International Applicants

Am I an international applicant?

An international applicant is a student applying to study at an institution outside their home country.  They must meet additional requirements; such as language proficiency tests and visa eligibility. 

When should I apply?

Kean University reviews applications on a rolling basis, but has the following preferred deadlines for international students:

Freshman International Application Deadlines

• February 15: Architectural Studies (B.A.)
• March 1: Nursing Prelicensure (BSN 3-yr)
• April 30: Preferred Application Deadline - Applications are accepted on a rolling basis thereafter.
• May 1: Preferred Tuition Deposit Deadline

Transfer International Application Deadlines

• October 15: Nursing Prelicensure (BSN 3-year) - Spring 2025 start
• November 1: Spring Priority Deadline
• March 1: Nursing Prelicensure (BSN 3-yr) 
• May 1: Architectural Studies (B.A.)
• May 30: Graphic Design (B.F.A.)
• June 1: Fall Priority Deadline

How do I apply for a Graduate Assistantship?

Visit the Graduate Assistantship page to learn more and apply. 

Are there any scholarships for International Applicants? 

Kean University offers the International Student Scholarship for full-time International undergraduate students with non-New Jersey residency only. Applicants must have completed two semesters at Kean at the time of the award, have a minimum of 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need. We also have the Kean Foundation which is the university's primary fundraising and gift receiving organization. All new and current students are eligible to apply for Kean University Foundation Scholarships. You can click this link to find out more information regarding the process and what is needed.

Are there any available ESL courses I can take at Kean University?

Kean University does not offer English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. If you are interested in taking ESL courses, we recommend looking into community college or language centers nearby to see if they are any available.

• An official high school transcript evaluation. Applicants must submit a course-by-course evaluation (with GPA) of their official high school (Secondary School) transcript or mark sheet. The evaluation report must come from an organization affiliated with the National Association of Credit Evaluation Services (NACES). Please visit http://www.naces.org for a list of agencies. Some of the most popular NACES members used by Kean University applicants are:

Preferred Vendors

The following vendors are preferred vendors in which they guarantee 5 day evaluations (upon receipt of your documentation) at a discounted rate. 

• Submit a Kean University IEE Application.
• Submit a Kean University SpanTran Application.

Additional Approved Vendors

• World Education Services, Inc. (WES)
• Global Credential Evaluators
• Educational Credentials Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
• Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. International Education Consultants
• Regardless of U.S. residency status, an English proficiency examination is required of all students whose secondary schooling has been outside the U.S. in a country where English is not the principal language. Kean University references the CIA's World Fact Book as the authority on a country’s principal language.
• Standardized Testing Scores from SAT or ACT (optional)– please include Kean's College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) number 2517. Kean will accept the ACT as well as the SAT scores for the purpose of admission, scholarship, placement test exemption and/or program qualification consideration. Applicants may submit scores from both of these two standardized tests. Kean will super score, taking the highest level score of the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) and Math (M) sections from the SAT, and the highest composite score of the ACT. 
• Score reports must be from tests taken within the past two years and submitted directly to us from the testing service.

Kean University accepts the following standardized tests to determine the English proficiency of its international applicants:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
  • Minimum Score: Internet-based: 79; Paper-based: 550
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
  • Minimum Score: 6.0
• Duolingo English Test
  • Minimum Score: 105

Please note that English proficiency test scores are only valid for two years from the date of the test.

TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo Waiver Policy: In order to waive the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test requirement, applicants may submit the following:

• Official documentation stating that they have completed secondary schooling from an institution where English is the language of instruction

*Please note that applicants to fully-online programs are NOT eligible for English-language standardized test waivers.

*If you are an international student admitted into the Spanish Speaking Program, please reach out to the admissions office for unique requirements for this program .

The three items listed below are recommended, not required:

• Two (2) letters of recommendation, in English. Letters may be from teachers, counselors, employers, coaches, etc.
• Personal essay (1-2 pages), in English, expressing your educational and professional career goals.

The supporting documents listed above should be sent to the following address:

Kean University
Office of Admissions, Kean Hall
1000 Morris Ave
Union, NJ 07083

For additional information about the above items, please read How to Submit Application Items.

