International Student FAQ

Yes. Non-native speakers of English are required to provide proof of English proficiency (e.g., TOEFL or other approved English proficiency assessment) prior to admission or arrival. Please contact an Admissions Advisor for complete information on English-proficiency requirements.

Please refer to the AIU Catalog for more details.

International institutions must be licensed or officially recognized by the Education Department or Ministry of the country where the institution is in operation to be eligible for transfer of credit or degree status. Because AIU follows strict policies concerning academic integrity, international students with foreign educational credentials must submit authentic foreign academic documents from all upper-secondary and post-secondary educational institutions.

Students with foreign educational credentials will not be accepted for admissions prior to validation that their foreign educational credentials are authentic and meet admissions requirements. Evidence of valid foreign educational credentials can be from a university approved foreign credential evaluation agency, or, in pre-approved circumstances, a written evaluation from a properly trained credential evaluator employed by the university. Any forged/altered academic documents will be retained as property of the school and not returned to the student.

This is required for all transcripts, including transcripts from international secondary schools and/or institutions of higher education, which may require a credential evaluation. The Registrar's Office will ultimately verify and/or certify the institution's eligibility for transfer credit or degree equivalency.

Several credential evaluation services are available to students. Services that are either recognized by AACRAO (Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers) or a member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc.) are acceptable services. Contact the Registrar's Office for a listing of such organizations. Students are responsible for all applicable fees.

AIU only offers federal financial aid to U.S. citizens who qualify. However, there are several private loan programs for which you may qualify. We also encourage you to check with the appropriate authorities within your home country for assistance programs that may exist for your benefit.

All students are encouraged to research outside financial assistance that may be offered through other organizations, such as your company's human resources department. Most public libraries provide publications listing educational benefits offered by agencies throughout the United States.