Visiting Students

Overview

Please Note: We will still be accepting paper applications for Fall 2010 admission; just print out the appropriate PDF, then fill it out and either scan and email it to admission@iit.edu, fax it to 312.567.6939, or mail it to

Office of Undergraduate Admission
10 West 33rd Street
Perlstein 101
Chicago, IL 60616

Online applications can be used for Spring or Fall 2011.

Visiting students are those who are currently attending a university and would like to study at IIT for one semester or one year on a study abroad experience. Visiting students attend universities that do not have direct exchange programs with IIT. Please consult the International Office at your current university for more information about your study abroad experience. After the completion of the study abroad experience, these students will return to their home institution to complete their degree. These students will not receive a degree from IIT.

Exchange students are those that are currently attending a college or university and will be studying at IIT through an established exchange program.

Application

Questions about the application? Try looking in our application FAQ.

Choose only one of the following:

Paper Application for Visiting and Exchange Students Spring and Fall 2011		Print and fill out the paper application (PDF)

Paper Application for Visiting and Exchange Students Fall 2010		Print and fill out the paper application (PDF)

		Apply online using the Universal Application*†

* Note: When filling out the Universal Application, you will be leaving the IIT website. You must make IIT your selected institution in order for us to receive your application; it will not automatically send IIT your application for you.

† During registration, select "Special Programs" from the "I am applying as a student for the term beginning" question. Make sure to select the appropriate student type when filling out the supplement.

Application Deadlines

Please view our Application Deadlines page.

Status Check

Once you've submitted your application...

Check the status of your application using our online Status Check Portal.

Application and Admission Requirements

Application for Admission Submit your complete application by paper or online. Visiting and Exchange students should apply using the Universal Application located above. After you have written your essay, send it along with any supplemental information.

During registration, select "Special Programs" from the "I am applying as a student for the term beginning" question. Make sure to select the appropriate student type when filling out the supplement.
Personal Statement Please provide a statement (250 words minimum) that addresses your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve.
Counselor Evaluation Form or Letter of Recommendation If you are currently enrolled in school, have a professor or academic counselor complete the evaluation form included in your application and submit it directly to the IIT Office of Admission. If you have been out of school for a length of time and cannot obtain an academic recommendation from someone who knows you well, you may substitute an employer as your evaluator. (Forms can be found here.)
Official School Transcripts Have the registrar from all colleges/universities send a copy of your official transcript(s) to the IIT Office of Admission. We require transcripts from your current institution.
List of Intended Courses Provide a list of intended courses that you would like to take for the duration of your length of study. The List of Intended Courses is used by the academic advisor in your field of interest for registration purposes. Please note this is a tentative list and will be used for advising and registration purposes by the academic advisors. (Forms can be found here.)
Visiting and Exchange International Only
- Provide a copy of your passport.
- Provide an official copy of TOEFL or IELTS score.
- Submit IIT's Financial Affidavit of Support to demonstrate that you or your sponsor have available finances (see requirements below) to meet the educational and living expenses while you are a student at IIT.

Visiting International

All admitted Visiting students will receive a $6,000 per semester scholarship to assist with tuition expenses and a $1,250 housing scholarship per semester if the student selects to live on campus. Visiting students are expected to demonstrate that you or your sponsor have available finances to meet the educational and living expenses while you are a student at IIT.

Exchange International

Exchange students are those who are currently attending an IIT partner university and would like to study at IIT for one semester or one year on an exchange program. Please consult the International Office at your current university for more information about your study abroad experience. After the completion of the study abroad experience, these students will return to their home institution to complete their degree.

All admitted Visiting students will receive a $1,250 housing scholarship per semester if the student selects to live on campus.
Exchange students only need to demonstrate that you or your sponsor have available finances to meet the non-tuition expenses of $13,700 per year while you are a student at IIT.

English Proficiency

English language proficiency must be demonstrated for admission. All international applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Our TOEFL code is 1318. If you are taking the IELTS, request the scores to be sent to IIT, Office of Undergraduate Admission, 101 Perlstein, 10 West 33rd Street, Chicago, IL 60616, USA. Please visit the TOEFL and IELTS sites for more information.

