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The University of West Georgia is approved by the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS)
to host F1 and J1 international students and scholars.  

Our SEVIS Campus Code is: A T L 2 1 4 F 0 0 2 4 7 0 0 0 

DHS approved

Test Optional Policies Due to COVID-19

Applications for Fall 2020 are test-optional. Applications for Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 will remain test optional if completed and submitted by August 11th, 2020.  

  • Test Optional: It means SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT score requirements are temporarily waived. Admissions decisions will be based on your UWG application, academic transcripts, GPA (grade point average), essays & recommendations. You may submit standardized scores if available. 
  • What about English Exams? Applicants still need to document English proficiency unless they are from an ESL exempt country. In addition to TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE, we now accept DuoLingo English Test scores with a minimum of 95. DuoLingo offers a low-cost, test-from-home option. 
  • For more details, please see our Fall 2020 Admissions & Enrollment Options page
 
  • Director's Welcome

    International Student Admissions and Programs, or "ISAP", is the primary office to guide you through the UWG admissions, visa and pre-arrival process. During your time at UWG, the ISAP staff will also support your well-being and success in the U.S. in alignment with our mission and values. 

    Studying in the U.S. is an incredible opportunity to expand your understanding of global interconnections and worldview. UWG is one of the best places to prepare for your academic and professional goals.

    • The Princeton Review calls UWG a "Best Southeastern College", "among the most academically outstanding colleges in the nation," and "one of the best overall bargains in the nation." 

    • UWG's Schools & Colleges offer 100+ programs at the batchelors, masters and doctoral level. Also, check out UWG's Just the Facts

    While you are studying at UWG, we also encourage you to get involved. There are 150+ student clubs to choose from. You can even run for office in Student Government! What better way to develop and share your talents, represent your culture and grow as a global citizen. Living on campus is safe, affordable and one of the best ways to develop English fluency. In campus housing, you'll also make friends and enjoy a modern, furnished room with wifi and security. Check out all the Housing and Residence Life options.  When you're hungry, just "Dine West", which offers buffet style cafeterias and fast food options across campus with an affordable meal plan that works for you. Ready for fitness, the rock wall or off-campus adventure trips? It's all here in our state-of-the-art UWG Recreation Center. 

    Everything is here for you, and we are here because of you. Again, thank you for considering the University of West Georgia in your journey.  We look forward to receiving your application and meeting you soon!

    Sincerely,

    Brett Reichert, Director, ISAP

 

 

Undergraduate International Applicants

  • Costs
    International Tuition & Fees

    International students are classified as non-residents. Therefore, they pay "out of state" tuition, which is the same as a US citizens from outside Georgia. Qualified international students may apply for waivers to equalize the amount to "in-state" rates. Please see Out of State Waivers for details.

    What's the difference between tuition and fees?   

    Tuition: the cost of instruction and academic credits towards your degree. 
    Fees: the cost of campus services, facilities, activities and events. 

    Undergraduate Charges - Per Semester
    • Tuition, 12 hours: $7800
    • Fees: $1000
    • Health Insurance, Meal Plan, Housing, Books: $6700 *varies by personal preference and use
    • Total: $15,500

    For detailed, per-credit-hour tuition and fees, please see the Undergraduate In-State and Out of State Tuition & Fee Rate Chart. 

    International Students may wish to seek funding and scholarships while at the University of West Georgia. We recommend that each international student fill out the UWG General Scholarship Application (Scholarship Search below). Students may also qualify for our departmental scholarship or an out of state tuition waiver. All requirements are listed below.

    Scholarship Search

    Sylvia Shortt Scholarship Application

    Out of State Tuition Waivers

     

  • Application
    Use the link below to provide all supporting documentation as listed below in 1-5.  

     

    >> APPLY HERE <<   

     
    1. Submit Non-Refundable Application Fee   
    • If you have an application fee waiver, submit it to:  global@westga.edu
    • If you did not submit your application fee with your application, you can make payment through:
      Your "MyUWG" portal with a credit card.
    • Do not send cash or international money orders. Submit a U.S. check or money order payable to the University of West Georgia.

