International Admissions
Come to Ecclesia. Grow in faith. Prepare to lead.
Ecclesia welcomes students from around the world who want a Christ-centered college education in the United States. Start with admission. If you need F-1 student status, we will guide you through Form I-20, visa, and arrival steps at the right time.
If you are a U.S. permanent resident or already hold another immigration status, tell Admissions so we can give you the instructions that apply to you.
Before You Apply
Is Ecclesia the kind of college you are looking for?
Moving to another country for college is a major decision. Before you begin the immigration process, make sure you understand the kind of education and community Ecclesia offers.
Christ-Centered
Christian faith is part of the academic and student experience. Students study the Bible, participate in Assembly, and are encouraged to grow as followers of Jesus Christ.
Academics With Purpose
Ecclesia combines degree study with biblical education and practical preparation so students can grow in knowledge, character, and skill.
Work, Service & Community
Springdale Campus students participate in Work-Learning-Service and take an active role in the life of the College.
Your International Student Journey
Take one stage at a time.
You do not need to complete visa or travel steps when you first apply. Start with admission. Ecclesia will tell you when it is time to move to the next stage.
Apply
Complete your Ecclesia application and the admission requirements assigned to you.
Get an Admission Decision
Admissions reviews your academic preparation, faith journey, character, and other required information.
Prepare for Form I-20
If you are accepted and need F-1 status, complete the financial, passport, deposit, and other required I-20 documents.
Apply for Your Visa
After Ecclesia issues your Form I-20, you can begin the F-1 visa process.
Prepare to Arrive
After visa approval, confirm your travel, housing, payment, and international check-in plans with Ecclesia.
Before Ecclesia issues your Form I-20, do not pay the I-901 SEVIS fee, schedule an F-1 visa appointment, or book final travel based on an expected enrollment.
Stage 1 — Admission
First, complete your admission file.
International students complete the admission requirements for their academic level. You may be a freshman or transfer applicant and also be an international student.
Core Admission Requirements
- Completed Ecclesia application
- Official or evaluated academic transcripts as requested by Admissions
- Faith Journey Statement
- Reference Form when assigned to your application
- Admissions Assessment
- English proficiency documentation when required
- Additional information requested during individual review
International Academic Records
If your previous school records were issued outside the United States, Ecclesia may require a course-by-course evaluation from an approved credential evaluation provider.
Student-athletes may have additional academic-document evaluation requirements for athletic eligibility.
Do not order an evaluation until you know what Ecclesia requires for your record. Admissions will tell you what is needed.
English Proficiency
Be ready to learn in English.
Ecclesia may require proof of English proficiency when your educational background does not already demonstrate readiness for college-level study in English.
Minimum total score, with no subscore below 20.
Minimum accepted score when English testing is required.
Minimum accepted score when English testing is required.
Admissions will review your educational background and tell you whether English proficiency documentation is required for your application.
Stage 2 — After Acceptance
Accepted and need F-1 student status?
Admission to Ecclesia comes first. After you are accepted, we can begin reviewing whether Ecclesia has what it needs to issue your Form I-20.
You will normally need to provide:
- Passport biographical page
- Completed Financial Guarantee Form
- Recent acceptable financial documentation
- Guarantor information if another person will support you
- Dependent information if a spouse or child will accompany you
- International enrollment deposit
- F-1 transfer information if you are already studying in the U.S.
What happens next?
Ecclesia reviews your acceptance, passport, financial documents, deposit, dependent information if applicable, and SEVIS transfer information if applicable.
If everything required for Form I-20 issuance is complete, Ecclesia’s Designated School Official will prepare your I-20 and you will receive instructions for the next stage.
Financial Readiness
Plan for college costs before you plan your travel.
Students seeking Form I-20 must show that enough financial support is available for the required period of study. Ecclesia will provide the financial amount that applies to your enrollment term and any officially awarded institutional scholarship.
Financial documentation
Your financial document should normally:
- Be dated within the last six months
- Show sufficient available funds
- Show the account holder’s name
- Come from a checking, savings, or time-deposit account
- Be an official bank document or document on bank letterhead
- Include a certified English translation if the document is not in English
Investment accounts, credit limits, unclear screenshots, and unapproved loan documents generally cannot be used as proof of available funds.
International Enrollment Deposit
A $2,500 USD enrollment deposit is required before Ecclesia College issues the Form I-20. The deposit confirms your intent to enroll and is applied toward your student account.
International deposit and payment deadlines are published on the Important Dates page.
Work-Learning is earned after you arrive and complete approved on-campus work. It should not be used to plan for travel, initial arrival expenses, or payments that are due before you begin working.
Already Studying in the United States?
Your SEVIS record may need to transfer to Ecclesia.
If you are currently studying in the United States in F-1 status, tell Ecclesia when you apply. After you are accepted, we will help you coordinate the SEVIS transfer process with your current school.