The TOEFL is given in three formats: paper based, computer based, or internet based. The following are minimum scores required depending on which format you complete. You must submit a score report from one these options. You must earn a minimum of one of the following:

550 on the paper test
213 on the computer-based test
80 on the Internet-based test

You must earn a minimum overall score of 6.5 on the IELTS.

The English proficiency requirement may be waived if you:

have completed two consecutive years of study at a high school in the United States
were born and raised for at least five consecutive years in a country where the native or official language is English
completed your education (high school equivalent) in a country where the native or official language is English
have received our minimum required reading score on the college entrance exams of 25 for the ACT or 550 for the SAT.
Transfer applicants may also have this requirement waived if they have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours at a U.S. college or university, excluding any coursework in English as a Second Language.

See also a list of countries for which IIT will waive the English proficiency requirement.

Verification of Financial Support

You must submit official††† bank documentation of finances available from a sponsor to meet school and living expenses for your entire year of study minimum of $45,063.

Complete our affidavit of support form, which you may print, complete, and send to the Office of Undergraduate Admission. Please note that such information as annual salary, investments, and stocks, do not qualify as proof of availability of funds, only liquid cash.
If the affidavit of support form does not have an official bank stamp or seal you will also need to attach a bank letter from your sponsor‡‡‡ on bank letterhead detailing the amount of $45,063 and signed by a bank representative.

††† Official or certified documents must bear authoritative signatures, seals, and/or stamps. These should be sent directly to the institution responsible for issuing such documents. In cases where it is impossible to have these credentials sent from the issuing institution, or only one set of originals is available to the students, applicants should forward an "attested" copy of the original. The attestation must be done by a proper institution official or by the Ministry of Education in the home country. A certified original translation must accompany all documents not issued in English.

‡‡‡ The sponsor may be you, a friend, or relative residing overseas or in the United States. Bank letters should reflect an account that is personal, as we can not accept business funds or a statement for an account where funds are not immediately accessible. All letters must be in U.S. dollar amount equivalents.

Please note that this information is required to issue the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) form I-20 or DS-2019, which you will use to obtain an F1 or J-1 visa.

Finances and Scholarships

Visiting Domestic Scholarship

Visiting students interested in research opportunities in STEM fields should apply for the Charles Pierce Scholarship Program.

You will be expected to finance your education for the duration of your study at IIT. Therefore, we require that you submit the Financial Affidavit of Support with your application to demonstrate your ability or the ability of an individual or government sponsor to finance your education. Tuition and fees may change each year, but you can view them for the current academic year.

Visiting International

All admitted Visiting students will receive a $6,000 per semester scholarship to assist with tuition expenses and a $1,250 housing scholarship per semester if the student selects to live on campus. Visiting students are expected to demonstrate that you or your sponsor have available finances to meet the educational and living expenses while you are a student at IIT.

Exchange International

All admitted Exchange students will receive a $1,250 housing scholarship per semester if the student selects to live on campus.
Exchange students only need to demonstrate that you or your sponsor have available finances to meet the non-tuition expenses of $13,700 per year while you are a student at IIT.

Merit Scholarships

International transfer students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa will also be eligible for an additional $5,000.

Currency Converter

An online currency converter may be helpful when determining the costs of attending an American university.

Online Funding and Scholarship Databases

Collegelink
www.collegelink.com
Searchable database of over 600,000 scholarships.

College Scholarships
www.collegescholarships.com
Fee-based scholarship application service.

Funding for United States Study
www.fundingUSstudy.org
Database of over 500 scholarships, fellowships and grants for international students, organized and maintained by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

GrantsNet.org
www.grantsnet.org
Database of grants for training in the sciences and undergraduate science education.

International Education Financial Aid
www.iefa.org/public/search.html
Free searchable database of over 800 scholarships and awards for international students. Most are restricted to use at specific universities.

InternationalScholarships.com
www.internationalscholarships.com
Comprehensive listing of grants, scholarships, loan programs, and other financial aid information to assist college and university students in their pursuit to study abroad.

InternationalStudent.com
internationalstudent.com/schools_awarding_aid
Database of U.S. higher education institutions awarding scholarships to international students.

Organization of American States' Leo S. Rowe Fund
www.oas.org/rowe/
This program provides loans of up to $15,000 USD for undergraduate students in their last two years of study or any graduate student. It is for citizens of Latin American countries.