    2. Submit Official Transcripts
    • submit from each seconday school, college, university or technical school attended.
    • must include all courses completed
    • must include all grades or marks earned
    • must include all certificates or degrees awarded
    • If the document(s) is not in English, it must also Include a certified English translation. 

    For U.S. Schools
    Request your final transcript be sent directly to UWG for review. If unavailable, documents you send must be:

    • Original academic credentials issued by the registrar of the institutions previously attended with official seals and signatures.
    • Verified Photocopies with offical seals and signatures.

    For non - U.S. Schools

    NOTE: All submitted documents become the  property of UWG and cannot be returned. 

    • Photocopies certified by a notary public are not official.
    • Scanned copies are not accepted in lieu of original official academic documents.
    • All non-English language transcripts must be submitted in the original language with an official English translation. No self-translations.
     
    3. Submit Financial Documentation

    Prepare two (2) sets of supporting financial documents.  

    1. For your permanent file at UWG. Photocopies, faxes and scans are acceptable.
    2. For your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consultant nearest you. Originals only. 
    Required Amounts to Issue I-20 or DS-2019 
    Visa Type Duration of Study Required Amount
    F-1 Students 1st Academic Year Only $32,000
    J-1 Students 1 Semester

    $6,000 | $9,000 for self-pay*
    J-1 Students 1 Academic Year

    $12,000 |  $18,000 for self-pay*

    Required Amounts to Issue I-20 or DS-2019 

    • Visa Type: F-1 Students
      Duration of Study: 1st Academic Year Only
      Required Amount: $32,000

    • Visa Type: J-1 Students
      Duration of Study: 1 Semester
      Required Amount:

      $6,000 | $9,000 for self-pay*


    • Visa Type: J-1 Students
      Duration of Study: 1 Academic Year
      Required Amount:

      $12,000 |  $18,000 for self-pay*


    *Self-pay refers to a special financial arrangement for some Oldenburg exchange students only.

    Required Details

    Bank letters and documents must:

    • be on official bank letterhead
    • be in English
    • be signed by a bank official
    • state the written date (ex:  November 3, 2020) the account was opened
    • state the currency type
    • state the amount currently in the account in local currency
    • be dated less than six months old when received by UWG. 

     Governmental or Private Organizations as sponsors must: 

    • include sponsor's address
    • include telephone # and email address
    • include original signature and title of the signatory
    • state your name
    • state a specific U.S. dollar amount
    • state duration of the sponsorship / scholarship

    F-1 Financial Support Form

    J-1 Financial Support Form

     
    4. Submit Proof of English Proficiency
    • All applicants whose native language is not English, must meet English language proficiency requirements.  If you are unsure if your country meets the requirements for a waiver of English language testing, please ask:  global@westga.edu 
    • Otherwise, request your English test scores be sent directly to UWG. We cannot accept test scores mailed directly from the applicant.
    • See the section, English Language Proficiency, for details below.  
    5. Submit ACT or SAT Scores 
    • Request your scores to be sent directly to UWG. We cannot accept test scores mailed directly from the applicant.
    • If you live in an area where neither test is offered, you can apply for an exemption.  Contact ISAP about this option.        
    • SAT Information
    • ACT Information
  • Transfer to UWG

    These steps refer to an international student who is already studying in the U.S. and has an F1 visa. 

    Requirements:

    •  2.00 GPA minimum at their curent institution (equivalent to a letter grade of "C" where "A" = 4.0 GPA.)
    • Some UWG programs require a higher minimum transfer GPA.
    • Proof of Financial Support in the amount of $32,000

    Steps:

    1. Apply for Academic Admission
    2. Receive UWG Admission Letter
    3. Request Transfer of SEVIS Record to UWG by the "DSO" at your current school. The "Release Date" in SEVIS must be after the last day of your current program or after high school graduation.
    4. Submit UWG "Transfer-In" Request Form
    5. Receive updated UWG I-20 via mail in the US or abroad. 

