International Students

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Welcome international applicants! A student may apply as either a new freshman or as a transfer student. The University of Pikeville is a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certified school and is authorized to accept students under an F-1 Visa.

Application deadline: June 15 for fall semester and November 1 for spring semester.

Please carefully read the requirements below. International students will be reviewed for admission once all the following materials are received by International Admissions:

  • International Student Admission application.
  • Evidence of English proficiency determined by taking a standardized test to demonstrate fluency:
    • TOEFL Test (i.e., Test of English as a Foreign Language) a minimum score of 68.0 is acceptable for an undergraduate student, and a minimum score of 79 is acceptable for a graduate student.
    • IELTS Test (i.e., International English Language Testing System (IELTS) a minimum score of 6.0 is acceptable for the purpose of meeting the English language requirement.
    • Other standardized English tests may be considered for the purpose of meeting the English Language requirement. Contact International Student Services for exceptions.
  • Passport – If you are a citizen of another country, please provide a copy of your passport (the passport must be valid for at least the next six months.

  • Financial Affidavit Form – Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) require certified schools to have specific requirements for acceptable forms of evidence. Prospective F-1 students must prove their financial resources to live and study in the United States. This includes being able to cover the cost of tuition, books, living expenses, and travel. Designated school officials (DSOs) must collect evidence of the student’s financial ability before issuing a Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.

    Additionally, prospective students must bring their evidence of financial ability when applying for their student visa with the U.S. Department of State. It is also advised to have the evidence on-hand when entering the country at a U.S. port of entry in the event a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer asks for review.

    Working off campus is illegal without special permission from immigration. Note that students do not qualify for U.S. financial aid or FAFSA benefits.

  • Evidence of Financial Ability – https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/financial-ability
    • A prospective student must have financial evidence showing that they or a sponsor has sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses during the period of intended study. To verify if a form of financial evidence is acceptable, contact the school’s international student office. Evidence of financial ability includes, but is not limited to:
    • Family bank statements.
    • Documentation from a sponsor.
    • Financial aid letters.
    • Scholarship letters.
    • Letter from an employer showing annual salary.

  • Immunizations – All incoming international students must are required to provide current immunization records per the national guidelines from the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American College Health Association and the World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/ith/vaccines/en/)

    All incoming international UPIKE students must receive the following vaccinations prior to their arrival on campus:

  • Transcript Evaluation – The University of Pikeville requires an assessment by a transcript evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (www.naces.org). All secondary and post-secondary education (not U.S. accredited) done outside of the United States must be evaluated by an independent international credential agency at the applicant's expense. The process of grade conversion to U.S. equivalencies requires many variables to arrive at a fair assessment of individual achievement. Therefore, to make grading scales including their definitions and distributions meaningful in a U.S. context we require academic assessment by third-party transcript evaluators. One of the following evaluators:
  • Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. see website: http://www.jsilny.com/
  • World Education Services (WES) see website: http://www.wes.org

Transcript Evaluations should be sent to:
International Students & Scholar Services
University of Pikeville
147 Sycamore Street
Pikeville, Kentucky 41501

Application deadline: June 15 for fall semester and November 1 for spring semester.

When the student’s admission file is complete, the student will be issued an acceptance letter from the undergraduate Admissions Office at University of Pikeville.

An international student will not be issued a “Certificate of Eligibility” (I-20 form until all required documents have been received by international student services including financial support evidence. Financial support evidence must meet or exceed the cost of tuition, housing, living expenses and miscellaneous expenses, including travel. Living expenses and other costs are only an estimate. A student’s actual expenses may vary.

Students should submit their financial documents as soon as possible, but no sooner than 6 months prior to the start date at the University of Pikeville.

8 CFR 214.2(f)(1)(i)(B) Federal regulations require all students applying for an F-1 visa to show proof of sufficient funding in the amount indicated on the SEVIS I-20 form with expected sources of funding for the remaining years of their program.

Next, International Student & Scholar Services will issue the student a Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status – for Academic and Language Students. The last step is for the student to apply for an F-1 Visa with the U.S. Embassy in their home country. A student will not be able to schedule a visa interview or pay the SEVIS fee without submitting their financial document and receiving a signed I-20 form from the Designated School Official.

Complete the U.S Government Form DS-160, Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application. To complete form, I-901, you must have signed Form I-20 from the University of Pikeville. Next, make an appointment with the American Consulate or Embassy in your home country. Although you may apply at any U.S. Consular office abroad, it may be more difficult to qualify for the visa outside the country of your permanent residence.

Find the nearest embassy to your location here: https://www.usembassy.gov/

Appointments are now mandatory for all visas, and some U.S. embassies and consulates require that appointments be made at least four to eight weeks in advance. All U.S. embassies and consulates have a website where you can read the latest information on visa procedures.

SEVIS FEE – Prior to applying for your visa you must pay a $350 SEVIS fee (if applying for a F-1 visa), payment should be made to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Please read all instructions fully before attempting to pay the fee. If your visa is denied, you do not need to pay the SEVIS fee again if you re-apply for the same visa within 12 months of the denial.

Students and scholars from Canada and Bermuda do not have to apply for a visa. You will show SEVIS fee payment verification along with your Form I-20 to an immigration inspector at the port of entry at the border of the United States.

Any questions about Form I-20 should be directed to the Designated School Official (DSOs) that issued the I- 20 Form to the student.

Results of the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) are not required for international admission; however, to obtain athletic eligibility for example with NAIA, they will require either an ACT or SAT score report (refer to Athletics Department or coach for minimum requirements). In addition, University of Pikeville mandates placement in reading, English, and mathematics. All international students are required to take placement tests to demonstrate reading, English, and mathematics, and other proficiencies upon arrival to campus.