Post-acceptance

As an admitted international student, you will be required to hold a student visa to study in the U.S. Upon acceptance to Kean, you must provide all immigration documents, along with your tuition deposit, before Kean University can issue your I-20 document which can be used to obtain your F-1 visa.

You will need to complete the International Student I-20 Application. You will receive more information from the Center for International Studies.

1. Sponsor's bank statements translated into U.S. dollars ($)
2. Sponsor's proof of income (Copy of pay stub or employment letter or local government taxes)
3. Photocopy of passport (photo and biographical information)
4. Transfer students: If you are transferring from another U.S. Institution, you will also need to complete an I-20 Release Form

The following documents must also be submitted if you currently, or have previously, held an F-1 visa:

• Photocopy of most recent U.S. visa
• Photocopy of I-94 (front & back)
• Request for F-1 Status Transfer Information (if transferring from another U.S. school)
• Photocopy of all previous I-20 forms

For additional information and forms relating to requirements needed to obtain an F-1 student visa, click here. For additional information regarding International Student Orientation and your Immigration Documents, email cis@kean.edu or call the Center for International Studies at (908) 737-0350.

Immigration documents should be sent to: 

Kean University
Center for International Studies
C.I.S. - CAS 201
1000 Morris Avenue
Union, New Jersey 07083

• Official transcripts from any U.S. Post-Secondary institutions attended should be sent electronically to the attention of Transfer Admissions at UGProcessing@kean.edu.
• An official university transcript evaluation. Applicants must submit a course-by-course evaluation of their official university transcript. The evaluation report must come from an organization affiliated with the National Association of Credit Evaluation Services (NACES). Please visit http://www.naces.org for a list of agencies. Some of the most popular NACES members used by Kean University applicants are:

Preferred Vendors

The following vendors are preferred vendors in which they guarantee 5 day evaluations (upon receipt of your documentation) at a discounted rate. 

• Submit a Kean University IEE Application.
• Submit a Kean University SpanTran Application.

Additional Approved Vendors

• World Education Services, Inc. (WES)
• Global Credential Evaluators
• Educational Credentials Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
• Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. International Education Consultants
• Standardized Testing Scores from SAT or ACT – please include Kean's College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) number 2517. Kean will accept the ACT as well as the SAT scores for the purpose of admission, scholarship, placement test exemption and/or program qualification consideration. Applicants may submit scores from both of these two standardized tests. Kean will super score, taking the highest level score of the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) and Math (M) sections from the SAT, and the highest composite score of the ACT. 
• Regardless of U.S. residency status, an English proficiency examination is required of all students whose secondary schooling has been outside the U.S. in a country where English is not the principal language. Kean University references the CIA's World Fact Book as the authority on a country’s principal language.
• Score reports must be from tests taken within the past two years and submitted directly to us from the testing service.

Kean University accepts the following standardized tests to determine the English proficiency of its international applicants:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
  • Minimum Score: Internet-based: 79; Paper-based: 550
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
  • Minimum Score: 6.0
• Duolingo English Test
  • Minimum Score: 105

Please note that English proficiency test scores are only valid for two years from the date of the test.

TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo Waiver Policy: In order to waive the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test requirement, applicants may submit the following:

• Official documentation stating that they have completed secondary schooling from an institution where English is the language of instruction
• Official transcript showing a minimum of 6 credits of college-level English courses at an accredited U.S. College showing grade C or better  

*Please note that applicants to fully-online programs are NOT eligible for English-language standardized test waivers.

*If you are an international student admitted into the Spanish Speaking Program, please reach out to the admissions office for unique requirements for this program .

The three items listed below are recommended, not required:

• Two (2) letters of recommendation, in English. Letters may be from teachers, counselors, employers, coaches, etc.
• Personal essay (1-2 pages), in English, expressing your educational and professional career goals.

The supporting documents listed above should be sent to the following address:

Kean University
Office of Admissions, Kean Hall
1000 Morris Ave
Union, NJ 07083

For additional information about the above items, please read How to Submit Application Items.

Post-acceptance

As an admitted international student, you will be required to hold a student visa to study in the U.S. Upon acceptance to Kean, you must provide all immigration documents, along with your tuition deposit, before Kean University can issue your I-20 document which can be used to obtain your F-1 visa.

