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Eastern New Mexico University

International Graduate Student Procedures

Definition

An international (foreign) student is any student attending Eastern New Mexico University on a nonimmigrant visa. Legally admitted immigrants and refugees are not classified as international students.

Admission

  1. An international student applying for regular admission MUST have F-1 status, with no exceptions. Persons with F-2 status (spouse or family of F-1 students) can enroll in classes provided the F-1 spouse is in good standing.
  2. The applicant must clear his/her admission at least 90 days prior to any registration date. Delay in making application may limit the opportunity for admission for the semester desired.
  3. International students (F-1) are required to be full-time students at Eastern New Mexico University-Portales. Admission does not apply to any branch campus of ENMU.
  4. The applicant's file will be evaluated and considered for admission when the following have been received:
    • Application for Admission
    • U.S. $10 non-refundable application fee
    • Financial statement (see financial section which follows)
    • TOEFL score of 550 or complete the highest level of an intensive English program for admission.
    • Student must indicate desired major in a specific field in the degree program portion of the application.
    • Official results of a professional independent transcript evaulation service of all post-secondary course work. No hand-carried documents will be accepted.

Financial

  1. The applicant must complete a financial support form and return with the signed application.
  2. The approximate cost of attending Eastern New Mexico University is as follows:
    • Tuition $5,000.00
    • Room and Board (University housing minimum) $2,000.00
    • Books and supplies (estimate) $750.00
    • Health and Accident Insurance– 12 months $500.00
    • Personal Expenses (estimate – clothing, medicine and misc.) $2,050.00
    • Minimum Total $10,000.00

English Proficiency Requirements

  1. All international students must meet English proficiency requirements to be admitted to the University. These requirements may be met by one of the following:
    • TOEFL score of 550 above (official agency test report)
    • Complete the highest level of an approved intensive English program (report must be on file before student is allowed to register).
  2. An English proficiency examination will be given to all incoming international students, with the following exceptions:
    • Graduate students who received their baccalaureate degree from a college or university in the United States.
    • International students who speak English as their native language.
    • Transfer students with minimum transfer course work from other U.S. colleges:
    • Graduate students – at least nine hours of transfer credit;
    • Undergraduate students – at least 30 hours of transfer credit.
  3. Upon recommendation of the authorized person designated by the Coordination Committee for International Students.
  4. Based upon the results of the aforementioned English Proficiency examination, students may be required to enroll in three to six hours of English as a Second Language course work their first semester at ENMU.

Pertinent Immigration and Naturalization Service Regulations:

  1. All F-1 students must maintain full-time student status for both the fall and spring semesters. This requires completion of 12 credit hours per semester for undergraduates or nine credit hours per semester for graduates. Any deviation from this must be approved by the International Student Advisor.
  2. International students may not work off-campus. On-campus employment is permitted under certain conditions.
  3. It is important to keep in mind that the signature you use for all records while you are in the United States should be the same as the one you use in your passport.

Information on Nonimmigrant Status and Student Visa Qualifications

Section 214(b) provides that "every alien shall be presumed to be an intending immigrant until he/she establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer at the time of application for a visa ... that he/she is entitled to a nonimmigrant status under section 101(a) INA." To qualify for nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(F), an applicant must show that he/she has a residence abroad which he/she has no intention of abandoning; is a bona fide student qualified to pursue a full course of study at an established institution of learning in the United States; and is seeking to enter the U.S. temporarily and solely for the purpose of pursuing such a course of study.

A nonimmigrant applicant may establish that he/she has no intention of abandoning a residence abroad by presenting evidence that he/she has compelling economic, social, and family ties in his/her home country which would cause him/her to leave the U.S. after a temporary stay. Section 291 of the INA places the burden of proof on the applicant to establish his/her entitlement to a nonimmigrant visa. Consular officers are required to deny an application in any case in which they do not find the evidence convincing.

Student visa applicants are further required to show convincing evidence of their intent to pursue a full course of study in the United States. When judging a student visa application, a consular officer takes into consideration factors such as the applicant's academic training, planned course of study, demonstrated language-learning ability, financial resources, and future employment prospects. If these factors suggest that a student visa applicant is not seeking to enter the U.S. solely for a full course of study, the consular officer is required to deny the application.

Please contact us to obtain an application:
Graduate School
ENMU Station 24
1500 S Ave K
Portales, NM 88130