Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Welcomes International Students
Why Consider SIUE?
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a comprehensive institution
offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. SIUE offers the
lowest tuition and required fees of all four-year institutions in Illinois.
The campus is located on 2,660 acres of rolling hills, woodlands and
lakes that offer a beautiful setting. SIUE has an average class size of
24 with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. SIUE is known for its welcoming
and friendly environment and offers strong support for international
students with admissions, immigration, academic advising, career
placement and cultural integration. These services are offered through:
SIUE Vision
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
will achieve greater national and global
recognition and academic prominence
through innovative and interdisciplinary
programs that empower individuals to
achieve their full potential.
• Office of Admissions
• Office of International Affairs
• Career Development Center
• International Hospitality Program
In addition, SIUE is host to more than 260 student organizations
including an active International Student Council, several country-based
student organizations, and a Muslim Student Association. There are
many opportunities for international students to showcase their culture
on campus. Annual events at SIUE include International Week, Africa
Night, India Night and Global Awareness Week.
siue.edu/internationalstudents
Support Services for International Students
Office of International Affairs
SIUE Facts
Location
SIUE has a beautiful campus on 2,660
acres of rolling hills, woodlands and lakes.
Metropolitan St. Louis, Missouri, is just
32 kilometers from SIUE and Lambert
International Airport.
Seven Academic Units
(siue.edu/academics)
• College of Arts and Sciences
• School of Business
• School of Dental Medicine
• School of Education,
Health and Human Behavior
• School of Engineering
• School of Nursing
• School of Pharmacy
Diversity of Students
• Students from 43 U.S. states
• 445 international students from 51
nations around the world
Top Five Countries Represented
• India
• Turkey
• Iran
• Nigeria
• China
Class Size/Instruction
• Student/Faculty Ratio: 17:1
• Average Class Size: 24 students
Campus
• Four residence halls
• Cougar Village Apartments
•13 core campus buildings
Enrollment
• Total Enrollment: More than 14,000
• Undergraduate: 11,781
• Graduate: 2,484
International Admission English
Language Requirements
• TOEFL: 79 internet / 550 paper
• IELTS: 6.5
Deadlines for Most Programs
• Fall Semester: July 15
• Spring Semester: November 15
• Summer Session: April 15
The Office of International Affairs provides a variety of services and
programs to assist international students in their educational and
professional objectives, and to make their visit to this country as
pleasant and productive as possible. Admitted students will receive
pre-arrival information that explains all the services provided.
International student advisors are available for assistance with:
• Visa and Immigration Process
• Personal and Cultural Adjustment
• Academic Success
• Employment Regulations
The International Hospitality Program (IHP)
The International Hospitality Program is a local community volunteer
organization that welcomes and helps international students at SIUE.
Members sponsor events, picnics, dinners and holiday gatherings,
and assist with temporary housing. This tradition of the Edwardsville
community welcoming international students to SIUE dates back to
the 1960s.
ESLI Program
Non-native English-speaking students have
the opportunity to study English through the
ESLI Language Center on the SIUE campus
with conditional admission to an SIUE degree
program. Academically eligible applicants
may apply for conditional admission at the
undergraduate or graduate level. For detailed information,
visit siue.edu/internationalstudents/criteria/esli.shtml.
National Recognition
• SIUE is set in one of the “50 Safest College Towns in America,” according to the 2015 SafeWise
Report. Edwardsville ranked number 25 on the list of 50 towns. SafeWise cited SIUE’s investment in
safety technology, such as the Rave Guardian app, to maintain a secure campus. Under the SIUE
Campus Violence Prevention Plan, there are more than 80 emergency phones on campus.
• For the second-consecutive year, SIUE is in Washington Monthly’s Top 40 for master’s universities
in the nation. SIUE maintained its position as first among all master’s institutions in Illinois on
the national magazine’s list. This is the sixth-consecutive year that SIUE has been listed. Unlike
conventional college rankings, Washington Monthly evaluates an institution’s “contribution to the
public good” in three broad categories: social mobility, research and service.
