Prior to application submission, please review the application process and requirements for international admissions and contact the Admissions Team.
We would like to speak with you before application submission, especially if you are not a United States citizen and require issuing a student visa to attend Highlands College. We are excited that you feel led to pursue an education with us in Ministry Leadership Training at Highlands College. Please allow us to walk you through the process and answer any questions you might have before beginning your application.
Non U.S. Citizens Who May Apply Using The
Standard Admission Application
Highlands College may accept to any program international applicants who are legally present in the United States under one of the following categories.
Legal Permanent Resident (a.k.a. Green Card Status)
Those granted political asylum
Those granted TPS (Temporary Protected Status)
Those maintaining Dependent Nonimmigrant Status (including H-4s, L2, TDs, F-2, J-2, Dependents of O-1, P-1, E-1/E-2/E-3 Nonimmigrants)
Applicants meeting the above criteria may apply for admission using the standard admission application for their desired program and should refer to admission requirements for standard applicants according to their desired program.
Non U.S. Citizens WHO Must Apply Using The
International Admission Application
Highlands College may accept to any program international applicants who are legally present in the United States under one of the following categories.
International applicants who do not meet any of the above categories but do meet the requirements for Traditional Program admission may be admitted to the Traditional Program degree option under an F-1 student visa. The F-1 visa can only be granted for pursuit of the degree option at Highlands College which requires parallel enrollment in Southeastern University. Parallel-enrolled students pursue a certificate from Highlands College and an associate degree from Southeastern University. Parallel enrollment is more fully described here. Courses for the Southeastern University associate degree are taught on-site at the Highlands College campus.
International Admissions Requirements
To gain entry into the Traditional Program at Highlands College, an applicant must submit and meet the following admissions requirements:
- Meet the age recommendation of 18-24 years by the start of class.
- Be a committed follower of Christ.
- Demonstrate a strong sense of the call of God on their life.
- Be current regular and active member of a local church for at least three months.
- Ensure access to sufficient financial resources to cover tuition, fees, accommodations, and living expenses. Applicants must be able to demonstrate support for the total cost of at least the first year of program attendance ($23,500).
- Meet the following academic recommendations:
- A 2.00 or higher cumulative grade point average at high school graduation with a standard diploma certifying readiness for a 2 or 4-year college experience.
- A 2.00 or higher cumulative grade point average from 12 or more semester hours of postsecondary college courses.
International Application Procedure
International applicants must apply using the Traditional Program – International Applicant admission application. To receive consideration for admission, applicants must submit the following application requirements.
Completed Online Application Which Includes:
- All Required Application Questions
- Receipt of Completed Online Reference Form
- Background Authorization Consent Form
- Color Copy of Passport
- Payment of the $100 Application Fee
- Academic Transcript(s) Evaluated by a Foreign Credentialing Service
Submission of SAT Total Score from the Testing Agency
Both Highlands College and Southeastern University require submission of at least one test score from the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to Highlands College and Southeastern University. Test scores submitted on academic transcripts or student copies of score reports will not be accepted.
Highlands College SAT Code: 7193
Southeastern University SAT Code Number: 5621
If The Applicant Is Not From An English-Speaking Country
Submission of a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Score or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- A TOEFL or IELTS Score is required for all students coming from a non-English-speaking country, including Puerto Rico. For visa purposes, TOEFL or IELTS score submission is required even if an applicant is fluent in English.
- Applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement if they are from an only native English-speaking country, high school, or university and have a grade of “C” or higher in English classes.
- Countries exempt from the TOEFL or IELTS requirement are as follows: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent, Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, and United States of America.
Test scores will be shared between SEU and Highlands College. The applicant must submit the Test Taker Score Report in PDF form.
The following scores are the minimum an applicant must score in order to be eligible for admission:
TOEFL
Paper-Based Test (PBT): 540
Computer-Based Test (CBT): 207
Internet-Based Test (IBT): 76
IELTS
The minimum accepted score is a 6.
