International Students

Office of International Student Services

Speech Building, Room 101 | (501) 916-3566 | E-mail: internationalservices@ualr.edu        

The mission of the Office of International Student Services (OISS) is to actively promote international and intercultural understanding and to cultivate a mutual commitment and support for international education throughout the campus community. Our team serves all incoming and currently enrolled international students and scholars at UA Little Rock, the Bowen School of Law, and the Clinton School of Public Service. Our office provides assistance to prospective international undergraduate applicants and supports current international students and scholars in immigration advising, social, cultural, and academic issues during their stay. In addition, ISS always seeks to increase international ambiance on campus by identifying and implementing new opportunities between domestic and international students through workshops, and collaboration with the International Club for social programs, trips, and cultural excursions.

Admissions

Students seeking admission into UA Little Rock’s Graduate School should consider the following:

• Graduate admissions for prospective graduate certificates, master’s, and doctoral students are handled through the Graduate School. Identify the program you are interested in and research its webpage, course catalog, and course descriptions. Graduate students will want to be in touch with their Graduate Coordinator for degree-specific application information. and ask questions to their graduate program coordinator to ensure that it is the right degree program for their academic goals.
• Decide when to begin your studies at UA Little Rock. Take note of the program deadlines. Some programs have strictly enforced deadlines, while others have rolling admission. Application for admission can be submitted up to twelve months in advance of the semester in which you wish to begin your studies at UA Little Rock. Any applications received after the deadlines will automatically be deferred to the next semester.
• Summer Start Date: F and J students considering beginning a program in the summer must be sure there are enough on-campus classes to be enrolled full-time.

Requirements

To apply for admission to UA Little Rock, all the following documents must be submitted:

1. Complete Application Form
   • Apply online at https://apply.ualr.edu.
   • Pay Application Fee of $40.00.
   • The application fee for undergraduate and graduate programs is $40 USD. Students can pay their application fee with major credit cards (e.g., Visa, Mastercard, Discover) or US bank checks. Cash or non-US bank checks are not accepted. Application fees are non-refundable.
2. Submit Academic Records
   • Submit transcripts of the applicant’s entire academic record in secondary school, college, or university. Originals or official copies with certified English translations are accepted. University records received at foreign institutions must be articulated with a course-by-course credential evaluation. Visit www.naces.org/members.htm for a list of nationally recognized accreditation services.
   • Undergraduate Students must submit official high school and post-secondary school transcripts, accompanied by translations and credential evaluations as needed. See the Admission Types section for all required documents and admission standards. Academic records should be sent to the Office of Admissions.
3. Submit Immigration Verification Form
   • The Immigration Verification Form (IMVF) is electronic from required for all international students as part of the admission process. The form helps us understand your current and future immigration status so please submit the Immigration Verification Form along with the required supporting documents. Through the IMVF, you will verify your legal name and date of birth, your current immigration status and residence, your financial capability (for F-1 and J-1 visas), dependent information, and method of shipping.
   • Complete Immigration Verification Form at https://ualr.edu/international/ivform.
   • Transfer Students with an active SEVIS record must submit the Transfer-In Request in addition to the Immigration Verification Form. The Transfer Request Form will be completed by the student and the International Advisor (DSO or ARO) of the previous institution.
   • H Visa holders must submit the H1/H4 approval notice, I-94, and travel visa stamp in their passports.
   • H4 visa holders will also include the spouse’s H1 visa approval notice, a letter from the H1 spouse’s employer, and/or your spouse’s recent pay stubs.
4. Proof of Financial Support
   • Proof of financial support for the estimated cost of attendance is required for F-1 and J-1 students to receive Form I-20 or DS-2019 (respectively). Dependent Forms I-20 or DS-2019 require additional funding ($4500 for a spouse; $2500 per child). Learn more about acceptable forms of financial proof.
5. Demonstrate Proof of English Proficiency
   • Proof of English proficiency can be demonstrated through TOEFL, IELTS, 2 years of U.S. coursework, completion of IELP (undergraduate only-See Admissions section for specific information.), or citizenship from an exempt country. Find the specific English requirements per educational level.
6. Submit Immunization Records
   • Before registering for classes, all students are required to submit proof of vaccinations for 2 doses of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella). Additionally, non-citizens must take a T-Spot test for Tuberculosis screening from within the United States. These tests and shots may be taken after arrival through Student Health Services. If you have received one or both of the MMR vaccines, you may submit documentation to suffice the requirement.

Sending Documents for Undergraduate Applicants (Scan documents to admissions@ualr.edu)

University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Office of Admissions
Student Services Center Room # 219
2801 South University Avenue
Little Rock, AR 722204 USA

Financial Guarantee

If you are joining UA Little Rock as an F-1 or J-1 student, you are only authorized for on-campus employment and must be able to finance your expenses apart from employment. Prior to the issuance of I-20 or DS-2019, an applicant must provide documentation of financial resources for the tuition, fees, insurance, and cost of living for at least one academic year at UA Little Rock. Find the current estimated cost of attendance.

