International Students
Knowing the cultural diversity that international students bring to the campus, Providence College welcomes applicants from other countries. International students are considered for September admission to full-time programs.
The Office of Admission also has made available our print publications that will provide you with additional information about Providence College:
Admission Deadlines
The deadline for receipt of Early Action application material is 1 November.
International students who have applied by the 1 November Early Action deadline must submit the International Certification of Finances Form by 1 December 2011. The deadline for receipt of Regular Decision application material is 15 January.
- The date for receipt of university transfer student application is 1 April.
Admission Requirements
In order to be considered for admission to Providence College, you must submit the following:
- The Common Application
We solely use the Common Application. Components of the application include:
- Secondary School Report and high school transcript(s)/ Leaving Certificates/ Predicted scores. We hope to gain an understanding of your secondary level academic preparation from materials that will differ based upon your school curriculum and country. Transcripts
not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
- Recommendations: We require one from your college advisor/administrator, and one from
a teacher of your choice. Additional recommendations may be submitted if you feel they
can add relevant, insightful information about you.
- Personal essay: With the Common Application, you have several broad choices for the required essay. Use this piece of writing to not only illustrate your writing skills, but also to share something personal about yourself with the admission committee. With the essay
we are trying to evaluate your communication skills as much as trying to get a glimpse of your personality.
- Standardized Test Scores: Submission of standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) is
optional for all students applying for admission. Additional details about the policy can be found on the Test-Optional Policy page of the website.
- The Supplemental Form
A comprehensive form Particular to Providence College
- International Certification of Finances Form
The purpose of this form is to allow you to demonstrate your ability to cover all your educational, personal, and travel expenses. This form is a requirement of all international students, regardless of whether or not you intend to apply for financial aid (see Financial Assistance for International Students below).
- TOEFL or IELTS
English is the language of instruction at Providence College. You must be able to understand English and express yourself clearly in speech and writing. Students whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) . Minimum scores: 550 (PBT), 213 (CBT), or 80 (iBT). You can check the TOEFL website at www.toefl.org for testing information. Providence College's CEEB/TOEFL code is 3693.
The
International English Language Test System (IELTS) may be taken as an alternative to the TOEFL. Minimum score:
7.0 . You can check the IELTS website at
www.ielts.org for testing information. IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations.
For a complete guide to the Providence College application procedures, explanation of the application review process, student profile, lists of majors and minors, and much more, we recommend that your
download the Providence College Application Guide.
Always use your full legal name in all your documents and tests. This will prevent future problems, especially at the time of issuing visas. Also, if your use a post office address for your mail, we ask, if possible, that you provide your home address as well. We may need to use FedEx, UPS, or DHL to mail items directly to your home. Since we are dealing with international mail systems, it is wise that you make and save photocopies of all your documents in case the first set is lost in the mail.
Standardized Test Scores
As of July 2006, submission of standardized test scores (SAT Reasoning Test or ACT) is optional for students applying for admission. When you see "test-optional" at other institutions, make sure that you ask them what that means for them, since each institution will have a different policy. At Providence College, students who are applying to the college have the option to either submit their scores or not submit their scores for the purpose of the admission process. We feel that your high school record is a better indicator of your academic performance than a four hour test. If the student is accepted and decides to enroll at Providence College, the student then will be required to submit the scores for statistical and advisory purposes.
The academic review for admission at Providence College always has been focused on each student's high school performance rather than standardized test results. This policy allows students to decide whether they wish to have their standardized test results considered as part of their application for admission. Additional details about the policy can be found on the
Test-Optional Policy page.
To submit scores, be aware that Providence College's CEEB/SAT code is 3693, and ACT code is 3806.
SAT SUBJECT TESTS are not required for admission. The Committee on Admission recommends that if you take any Subject Test for institutions requiring them, please forward the scores to us as well, especially those scores in appropriate areas in which you plan to study in college.
International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement Credits
Providence College recognizes the International Baccalaureate and grants course-credit and/or advanced placement for those who submit their High Level exam scores. The College also grants credit and/or advanced placement for those who submit their Advanced Placement (AP) test scores. Evaluation is made by the Office of Dean of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies on an individual basis with the following scores:
- IB High Level - score of 5, 6, or 7
- AP - score of 4 or 5
Student Budget for 2011-2012
- $40,150 - Tuition
- $12,140 - Room and Board
- $ 825 - Activities/Laundry/Tech Fees
- $ 1,407 - Student Health Insurance (est.)
- $ 900 - Books & Supplies
- $ 4,000 - Personal Expenses *
TOTAL
- $ 59,422 - Support required for I-20AB or DS-2019
* The amounts listed for Books and Supplies and Personal Expenses are estimated, unbilled costs. These amounts may increase or decrease depending on a student’s personal spending habits.
Financial Assistance for International Students
Providence College provides academic merit-based and athletic scholarships and a limited amount of need-based financial assistance to international students each year. Merit-based scholarships are awarded by the Committee on Scholarships to students whose application for admission displays outstanding academic credentials.
Students seeking consideration for need-based financial assistance are required to submit the
International Student Financial Aid Application and the
International Certification of Finances Form at the time they apply for admission. Candidates will be considered for admission and institutional need-based financial assistance based upon a review of the academic qualifications, financial need, and availability of student aid resources. The Committee on Admission is "need-aware" for international students who apply for admission; therefore, those international students who demonstrate they can afford the cost of attendance will be given preference in the evaluation process.
Please note, international students who do not plan to apply for need-based financial assistance are still required to submit the International Student Certification of Finances Form with their application for admission.
International students seeking additional financial assistance are also encouraged to contact local or international agencies in their home country.
Payment Method
Providence College is excited to implement a new payment method. The most effective method of payment is through our partners, PaytoStudy. This is a free service - no bank charges will be added to your transfers. By using this system you are able to pay in your home currency, so there is no need to buy US Dollars from your bank prior to transferring.
Benefits to you:
- a lower exchange rate
- pay in your own currency
- receive quicker processing
- pay no international wire fee
- Instant notification -no follow up required
- All payments can be tracked by the student online
You can use the PaytoStudy system to submit both the Enrollment Deposit Fee and semester tuition payments.
The I-20 Process
International students enrolling at Providence College must meet the following requirements:
- Submit a duly notarized statement of support from the student’s sponsor and evidence of the student or sponsor’s financial resources dated no more than 90 days prior to submission. This should include the three most recent consecutive bank statements documenting the availability of the required funds from each sponsoring individual (i.e. student, family member, organization, etc.).
- If students are providing their own financial documentation, they must also include a bank official’s signature on letterhead that lists the name of the account holder, date account was opened, total deposits and average balance for the last 90 days.
- Prior to Providence College issuing the I-20 Form, provide proof that payment for the first semester – minus any scholarship award amount – has been deposited in a US bank or put in a Providence College escrow account established for this purpose.
- Prior to Providence College issuing the I-20 Form, if the sponsoring party for the student is a company or organization, funds equal to at least one semester – minus any scholarship award amount – has been deposited in a US bank or put in a Providence College escrow account established for this purpose.
Please Note: Any funds provided to Providence College would be fully refunded if the student does not obtain an I-20 or chooses not to enroll at Providence College.
China-USA University-School Alliance
Contact Information
Raul A. Fonts, Interim Dean of Admission
Coordinator of International Admission
Fr. Iriarte Andújar, O.P., Assistant Dean of Admission
Contact for Latin America
Christine A. Hickey, Assistant Dean of Admission
Contact for Europe and Turkey
Our mailing address is:
Providence, Rhode Island 02918