Frequently Asked Questions
Section:
Click on a question to see the answer
How do I apply for on-campus housing?
Apply early. Because of the limited space and high demand for residence halls, not all students who wish to live in on-campus will be able to do so. As soon as you receive the admission packet, you should log into Next Steps and apply for housing. Additional information is available at Residence Life.
As an international student, you may want to consider signing up for the Global Living Learning Community. You can see other themed halls here.
How do I apply for a scholarship or financial assistance?
The University of Arizona does not offer full scholarship (tuition and living expenses) to international students.
The UA, however, offers a small number of merit scholarships to students who demonstrate significant international experience in high school along with exceptional academic performance. You do not need to file a separate scholarship application.
All students who submit a complete application for admission will be included in the scholarship pool. From this pool, the UA will select the students who present the most competitive academic records (grades, test scores, and leadership skills), substantial international academic experience, and diverse areas of academic interests. The selected students will receive a letter of award between $2,000-$10,000.
Once admitted to the UA, you will also be able to search for supplemental aid at Scholarship Universe, a database of public and private scholarships.
How do I change or add a college or major?
You can change/add a college or major at any point in your academic career at the University of Arizona. Please be aware that certain majors may require prerequisites.
A change of major before registration of classes is done through the Office of Admissions. Please send a letter or email stating the major that you have initially applied for and the new major you are requesting. The letter/email must have the spelling of your full name (spell FAMILY NAME in capital letters), date of birth, and student ID number if you have been admitted. Please keep in mind that if you have been admitted and an I-20 has been issued, you must return the old I-20 before a new one can be issued. This may delay processing of your visa and your departure.
Once you have registered for classes, to declare a major in a different college, you must first receive permission from the dean’s office of the college to which you wish to transfer. Change from one college to another is initiated by filing a change of college form with the new college.
To change majors within your current college, consult with the academic advisor for the new major regarding program requirements and the procedure to declare the major. There may be restrictions on the time of the semester for declaring a major or changing colleges.
Once you have changed your major, please contact International Student Services (ISS) to let them know of the changes so they can update your I-20.
When and where do I get the I-20 form?
After the University of Arizona has reviewed your complete application for admission, if you meet the admission requirements, the UA will process your application for admission. Your admission packet including the Admissions Certificate, the Pre-Arrival Brochure and the I-20 form will be mailed to the address that you provided on your application. Please make sure to keep your address current to prevent a delay in receiving your I-20.
What documents do I need to send with my application?
Please click on this link and select the appropriate country for the specific requirements and credentials that you must submit. If you have attended a post-secondary institution, you must also send the official transcript (mark sheet) for the courses you have completed and the grades you earned. In addition to the academic credentials, you must submit a Bank Certified Financial Guarantee Statement in the amount of $40,414 US dollars for your annual tuition, fees and living expenses.
How can I pay the US $75 application fee?
You can pay this non-refundable application fee with a major credit card (VISA or MasterCard) via the online application or by calling (520) 621-3237. You can also pay by check or money order drawn on a U.S. banking affiliate, made payable to the University of Arizona. If you are in Tucson, you can submit your payment to the front desk at Old Main downstairs.
Is the SAT score report required for admissions consideration?
The University of Arizona does not require students to submit SAT scores for admission.
We, however, recommend that you take the SAT and have the score report sent to our office (School Code: 4832). Your scores will enhance your chance for admission and being considered for scholarship. Also, your English proficiency requirement will be waived if you achieve a SAT Verbal score of 530 or higher.
Do I need to take the TOEFL if I have been studying in the United States?
It depends. If you have completed 3 years of regular English classes with a "C" or better at an accredited American high school (domestic or abroad), you do not need to take the TOEFL.
If you have completed less than 3 years at an accredited American high school or were enrolled in English as a Second Language (ESL)-level classes, you are still required to demonstrate English proficiency. Your may meet your English requirement with:
•TOEFL (iBT overall): 61 •IELTS (overall band score): 6.5
•SAT (Verbal Section): 530 •ACT (English Section): 22
•IB (English): 5, 6, or 7 •Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (ESOL) CPE: A or B
•Cambridge GCSE O Level or higher (English): Complete with a “C” or better.
•Endorsement from the University of Arizona’s Center for English as a Second Language (CESL)
•Completion of ENGL or WRIT 101 or 102 with a “C” or better at an accredited American college/university
•Completion of ENGL or WRIT 107 and 108 with a “C” or better at an accredited American college/university
*Note: TOEFL and IELTS scores are only valid for 2 years.
I cannot send you the only original credentials that I possess, what can I do?
You can make photocopies of the original credentials and have them certified by the authorized official at the institution that issues them or the Ministry of Education. These copies must bear the original signature of the authorized official and the colored institutional seal. We do not accept certification of a notary public.
How do I know if my application is complete?
You must fulfill all of the necessary requirements for your application to be considered complete. Please allow from 6-8 weeks for the UA to process your application. You can help speed up this process by ensuring that you have submitted all properly certified credentials.
You should create (or check if you already have one) your MyUA account. This enables you to track the status of your application through the UA online interface. Please be aware that documents will not show as "completed" until they have been inputted into the UA online system (which can take 6-8 weeks).
When do I have to make payments?
You will be responsible for payments after you have registered for your classes. As a new student, you must make all payments before the first day of classes, otherwise a late fee will be added or your classes will be dropped. You will be able to view your balance and make payments through UAccess (you will create a NetID and password after being admitted).
How and when can I register for classes?
All new students are required to attend the International Student Orientation. During this program, you will meet with your academic advisor, who will advise you what courses to take and how your transfer credits apply to your degree at the university. Then, you will register for your classes with the assistance from the staff members of International Student Services.
How do I transfer credits that I have completed at other post-secondary institutions to the University of Arizona?
The University of Arizona only allow transfer credits completed from international post-secondary institutions, which are recognized by the Ministry of Education as degree-granting institutions. American colleges and universities must be accredited by one of the Regional Accreditation Associations.
The following courses which may be completed at a recognized or accredited post-secondary institution are not transferred to The University of Arizona:
- College remedial, vocational, and personal development courses
- Courses completed with a grade of "D" or equivalent and below
- English composition courses completed at institutions in non-English speaking countries
NOT all transfer credits may apply toward the requirements for your degree. Your academic advisor will make this determination after reviewing the course descriptions or syllabi.