Admission Procedure
1. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
- a) Application Form: Please fill out the ELI application form and return to ELI coordinator via mail, fax or email.
- b) $50 Application Fee: The application fee (US$50), if possible, should be in the form of an international money order made payable to "SHSU-ELI." This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
- c) Transcripts: Copies of transcripts from your most recently attended school, in English, need to be submitted to the ELI along with your application.
- d) Bank Statement: As a financial guarantee, please include a statement from a bank for one year's school and living expenses. The statement must show at least USD $11,444.00 in the account. The statement must be original, dated, signed, and written in English. If you plan to come to the U.S. with any dependents, please include $2,000 more for each dependent who will come with you.
If your tuition is to be paid by someone else, then, instead of your bank statement, we will need an original, current, dated sponsor's bank statement (showing amounts as indicated above) along with the document titled Sponsor's Declaration of Support. The sponsor must sign the Declaration of Support. You can download this document using the following link: SPONSOR'S DECLARATION OF SUPPORT
- e) Copy of valid passport: The passport expiration date must be at least one year after your expected program start date. If the passport picture and information are not legible, your application may be denied. Please send a good copy with the other documents.
- f) Application/Contract for On-Campus Housing (optional): If you would like to stay in university housing (approximate cost: $15 per day), please complete and return the Application/Contract for On-Campus Housing and Meal Plans. There are affordable off-campus options, but these are sometimes too far from campus to walk. On-campus housing is an excellent option, especially for the international student's first year at Sam Houston State University . If you want to live off-campus, you do not need to complete this form.
2. VISA
After we receive the above documents and application fee, we will send an I-20 (document) and a letter of acceptance. You will have to take the I-20 to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate and submit an application for an F-1 visa along with an application fee. For more information about obtaining a visa, please refer to the following governmental website: How to obtain a student visa for study in the United States
3. TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
After you receive your F-1 visa, you should make travel arrangements allowing you to arrive a few days before the first day of class. We will be happy to meet you at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston when you arrive and bring you to the Sam Houston campus if you let us know your flight number and time of arrival at least a week in advance.
Application should be made as far in advance as possible. If a student wishes to apply for study in the intensive English program, he/she should return the application materials to Sam Houston State University. The mailing address is:
Office of International Programs
English Language Institute
SHSU Box 2150
Huntsville, TX 77341-2150
Phone: 936-294-4737
Web Page: www.shsu.edu/oip
Email: oip@shsu.edu
If you have any question about our program or the application process, please call the ELI Office at 936-294-3446 or email ESL@shsu.edu