International Students
We're Here to Help!
Keren Baez-Castro
International Enrollment Representative
PUC is ranked #1 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for diversity among National Liberal Arts Colleges, and our international students are an important part of keeping our campus culture vibrant!
International SDA Student 50% Discount
International students who meet the list of requirements and qualifications can receive 50% of tuition covered as a scholarship and can be renewed for four years.
Requirements and qualifications:
- International student
- Must enroll from, transfer from, or graduate from, a Seventh-day Adventist high school, college, or university anywhere in the world, including the United States, or be a verifiable member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
- Must meet regular international student admissions standards
- Students must be enrolled full-time
- Students must maintain good and regular student standing at PUC
- Must have a college cumulative GPA above 2.0
DACA and CA Dream Act Students:
- Up to five DACA/CA Dream Act and CA Dream Act Students students each year who meet the qualifications under the 50% discount policy will also be able to qualify for the same scholarship, including awarding process.
- Students must confirm their DACA/CA Dream Act and Seventh-day Adventist status with enrollment services. This confirmation will include confirmation of time in the US or documents created through the standard verification process for DACA/CA Dream Act students.
- First priority will be given to qualifying candidates from the Pacific Union Conference. Qualified DACA/CA Dream Act students from anywhere in the US will be considered after priority slots are filled.
Application process
As an international student, you need to meet the following requirements to be admitted to PUC:
- Meet all requirements for regular admission status (as a first-time or transfer student). See PUC's admissions policies of the General Catalog.
- Provide official course-by-course evaluation of your foreign transcripts by WES, ECE, or IERF
- Demonstrate the ability to pursue studies in the English language by presenting a satisfactory score on one of the following exams:
- Score of 80 or higher on the TOEFL (internet based)
- Score of 15 or higher on the ACT, English section
- Score of 430 or higher on the SAT, Critical Reading section
- Score of 6.5 on the IELTS, Academic
- Score of 59 or higher on the PTE, Academic version
- Score of 4.0 or higher on the iTEP, Academic version
- Score 105 or higher on Duolingo
- Meet all financial requirements for international students:
- Completed Financial Guarantee Form
- Bank Statement showing the total estimated annual expenses retlected on the Financial Guarantee Form
- $1,000 deposit must be paid before the Form 1-20 is issued. This deposit will remain on the student's account until the student ceases to attend Pacific Union College
2024-2025 Financial Guarantee Form 2025-2026 Financial Guarantee Form
When you arrive on campus, you will be required to participate in a PUC placement process to determine your placement in English coursework (ENGL 099, 100, or 101). If you demonstrate a need for additional orientation to the English language and American culture, you will also be required to enroll in ENSL 100: English for Special Purposes.
After you’re accepted
There are several important steps you need to do to complete the process of becoming a PUC student. Visit our main Admissions Process page for more information, or you can call (800) 862-7080 or email admissions@puc.edu to talk with an enrollment counselor to learn more.
International Student Advising
Pacific Union College warmly welcomes international students to become part of our learning community. International students add a valuable, enriching dimension to our campus. Just as we look forward to assisting in an international student’s American study experience, we also look forward to learning about the various cultures these students bring to our campus. Together, we can expand our worldviews and multicultural perspectives to better understand the world in which we live.
The International Student Advising Team provides general information to assist F-1 visa students with non-immigrant questions and issues so that these students can maintain status as mandated by U.S. federal regulations. Pacific Union College is dedicated to our international students and to the protection of their student visa status. Our goal is to provide regulatory support, not legal advice, so that international students may achieve their educational goals. For legal advice, these students may consult with an immigration attorney.
Concurrent Enrollment
Please use this form if you are currently enrolled at Pacific Union College and wish to take courses at another school without transferring your F-1 record.
Non-resident Tax Preparation
Sprintax is an online IRS Federal and State tax preparation solution for international students and is a promotional partner with Pacific Union College. International students on an F-1 visa, attending Pacific Union College, will receive an email or Canvas announcement from their international student advisor each February with information and a discount code. It is important for international students studying in the United States to stay compliant with IRS Federal and State tax requirements. Failure to stay compliant can affect a student’s future. Applicable instructions and information will be updated prior to each tax season.
Instructions General Information Go to Sprintax
Tax Treaties and Form 8233
Maintaining Status
While studying in the United States, it is important to maintain your F student status. Your status relates to the purpose, or reason for why you want to come to the United States. For a summary, see Study in the States, Maintaining Status.
For F students attending Pacific Union College, view the tutorial in Canvas "Maintaining F-1 Visa Status." During New Student Orientation, international students will be able to learn and connect with other students. They will also be required to attend a specific international orientation on federal regulations and what it means to maintain their F student status.
Driver License and Social Security Number
Find out how to apply for a California Driver License, and for those individuals who are eligible to work in the United States, see the instructions on how to apply for a Social Security Number.
Entry to the United States
Prior to your entry to the United States, contact your international student advisor to discuss your travels and to ensure you have all the required and correct documents with you.
Employment
Employment is restricted because students’ primary purpose to be in the United States is education. There are various types of employment that may require special authorization from the international student advisor and/or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
On Campus Employment
On-campus employment for F-1 visa students.
Off Campus Employment
General information about the three types of off-campus employment available for F-1 visa students.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a work authorization granted to students in F-1 visa status usually in the form of an internship.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training, also known as OPT, is defined in the regulations as “temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student’s major field of study.”
Transfer Requests
Students may request to transfer their SEVIS record to Pacific Union College or to another SEVP-approved school within the regulations.
Transfer Request
This form is to be completed by international students in F-1 status who wish to have their SEVIS record transferred from a U.S. SEVP-approved educational institution to Pacific Union College. International students who wish to have their SEVIS record transferred from Pacific Union College to another U.S. SEVP-approved educational institution must contact the international student advisor at our college for instruction.
International Drug Policy
Pacific Union College's Office of International Student Services reminds all international visitors that they are responsible for following FEDERAL immigration regulations. Federal laws are established at national level, and Federal laws override State laws. As an international student, you are subject to FEDERAL law.
Study in the States Facebook Chatbot
This tool helps prospective students learn how to be become an F student in the United States.