International Student Applications

UNC Asheville is a co-educational, four-year, state supported undergraduate institution. With more than 30 majors, we offer a strong liberal arts and sciences curriculum with numerous applied and career-related programs.

Applications cannot be reviewed until all documents are received. If high school and university transcripts and bank letters are not in English, certified English translations must be submitted. Currency figures must be in U.S. equivalents. All test scores must be sent to UNC Asheville directly from the testing service to be considered official. Student copies and/or photocopies cannot be accepted.

If you are interested in applying as an International Exchange Student, please contact the Study Abroad Office.

If you are unable to obtain an F-1 student visa (which requires an I-20 form) in time to begin classes, you cannot enter the United States on a B-1/B-2 visitor visa and register for classes.

TOEFL CODE 5013

International Freshman Application Process

  1. Submit the application. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.  We encourage you to apply online using the UNC Asheville application (CFNC) or the Common Application.
  2. Arrange for your official school transcripts to be sent to us. All freshman applicants are required to submit an official transcript from their secondary school. All foreign academic transcripts must be evaluated by WES, SpanTran, or another NACES approved evaluation service and translated into English.
  3. Two counselor or teacher recommendation forms.
  4. 250 word essay or personal statement.
  5. We’ll ask you to share your English proficiency exam scores when you apply – the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Duolingo English Test (DET). These exams show us that you’ll be ready to jump into coursework taught in English. We’re able to waive this requirement if you have lived in an English-speaking country for four years or if you have attended an English-speaking school for at least four years. Request a waiver.
    • DET minimum score considered: 105
    • TOEFL minimum score considered: 550 on paper-based test and 80 on the Internet-based test. The UNC Asheville code is 5013. 
    • IELTS minimum score considered: 6.5
  6. Submit the I-20 Packet (Please see below)

Please send transcripts and other application materials to:

Office of Admission
UNC Asheville
1 University Heights, CPO #1320
Asheville, NC 28804
admissions@unca.edu

International Transfer Student Application Process

  1. Submit the application. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.  We encourage you to apply online using the UNC Asheville application (CFNC) or the Common Application.
  2. Arrange for your official college transcripts to be sent to us. All transfer applicants must submit official transcripts of all work taken at any college or university, whether or not they expect to receive transfer credit. If you have attended a college or university overseas, you must have the transcripts evaluated by WES, SpanTran, or another NACES approved evaluation service and translated into English.
  3. Submit the Transfer Recommendation Form for International Students.
  4. 250 word essay or personal statement.
  5. Submit your test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as required. Students attending a college or university overseas must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.
  6. Submit the I-20 packet.

Please send transcripts and other application materials:

Office of Admission
UNC Asheville
1 University Heights, CPO #1320
Asheville, NC 28804
admissions@unca.edu

Documents Needed for I-20 Packet

As part of your application packet, you must include the materials listed below to be considered.  If you have any questions about specific documents you might need to submit, please contact us.

  • Copy of your Passport
  • An Affidavit of Financial Support for International Student Applicants and a bank statement from you or your sponsor’s bank, both notarized, demonstrating your financial support. You must have minimum liquid assets of $39,500 if you are applying as an undergraduate degree student or transfer student.
  • If you are currently studying at another U.S. institution, you must submit copies of any I-20 forms previously issued.  Also submit copies of your passport, visa, and I-94 card.

Timeline

Follow these steps to get your I-20 and student visa:

1. It’s important for you to submit all of your documents to the Office of Admissions in sufficient time for us to process all the paperwork and send your I-20 form to you.
Use the following dates as a guideline (You can submit documents earlier, but remember that all bank statements must be current within six months of the date of submission):

Fall semester: June 1
Spring semester: November 1 of the previous year

2. Once you receive the I-20 form from UNC Asheville, and your SEVIS Fee is paid, take it along with your UNC Asheville acceptance letter and a notarized Affidavit of Financial Support for International Student Applicants and bank statement to the U.S. Embassy or consulate in your country. For further information on obtaining the F-1 visa, go to travel.state.gov.

3. Upon entering the United States, present your UNC Asheville I-20 form to a U.S. immigration official along with your F-1 visa (stamped in your passport) and I-94 form (obtained on the plane).