Global/International Students

Gannon has a long tradition of welcoming students and scholars from around the world. The presence of global/international students and scholars cultivates a richly diverse learning environment through the varied global perspectives they bring both inside and outside of the classroom. Intercultural interactions provide Gannon students a wide range of opportunities to expand their global perspectives and develop higher level intercultural communication skills.

Admission Requirements

Application

Global/International students should apply as soon as possible for visa-issuance purposes.

Gannon recommends applying by July 1st for the fall intake (August) and November 15th for the spring intake (January) to ensure adequate time for processing.

Global/International students need to submit the following: 1. International Admission Application. 2. Transcripts and final exam results: official, notarized (attested)

English translations; undergraduate and graduate-level transcripts need to indicate degrees conferred

Graduate: all undergraduate and graduate level transcripts showing degrees conferred 3. Three letters of recommendation 4. Affidavit of Support Form along with a bank statement showing appropriate funds in U.S. Dollars. Gannon University is required by United States immigration law to verify financial resources available for a student’s educational and related expenses. 5. Additional document(s), statement of purpose, curriculum vitae and standardized test – if applicable. Refer to academic program for specific admission requirements. 6. Evidence of English Language Proficiency a. Native of an English Speaking Country b. Completion of a four-year degree from an accredited U.S. university within the past year or similar university in another English Speaking country c. TOEFL 79 iBT d. The following majors require a 6.5 IELTS score or its equivalent: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Strategic

Communication, Environmental Health and Engineering, Sport and Exercise Science, Athletic Training, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy. All other majors require a 6.0 IELTS score or its equivalent. e. English3 66 f. PTE (Pearson Test of English) 53 g. Duolingo 100 for most programs; see program for details h. iTEP 3.8 i. ELS Language Center, Level 112 j. Completion of Gannon University’s English as a Second

Language Program

* see Office of Global Admission website for other accepted evidence of proficiency.

Residency – International students who are under 21 years of age, are required to live in on-campus housing for four semesters. Married students are exempt from this requirement.

NOTE: Applicants who meet the academic requirements for a specific program, but who do not satisfy the English-language requirement, may be offered admission to the university dependent on program requirements. These students can meet the language proficiency by enrolling and completing Gannon’s English as a Second Language (ESL) Program.

Policy on ESL Testing and Placement

Students who do not meet the English language proficiency requirements as defined above must take the ESL placement test upon arrival to campus. Depending on the results of the test, students will either be exempt from ESL or placed in the appropriate level as determined by the placement test.

Financial Requirements

Students must submit financial documents in conjunction with the Affidavit of Support Form as part of the requirements for issuing the Form I-20. Per United States immigration law, the Affidavit of Support Form and supporting documentation must show that all educational expenses, including tuition, room and board, books and health insurance, can be fully met by the student for the first academic year.

Once a student has been admitted and the Affidavit of Support Form has been approved, the student will be issued the Form I-20 as a basis for making an appointment at the US Consulate. Students must notify the Office of Global Support & Student Engagement of their planned date of arrival after receiving their visa. All students are required to fill out the Attendance Confirmation Form located on our website at www.gannon.edu/ConfirmAttendance.

Information regarding graduate assistantships should be referred to the respective academic department for one’s program of study.

Refer to the Tuition and Fees information provided in this catalog or on Gannon’s website.

Office of Global Support and Student Engagement

The Office of Global Support and Student Engagement (OGSSE) strives to provide an environment, services and programs to ensure that our global/international students will thrive and succeed at Gannon. The OGSSE works closely with departments across campus and with the broader local community to design opportunities for global/international students to establish friendships and meaningful connections with their classmates, professors, and other members of their new community in the U.S. Examples of such programs and resources include:

• Pre-arrival correspondence and registration information on and

Global Student Orientation • Social Media and the OGSSE Website • Cultural Programming • Workshops on global/international student topics • Advocacy, Referral, and Global/International Student and Family

Resources • Student Organization Support and Advising

The Office of Global Support & Student Engagement is responsible for student and University compliance with U.S. immigration regulations, as well as reporting required data to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). To understand and maintain federal regulations governing their immigration status and attendance in school, all new students coming to Gannon University on F-1 and J-1 visas are required to attend Global Student Orientation.

Enrollment Requirements: Global/International students are required to enroll each semester in a full course of study. For graduate students, 9 credits per semester is considered full time. In the event a student needs to drop below a full course load, s/he must contact the Office of Global Support and Student Engagement for assistance in following SEVIS processes to maintain status.

Employment Benefits: F-1 and J-1 students are eligible to work on-campus up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and full time (40 hours / week) during break periods, including summer. In general, F-1 students are not eligible for off-campus work authorization except in extreme circumstances. CPT or Curricular Practical Training is the work authorization available to F-1 students to work off-campus in paid or unpaid positions that are an integral part of students’ academic program (such as internships and co-ops). Proper paperwork must be filed with the OGSSE to authorize CPT as it must be documented on a student’s I-20. Current students in active status are eligible for CPT after one academic year (two semesters) of full-time study, not including summer sessions.

OPT or Optional Practical Training is off-campus work authorization provided to F-1 students following graduation as an opportunity for employment directly related to students’ field of study for up to 12 months (36 months if in a STEM-eligible program). The OGSSE assists students in applying to the United States Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) for OPT authorization to work in the US.

NOTE: Spouses and dependents of F-1 students (F-2 visa holders) are not legally allowed to work in the U.S.

Health Insurance: Gannon University has a policy that mandates that all enrolled global/international students must have health insurance coverage. Students who do not show proof of health insurance that is operational in the United States will be subscribed to Gannon’s contracted health insurance provider and charged accordingly. Students who do not want to be charged for health insurance must demonstrate coverage through proper documentation before the deadline set by the OGSSE.

Office of English Language and Global Training

The Office of English Language and Global Training offers English as a Second Language (ESL), short-term programs, and workshops on language and culture. The staff guides global/international students in their cultural adjustment to the United States by creating and supporting a professional and respectful learning environment, one which students simultaneously develop and strengthen their language ability, academic skills, and intercultural competence.

English as a Second Language Program

The Office of English Language and Global Training prepares non-native speakers to achieve language competency necessary to succeed in English language curricula at the post-secondary level. Through its academic programming, as well as the specialized services it provides to English language learners, this office echoes the University’s mission by its commitment to excellence in teaching, scholarship and service, and by preparing its students to become global citizens.