• U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges of 2016 lists SIUE among the best Regional Universities
Midwest for the 12th consecutive year. The University is 10th overall among public universities
in that category. SIUE was featured at number 44 in this year’s rankings of Regional Universities
Midwest, advancing three spots from last year. The overall scores are based on the reputation
of SIUE in higher education, graduate and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity,
financial resources, and alumni giving.
• Recognizing SIUE’s commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement, the
Corporation for National and Community Service named SIUE to the annual President’s Higher
Education Community Service Honor Roll for the fifth consecutive year.
Tuition, Fees and Costs
The cost of study at SIUE is competitive, and we offer the lowest tuition and required fees of all four-year institutions
in Illinois. SIUE is located in an area that is outside the city center, so the cost of living in Edwardsville
is lower than in many areas of the United States. For more detailed information visit
siue.edu/internationalstudents/costs.shtml.
Financing Your Education at SIUE
SIUE has numerous financial aid opportunities for international students. Currently, 75 percent of the international
students at SIUE receive some form of financial aid.
On-Campus Jobs
On-campus jobs are available on a competitive basis. Salaries are set at the U.S. minimum wage. Government
regulations allow F-1 visa holders to work 20 hours per week in an on-campus position.
Competitive Graduate Awards
New graduate students admitted to a classified degree program may apply for a Competitive Graduate Award (CGA).
There are approximately 20 CGA awards per academic year. Recipients receive a monthly stipend and a waiver of
tuition.
Graduate Scholar Award
New graduate students admitted to a classified degree program may apply for a Graduate Scholar Award. There
are approximately 15 Graduate Scholar Awards given to newly admitted students each year. This award covers two
semesters of tuition only during one academic year.
Graduate Assistantships
Applicants to the Graduate School are eligible to apply for graduate assistantships, which are awarded by individual
departments or administrative units. A graduate assistantship provides a semester tuition waiver and a monthly stipend.
Appointees are required to work for 10-20 hours per week. Assignments may be teaching, research or general duties.
International Geographic Enhancement Opportunity (GEO) Tuition Award
A special tuition rate for undergraduate international students is awarded on the basis of academic merit.
Internships and Cooperative Education
International students at SIUE may be eligible for paid internships during the second year of study. Internships
and co-ops are available through the Career Development Center’s Cooperative Education Program and the Office
of International Affairs. The co-op assignment allows students to work for a U.S. business in jobs related to their
academic program.
Optional Practical Training
The U.S. government allows international students to apply for work
experience in their field of academic study. This form of employment
occurs after graduation and allows work permission for 12 months. The
application process is facilitated by an International Student Advisor.
Student Activities
The International Student Council and international student clubs provide
great opportunities for new students to engage with current students. Also,
the University has more than 260 student organizations offering a wide
range of interest from volunteer service to sports to academic study.
A few examples of International Student Organizations:
• African Student Association
• Iranian Student Society
• Bangladeshi Students Association • Muslim Student Association
• Indian Student Association
• International Student Council
Getting Started Checklist
•Complete an application
•Pay the application fee
•Provide academic credentials/transcripts
•Fulfill English language requirements
•Provide a copy of your passport
•Supply evidence of sufficient financial
resources to cover all living and
educational expenses for your first year
To apply for admission and for a listing
of additional admission criteria and
deadlines, visit siue.edu/apply.
• Sagarmatha
(Nepalese Student Association)
• Saudi Students Association
The Student Fitness Center offers recreation facilities including an indoor
swimming pool, racquetball courts, weight room, aerobic exercise areas,
several all-purpose courts, a rock-climbing gym and an indoor jogging
track. You may also participate in a variety of intramural sports. The
University’s intercollegiate sports teams compete at the NCAA Division I
level in men’s and women’s sports.
The University’s 2,660 acres provide hours of enjoyment. The bike trails
are ideal for biking, hiking, jogging and leisurely nature walks. Students
can enjoy the indoor pool, outdoor pool and tennis courts, as well. Each
year, the University sponsors on-campus programs featuring worldrenowed performers and lecturers from across the globe. In addition, the
City of St. Louis provides many cultural and recreational opportunities.
Excellence.
Need More Information?
Office of Admissions:
[email protected]
siue.edu/internationalstudents
Office of International Affairs
[email protected]
siue.edu/iss
Printed by authority of the State of Illinois, 3/16, 150, 16020610