International Students

Thank you for visiting our International Students page! Spring Arbor University is home to students from around the world, including Canada, Spain, Australia, Nigeria, Moldova, Zambia, Germany, Bolivia, Taiwan, New Zealand, Trinidad, Mexico and many more.

Discover our diverse academic programs, and know that we’re here to support you throughout your journey—from application to arrival on campus. We look forward to welcoming you!

SAU International Student Admission Policy

1. Apply for admission
2. Submit your transcripts
3. Take an English Proficiency Test
4. Complete the Affidavit of Support

Transcripts and Evaluation

Incoming freshmen and transfer students must both submit their transcripts via a transcript evaluation service, like World Education Services (WES). Don’t know if you are a freshman or transfer student? Read the descriptions below and go to the appropriate page.

Attended high school outside of the United States

International students are required to submit high school transcripts through an evaluation service. You can submit your transcripts through one of the following services:

  • InCred : https://www.incredevals.org/
    • REQUIRED for all international athletes with non-U.S. transcripts. Complete a course-by-course evaluation and request a certified copy add-on.
    • InCred evaluation cost: $95 + $20 (add-on)
  • World Education Services: https://www.wes.org/
    • Complete a course-by-course evaluation. WES ICAP is highly recommended.
    • WES Evaluation cost:  $217 (does not include ICAP or delivery fees to Spring Arbor University)
  • NACES: https://www.naces.org/members
    • You can choose whichever service is best for you. Complete a course-by-course evaluation.
    • Cost will vary based on which evaluation service you choose.
Attended high school in the United States

You are exempt from an evaluation service if you attended a high school in the United States for four (4) years. Please connect with your high school guidance counselor for assistance on how to send your U.S. high school transcripts. Students who have attended high school both in and outside of the United States should contact their admissions representative for how to proceed.

If you have questions about which evaluation service is best for you, please contact your admissions representative.

Attended university outside of the United States

If you have attended university or have taken other post-secondary courses either inside or outside the United States, you will likely enroll as a transfer student at Spring Arbor University. Students transferring from outside the United States are first required to request that official transcripts from each university or post-secondary school attended be evaluated. Please note that if you have fewer than 26 post-secondary credits, you will also need to submit a high school transcript evaluation. Spring Arbor University recognizes any of the following transcript evaluation services:

  • InCred : https://www.incredevals.org/
    • REQUIRED for all international athletes with non-U.S. transcripts. Complete a course-by-course evaluation and request a certified copy add-on.
    • InCred evaluation cost: $190 + $20 (add-on)
  • World Education Services : https://www.wes.org/
    • Complete a course-by-course evaluation. WES ICAP is recommended.
    • WES Evaluation cost:  $217 (does not include ICAP or delivery fees to Spring Arbor University)
  • NACES : https://www.naces.org/members
    • You can choose whichever service is best for you. Complete a course-by-course evaluation.
    • Cost will vary based on which evaluation service you choose.
Attended university in the United States

As an international student attending a university inside the United States, you are not required to submit high school transcripts if you have completed a minimum of 26 credits. However, you may still be required to complete a transcript evaluation.

If you are an athlete who is attending/has attended a university or post-secondary school inside the United States, you are required to obtain the following evaluation:

  • InCred : https://www.incredevals.org/
    • Complete a HS Graduation Comparability evaluation and request a certified copy add-on.
    • InCred evaluation cost: $75 + $20 (add-on)
    • Required for NAIA eligibility

If you are attending/have attended a university or post-secondary school inside the United States, have completed a minimum of 26 credits, and are not an athlete, you are not required to complete a transcript evaluation. Simply request that your current university release an official copy of your transcripts to Spring Arbor University.

If you have questions about which evaluation service is best for you, please contact your admissions representative.

Undergraduate English Proficiency Requirements

The international applicant must possess written and oral proficiency in the English language; therefore, the student is required to submit one of the following proofs of English language proficiency: test score, graduation from an English-language school, or residency in an English-speaking country for a sufficient length of time.

International applicants from countries where English is not the primary language and who did not graduate from an English-language school must demonstrate written and oral proficiency in the English language using one of the tests below. Please note that the Duolingo test is not accepted. Official test scores must come from the testing agency itself. Please access the testing website for information on costs and instructions on these tests.

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language — toefl.org
For TOEFL scores to be sent to Spring Arbor University, enter our code 1732 on your registration form.

IELTS: International English Language Testing System — ielts.org
For IELTS scores to be sent to Spring Arbor University, please include our address on your registration form: Spring Arbor University, Office of Admissions, 106 E Main Street, Spring Arbor, MI 49283.

MET: The Michigan English Test — MichiganAssessment.org
For MET scores to be sent to Spring Arbor University, please include our address on your registration form: Spring Arbor University, Office of Admissions, 106 E Main Street, Spring Arbor, MI 49283.

SAT: The Scholastic Aptitude Test - satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat
For SAT scores to be sent to Spring Arbor University, enter our code 1732 on your registration form.

ACT: The American College Test - act.org
For ACT scores to be sent to Spring Arbor University, enter our code 2056 on your registration form.

Note: Students submitting coursework from other U.S. universities (including ESL schools) must submit TOEFL, IELTS, or MET scores (no more than six months old). If they have not yet been in the United States or other English-speaking country for a minimum of two years.

Applicants can provide official transcripts and an international transcript evaluation reflecting the completion of a degree earned at a high school or at an institution of higher education in a primarily English-speaking country or at an institution where English is the primary language of instruction. Study must have been completed within the immediate five years preceding admission to SAU.

Applicants can provide evidence of a minimum of two years of residence within the last five years in a primarily English-speaking country. Evidence can include travel documents, visas, employment contracts, etc. Documents must reflect the comprehensive dates of residency.

The following chart explains the exam scores necessary to obtain admission.

Test Test Type Score Notes
TOEFL iBT 79 No subscore lower than 17
TOEFL PBT 550 No subscore lower than 52, writing score 4
IELTS   6.5 No band lower than 6
MET   64 Section score 59 or higher 
ACT   20 Same minimum score as for native English speakers
SAT   1020 Same minimum score as for native English speakers

International Student Employment

As an international student, you are only permitted to work on SAU’s campus if a job is available. International students cannot work off-campus unless given special permission for Optional Practical Training – OPT.

It is important to note that you need a Social Security Number (SSN) to work in the United States, and, before you can start the process of applying for an SSN to be able to work on campus, you must be enrolled in classes at SAU for 30 days. After that 30-day waiting period, you may apply for your SSN. The processing time varies, and you could be approved by mid-semester, but, depending on individual circumstances, it could take longer. Campus jobs are limited, so we cannot guarantee that you will find a campus job.

NOTE: Funds intended to be earned on campus may not be included as a source of funds on your I-20 Form since that money is not available at the time you enroll. However, the money earned may be used to cover personal expenses while enrolled or saved to apply toward future semester costs.

Contact Us

Stella Tippin

International Admission Representative
Call or Text: +1.517.750.6607 
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +1.313.528.0227

Badge for 75 years partnership with Open Doors

Spring Arbor University has been awarded the Open Doors 75 Seal of Excellence, recognizing the institution’s long-standing commitment to international educational exchange.

Learn more