Undergraduate International Applicants

Application with essay: Applicants should complete all items on the application for admissions. You must apply online and the application fee is $50.00. Essay should be included as part of your application.

Academic Credentials/Transcripts: Applicants whose schools and universities maintain a record of courses with hours of credit and grade shown on the record (The Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, Mexico, Hong Kong, etc.) should request that official transcripts of records be sent directly from the issuing institution to Bridgewater State University. Transcripts must show courses taken by years and/or semester in chronological order, the hours per week and/or unit value of each course and the final grade received in each course. Records attesting to the completion of a degree program must indicate the title of the degree in the native language as well as a literal translation of the title and the date the degree was granted. Applicants from countries in which detailed records of course hours and grades are not kept, but where certificates or diplomas are earned on completion of examination given by government examining bodies (GCE Certificates, Secondary School Leaving or Maturity Certificates, Baccalaureate II, Bachillerato, Indian and Pakistan BA or BSc Certificates) should submit facsimile copies of the certificates. The copies must have been compared with and certified as a true copy of the original document by a notary public, or by an appropriate school or government official.

A translation must be submitted accompanying any documents supplied in a language other than English. Applicants from India and Pakistan must supply a detailed marks sheet and certificate for each examination, properly certified. Applicants from the Middle East must submit translations of their records which have been certified by the AFME, or by the American Embassy or consulate. Applicants from the Middle East who are presently in the U.S. may submit translations which have been certified by the American Consulate, or an embassy or consulate of their home country.

Applicants should also submit any explanatory materials available, such as syllabi, with descriptive titles of course studies, the lecture and laboratory hours devoted to each course and an explanation of the marking system, indicating the minimum and maximum marks given. All records submitted become the property of the university and will not be returned to the student. No applicant will be considered for admission until all relevant materials and official documents are on file, nor will an evaluation or estimate of academic standing be made. The university requires an external credit evaluation of selected documents if seeking college level credit from a non-U.S. institution.

SEVIS Transfer Eligibility Verification Form for International Transfer Students

TOEFL/ English Language Proficiency (outside of the US): To register to take the TOEFL examination, applicants must obtain the Information Bulletin which includes a registration form. Bulletins are available at American embassies and consulates or at the office of the USIS, at U.S. educational commissions and foundations and at bi-national centers. Candidates not able to obtain a copy locally should write to TOEFL/TSE Publications, P.O. Box 6154, Princeton, NJ 08541-6154, USA (Telephone 609.771.7100. www.toefl.org.) Applicants should have their scores sent from the Education Testing Service directly to the Office of Admission, Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, MA 02325. In order to have your TOEFL score reported directly to Bridgewater State University, please enter the institutional code number 3517 on the answer sheet when taking the test or on the Score Request Form.

TOEFL/English Language Proficiency (for transfers/have already studied in the US): If you have already taken 30 semester hours in the US you do not need not take an English Examination, but must have passed EN 101 and 102.

Please note that BSU will also accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Pearson English Language Test (PTE), Pearson English Test Online (PTE Online), Common European Framework of References for Languages (CEFRL) or Duolingo. Students taking the TOEFL must receive a total score of 173 from a computer-based test, 500 from a paper-based test, or 61 on the internet-based test. Students taking the IELTS must receive a minimum total score of 6.0. Students taking the PTE or PTE Online must receive a minimum total score of 44. Students taking the CEFRL must receive a minimum total score of B2. Students taking Duolingo must receive a minimum total score of 100.

Affidavit of Financial Support: The University requires family or sponsor information and bank documentation that shows there are sufficient exchange funds to cover the costs of attending the university. Parts 1 and 2 of the Confidential Affidavit of Financial Support must be completed showing sufficient funds (in US dollars) to cover the costs of the first year at the university. The university requires a Bank Statement which shows the minimum required funds to be submitted along with the Affidavit of Financial Support. The amount must be stated in U.S. dollars. Statements for checking or savings accounts only are accepted. The “Estimate of Yearly Expenses” found later in this documents should be used to determine the sufficient funds required.

Affidavit of Financial Support Form

Immunization Records: BSU requires certain health information and immunization records from all incoming students. Once you are registered and have your BSU email and password, please use that information to log in to the BSU Patient Portal at https://bridgew.medicatconnect.com and complete the steps listed on the Home screen.  You cannot upload documents until after you are registered for classes, and you have 30 days to complete this.  While you are in your home country it is helpful to gather all these documents prior to arrival in the US – documents must be in English.  You are required to show proof of Tdap, MMR, HepB, Varicella, Meningococcal A (or waiver) TB screening, COVID vaccine and COVID attestation.  Any questions can be directed to wellnesscenter@bridgew.edu.  

Outside the United States

If you are currently outside the United States without an active F-1 visa and are interested in studying at BSU you will first need to be admitted to the university. Once admitted, the financial documentation and passport information you provided with your application will be reviewed. If all documents are submitted correctly a form I-20 will be issued and mailed to you. The I-20 will list a program start date that coincides with the International Student Orientation offered at the start of the fall or spring semester. You will use the form I-20 to apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country. You will be eligible to apply for an F-1 visa as early as 120 days before your program start date. Once you are issued your F-1 visa you will be eligible to enter the U.S. as early as 30 days before your program start date.

Already in the United States

Currently in active F-1 status and enrolled in classes at U.S. based college or university.

