International Students

Going to school far from home is exciting, but it can be intimidating, too. At Indiana Wesleyan University, we value our global student body and welcome students from all over the world. We are one of North America's most dynamic Christian colleges.

International students thrive at IWU where you'll feel an immediate sense of belonging as you join a close Christian community that is culturally, academically, and economically diverse. We welcome international students and visiting scholars from around the world, recognizing valuable contribution you will make to our body of students.

Choose an education that stresses an international perspective, one that will prepare you for success in a global world. Come to Indiana Wesleyan University. Change your life. Change the world.

APPLYING TO IWU

It is best to apply early, even one full year before you plan to begin your studies. Your school will need to send an official transcript in English to the IWU Admissions Office. Students whose first language is not English will need to provide one of the following:

1. TOEFL (http://www.ets.org/toefl) score of 79 internet-based test
2. IELTS (www.ielts.org) score of 6.5 

Incoming international students (first-year and transfer) with high school or college transcripts outside the U.S. must have their transcripts evaluated by a credential evaluation service that is NACES approved (www.naces.org/members).  For transfer evaluations please select the course-by-course option. 

For student-athletes, as per the NAIA, transfer student-athletes who attend a university/college outside of the U.S. are required to have any/all international college/university transcripts evaluated by InCred (www.incredevals.org).

For IWU Admissions, students who are graduating high school and attended a high school outside of the U.S. must also have their high school transcript evaluated by InCred or an NACES approved credential evaluation service.

Apply Here

Although general admission and merit scholarships no longer incorporate standardized test scores, some specific programs or opportunities at Indiana Wesleyan University may require standardized test scores. For example:

• Students who fall below regular academic requirements for admission may be asked by the Foundations Review Committee to provide indicators of academic ability, including ACT/SAT scores.
• Some academic departments may require ACT/SAT scores for admission into programs.
• Students applying to the John Wesley Scholars or Luther Lee Scholars Program may elect to submit the ACT/SAT test to meet the established applicant criteria.
• ACT/SAT scores may be submitted to guide course placement decisions. For example, ACT/SAT scores may, at times, result in a student testing out of certain required courses.

Contact the International Student Advisor at admissions@indwes.edu with any questions you may have.

Essential Information for International Students

STUDYING AT IWU

You will attend classes taught by men and women who are respected nationwide for their knowledge, but who take the time to get to know you personally. As a private university with a student-faculty ratio of 14:1, our faculty know students by name. Indiana Wesleyan faculty members are not only experts in their fields but are experts at developing the total student intellectually, socially, physically and spiritually. View the faculty directory here.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

To help you fit into the Marion campus community, know that you have the following to count on:

• Full-time International Student Advisor and International Student Association for guidance, support, friendship and special off-campus activities
• Safe campus in the friendly Marion community of 32,000 people
• Major metro areas nearby (Indianapolis 1 hour, Chicago 3 ½ hours) 
• Reasonably-priced on-campus apartments available, including during summer vacations
• Adoptive family programs through local churches

With over 50 clubs and student organizations, Indiana Wesleyan University offers exciting and fun co-curricular activities for everyone. IWU provides state-of-the-art facilities where you can tap into the talents you possess and uncover new abilities and strengths you've yet to imagine.

IWU students keep busy in their free time with skateboarding, camping, canoeing, concerts, sledding, ski trips, shopping, movies, intramural sports (including flag football, inner tube water polo, racquetball, etc.), retreats, and community outreach projects.

FINANCIAL AID

International students will receive a minimum of $10,000 from IWU in the form of gift aid.  Students are eligible to receive academic scholarships exceeding the $10,000 based on meeting specific scholarship criteria. These scholarships range from $11,000 to $16,000 per year. There may be other sources of financial based on each student along with scholarship and grant criteria.

PAYING YOUR EXPENSES

As part of the application process, you are required to demonstrate your ability to pay for tuition, books, health insurance, room and board. This amounts to approximately $43,000 for two semesters. Additionally, you will need to pay for personal expenses. IWU does not have a program of full scholarship for international students, so you must be prepared to pay for most of your education. Some financial aid does exist for those who qualify.

All international students are eligible to apply for on-campus jobs and U.S. Immigration prohibits non-U.S. citizens from working outside the University. All campus jobs allow students to work up to 20 hours each week.

TRANSFERRING MONEY

Indiana Wesleyan University has partnered with Fly Wire to streamline the international tuition payment process. Through Fly Wire, you will be offered excellent foreign exchange rates, allowing payment in your native currency (in most cases), often saving a significant amount of money when compared to traditional banking systems. Additionally, Fly Wire provides a student dashboard where payment logs and preferences for communication can be accessed in order to actively manage your payment process.

GETTING YOUR VISA

Once you have received your acceptance letter from Indiana Wesleyan University, you will need to send the tuition and room and board fees in U.S. funds for the first semester. You will also need to send proof of financial sponsorship and medical insurance. Your financial sponsors should complete the Financial Resources Form and return it to the Admissions Office along with supporting documents from their bank. When IWU has received these items, we will send you the Immigration I-20 form. Take all of your original academic documents, your financial statements, your letter of acceptance, and your I-20 form to an American Embassy or Consulate. The visa officer will evaluate your records, your ability to succeed in the U.S. educational system, and your intention to return to your home country.

BUYING INSURANCE

Medical care in the U.S. is very expensive. Since Indiana Wesleyan University has no way of covering unexpected medical expenses, every international student is required to have medical insurance valid within the U.S. If you have medical insurance in your home country that is valid in the U.S., you must provide documentation to IWU. If you do not already have it, you will need to purchase insurance. Be prepared to spend $1000-$1200 per year. You can buy medical insurance upon arrival to campus. The International Student Advisor can provide information about various medical insurance companies.

There are many different insurance companies to choose from. Coverage should include medical evacuation and repatriation. These are a few common options for you to consider that have been used by students.

• International Student Insurance
• Compass Student Insurance
• HTH Travel Insurance
• ISO International Student Insurance
• Collegiate Care Essential
• Cultural Insurance Services International
• iNext International Travel Protection

DRESSING FOR THE WEATHER

We have four seasons, which means that you will need to be prepared for hot and humid weather in the summer and cold and icy weather in the winter. The average temperature in September and May is about 20°^C/70°^F, and in January is about -5°^C/20°^F. If you wish, you may purchase warm clothing at shops in Marion once you are here.

EMAILING & WRITING HOME

Computers are available throughout campus for students to use without charge. Students have free access to the internet and email. Your campus mailing address will be assigned when you arrive for classes. You can even send and receive mail from the on-campus Post Office in the Student Center.

LIVING ON CAMPUS

Students are required to live in a residence hall located on campus. All rooms are shared, usually by two people. Rooms are furnished; each person has a single bed, a dresser, a study desk and closet space. Students must supply their own linens, blankets, pillows and towels. If you are bringing sheets/bed linens, they should be at least 80 inches/203.2 centimeters in length. Each room has easy access to showers, laundry and kitchen facilities. Meals are served in the cafeteria three times each day. A snack and fountain service is available in the Student Center.

We hope that this information has been useful for you. Don't hesitate to ask for additional help. We are happy to serve you.