Application Documents Required | International Education | SIU

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The application fee is currently $40 payable online or by check.

Transcripts and Educational Records:

For freshman applicants a 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale is the minimum requirement

For transfer applicants a 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale is the minimum requirement

5 Passes on the GCE O or A level exams (under the Cambridge/ed excel model)

*GPA is calculated according to SIU's standard method

All applicants must submit their secondary school certificates or mark sheet, and all college/university transcripts. These educational documents must bear the original seal and signature of the Headmaster, Registrar, Ministry of Education, or officially designated Ministry. Also submit the official results of any national examinations, if these are given in your country. If you completed high school in the U.S.A. or in an American high school system, submit scores from the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Other students may submit SAT scores for admission consideration, but they are not required to do so.

If you submit unofficial records (those which do not bear the original signature of the institution's representative) you will delay admission consideration because these documents cannot be used. You must submit credentials that bear the official seal and have been signed by the registrar, headmaster, or dean of the institution issuing the documents. Photocopies will be accepted if they bear the institution's original seal and the original signature of the school official certifying the documents. Original certificates and/or transcripts can be returned to you unless the institution submitting the documents indicates that they are not to be given to you. Please also submit an official English translation if the original is not in English.

It is necessary to verify the results of the West African School Certificates. All applicants submitting this certificate must submit the following information:

  • Examination Number and Year
  • Type of Examination
  • Card Serial Number 
  • PIN number

Failure to provide this information will delay the processing of your application.

Financial Statement: current amount found here

You must include a bank statement or letter from your sponsor and return it with your admission application. (Your bank statement is a letter from a representative of the bank where you, your parents, or your sponsor maintain an account. Must be within the last 6 months)

English Language Test Scores

You must also demonstrate English proficiency before you can enroll in SIU courses. All scores must be submitted by the issuing institution. Meaning that the TOEFL or IELTS center must send the scores directly to SIU's International Admissions office. These scores may not come directly from the student. The following are accepted to receive a waiver of the English Language requirement:

  • TOEFL - 68 on the internet based test
  • TOEFL - 520 on the paper based test
  • ITEP - 4.0 (academic plus only)
  • IELTS - 6.0
  • 2 Face-to-face English composition classes taken in the U.S. at the college level with a grade of A or B
  • Have completed more than 48 college level credit hours at a U.S. institution
  • Are from a country whose primary language is English (i.e.: United Kingdom, Australia as verified by admissions officer)
  • Graduated from a U.S. high school having spent the final 2 years in the U.S. 

*The code number for submitting official TOEFL scores to SIU is 1726.

SAT and ACT test scores are not required for international undergraduate applicants.

*NOTE: SIU does not have an official application deadline (for most majors) for international students, however, students should allow enough time for visa documents to be processed (minimum 2 months)