Admissions Interview Conducted By Your Admissions Coach
Transcript Submission
All transcripts must be translated and received in English if a student has attended a foreign school. Applicants must use one of the following transcript evaluation services for academic transcript(s) evaluation.
www.jsilny.org/html/services.htm
All high school graduates must request a transcript summary which includes GPA and graduation date and reflects the equivalency to a high school diploma. The applicant must request an electronic transcript be emailed to SEU Enrollment Counselor for Highlands College, Cassandra Bussey at cybussey@seu.edu. Please do not send paper copies. All transcript(s) will be shared with Highlands College.
Applicants currently attending high school should request one transcript now, followed by a final transcript upon graduation. We recommend applicants request a quote during their initial call with the transcript evaluation service for BOTH an official and final high school transcript if they have not yet graduated. The final transcript must be official, which means it is sent directly to SEU from the credentialing agency. Transcripts issued to the applicant are considered unofficial and cannot be used as proof of high school graduation.
If the applicant chooses to transfer credits, the applicant must also submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. A maximum of six credit hours may be transferred. If college/university transcripts are from a foreign university, a course-by-course transcript evaluation is required. If the applicant is presently enrolled, the applicant may submit an unofficial transcript for preliminary evaluation, but the applicant must still submit an official transcript once the student’s final grades are posted.
Supporting Bank Letter and Affidavit(s)
International applicants must demonstrate their ability to afford and pay for their education prior to acceptance to SEU. Highlands College policies require that ALL international applicants show proof of financial support which is sufficient to cover tuition, fees, housing, food, books, supplies, personal items, transportation and health insurance for the total length of the program.
This information is provided through the following affidavit.
- During the application process, the applicant will receive an emailed copy of a blank Affidavit of Support from a Southeastern Enrollment Counselor for Highlands College.
- The applicant must fully and properly complete the affidavit in English (print in ink or type).
- The applicant must sign and date the affidavit within one year of the time the applicant plans to enroll.
- All sponsors and parents must provide a separate affidavit of support and supporting financial documents.
- When necessary, applicants are responsible for having the affidavit of support translated for their sponsors and to ensure their understanding of the document.
- Each financial sponsor must sign the affidavit in the presence of a U.S. embassy or consular officer, a U.S. Immigration officer, a notary public, an attorney or another official in the sponsor’s country who is authorized to administer oaths to verify identity and signature.
- Upon final acceptance to both Southeastern University and Highlands College, the applicant must email the completed affidavits and accompanying financial documents to the designated Southeastern University International Immigration Advisor.
- After receiving all required documents, Southeastern University will contact the applicant to create their I-20 form and advise them of their next steps for obtaining the visa. The applicant must remain in contact with their Southeastern University International Immigration Advisor until the applicants receives his or her visa.
Supporting Bank Letter
An original letter in English on official bank stationery must be submitted from a bank or other financial institution in which the sponsor has savings deposits, certificates of deposit, money market certificates or other types of accounts containing readily available funds. If funds are in more than one financial institution, submit a separate letter from each. The letter must provide a specific amount of funds. A statement certifying that the sponsor possesses “sufficient financial resources” to support the applicant is not acceptable unless the dollar amount is provided. The dollar figure must be in U.S. dollars. If not in U.S. dollars, the financial institution must show the conversion rate and/or U.S. dollar equivalent. Letters must be signed and dated within one year of the time the applicants plans to enroll. Re-verification of financial support documentation may be required as part of the US visa application process, at the time of entry into the USA.
- SEU Application
- SEU Biographical Essay
- SEU Christian Character Reference
- Proof of Health Insurance – Upon acceptance to SEU, the applicant must provide proof of health insurance valid in the United States.
The applicant and financial sponsor(s) must be able to pay 50% of the yearly academic tuition balance ($6,075) and the first semester’s $900 HC Fit fee prior to the start of the first enrollment semester. The remaining 50% tuition balance is due at the start of the second semester.
Students pay tuition to Southeastern University. The HC Fit fee is paid directly to Highlands College. If a student chooses to live in Student Housing, all Housing expenses will be paid directly to Highlands College as well.