Please complete the International Student I-20 Application and also include the following:

1. Sponsor's bank statements translated into U.S. dollars ($)
2. Sponsor's proof of income (Copy of pay stub or employment letter or local government taxes)
3. Photocopy of passport (photo and biographical information)
4. Transfer students: If you are transferring from another U.S. Institution, you will also need to complete an I-20 Release Form

The following documents must also be submitted if you currently, or have previously, held an F-1 visa:

• Photocopy of most recent U.S. visa
• Photocopy of I-94 (front & back)
• Request for F-1 Status Transfer Information (if transferring from another U.S. school)
• Photocopy of all previous I-20 forms

For additional information and forms relating to requirements needed to obtain an F-1 student visa, click here. For additional information regarding International Student Orientation and your Immigration Documents, email cis@kean.edu or call the Center for International Studies at (908) 737-0350.

Immigration documents should be sent to: 

Kean University
Center for International Studies
C.I.S. - CAS 201
1000 Morris Avenue
Union, New Jersey 07083

Regardless of U.S. residency status, an English proficiency examination is required of all students who have a bachelor’s degree from an institution outside the U.S. in a country where English is not the principal language. Kean University references the CIA's World Fact Book as the authority of a country’s principal language. Score reports must be from tests taken within the past two years and submitted directly to us from the testing service.

An official university transcript evaluation is also required. Applicants must submit a course-by-course evaluation of their official university transcript. The evaluation report must come from an organization affiliated with the National Association of Credit Evaluation Services (NACES). Please visit http://www.naces.org for a list of agencies. Some of the most popular NACES members used by Kean University applicants are: 

Preferred Vendors

The following vendors are preferred vendors in which they guarantee 5 day evaluations (upon receipt of your documentation) at a discounted rate. 

• Submit a Kean University IEE Application.
• Submit a Kean University SpanTran Application.

Additional Approved Vendors

• World Education Services, Inc. (WES)
• Global Credential Evaluators
• Educational Credentials Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
• Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. International Education Consultants

Kean University accepts the following standardized tests to determine the English proficiency of its international applicants:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
  • Minimum Score: Internet-based: 79; Paper-based: 550
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
  • Minimum Score: 6.5
• Duolingo English Test
  • Minimum Score: 105

Please note that English proficiency test scores are only valid for two years from the date of the test.

TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo Waiver Policy: In order to waive the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test requirement, applicants may submit the following:  

• Official documentation stating that they have completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an institution where English is the language of instruction
• Official transcripts showing that they have completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university

*Please note that applicants to fully-online programs are NOT eligible for English-language standardized test waivers.

The supporting documents listed above should be sent to the following address:

Kean University
Offices of Admissions, Kean Hall
1000 Morris Ave
Union, NJ 07083

For additional information about the above items, please read How to Submit Application Items.

Post-acceptance

As an admitted international student, you will be required to hold a student visa to study in the U.S. Upon acceptance to Kean, you must provide all immigration documents, along with your tuition deposit, before Kean University can issue your I-20 document which can be used to obtain your F-1 visa.  

Please complete the International Student I-20 Application and also include the following:

1. Sponsor's bank statements translated into U.S. dollars ($)
2. Sponsor's proof of income (Copy of pay stub or employment letter or local government taxes).
3. Photocopy of passport (photo and biographical information)
4. Transfer students:  If you are transferring from another U.S. Institution, you will also need to complete an I-20 Release Form.

The following documents must also be submitted if you currently, or have previously, held an F-1 visa:

• Photocopy of most recent U.S. visa
• Photocopy of I-94 (front & back)
• Request for F-1 Status Transfer Information (if transferring from another U.S. school)
• Photocopy of all previous I-20 forms

For additional information and forms relating to requirements needed to obtain an F-1 student visa, click here. For additional information regarding International Student Orientation and your Immigration Documents, email cis@kean.edu or call the Center for International Studies at (908) 737-0350. 

Immigration documents should be sent to:

Kean University
Center for International Studies
CAS 201
1000 Morris Avenue
Union, New Jersey 07083