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International Students

YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Welcome to your Next Adventure!

Welcome to the University of Valley Forge! We are a close-knit, Spirit-filled community outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the East Coast of the United States of America. We are a campus that believes in teaching and cultivating future servant leaders for Jesus Christ and are so excited that you are interested in attending our university!

International Students will have a few additional steps in the application and admissions process and we want to make those steps as simple and understandable as possible! Below you will find a full breakdown of the next few months as we walk alongside you during your journey to UVF!

If you have any additional questions, please contact UVF Admissions at Admissions@valleyforge.edu.

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Steps for International Students

One (1) Year – Six (6) Months before Start of Term: Apply to UVF

  • Complete the undergraduate application along with your short answer response:
    • What makes you want to be part of the UVF community where students are learning to follow Jesus, grow in their faith, and become servant-leaders?
  • Send in Translated and Evaluated Transcripts
  • NACES Evaluation Agencies
  • WES
    • $100 – Basic
    • $145 – Recommended
  • Send Any Test Scores Obtained

UVF is test-optional, but scores can be submitted for math and English placement.

Students will be granted an admissions decision approximately two (2) weeks from the time all application materials have been received. At this time, students will also receive preliminary financial aid information

Eleven (11) – Five (5) Months before Start of Term: Complete Financial Forms

  • International Financial Support Worksheet
  • Support Documents
    • Proof of ability to pay for schooling, must provide proof of one years’ worth of school costs
    • Bank Statement preferred
  • Acceptable Forms of Financial Support are readily available liquid assets
    • Bank Statement (Preferred)
      • Parent
      • Student
      • Sponsor
    • Educational Loans (loan applications are not acceptable)
    • University Scholarships
    • Outside Scholarships
  • Unacceptable Forms of Financial Support
    • Investment Portfolios
    • Retirement Plans
    • Real Estate Deeds
    • Salary Agreements
    • Material Items (examples: livestock, land, jewelry, fur, etc.)
    • Income Tax Forms

For additional scholarships and information, visit our Scholarships & Grants page

Ten (10) – Four (4) Months before Start of Term: I-20 Processing Begins

  • Receive Personal ID number from UVF
  • Go online and pay the I-901 fee of $350
  • Contact Government Office for F-1 Student Visa Requirements

Nine (9) – Three (3) Months before Start of Term: I-20 Complete

  • A physical copy of the students I-20 form will be mailed
  • Make an appointment with the appropriate government office to apply for your F-1 Student Visa
  • Take the following items to your appointment along with any other documentation they have indicated you will need:
    • Acceptance letter from the University of Valley Forge
    • I-20 Form issued by UVF
    • Copies of the financial affidavits you submitted to UVF
    • Original receipt of your 901-fee

Two (2) Months before Start of Term: Deposit & Complete New Student Forms

  • You’re almost done! There are just a few more forms to complete and you are on your way to becoming a part of the UVF family!
    • Make your Deposit! In order to secure your spot in the dorms and classroom, you can make your $100 deposit to UVF by signing into your application and selecting “Pay Deposit”.
    • Once you have made your deposit, complete the following forms:

Notes Regarding International Students

  • The above timeline is an approximation of a year before a term at UVF begins; the timeline is subject to alterations and has no effect on the speed or efficiency of other countries’ governments during the F-1 Visa process.
  • UVF is not responsible for finding a sponsor to provide financial support for students.
  • UVF does not receive any income-tax revenue or public funds. Tuition covers roughly 80% of the cost of education, with the rest of the cost underwritten by gifts and other supporting income resources. UVF is authorized to train you in the non-immigrant alien classification (F-1). You must consult the nearest American consulate regarding study in the United States.
  • In accordance with immigration regulations, international students must carry a full academic load each semester (at least 12 credit hours-residential).
  • International students are prohibited from working off campus.
  • The University of Valley Forge cannot guarantee that all students will qualify for and receive a student visa. The student must take full responsibility for meeting their government’s requirements in a timely manner. The suggested six-month processing time does not take into account special circumstances that may arise during the process. You may begin the process up to one year in advance.
  • Master’s Programs at the University of Valley Forge are completed online, thus, international master’s students will not be eligible for an I20 or F1 Student Visa.
  • The University of Valley Forge allows students to decide whether to submit a standardized test score for consideration in their admissions review.
HAVE QUESTIONS?

Talk To a Member of Our Admissions Team

CALL 610.917.1570
EMAIL ADMISSIONS@VALLEYFORGE.EDU

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Admissions FAQs

Yes, most colleges and universities accept homeschool transcripts. You’ll need to create a transcript that lists all courses taken, grades earned, and a brief description of each subject. Many colleges may ask for additional documentation to verify the curriculum or learning outcomes. 

A homeschool transcript should include the following:   

  • Student’s name and contact information   
  • A list of courses by grade level (9th-12th)   
  • The grades and credits earned for each course   
  • GPA  

You can use online tools or templates to help structure your transcript.

Transcript Template (Right-click and “Save Link As” to download)

No, colleges understand that homeschool students may follow a non-traditional curriculum. You are not required to use a specific homeschooling program, but the courses should be rigorous and meet the academic standards of the college. 

UVF is test-optional, . It’s best to check each college’s specific testing policy. If you submit them, we will use those test scores for placement into math and English courses.  If you don’t submit test scores, we have placement tests that we designed that you will take instead. 

Homeschool students are encouraged to get involved in extracurricular activities (sports, clubs, volunteering, internships, etc.). For letters of recommendation, you can ask mentors, tutors, employers, or community leaders who are familiar with your work and character. We understand that your experiences may look different from those of traditional students. 

Homeschool students typically don’t have a GPA or class rank based on a standardized grading system. You may be asked to provide your grading scale (e.g., A = 90-100, B = 80-89, etc.) and explain how you evaluate coursework. . 

If your grading was pass/fail, a work sample does help us evaluate the rigor of your coursework. 

Yes, homeschooled students are eligible for the same federal and state financial aid (e.g., FAFSA) as other students. You are also eligible for institutional scholarships. 

You may be asked to provide documentation showing that your homeschooling complies with the laws of your state (e.g., notice of intent to homeschool, records of testing or assessments). We are familiar with most states’ homeschool laws. 

Yes, you can still apply as a homeschooled student if you were homeschooled for any portion of high school. You’ll need to explain the structure of your education and provide transcripts for both your public/private school and homeschool years, if applicable. 

A GED is not required if you have completed your high school education through homeschooling, provided you can submit a detailed transcript and meet the other application requirements. However, if you took the GED, you may submit those scores as part of your application if they are beneficial. 

We value the self-motivation and discipline that often come with homeschooling.  Our homeschooled students typically excel in academic curiosity, resilience, and ability to work independently. 

We always encourage students to come for an on-campus visit.  It can be a great opportunity to showcase your personality and explain your homeschooling background in person. It’s also a chance to ask questions about the college and demonstrate your interest in the school. 

Homeschooling allows you to tailor your education to your interests and strengths. We appreciate the diversity of perspectives that homeschool students bring, so don’t be afraid to highlight how your education has been non-traditional but still rigorous and meaningful. 

If you’ve taken college-level courses during high school (dual enrollment), make sure to include those credits on your application. You’ll need to request official transcripts from the college(s) where you took courses and submit them to your prospective schools. 

Some scholarships are specifically for homeschool graduates. These may be offered by homeschool associations, local foundations, or certain colleges. It’s a good idea to research scholarships in your area or inquire about opportunities at the colleges you’re applying to.