Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Welcomes International Students
Why Consider SIUE? Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a comprehensive institution offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. SIUE offers the lowest tuition and required fees of all four-year institutions in Illinois. The campus is located on 2,660 acres of rolling hills, woodlands and lakes that offer a beautiful setting. SIUE has an average class size of 24 with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. SIUE is known for its welcoming and friendly environment and offers strong support for international students with admissions, immigration, academic advising, career placement and cultural integration. These services are offered through:
SIUE Vision Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will achieve greater national and global recognition and academic prominence through innovative and interdisciplinary programs that empower individuals to achieve their full potential.
• Office of Admissions • Office of International Affairs • Career Development Center • International Hospitality Program In addition, SIUE is host to more than 260 student organizations including an active International Student Council, several country-based student organizations, and a Muslim Student Association. There are many opportunities for international students to showcase their culture on campus. Annual events at SIUE include International Week, Africa Night, India Night and Global Awareness Week.
siue.edu/internationalstudents
Support Services for International Students Office of International Affairs
SIUE Facts Location SIUE has a beautiful campus on 2,660 acres of rolling hills, woodlands and lakes. Metropolitan St. Louis, Missouri, is just 32 kilometers from SIUE and Lambert International Airport. Seven Academic Units (siue.edu/academics) • College of Arts and Sciences • School of Business • School of Dental Medicine • School of Education, Health and Human Behavior • School of Engineering • School of Nursing • School of Pharmacy Diversity of Students • Students from 43 U.S. states • 445 international students from 51 nations around the world Top Five Countries Represented • India • Turkey • Iran • Nigeria • China Class Size/Instruction • Student/Faculty Ratio: 17:1 • Average Class Size: 24 students Campus • Four residence halls • Cougar Village Apartments •13 core campus buildings Enrollment • Total Enrollment: More than 14,000 • Undergraduate: 11,781 • Graduate: 2,484 International Admission English Language Requirements • TOEFL: 79 internet / 550 paper • IELTS: 6.5 Deadlines for Most Programs • Fall Semester: July 15 • Spring Semester: November 15 • Summer Session: April 15
The Office of International Affairs provides a variety of services and programs to assist international students in their educational and professional objectives, and to make their visit to this country as pleasant and productive as possible. Admitted students will receive pre-arrival information that explains all the services provided. International student advisors are available for assistance with: • Visa and Immigration Process • Personal and Cultural Adjustment • Academic Success • Employment Regulations The International Hospitality Program (IHP) The International Hospitality Program is a local community volunteer organization that welcomes and helps international students at SIUE. Members sponsor events, picnics, dinners and holiday gatherings, and assist with temporary housing. This tradition of the Edwardsville community welcoming international students to SIUE dates back to the 1960s. ESLI Program Non-native English-speaking students have the opportunity to study English through the ESLI Language Center on the SIUE campus with conditional admission to an SIUE degree program. Academically eligible applicants may apply for conditional admission at the undergraduate or graduate level. For detailed information, visit siue.edu/internationalstudents/criteria/esli.shtml.
National Recognition • SIUE is set in one of the “50 Safest College Towns in America,” according to the 2015 SafeWise Report. Edwardsville ranked number 25 on the list of 50 towns. SafeWise cited SIUE’s investment in safety technology, such as the Rave Guardian app, to maintain a secure campus. Under the SIUE Campus Violence Prevention Plan, there are more than 80 emergency phones on campus. • For the second-consecutive year, SIUE is in Washington Monthly’s Top 40 for master’s universities in the nation. SIUE maintained its position as first among all master’s institutions in Illinois on the national magazine’s list. This is the sixth-consecutive year that SIUE has been listed. Unlike conventional college rankings, Washington Monthly evaluates an institution’s “contribution to the public good” in three broad categories: social mobility, research and service. • U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges of 2016 lists SIUE among the best Regional Universities Midwest for the 12th consecutive year. The University is 10th overall among public universities in that category. SIUE was featured at number 44 in this year’s rankings of Regional Universities Midwest, advancing three spots from last year. The overall scores are based on the reputation of SIUE in higher education, graduate and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, and alumni giving. • Recognizing SIUE’s commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement, the Corporation for National and Community Service named SIUE to the annual President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for the fifth consecutive year.
