating an agent to supply such service.
9. All students must complete the required immunization form provided by the Office of Admissions. For further information regarding current immunization requirements please contact the Office of Admissions.
10. All international students are required to pay an international fee of $75 each semester.
Once it determines the student has been accepted for admission, the University will then issue a Certificate of Eligibility for non-immigrant “F-1” student status (1-20). Part-time and transient students must meet the same requirements as outlined above; in addition to paying the total cost of course work at the time of registration.
2. While on F-1 Visas, an International Student Must:
1. Maintain a full course of study through the 9-month academic year.
a. Undergraduates ( Must be registered for a minimum of 12 credit hours)
b. Graduates (Must be registered for a minimum of 6 credit hours)
2. Meet with and obtain approval from the Coordinator of Graduate and International Admissions PRIOR to falling below or registering for less than the full time enrollment each semester.
3. Make satisfactory progress toward completion of a degree program and keep their I-20 valid at all times during study at Cumberland University.
4. Not accept employment on or off campus without approval from the Coordinator of Graduate and International Admissions.
5. Not work in on campus employment more than 20 hours per week while school is in session.
6. Report any changes of name, major, program level, or funding source to the Coordinator of Graduate and International Admissions within 10 days of the change.
7. Not be enrolled in more than 1 online course contributing to a full course load. Any online classes past full-time do not count against the student.
a. An undergraduate student with a 3 credit hour online class must be enrolled in 9 credit hours on ground.
b. A graduate student with a 3 credit hour online class must be enrolled in 3 credit hours on ground.
Failure to follow any of the Department of Homeland Security regulations or those listed here regarding an F-1 international student will result in falling out of F-1 student status. Unless promptly resolved failure to abide by the aforementioned regulation could result in the student losing the right to maintain their current visa and the right to such a visa in the future.
3. Applicant Self-identification of Criminal History
During the application process, all applicants have the opportunity to self-identify as being previously convicted of a felony. Those applicants affirming such a history are required to submit a written statement outlining the details of the conviction and the steps previously taken to reform and prevent repeated behavior. This written statement is separate from the personal statement required by select applicants appealing to the Admissions Committee.
Also, any student self-reporting a criminal history will be required to give consent to the Provost allowing the Provost to request a criminal background check report from a reputable agency of the Provost’s choosing. Such a report will give accurate detail either supporting or refuting the claims made by the applicant and provide an unbiased narrative of the past criminal history in question. Since the report may improve the university’s ability to fairly adjudicate the student’s application, the university will pay any fees required by the reporting agency. This report will then remain confidential, secured in the University Provost’s Office, and viewable only by the University President, Provost, and Vice President of Enrollment Services during a called meeting of the Admissions Special Circumstances Sub-committee of the Admissions Committee. A copy of the report will be included in the final electronic version of the student’s admissions file via the document tracking feature within the university’s database management system and processed under the direct supervision of the Executive Director of Enrollment Management with original copies returned to the Provost.
Lastly, if any student admitted by the university fails to self-report a criminal history, the Provost has the authority and discretion to summarily dismiss the student. Dismissal as a result of a criminal history will not merit an appeal at any level of university administration and will remain in effect indefinitely.
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Performance Evaluation
Performance Metrics:
Compliance with standard policy and procedure
Compliance with federal mandate
Consequences:
Further training
Loss of privileges
Suspension-student
Expulsion
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Subject Experts
The following may be consulted for additional information.
Executive Director of Enrollment Services