How to Apply

This section applies to international students from University of Illinois-College of Engineering partner schools. You will receive a link and access code to the online application system from the study abroad coordinator at your home university.

Once you receive that information, follow the instructions below to create your application:

Click on the link provided by your study abroad advisor
Click "Apply Now"
In the pop up box that appears click "OK". Please note you will not be charged an application fee.
Select the radio button next to "I do not have login credentials to this site.", then click "Submit".
Fill in the new User form, then click “Create account”.
You will receive an email with your username and temporary Password. Clicking the link in the email will take you to the login page. The username is your email address, type or copy and paste the temporary password.
Next you will select Password Reset Security Questions, click "Update".
Change Temporary password. Please use a password that you will remember as this is how you will access your application.
Select Term for which you wish to attend the University of Illinois.
Enter the Access Code provided by your study abroad advisor then click "Save".
You are now on the program application page. Click on the name of the Document or Questionnaire to complete.

Note: All application sections MUST be complete for consideration. Incomplete applications may be denied!

If you have any questions, please contact the study abroad program coordinator at your home university. Below is additional information concerning some of the required application materials.

Material	Description of Material
Official Transcript	Students must submit the most recent copy of their official transcript of grades from their home university
Required documentation for evidence of financial support	The bank verification letter/statement is closely scrutinized and is the main reason for delays in application processing. The bank letter must state XXXX (insert full name), a client of our bank, has the equivalent of XXXX (insert US dollar amount depending on the term that you will study at UIUC) in an account with this bank as of XXXX (insert date). Bank verification letters that do not specifically indicate the necessary US dollar amount in the guarantor’s account on a specific date will not be accepted.
	To verify the identity of each applicant and to ensure accuracy of personal information, you must include a copy of the personal information page of your passport.
	Please make sure that your name, place of birth, date of birth, bar code, and other details are completely legible on the passport copy that you upload into the application system.
Name Page of Passport	Passports need to be valid up to six months after the date of your intended departure from the United States. For example, if you plan to remain in the U.S. through June 2018, your passport must be valid until at least December 2018.

Components

The following documents must be uploaded as part of the completed application.

COPY OF PASSPORT
- You must include a copy of the personal information page of your passport in order to verify your identity and to ensure accuracy of personal information.
- Make sure that your name, place of birth, date of birth, and other details are completely legible on the passport copy. Passport copies are sometimes faded and difficult to read, especially after having been copied or faxed.
- Passports need to be valid up to six months after the date of your intended departure from the United States. For example, if you plan to remain in the U.S. through June 2020, your passport must be valid until at least December 2020.
CERTIFICATION OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT
All applicants must complete and submit the Certification of Financial Support. Financial documentation cannot be more than one year old.

In order for Illinois to issue a DS-2019 visa authorization form, the U.S. government requires every applicant to submit evidence of financial support. Your source(s) of funding may come from one or more of the following:
- You are self-supported (i.e. you are financially independent), in which case you will need to provide a statement from your bank (see below).
- You have a financial sponsor (e.g., a parent, a relative, or government agency) supporting your participation in the exchange, in which case you will need to provide a financial statement from your sponsor.
- Your study abroad expenses are covered by your home university's or a government agency's scholarship, in which case the official scholarship letter must be included with your application.
More information about the financial requirements and specifications for the Certification of Financial Support can be found within the online application.
ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS
All applicants must complete and submit the Certification of Financial Support. Financial documentation cannot be more than one year old.
- All applicants must submit official records for all university-level coursework (transcripts, certificates, etc.).
- If you have completed less than one year of university level work, you will need to include official records of post-secondary institutional courses (i.e. GCE A-level results) as well.
- If the official records are in a language other than English, your records must be accompanied by an officially certified English translation.
- An officer of the educational institution issuing the documents, a U.S. consulate official, or local government official, must certify all educational records. Uncertified copies (fax or notary public) will NOT be accepted.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY VERIFICATION
Each incoming exchange applicant will need to verify their English language proficiency, per U.S. Department of State requirements, through one of the following accepted assessment or documentation methods (more information can be found in the online application upon formal nomination):

In order for Illinois to issue a DS-2019 visa authorization form, the U.S. government requires every applicant to submit evidence of financial support. Your source(s) of funding may come from one or more of the following:
- Student is a native English speaker or their first language is English.
- Student has successfully participated in an Illinois J-program in the past.
- Degree from or current enrollment in institution where English is language of instruction.
- Documentation from a representative from an academic institution or English language school confirming sufficient proficiency in English.
- Documentation of a personal interview with home institution faculty members whose native language is English or who teaches in the English Department.
- Recognized English language test:
  - TOEFL or IELTS (note that some colleges at Illinois may require higher scores)*
  - Minimum TOEFL IBT score: 100
  - Minimum IELTS score: 6.5 total
TWO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION (OPTIONAL)
Recommendation letters are optional, but may strengthen your application.

The letters of recommendation should be from your university instructors. Recommendations should, at a minimum, address the following questions:
- How long and in what capacity have you known this student?
- What is your assessment of this student's academic motivation and performance? Does this student perform to their abilities?
- How would you describe this student in terms of maturity, responsibility, honesty, and character?
- Does this student have your recommendation to participate on a U.S. exchange program? Do you have any reservations?
PERSONAL STATEMENT (OPTIONAL)
While a personal statement is not required, we recommend that you include one to bolster your overall application.

Your personal statement should be 1-2 pages, double-spaced, and address the following:
- How long and in what capacity have you known this student?
- Motivations for participating in the exchange with Illinois.