    In this manner, your F1 status is maintained under the same SEVIS record from one educational level to the next. 

  • English Language Proficiency

    All courses at UWG, except foreign langauge courses, are taught in English. Therefore, appropriate college-ready proficiency in English is required to succeed.  All applicants, except those from ESL- exempt countries, must document submit one of the test scores below. 

    • Note: UWG does not offer an Intensive English Program, so conditional admission is not offered. However, many English Language Learning resources are available on campus to help support academic needs once you are enrolled.
    • To confirm if an ESL exam is required or not for admission, please email:  global@westga.edu
    Accepted English Language Proficienty Exams: 
    • Duo Lingo English Test: 95 minimum, 100 recommended (low-cost, 1hour, test-from-home, results in 3-5 business days)
    • ibT (TOEFL): Internet-Based Test of English as a Foreign Language: 69 total  |   UWG School Code = 5900  or
    • IELTS: International English Language Testing System: 6.0 overall  or 
    • PTE: Pearson Test of English: 53 total

    Full List of Acceptable English ProficiecyTests 

  • Admissions Test Scores
    Minimum Requirements:
    SAT (UWG Code: 5900)
    ACT (UWG Code: 0878)
    480 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 17 English or 17 Reading
    450 Math

    17 Math

    Minimum Requirements: UWG is not permitted to recognize other exams at this time for Freshman, undergraduate admissions decisions.  If you took the SAT prior to March 2016 please use the concordance information found here: SAT and Redesigned SAT Concordance Table (Tables 3 and 5).

    • SAT (UWG Code: 5900) : 480 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
      ACT (UWG Code: 0878) : 17 English or 17 Reading

    • SAT (UWG Code: 5900) : 450 Math
      ACT (UWG Code: 0878) :

      17 Math


Graduate International Applicants

  • Costs

    International Tuition & Fees

    • Based on Fall 2019 - Summer 2020 rates approved by the University System of Georgia.
    • International Students are not eligible for "in-state" tuition without a waiver, scholarship, or assistanship and therefore pay "out-of-state" tuition as do U.S. students from outside the state of Georgia. 

    Tuition: the cost for academic credits and instruction
    Fees: the cost for auxilliary services and university facilities 

    Graduate 
    Tuition, 9 hours per semester: $ 8,450
    Fees per semester: $ 1,012
    Total: $9,462

    For detailed, per-credit-hour tuition and fees, please see the Graduate Out of State Tuition & Fee Rate Chart.

    Other Costs of Attendance Per Semester
    *Estimated costs. They will vary according to individual circumstances and preferences.

    • $1,150: health insurance
    • $500: books
    • $3,000: housing
    • $2,000: food / cafeteria meal plan

    International Students may wish to seek funding and scholarships while at the University of West Georgia. We recommend that each international student fill out the UWG General Scholarship Application (Scholarship Search below). Students may also qualify for our departmental scholarship or an out of state tuition waiver. All requirements are listed below.

  • Admission Requirements
  • Apply West

F.A.Q's (Frequently Asked Questions)

  • After admission, what's next and how do I get a visa?
    Follow the steps on our  New Student Checklist
  • How can I get an application fee waiver? 
    Only international high school counselors or UWG recruiters in person can offer application waivers. 
  • I earned a diploma or degree in the U.S already. Is an ESL test still required? 
    No, not for undergraduate admissions. However, some graduate departments at UWG require an ESL exam from non-native speakers of English. 
  • How long is my ESL exam score valid?
    Two years from the date of the exam.
  • What about financial aid and scholarships?
  • Can I defer (postpone) my admission?
    Your application fee is good for one academic year (fall through summer terms). However, immigration paperwork is only issued for a specific term, so let us know if your plans change, so we can update your admission term and immigration records.