International Students

Jefferson College is authorized under federal law to enroll international students. Admission inquiries should be directed to the Office of Admissions at international@jeffco.edu. The international student application and all supporting documentation must be received by the deadline (at least 60 days prior to the date classes begin) in order for a student to be accepted for admission to Jefferson College. 

Admissions Deadlines

• Spring 2025 semester: November 1, 2024
• Summer 2025 semester: April 1, 2025
• Fall 2025 semester: June 1, 2025

The fall semester begins in August. The spring semester begins in January. The summer semester begins in June.

Admissions Requirements for International Students

Before an admissions decision will be made and an I-20 issued, all international students must complete the following application process. All submitted documents must be translated into English before submission to the College, and become property of Jefferson College. Upon acceptance to Jefferson College, placement testing will be required prior to enrolling in classes.

1. International Student Application

The international application must be submitted to the Office of Admissions. The form must specify full-time enrollment status (12 or more credit hours).  Applicants will receive an email with additional instructions upon submitting the application.

Please note that Section 199.290 of the Missouri Revised Statute requires that all institutions of higher education in Missouri implement a targeted tuberculosis (TB) testing program for all students. Staff will follow up with students who answer yes to any of the TB screening questions on the admissions application with regards to their next steps which includes completion of a health assessment within the student's first semester of attendance. Additional information regarding the College's TB screening requirement is available here.

2. Copy of Passport

Applicants must provide a current copy of the ID page of their passport. Photo identification is required before an I-20 will be issued. Admissions staff must ensure the name on the passport exactly matches the name on the I-20.

3. Evidence of English Proficiency

Applicants must submit proof of English proficiency through one of the following (scores must be within the past two years):

• Duolingo score of 85 or higher.
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) minimum score of:
  • Paper-Based: 500
  • Internet-based: 61
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) minimum band score of 6.
• ACT English minimum score of 18.
• A diploma from a secondary institution in an English speaking country (United States, Canada, England, Republic of Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand) with a minimum of two years of successful full-time study with English as the medium of instruction.
• ACCUPLACER ESL - Level 3.
  • Accuplacer ESL language score of 71-99 and
  • Accuplacer ESL listening score of 81-95 and
  • Accuplacer ESL reading score of 76-101

4. Official Transcripts

Applicants must submit official transcripts from secondary (high school) and higher education institutions. Transcripts from U.S. high schools, colleges, or universities should be sent directly from that institution to the Office of Admissions. Transcripts must be certified and translated into English, contain descriptive titles of courses studied, contain final grades in each course, and provide and explanation of the grading system. Applicants are strongly encouraged to utilize one of the approved transcript evaluation services below. Transcripts can be emailed to international@jeffco.edu or mailed to the Office of Admissions at Jefferson College, 1000 Viking Drive, Hillsboro, MO 63050.

Jefferson College recognizes the following transcript evaluation services. Applicants are strongly encouraged to utilize one of these services in order to expedite the admissions process.

• INCRED International Credential Evaluations provides assistance in determining how international education compares with the U.S. system. InCred is also the official credential evaluation service of the NAIA and NJCAA, and is recommended for student athletes. 
• Foreign Credential Service of America provides evaluations for individuals, institutions, licensure, and immigration.
• International Educational Equivalency Evaluation Services Inc. provides evaluations for individuals, institutions, licensure, and immigration.
• Evaluation Service, Inc. provides evaluations for immigration law firms/ purposes of immigration only.
• Transcript Research provides evaluations for individuals, institutions, licensure and immigration.

5. International Student Financial Support Form

The Financial Support Form must be printed, completed and submitted to the Office of Admissions. Additionally, all applicants must provide documentation from a banking institution as certification of finances. The financial documentation must show proof of financial support sufficient to cover all costs/expenses and return transportation for the applicant without the need for local financial assistance or employment. This documentation must be translated into English, must be notarized (have official signature or seal), and not be more than six months old. Applicants should send the financial support form and banking documentation/certification to the international@jeffco.edu email address.

If a student will be receiving an athletic scholarship, the Letter of Intent from Jefferson College's Athletic Director must be provided to show what expenses are being covered. The student is still responsible for showing financial proof for any remaining expenses not covered by the scholarship, including the mandatory health insurance.

The following is a breakdown of expenses for attending Jefferson College for one academic year. This cost of attendance was updated on 8/8/2024. Please note that tuition and fees are subject to change without notice.

*Cost of health insurance reflects what it costs for a student to be insured utilizing Jefferson College's insurance plan for one year. Students can opt to obtain private insurance instead.

6. Medical Insurance

All international students must have health insurance while enrolled at the College. International students can either enroll in a group health insurance plan through Jefferson College or can be insured through a private agency. Premium payments for each semester through Jefferson College's insurance plan will be charged to students' accounts and will be due at the time of enrollment. Students insured through another agency must provide proof of insurance upon arrival at Jefferson College. If you have medical insurance established and do not need to enroll in Jefferson College's insurance plan, please send insurance documentation to international@jeffco.edu email address.

7.  Reading Proficiency/Placement Test Requirement 

All students will take a test for the purpose of placement into appropriate courses. International students will complete the placement test remotely via Zoom. Students must complete the placement test and meet minimum reading proficiency requirements (meaning an Accuplacer reading score of at least 232) in order to enroll in college level coursework. Students who do not meet minimum reading proficiency scores are not guaranteed full time enrollment, which could impact their ability to attend Jefferson College.

