Application Requirements for International Students

Students from abroad are welcome at The Art Institute of Atlanta, which is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant students. The Art Institute of Charleston is in the process of applying for this authorization. All non-immigrant applicants to The Art Institute of Atlanta must meet the same admissions standards as all other students (see above). Please note that English is the official language of instruction at The Art Institute.

Applicants seeking to enroll in valid student non-immigrant status must submit each of the following items:

1. A completed and signed application for admission form including essay and enrollment agreement. (See application form, booklet, or Web site.)
2. Original or official copies of all educational transcripts (secondary school and, if applicable, university level academic records) and diplomas. These educational transcripts and diplomas must be prepared in English or include a complete and official English translation.
3. Fee for official credential evaluation of non-American educational credentials, if applicable.
4. Proof of English language proficiency (see English language proficiency policy below).
5. A completed and signed Sponsor’s Statement of Financial Support. (This statement is not required if the student is self-sponsored).
6. Official Financial Statements. Financial statements (typically provided by a bank) must verify sufficient funds to cover the cost of the educational program as well as all living expenses.
7. A U.S. $50 non-refundable application fee and a U.S. $100 refundable tuition deposit. 
8. A photocopy of the student’s passport to provide proof of birth date and citizenship. (Students outside the United States who have not yet acquired a passport will need to submit a copy of their birth certificates).
9. All non-immigrant applicants residing in the United States at the time of application must submit a photocopy of the visa page contained within the student’s passport as well as a photocopy of the student’s I-94 arrival-departure record (both sides).
10. All non-immigrant applicants residing in the United States at the time of application in either F, M, or J non-immigrant classification must submit written confirmation of non-immigrant status at the school attended before transferring to The Art Institute.
11. Proof of Health Insurance. Students who do not possess health insurance upon applying to The Art Institute must be prepared to purchase health insurance through an approved provider upon commencement of studies.
12. If an applicant seeking to enroll in valid student non-immigrant status is transferring from a college or university in the United States, the International Student Transfer Clearance Form is also required. If the applicant is accepted, he/she will be sent additional information regarding the student visa application process.

English Language Proficiency Policy

All applicants to The Art Institute whose first language is not English must demonstrate competence in the English language. Demonstration that English is an applicant’s first language can be satisfied if the applicant submits a diploma from secondary or post-secondary school in a system in which English is the official language of instruction. If English is not the applicant’s first language, the applicant will need to meet the minimum English Language Proficiency standard through submission of an official minimum score on the written Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or its TOEFL computer-based equivalent. The minimum written TOEFL score required is 500 for all diploma, associate, and bachelor level programs (173 on the computer TOEFL). Applicants should contact the Admissions Office to determine other examinations for which official scores, equivalent to TOEFL, are acceptable as an alternative to TOEFL.

English as a Second Language

International students who wish to attend The Art Institute, but do not possess the required English language proficiency, must acquire that proficiency before starting classes. Following review by the admissions committee, a student who is otherwise eligible for admission except for English proficiency may be referred to one of several local ESL schools for placement testing and, when necessary, language courses. The assistant director of international admissions can providemore information on English language testing and classes at the time of the student’s interview.