Tuition, Fees and Costs The cost of study at SIUE is competitive, and we offer the lowest tuition and required fees of all four-year institutions in Illinois. SIUE is located in an area that is outside the city center, so the cost of living in Edwardsville is lower than in many areas of the United States. For more detailed information visit siue.edu/internationalstudents/costs.shtml.
Financing Your Education at SIUE SIUE has numerous financial aid opportunities for international students. Currently, 75 percent of the international students at SIUE receive some form of financial aid. On-Campus Jobs On-campus jobs are available on a competitive basis. Salaries are set at the U.S. minimum wage. Government regulations allow F-1 visa holders to work 20 hours per week in an on-campus position. Competitive Graduate Awards New graduate students admitted to a classified degree program may apply for a Competitive Graduate Award (CGA). There are approximately 20 CGA awards per academic year. Recipients receive a monthly stipend and a waiver of tuition. Graduate Scholar Award New graduate students admitted to a classified degree program may apply for a Graduate Scholar Award. There are approximately 15 Graduate Scholar Awards given to newly admitted students each year. This award covers two semesters of tuition only during one academic year. Graduate Assistantships Applicants to the Graduate School are eligible to apply for graduate assistantships, which are awarded by individual departments or administrative units. A graduate assistantship provides a semester tuition waiver and a monthly stipend. Appointees are required to work for 10-20 hours per week. Assignments may be teaching, research or general duties. International Geographic Enhancement Opportunity (GEO) Tuition Award A special tuition rate for undergraduate international students is awarded on the basis of academic merit. Internships and Cooperative Education International students at SIUE may be eligible for paid internships during the second year of study. Internships and co-ops are available through the Career Development Center’s Cooperative Education Program and the Office of International Affairs. The co-op assignment allows students to work for a U.S. business in jobs related to their academic program.
Optional Practical Training The U.S. government allows international students to apply for work experience in their field of academic study. This form of employment occurs after graduation and allows work permission for 12 months. The application process is facilitated by an International Student Advisor.
Student Activities The International Student Council and international student clubs provide great opportunities for new students to engage with current students. Also, the University has more than 260 student organizations offering a wide range of interest from volunteer service to sports to academic study. A few examples of International Student Organizations: • African Student Association
• Iranian Student Society
• Bangladeshi Students Association • Muslim Student Association • Indian Student Association • International Student Council
Getting Started Checklist • Complete an application • Pay the application fee • Provide academic credentials/transcripts • Fulfill English language requirements • Provide a copy of your passport • Supply evidence of sufficient financial resources to cover all living and educational expenses for your first year To apply for admission and for a listing of additional admission criteria and deadlines, visit siue.edu/apply.
• Sagarmatha (Nepalese Student Association) • Saudi Students Association
The Student Fitness Center offers recreation facilities including an indoor swimming pool, racquetball courts, weight room, aerobic exercise areas, several all-purpose courts, a rock-climbing gym and an indoor jogging track. You may also participate in a variety of intramural sports. The University’s intercollegiate sports teams compete at the NCAA Division I level in men’s and women’s sports. The University’s 2,660 acres provide hours of enjoyment. The bike trails are ideal for biking, hiking, jogging and leisurely nature walks. Students can enjoy the indoor pool, outdoor pool and tennis courts, as well. Each year, the University sponsors on-campus programs featuring worldrenowed performers and lecturers from across the globe. In addition, the City of St. Louis provides many cultural and recreational opportunities.
Excellence. Need More Information? Office of Admissions: intladm@siue.edu siue.edu/internationalstudents Office of International Affairs iss@siue.edu siue.edu/iss
Printed by authority of the State of Illinois, 3/16, 150, 16020610