8.  Transfer Students

International students who are transferring from another college or university in the United States must also submit the International Student Transfer Supplemental Form. Transfer students must have a 2.0 grade average, have been enrolled as a full-time student at the previous school and provide a copy of their Form I-94. Applicants who have earned in excess of 45 semester hours from another college or university may be denied admission. Applicants enrolling at Jefferson as part-time students, who are currently attending other institutions on student visas, must provide the following: an Admissions application, proof of English proficiency, and a letter from the international student advisor at the institution where the applicant is currently attending that indicates the student is in good standing.

What to do after receiving your I-20?

1. Pay SEVIS I-901 Fee

After an international student is issued an I-20 from Jefferson College, the student is required to pay a SEVIS I-901 fee. The fee must be paid by the student, and not by Jefferson College.

This fee can be paid online with a credit card. There are two important websites students can visit to find out more about this fee and how to pay it online. To access information about the SEVIS fee, please visit the SEVIS website. To pay the fee online, please visit http://www.fmjfee.com/.

When the fee is paid, a receipt will be generated and that receipt is used as evidence of the fee payment when making the visa application at a US consulate, entering the US, or making an application to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

2. Make an appointment at a US Consulate.

Bring the receipt for payment of the I-901 fee and Declaration and Certification of Finances form to your interview at the US Consulate office.

3. Make housing arrangements.

On-campus housing is available at Jefferson College on a first-come, first-serve basis. Often students must be added to a waiting list; therefore on-campus housing cannot be guaranteed. To apply for housing in Viking Woods, students must apply online and be logged in to their MyJeffco account. Please complete this process as soon as possible.

4. Meet with your assigned advisor to enroll in classes.

Student athletes are advised by the Student Athlete Success/Communications Coordinator. New student advising appointments are conducted virtually before students arrive on campus.

5. Provide proof of health insurance.

International students are required to have health insurance while attending Jefferson College. Proof of health insurance is due upon arrival at the College. If a student does not have a private insurer, Jefferson College will make arrangements for the student to be covered on the College's plan and will bill the charges to the student's account. If a student has private insurance, the insurer must be able to provide coverage in the United States. Please note that travel insurance will not meet the requirements of the health insurance needed.

6. Make airline reservations and arrange transportation from the airport to Jefferson College.

Notify Jefferson College's PDSO of your travel arrangements.

7. Meet with the Campus PDSO immediately upon arrival to Jefferson College.

Have all relevant documents on hand, including your I-20, student visa, passport, and proof of insurance (if not using the College's insurance plan). You will also print and submit your I-94 at this time.

Additional Information:

Payment of Tuition - Tuition must be paid in full at the time of enrollment each semester.

Falsification - Falsification of any required information or documentation will cause the application for admission to be rejected, or may result in immediate dismissal if the student is already enrolled.

Satisfactory Progress - To retain F-1 status, a non-immigrant student must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above and complete a certificate or a degree program in six semesters.

Financial Support - F-1 and M-1 students are not normally eligible for federal financial assistance programs. Jefferson College has limited scholarships for international students. An international student may be eligible to work on campus to help pay college expenses.

Full-Time Course Load Requirement - To maintain their status as an F-1 or M-1 student in the United States, students must enroll in a full course (12 credit hours) of study.

Expectations of Attendance - International students are expected to be on campus for the entire duration of each semester, including finals week. Travel plans should be coordinated so that students do not miss any classes or final exams. Some athletic teams require students to arrive prior to the start of semester for pre-season play.

Questions? Please email international@jeffco.edu or contact us at the information below.

• Campus Primary Designated School Official (PDSO) for international students: Jaclyn Birks, Director of Admissions. Email jbirks@jeffco.edu or call 636-481-3216.
• Campus Designated School Official (DSO) for international students: Torri Thomas, Coordinator of International and Veteran Services. Email tthoma15@jeffco.edu or call 636-481-3272.
• Campus Designated School Official (DSO) for international students: Carrie Greer, Senior Director of Enrollment Management. Email cgreer4@jeffco.edu or call 636-481-3220.

Jefferson College’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is now available. This report is required by federal law and contains policy statements and crime statistics for Jefferson College. The policy statements address Jefferson College’s policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security, for example, policies for responding to emergency situations and sexual offenses.

Additionally, this report contains information regarding campus security and personal safety, including topics such as: crime prevention, fire safety, Jefferson College Campus Police Department enforcement authority, crime reporting policies, disciplinary procedures, and other matters of importance related to security and safety on campus. Also included are crime statistics for three previous calendar years which were reported to have occurred on campus, in or on off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the school, and on public property within or immediately adjacent to the campus.

This report is available online at: https://www.jeffco.edu/sites/default/files/PR/Web/Consumer-Info/2023/annual-security-fire-safety-report.pdf.

You may also request a paper copy from the Jefferson College Police Department by phone at 636-481-3500 or at Jefferson College Hillsboro-802 Mel Carnahan Drive, Apartment 214, Hillsboro, MO 63050; Jefferson College Arnold-1687 Missouri State Road, Arnold, MO 63010; or Jefferson College Imperial-4400 Jeffco Boulevard, Arnold, MO 63010.