Admission of International Students to Ball State University

Students who are not citizens, permanent residents, asylees, refugees, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) of the United States must enroll at Ball State University through the International Admissions. Prospective students must meet all of the university’s international student admission requirements.

In addition to submitting a special admission application and all supporting academic credentials, students must have evidence of adequate financial support for expenses for one academic year–including tuition, fees, books, supplies, maintenance (lodging and food), health insurance, taxes, and miscellaneous expenditures (clothing, local travel, recreation, toiletries, telephone, etc.) before Ball State may issue visa-enabling documents, if applicable.

An international student intending to enroll at Ball State University may be required to take  the TOEFL, IELTS, or Pearson’s PTE  before being admitted, regardless of the extent of previous training in English. Any exceptions to these English proficiency admission requirements  must be approved by the International Admissions . For information about these exams contact TOEFL at toefl.org, IELTS at ielts.org, or Pearson PTE at pearsonpte.com.

Any student admitted conditionally with a score lower than 79 (internet-based) on the TOEFL, 6.5 on the IELTS, or 53 on the Pearson PTE will be required to take an English language proficiency exam during international student orientation to determine the English language courses that must be taken through the Intensive English Institute. Upon completion of the IEI program or submitting a TOEFL, IELTS, or Pearson PTE that meets minimum admission requirements, the students must pursue full time academic study. Exceptions to these rules must be approved by the Rinker Center for International Programs. Any international student may take a course in the Intensive English Institute  for noncredit, regardless of whether such a course is required. Any student who is required to take a course in the Intensive English Institute and whose progress is unsatisfactory will be required to repeat the course if the Intensive English Institute, Rinker Center for International Programs, and the chairperson of the relevant department deem it advisable.

Any student offered admission to non-degree study in the Intensive English Institute only must apply as a degree-seeking student and be offered admission before enrolling in credit-bearing academic classes.

Upon enrollment, international students are assessed nonresident tuition and fees for undergraduate and graduate courses offered by the university. The university currently has a limited number of scholarships authorized by the University Board of Trustees that may be awarded to outstanding and deserving students from other countries. These scholarships are equivalent in value to a partial waiver of university tuition fees. No scholarships are available for room, board, or transportation costs.

Successful applicants will be sent documentation allowing them to apply for a student visa through United States consular representatives in their home countries. All international students are required to participate in a health insurance plan designed for Ball State University students unless approved for a waiver. The premium must be along with nonresident tuition and fees and must be maintained throughout the student’s period of enrollment at the university.

Upon arrival at Ball State, students are required to attend  international student orientation during which registration information and other relevant student issues are discussed. An English language examination will be administered to those students who require the test at this time to determine language competency.

Prospective students are encouraged to inquire at least one year before proposed enrollment at Ball State by contacting International Admissions or by visiting bsu.edu/admissions/international. . Students who have a break in continuous semester attendance or who have attended other institutions since last attending Ball State and who were in good standing with Ball State at the time of stop out will be considered reenrolling students. Please refer to the information above.