If you are currently in active F-1 status and enrolled in classes at a U.S. based higher education institution you will first need to apply and be admitted to BSU. Along with your application you will need to submit a SEVIS Transfer Eligibility Verification Form. This form is used to verify your active status and will need to be signed by a Primary/Designated School Official (P/DSO) at your current institution. Once admitted to BSU you will need to notify your current P/DSO of your intent to transfer to BSU. You will likely be asked to provide them with written confirmation that you have been admitted in the form of an acceptance letter. Please make sure that we here at ISSS know of your intent to transfer and enroll at BSU as well. You should provide your current P/DSO our ISSS contact information and make sure that your current P/DSO updates your SEVIS record to “transfer out” status in a timely manner.

Currently in active F-1 status and engaged in employment with approved Optional Practical Training (OPT).

If you are currently in active F-1 status and engaged in employment with approved OPT you will first need to apply and be admitted to BSU. Along with your application you will need to submit a SEVIS Transfer Eligibility Verification Form. This form is used to verify your active status and will need to be signed by a P/DSO at your current institution. Once admitted you will need to notify your current P/DSO of your intent to transfer to BSU. You will likely be asked to provide them with written confirmation that you have been admitted in the form of an acceptance letter. Please make sure that we here at ISSS know of your intent to transfer and enroll at BSU as well. You should provide your current P/DSO our ISSS contact information. You should have a 60 day grace period from the expiration of your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to have your SEVIS record transferred. Please consult with your current P/DSO so that your SEVIS record is updated to “transfer out” status before the expiration of your grace period.

Currently in active F-1 status and recently graduated or will graduate from a U.S. based college or university before intended enrollment at BSU.

If you are currently in active F-1 status and recently graduated from or will graduate from a U.S. based higher education institution before your intended enrollment at BSU you will first need to apply and be admitted to BSU. Along with your application you will need to submit a SEVIS Transfer Eligibility Verification Form. This form is used to verify your active status and will need to be signed by a P/DSO at your current institution. Once admitted you will need to notify your current P/DSO of your intent to transfer to BSU. You will likely be asked to provide them with written confirmation that you have been admitted in the form of an acceptance letter. Please make sure that we here at ISSS know of your intent to transfer and enroll at BSU as well. You should provide your current P/DSO our ISSS contact information and make sure that your current P/DSO updates your SEVIS record to “transfer out” status in a prior to the expiration of the 60 days grace period following your current I-20 program end date.

Currently hold an active visa status other than F-1 and wish to change your status to F-1 and enroll at BSU.

If you are currently in the United States with an active visa status other than F-1 and wish to change your status to F-1 you should consult with an ISSS advisor prior to applying and being admitted to BSU. Please visit the following for current ISSS contact information. F-1 status can be obtained one of two ways. You can return to your home country and apply for an F-1 visa or remain in the United States and apply for a change of status through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. An ISSS advisor can help you determine which option is best for you.

Currently in the United States with a terminated or completed SEVIS record and wish to apply for a reinstatement of status and enroll at BSU.

If you are a former F-1 status holder currently in the United States with a terminated or completed SEVIS record and wish to apply for a reinstatement of status you should consult with an ISSS advisor prior to applying and being admitted to BSU. Please visit the following for current ISSS contact information. F-1 status can be reinstated one of two ways. You can return to your home country and apply for an F-1 visa or remain in the United States and apply for a reinstatement through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. An ISSS advisor can help you determine which option is best for you.

Please keep in mind that the costs for living expenses are minimum estimates and that, depending on your lifestyle, these costs may be higher. Transportation to and from the United States is not included in these estimates. ALL UNIVERSITY COSTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. TUITION AND FEES ARE BASED ON FULL-TIME DAY STATUS (12 credit hours per semester)

*To be used on Affidavit of Financial Support

The amounts listed are the average cost of attending Bridgewater. Each student’s actual expenses will vary based on individual choices. These amounts are utilized to issue the I-20 and cannot be prorated.

Important Notice: Checks submitted for payment of all fees and tuition are required to be either in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank with a branch in the applicant’s country or in U.S. dollars drawn on a foreign bank which has a New York branch.

Scholarships: As a public university BSU offers quality education at an affordable price. While international students are not eligible for federal financial aid, all new BSU undergraduate first year and transfer students receive the Horace Mann Scholarship. This award grants students a $5,000 scholarship applied directly to their ebill. This scholarship is reapplied each year as long as the student maintains good academic standing with the university.

I-20 Form: The Certificate of Eligibility Form (I-20 Document) is provided only to applicants who have submitted all required credentials (including the Affidavit of Financial Support) and who have been admitted to the University. Students who have received an I-20 form should note that immigration regulations are being rigorously followed. Students should not plan to attend Bridgewater State University unless they have appropriate documentation.

Transfer Students: If the accepted student has an F-1 visa from another U.S. institution, the student’s previous International Student Advisor should be notified of his/her intent to transfer. Transfer students who do not plan to travel outside the United States prior to the start of their first semester will receive their new BSU Form I-20 at International Student Orientation. Transfer students who have a valid reason for missing the mandatory International Student Orientation must report to the International Student and Scholar Services office in the Minnock Center for International Engagement and pick up the Form I-20 no later than the add/drop deadline of the first semester.

Health Records and Insurance: Accepted candidates are required to purchase the University student health insurance plan to cover the duration of their enrollment at the University. J-1 students are required to carry additional benefits at an additional charge. Information concerning coverage benefits is mailed along with other orientation materials in advance of the student’s arrival in the United States. Failure to maintain proper insurance coverage will jeopardize enrollment and potentially your immigration status.

International Student Orientation: Students who enroll at the University for the first time are required to participate in an International Student Orientation. This is scheduled approximately two to five days prior to the beginning of each semester. During this orientation, students will have the opportunity to meet the International Student Advisor, learn about customs in the United States, and register for courses.