International Students Frequently Asked Questions

Each undergraduate student will be informed of the scholarship they are awarded and then the amount required to show in a financial statement. If the student has a sponsor, they must complete a sponsorship form which admissions will provide to them. Showing proof that you or your sponsor has the financial means to support their education helps us to verifying your financial support with Anderson University and also prepares you for demonstrating to the US Embassy/Consulate that you can afford your education. Demonstrating that you have sufficient funding is important to a successful application for an F1 visa.

You will receive your i-20 in less than three days of acceptance if all the additional financial documentation and proof of support is submitted. 

Yes, all international students can apply for on-campus employment if they are in legal F1 status. However, we recommend that for those students who have not been in the United States before, take the first semester to adjust to American culture and college life. International students can legally work up to 20 hours a week on campus and full time (40 hours a week) when school is on holiday or during the summer break. Freshman can only work 10 hours a week on campus as per Anderson University policy.

International students in legal F1 status can intern legally off campus as long as the academic program includes an internship class which you are required to register. You cannot intern and work legally off campus if your major (academic program) does not have an internship required as part of the academic program. 

Anderson University is located in Anderson, South Carolina. We are about 4 hours from Atlanta, Georgia and only an hour away from Greenville, South Carolina. The airport we suggest students fly into is Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP) airport which is only about 40 minutes away. Atlanta (ATL) airport looks close to Anderson on a map, but it is much further away from Anderson University (approximately 4 hours or more). 

All international students in F1 visa status will be charged a mandatory health insurance fee each semester. Unfortunately, this charge cannot be waived for any reason. If you already have purchased insurance, or if you have a policy from your home country you still cannot waive it. Insurance is mandatory for F1 international students.

Yes, you can have more than one sponsor. However, each needs to complete a sponsorship form and show their financial statements as well.

Once you are accepted and show proper financial documentation, sponsorship form, and we obtain a copy of your passport, you will be issued an I-20 by the Center for Global Engagement. You pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee before you schedule a visa appointment with the US Embassy in your home country. The Center for Global Engagement will provide you with steps to take to pay the SEVIS fee, how to apply for a visa, and other pre-departure assistance when you are sent your I-20. 

SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System is the system used to create and maintain immigration records for F1 students. 

Since you will be taking classes in person with your peers, you will have the opportunity to make friends with a wide variety of American students on campus. There are also groups and organizations you can join to help you become socially engaged. However, all international students are automatically members of the International Students Organization (ISO) and you receive email communication regarding events that bring together the entire campus community. The ISO is a student led group which is open to all members of the student community and includes domestic students as well. They sponsor coffee nights, dinners, and help celebrate American traditions so that international students can become engaged with the larger campus community.

The Center for Global Engagement advises international students with immigration regulations and assists students with their adjustment to American culture, and the larger campus community. They also support international students by helping them navigate life in the United States as a college student. They also sponsor events geared towards the needs and interests of the international student community such as: international student orientation program, immigration workshops, cultural events, international coffee nights, and more!