The proof of financial guarantee must be issued within the past 6 months and include the signature of a bank official. Funds for the dependents accompanying you to the U.S. must also be included. Form I-20 or DS-2019 may only be issued when you show satisfactory financial arrangements for meeting the expenses of his/her entire program of study.

Proof of financial guarantee may be provided as any of the following or a combination of several sources dated within the past 6 months. Bank letters may be from either US or foreign banks and foreign currency may be provided. All documentation must be in English.

• A personal bank reference letter from a bank official verifying that you possess all or a portion of the estimated cost of attendance
  • Note: A record of transactions is not required
• A sponsor’s bank reference letter verifying that he/she possesses all or a portion of the amount above and a written statement or affidavit from your sponsor verifying his or her intent to sponsor your education at UA Little Rock
• UA Little Rock Scholarship or Graduate Assistantship (GA) award letter
• Financial Guarantee from your government

While the proof of financial guarantee is only required for the first year, the funds must also be available for the duration of a student’s study. A subsequent financial guarantee is required if a student requests an extension of his or her program of study or changes the program level.

In addition to the estimated cost of attendance required for the principal F-1 or J-1, if a student is bringing a spouse or children, the student must also include additional financial support for their dependents. The additional amount required is $4500 for a spouse and $2500 per child.

Report to the Office of International Student Services

Students should report to OISS within 10 days of arrival. The office is located in the Education Building Room #101. When you check in, bring your passport, I-20, or DS-2019, and I-94. Once you have registered for classes and updated your U.S. address in BOSS, an international advisor will activate your immigration record in SEVIS. Failure to report OISS may result in loss of immigration status.

Employment Information

U.S. immigration laws permit F/J international students who are enrolled full-time and in good academic standing in UA Little Rock undergraduate and graduate programs to work on campus for up to 20 hours a week during the academic year and full-time during university breaks, including summer, winter, and spring break. However, prior employment authorization must be obtained from OIS.

Tuition and Fees (See the Tuition and Fees chart for non-resident costs.)

Intensive English Language Program (IELP)

Stabler Hall, Room 301 | (501) 916-3468 | ualr.edu/ielp

The Intensive English Language Program (IELP) offers non-English speakers a full-time program in English language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. IELP courses are listed in the Department of World Languages (LANG). After completing IELP, students with the necessary academic qualifications may be admitted to UA Little Rock without taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of Written English (TWE), or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Conditional admission to UA Little Rock may be granted to IELP students with acceptable secondary school, college, or university grades.

IELP provides language training as well as cultural and academic orientation programs for the following students:

• International undergraduate or graduate students applying for admission to a U.S. college or university must first improve their language skills.
• International undergraduate or graduate students who have been admitted to UA Little Rock but require further language preparation.
• Community residents who want to improve their English language skills for personal or professional purposes.

IELP Objectives

• To help students improve their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills and enable them to successfully undertake work in regular university classes.
• To enable students to participate actively in most conversational situations.
• To introduce students to American culture in terms of a typical U.S. campus and community.
• To foster international and intercultural awareness and understanding.

IELP Eligibility

Only students who are 17 years of age or older are eligible for admission to IELP. No prior knowledge of English is necessary. Foreign students must provide documentation to establish their ability to support themselves while in the U.S.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

Credit and non-credit courses in ESL are offered during the fall, spring, and summer sessions. Intensive English classes focus on preparation for university study. Placement testing for the three-level intensive English program is held at the beginning of each semester. Students receive English instruction at the appropriate level of difficulty.

• Placement: Upon arrival, students are placed at the appropriate level on the basis of diagnostic tests.
• Levels: The IELP offers three levels of instruction: Foundations, Intermediate, and Pre-university/TOEFL.
• Classes: Each student has at least 20 hours of instruction per week; every student works to acquire grammar, pronunciation, culture, reading, writing, listening, speaking, and study skills. TOEFL preparation is offered at the highest level.
• Time frame: There are three semesters of instruction each year; each term is approximately fifteen weeks in length. Students may progress from foundations to the pre-university/TOEFL level in one year. However, determination and diligence determine how quickly an individual advances to the next level.

Visa Requirements

Prospective students who are not in the U.S. must follow standard U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service procedures for entry into the U.S. A student planning to study in the U.S. must obtain an F-1 visa. UA Little Rock is authorized to issue a Certificate of Student Eligibility (I-20) to eligible students. Students with the F-1 visa must remain full-time students to maintain F-1 status.

IELP Application and Admission

The student should initiate the application process at least three months before planning to enter UA Little Rock. To apply:

• Complete and submit UA Little Rock’s Immigration Verification Form and choose “IELP” as the student type.
• Submit supporting financial data (data must be verified by a bank stamp or the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate) and a copy of the student’s passport information page.
• An I-20 will be sent to qualified applicants. Please allow one month for return.

IELP Tuition

Students should check the IELP website for up-to-date information on costs for tuition, medical insurance, and other fees.

Working While at IELP

IELP Students are not allowed to work while they are studying at IELP. Once an IELP student graduates from the program, he/she might be able to work on campus, but the student must obtain prior approval from the Office of International Services (Education Building, Room 101).