International Students

International students interested in a campus-based program must pursue a specific educational objective to attend UNK. They are not eligible to enroll under a general non-degree status (unless attending as an exchange or visiting student). Degree seeking international students must meet the following admission requirements:

  1. Submit the Graduate Online Application Form;
  2. Submit an official credential evaluation of all transcripts or mark sheets from all previously attended colleges and universities. Any approved NACES evaluation firm may be used.  If the evaluation firm does not include copies of evaluated transcripts or mark sheets with the evaluation, the applicant must submit copies to the Office of Graduate Studies and Academic Outreach.
  3. Have an educational background equivalent to a United States bachelor's degree;
  4. Submit a completed Financial Affidavit with proof of ability to meet financial responsibilities while attending the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Copy of valid passport and mailing fee will also need to be submitted. International students seeking an online degree program (who will not be issued an I-20 by the campus) are not required to complete the financial affidavit, submit a copy of their passport or pay the mailing fee.
  5. Submit an official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score (unless the native language is English, or the student has graduated from a U.S. college or university). Score must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service to the Office of Graduate Studies and Academic Outreach.
    • Minimum TOEFL score of 550 on paper-based test or 79 on the internet based test (scores over 2 years old cannot be reported or validated)
    • Minimum IELTS score of 6.5
    • Minimum 110 Duolingo score
  6. Comply with departmental admission requirements. (If submitting GRE or GMAT scores, the scores must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service to the Office of Graduate Studies and Academic Outreach.)
  7. Transfer students in the United States shall submit transfer authorization from their last place of study to the office of International Student Services. Complete transcripts of credit earned at the US transfer institution(s), including credit hours earned at a foreign college or university (as stated above), should be filed with the Office of Graduate Studies and Academic Outreach.
  8. Must be unconditionally admitted by the department.

It is recommended that international students begin the admission process six months prior to their anticipated arrival to allow enough time for the credential evaluation process, department decision and if admitted, for documents to arrive in time to set visa appointments. It is recommended that students interested in applying for a graduate assistantship position have a completed application by April 15 to be considered for a position beginning in the fall term. See graduate assistantship information.

Issuance of the Certificate of Eligibility, Form I-20, and Form DS-2019, will be made only upon completion of all admission requirements. It is the responsibility of the applicant to make all necessary arrangements through official channels for entrance into the United States.

Prohibition of Form I-20 issuance. SEVP regulation prohibits the issuance of a Form I-20 based on conditional admission. DSOs can only issue a Form I-20 when students have met all standards for admission for the program of study listed on the Form I-20.  These standards for admission include any English proficiency requirements.1

International students at UNK are required to maintain health insurance while studying in the U.S. 

  • F-1 eligible international students who are enrolled and actively engaged in a program of study are required to purchase the UNK student health care plan.   F-1 international students are automatically enrolled for student coverage each semester that they are enrolled.  The cost for the insurance will be added to the student’s tuition bill for the semester.
  • J-1 international students must enroll in the UNK student health care plan or purchase insurance through a preferred provider for the University of Nebraska.   Please contact International Student Services for additional information concerning preferred providers at iss@unk.edu.

USCIS regulations require all international students to enroll full-time while pursuing a degree at the University. Undergraduate students must enroll and complete a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester. Graduate students must enroll and complete a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester. No more than 3 on-line credit hours per semester may count toward full-time enrollment.  Failure to comply with this regulation will result in termination of legal student status.

1 This guidance interprets the Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status,” issuance regulation for prospective F-1 and M-1 students1 (8 CFR 214.3(k)) to guide SEVP adjudicators.