Lynn University

Skip to content | Skip to section navigation

Guide for International Students

Immigration and application information.

International students coming from more than 80 countries make up about 1/4th of Lynn’s student body—giving Lynn the largest population of international students among universities our size in the Southeast.

The International Student Services office (ISS) helps you arrange to live and study at Lynn. The ISS is one department within Lynn’s Center for International Programs and Services (CIPS), which offers many other services including immigration assistance and income tax advising.

Who is considered an international student?

  • a citizen of a country other than the United States who holds a passport from that country
  • any U.S. or non-U.S. citizen whose permanent home address is outside of the United States

Step-by step guide for applying for international admission

1. Submit forms.

If you are applying for undergraduate admission and English is not your first language, Lynn requires a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS International English Language Testing System score of 525+ (197 CBT or 71 IBT) or IELTS scores of 6.0 +. Graduate students are required to have TOEFL scores of at least 550 (213 CBT or 79 IBT) or IELTS scores of 6.5+.

  • Application fee:                         
    • drawn from a U.S. bank account
    • an international money order
    • paid by credit card
  • Certification of Finances Form
  • Notarized copy of your Resident Alien Card (Green Card), if you are a U.S. Resident Alien
  • Copy of the biographical page from your passport
  • Original English translations for all educational documents
  • Only certified documents with the seal or stamp of the educational institution are accepted (no photocopies)

If you are applying as a transfer student:

  • Complete the Transfer Eligibility Form for International Students
  • If you have more than 1 year of university-level study, please send official English translated course descriptions for evaluation. You do not need to submit secondary school records.

2. Apply for an F-1 Visa.http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html

The F-1 visa category requires you to show that your stay in the United States will be temporary.

  • An F-1 undergraduate student must take a minimum of 4 courses at 3 credits each — a total of 12 credits — during the fall and spring semesters.
  • An F-1 graduate student must register for 1 or 2 courses during each graduate term.

If you are placed on academic probation or suspension for a term or longer, you may lose your F-1 eligibility.

Helpful hints:

  • Apply for your visa as early as possible. Visa processing times vary widely by consulate and whether or not a security clearance must be requested.You may enter the United States no earlier than 30 days before the I-20 report date. If you try to enter the United States after the report date, you may encounter difficulty with immigration at the Port of Entry.
  • Apply for the F-1 student visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country where you currently live.
  • Before applying for your visa, make sure you must have a passport valid for a minimum of 6 months from the expiration date.
  • A consular officer must be satisfied that you will leave the United States after you finish your studies.
  • The F (student) visa requires proof that you have a residence in a foreign country that you have no intention of abandoning. Proof may consist of bank accounts, ownership of property, or evidence of family and familial assets.
  • You must have a valid SEVIS I-20 (see below) form properly completed by the Designated School Official (DSO).
  • You must show that you have sufficient funds to meet expenses while studying in the United States.
  • You must show that you are sufficiently fluent in English.
  • Prior to the U.S. Consulate/Embassy visit, you must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. Online payment may be made at https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/.

Once approved, the F-1 or J-1 visa will be placed by the consular officer in your passport, which will note the validity date and the number of entries.

SEVIS I-20 and supporting financial documents will be placed in a sealed envelope. Please do not open this envelope.

If you encounter any problems obtaining your visa, contact Lynn’s Designated School Officers (DSOs) Lisa Ward or Sheila Sheppard.

3. Complete the SEVIS I –20 form.

Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is an Internet-based way of keeping track of international students and their dependents in the United States.

  • Dependents accompanying you must have their own SEVIS I-20 form, issued in their name(s).
  • Your  I-20 form can only be issued and signed by one of Lynn’s Designated Service Officers (DSO)s, Lisa Ward (lward@lynn.edu) or Sheila Sheppard (ssheppard@lynn.edu). 

4. Check your passport.

Make sure you hold a valid passport. Any students coming from Canada must have the new e-passport with the new security features.

5. Plan your arrival at Lynn

  • Give yourself the best possible start. Arrive a few days before international student orientation.
  • Take advantage of the early check-in at your Lynn room (1 day before other students arrive).
  • Make sure your account is paid in full before you arrive (link to bill payment links).
  • Arrange to have U.S. money available upon your arrival in the United States.
  • Do not carry large sums of cash. Traveler’s checks are safer.
  • If you wish, you may arrange to ship some of your belongings to Lynn up to 2 weeks before you arrive on campus. Address the boxes to your name, c/o Lynn University, 3601 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL 33431.

6. Attend International Student Orientation.

Arriving in the U.S.

When you arrive, the immigration officer will ask you for:

  • a passport valid for at least 6 months
  • your signed F-1 visa
  • your SEVIS I-20, properly signed by Lynn and by you. Please note: the name of the school on the F-1 visa stamp must match the name of the school on the SEVIS I-20 form.
  • evidence of financial support, including the same financial support information used to obtain the F-1 visa
  • I-94 card (Arrival/Departure Record), marked with the date and place of entry

If you don’t have your SEVIS I-20 form when you arrive in the U.S, the immigration officer may grant a 30-day “date certain” admission by issuing the I-515 temporary admission form. If you should receive this form, bring it, your passport and your I-94 to our office. This is an urgent matter that needs prompt attention.

REQUIRED HEALTH INSURANCE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS


As an international student, you’re required to have special health insurance coverage as long as you’re enrolled at Lynn. The insurance is offered by Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI).

You will be automatically billed for either $941 for 9 months of coverage or $1,468 for 12 months.

The plan includes:

  • $100 deductible
  • medical benefits of $100,000 per injury or illness
  • medical benefits for both hospitalization and outpatient treatments
  • repatriation and medical evacuation benefits up to $50,000
  • coverage for intramural and intercollegiate sports-related injuries

The plan does not cover:

  • dental care
  • eye checkups
  • annual gynecological exams
  • physicals or shots needed for admission to Lynn

To learn more about this policy, please contact Regina Theisen , 561-237-7256.

Forms

Foreign Student Financial Statement Form

Immigration Resources

Department of Homeland Security

Document Actions