International Student Information

International applicants who require an F-1 visa may apply to select graduate programs but not to undergraduate programs.

International graduate students who enter the United States to study on a student (F-1) visa are required to be registered in a full-time load of 9 credit hours. 

International students interested in the Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management, Master of Arts in Human Resources Management, and Advanced Certificate programs must hold a visa that permits part-time study (including F-2 and J-2 visas).  Students holding  F-1 or J-1 visas are not eligible for these programs.  Students holding a B-2 visa may be eligible if the coursework is recreational or avocational in nature.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) & International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

All international students are required to submit TOEFL iBT or IELTS scores at the time of application. The TOEFL iBT and IELTS may be waived for applicants who, immediately prior to their application for admission, have done both of the following:

• Lived for three years or longer in the United States or another country where English is the primary language of daily life (e.g. Canada or United Kingdom).
• Completed three or more years of study at a college or university which is located in that country and where the language of instruction is English.

This policy applies to all international students, even those who have earned a degree from a United States college or university. 

If an applicant moves away from an English-speaking country after living and studying there for three years or more, the TOEFL or IELTS is then required for admission.

Students who have completed postsecondary course work outside of the United States must submit a course-by-course transcript evaluation for each institution attended. Evaluations will be accepted from World Education Services (WES), Spantran or another member institution of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). For Spantran evaluations, students must use this form. 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires universities admitting international students to verify that each nonnative English speaking student has sufficient English language proficiency to succeed in the academic program. For information on the minimum score needed to attend Washington University, please visit the Office for Student Affairs website, or email CAPS at applyucollege.wustl.edu. For additional information about the support and services available for international students, please visit Office for International Students and Scholars website.

Changes to the English Language Proficiency Requirements (2022–23)

Effective March 23, 2022, if an applicant is unable to take the TOEFL iBT or the IELTS, they may document their efforts to take the tests, contact CAPS Admissions, and request the Duolingo, TOEFL ITP Plus for China, or TOEFL iBT Home Edition as exceptions. 

Application & Admission Timelines

• A $100 non-refundable application fee is required for international applicants.
• Due to the time required to process visa requests, international applicants should apply for admission to their program of choice five months prior to the start of the semester in which they hope to begin their studies.
• Applicants must submit their application and provide all application requirements by the deadline dates and times listed below.
• After receiving your letter of admission, confirm or decline your acceptance to CAPS in the applicant portal. The deadline to confirm admission to CAPS is below.

Anticipated Semester Start	Submit Application By (6 PM EST)	Accept Admission  Offer By (6 PM EST)	Submit Financial Documentation By (6 PM EST)
Fall 2022	April 1, 2022	May 1, 2022	June 1, 2022
Spring 2023	September 1, 2022	October 1, 2022	November 1, 2022
Fall 2023	April 1, 2023	May 1, 2023	June 1, 2023
Spring 2024	September 1, 2023	October 1, 2023	November 1, 2023
Fall 2024	April 1, 2024	May 1, 2024	June 1, 2024

Tuition & Living Expenses

Documentation of funding for tuition and all living expenses, including required health insurance for international students, is required at the time of application. The cost of attendance varies by program due to differences in tuition. Each international applicant should consult with the CAPS admissions coordinator, Pat Agnew, for an estimate of the cost of attendance for his or her intended program of study. Campus housing is not provided to CAPS students, but affordable housing options within walking distance of campus are available through Quadrangle Housing at quadrangle.wustl.edu.

Scholarship Policies for International Students

International students are eligible to apply for a merit scholarship after completing one year at CAPS. The maximum scholarship amount for international students per semester is $2,000. 

All payments made to CAPS must be made in U.S. dollars in one of the following ways:

1. a check or money order drawn from a U.S. bank,
2. a payment on a credit card funded by a U.S. bank, or
3. a wire transfer
   • The university has partnered with Flywire in order to streamline the process of international payments. Flywire allows you to pay securely from any country and any bank, generally in your home currency. By making your payment with Flywire you can track your payments from start to finish and save on bank fees and exchange rates in over 48 currencies. Flywire’s multilingual customer support team is available 24-hours a day. Please note that the university will not be able to process a refund to the student for a wire payment that is posted to the student account that exceeds more than $10,000 over the balance due on a student account. To get started, visit the Flywire homepage.

The Office for International Students and Scholars provides social, cultural and academic support to international students. They can be reached at OISS@wustl.edu. Further details about student services will be provided to admitted students.

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