Before Ecclesia can issue your transfer-pending I-20
Your current school’s Designated School Official must release your SEVIS record to Ecclesia College.
Continue following the F-1 requirements of your current school until the SEVIS transfer is completed.
Stage 3 — After Your I-20 Is Issued
Then begin the F-1 visa process.
Do not begin these steps until Ecclesia has issued your Form I-20 and you have checked that the information on the form is correct.
Review Your I-20
Check your name, birth information, citizenship, program, education level, start date, and financial information.
Complete U.S. Visa Steps
Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160, and follow the instructions from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for your F-1 visa interview.
Tell Ecclesia the Decision
Let Admissions know your visa appointment date and visa decision so we can guide you into the arrival stage.
Stage 4 — After Visa Approval
Confirm your plans before you travel.
After your F-1 visa is approved, Ecclesia will give you arrival and international check-in instructions. Do not make final travel plans until your visa is approved and your arrival plans are confirmed.
Before traveling
- Confirm your arrival date
- Confirm your housing plan
- Review your student-account payment status
- Send flight information when requested
- Provide emergency contact information
Keep important documents with you
- Passport
- F-1 visa
- Form I-20
- Ecclesia acceptance letter
- Financial documentation
- I-901 SEVIS fee receipt
Keep these items in your carry-on luggage, not in checked baggage.
A new F-1 student generally may not enter the United States more than 30 days before the program start date listed on Form I-20.
International Admissions
One place to start when you have a question.
You do not need to decide which Ecclesia staff member should answer your question. Contact Admissions and we will make sure your question reaches the right person.
Before Admission
Application & Admission Questions
Contact us about:
- Starting or completing your application
- Academic transcripts
- Credential evaluations
- Faith Journey Statement
- Reference Form
- English proficiency
- Admission decisions
After Admission
F-1, I-20 & Immigration Questions
Contact the same Admissions email for questions about:
- Form I-20
- Financial documents for I-20 issuance
- SEVIS
- F-1 transfer processing
- Visa-stage questions
- International arrival and check-in
- Maintaining F-1 student status
F-1 and SEVIS questions are handled by Ecclesia’s designated school officials, but you can continue communicating through the Admissions Office throughout the process.
Official F-1 Resources
Use official U.S. government sources for immigration information.
Immigration rules can change. Use the official resources below for current U.S. government information, and contact Ecclesia before taking an action that may affect your F-1 status.
Study in the States
U.S. Department of Homeland Security guidance for F and M international students.
Visit Study in the States →I-901 SEVIS Fee
Official site for paying the I-901 SEVIS fee after Ecclesia has issued your Form I-20.
Visit FMJFee.com →U.S. Student Visas
Official U.S. Department of State information about the F-1 student visa application process.
Student Visa Information →International Admissions Questions
A few questions you may have.
Do I need to complete immigration documents before I apply?
No. Begin with the Ecclesia admission process. If you are accepted and need F-1 student status, Ecclesia will then tell you which documents are needed for Form I-20 review.
Does being an international student make me a freshman or transfer student?
International status is separate from your academic applicant type. You may be an international freshman or an international transfer student depending on your previous education.
Do I need a credential evaluation?
It depends on your academic records. Ecclesia may require a course-by-course evaluation of education completed outside the United States. Wait for Admissions to tell you what evaluation is needed before ordering one.
Do I need an English proficiency test?
Not every international applicant does. Admissions will review your educational background and tell you whether proof of English proficiency is required.
When will Ecclesia issue my Form I-20?
Form I-20 review begins after you are accepted. Before Ecclesia can issue the form, the College must receive and approve the passport, financial, deposit, dependent, and transfer information that applies to you.
Should I pay the SEVIS fee before I am accepted?
No. Wait until Ecclesia issues your Form I-20 and you have reviewed it for accuracy. Then follow the instructions for paying the I-901 SEVIS fee and beginning the visa process.
Can I use Work-Learning to pay costs before I arrive?
No. Work-Learning is earned over time after you arrive and complete approved on-campus work. Do not depend on those future earnings for travel, initial arrival expenses, or payments due before you begin working.
I am already an F-1 student at another U.S. school. What should I do?
Tell Ecclesia when you apply. After acceptance, Ecclesia will guide you through transferring your SEVIS record from your current school.
Can I book my flight as soon as I am accepted?
No. Wait until your F-1 visa is approved and your arrival plans have been confirmed with Ecclesia before making final travel arrangements.
Who should I contact if I am not sure whether my question is about admissions or immigration?
Email admissions@ecollege.edu. You do not need to decide which Ecclesia staff member should answer your question. Admissions will make sure it reaches the appropriate person.
College Policies
Need the complete admission requirements?
The Academic Catalog contains Ecclesia College’s official admissions standards, policies, and additional requirements.
Your Next Step
Start with admission. We will guide you from there.
You do not need to understand every F-1 rule before applying to Ecclesia. Begin your application, decide whether Ecclesia is a good fit for you, and complete one stage of the process at a time.