NAFSA Financial Aid for Undergraduates
www.nafsa.org/students.sec/financial_aid_for_undergraduate
This resource provides information primarily for students with nonimmigrant visas (F-1, J-1, etc.). Information for permanent residents of the United States is also included.

ScholarshipHelp.org
www.scholarshiphelp.org
Advice on how to apply for scholarships.

US Department of State Education USA
eca.state.gov/educationusa/centers/
The Department of State provides support to a network of Educational Advising/Information Centers around the world. These centers advise prospective international students and other audiences on higher education and study opportunities in the United States.

Foundations

Fellowship Office of Policy and Global Affairs
www.nationalacademies.org/fellowships
The Fellowship Office of Policy and Global Affairs of the National Academies administers pre-doctoral, dissertation, and Postdoctoral fellowship programs in research-based fields of study.

The Foundation Center
www.fdncenter.org
The Foundation Center is a fee-based website for institutional grant-seekers.

Institute of International Education (IIE)
www.iie.org
IIE offers programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals and trainees from all sectors with funding provided by government agencies, foundations, and corporations.

International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX)
www.irex.org
IREX offers various scholarships, fellowships and grants to international students.

MacArthur Foundation
www.macfound.org/programs
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation makes grants through four programs: Human and Community Development, Global Security and Sustainability, the General Program, and the MacArthur Fellows Program.

National Academies
www.nationalacademies.org/grantprograms.html
The National Academies offer fellowships in science, engineering, and medicine.

Open Society Institute
www.soros.org/grants
The Open Society Institute (OSI) of the Soros Foundation administers merit-based grants to international students.

Rockefeller Foundation
www.rockfound.org
The Rockefeller Foundation offers grants in four program areas: Food Security, Health Equity, Creativity & Culture, and Working Communities.

Rotary Foundation
www.rotary.org/programs/index.html
Rotary International offers a broad range of humanitarian, intercultural, and educational programs and activities designed to improve the human condition and advance the organization's ultimate goal of world understanding and peace.

Social Science Research Council Fellowship
www.ssrc.org/fellowships
SSRC fellowship and grant programs provide support and professional recognition to innovators within fields, and especially to younger researchers whose work and ideas will have longer-term impact on society and scholarship.

Soros Foundation
www.soros.org
The Soros Foundation Network supports the development of an open society through funding specific educational opportunities around the world.

Visa Requirements

Before a visa eligibility certificate (I-20 or DS-2019) can be issued by the university, a student must meet these requirements:

admission to IIT
submission of Official academic records
verification of financial support
satisfaction of the university's English Proficiency Requirement

Visa Interview Appointment

Once you receive your I-20 or DS-2019 from IIT you should complete the following steps:

Pay the SEVIS fee. Please view the SEVIS fee chart.
For more information, visit the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)SEVIS I-901 processing website.
Apply for the Student Visa. You may find helpful information on the EducationUSA website. Please note that Canadian Citizens do not need to complete this step.
Questions? It is important to thoroughly review all information on the Embassy's Consular Section website for local procedures and instructions. Please let us know if you have any questions about the process.

Visa Wait Time

Make sure to plan accordingly as visa applications are subject to a greater degree of scrutiny than in the past. The US Department of State provides you with an estimate of Wait Times to get an interview appointment to apply for a visa.

International Students Currently Studying in the U.S.

If you are transferring from another U.S. institution to IIT, the following documents must be submitted with your application before an I-20 can be issued to you:

Financial Affidavit of Support
School Transfer Release
A copy of your current I-20
A copy of the picture page of your passport

Canadian Citizens

Canadian citizens do not need student visas to study in the U.S.; however, you do need to obtain an I-20 (or DS-2019) from IIT. As soon as you receive the I-20 (or DS-2019) you should pay the SEVIS registration fee.

When you cross the border to study in the U.S. you will need to provide the Officer at the port of entry:

Proof of identity and citizenship (a Canadian passport for example)
The original I-20 (or DS-2019) certificate
Proof that you have paid your SEVIS fee
Proof that you have the funds to pay for the school that you plan to attend
Proof of your ties to Canada

For additional information please contact the International Center: icenter@iit.edu