How can I apply to Hofstra University?
Please see our "How to Apply" webpage.
Is an English Proficiency exam required for admission?
Yes, please visit this page for more details.
Is the SAT or ACT exam required for admission?
No, it is not necessary to submit these test scores. If you choose to, we will consider a 500 or above on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing portion of the test as sufficient English Proficiency. Please see here for more information on applying Test Optional.
Can I send my supporting documents (transcript, TOEFL score, essay) to you electronically?
Yes. Please upload documents to your portal at my.hofstra.edu or email to International Admission with your Name and Student ID # in the body of the e-mail. Please note that to be considered official, transcripts or test scores should be sent by a counselor, advisor, administrator or other staff member at your school.
My school uses the program Naviance for college applications. Can I submit documents in this way?
Yes. However, please note that Naviance only matches up with our system if you have applied using the Common Application. If you apply by any other means, your documents and scores will not be received by Hofstra.
I have permanent residency in the US. Should I apply as an international student?
No. Any U.S. permanent resident will be considered for admission through the same process as a US citizen.
How can I track the status of my application?
All applicants to Hofstra receive access to our Student Portal at my.hofstra.edu. You will receive communication with your username and password for this account. Should you need a username or password reminder, please email International Admission.
How will Hofstra award credit for the classes I have already taken at the college level?
All transfer students admitted to Hofstra receive a Statement of Transfer Credit upon receipt of the final, official transcript from your previous institution. Preliminary credit evaluations can be provided to illustrate how your credits will transfer to Hofstra. Students in secondary school who have taken collegiate-level courses will also receive a Statement of Transfer Credit and will meet with an advisor at Orientation to answer any questions about this.
Does Hofstra award credit for A-Levels, Abitur, CAPE, the IB Diploma, AP credits, etc.?
Yes. Advanced standing and collegiate-level credits may be awarded based on students’ performance on these exams and certain other upper-secondary school certificates. Please click for equivalencies for A Levels and CAPE. Students should send score reports to the Office of Admission for evaluation. An official evaluation of a student’s secondary record is often helpful in this process and can be provided by organizations such as www.WES.org or SpanTran or Scholaro.
If an official evaluation is not possible, course descriptions issued by the university can be very helpful in helping us determine transfer credit.
When will you notify me if I am admitted?
Admission decisions for students who apply for Early Action I will be available on the Hofstra portal around December 15. Early Action II decisions will be available on the Hofstra portal around January 15. Rolling admission applicants will receive their decision via the Hofstra portal within approximately two weeks of receiving all required application materials.
Is my Enrollment-Orientation deposit refundable?
These deposits are nonrefundable after May 1 for fall admission and January 1 for spring admission.
FINANCIAL AID:
What financial aid might international students be eligible for?
International students are considered for academic merit-based scholarships only.
How do I apply for a scholarship?
All students are automatically considered for academic merit scholarships, which are based primarily on your secondary school record and SAT or ACT exam score.
When will you notify me if I have received a scholarship?
Scholarship decisions are included in official acceptance packets. This information is also available for your review on your Student Portal.
Does Hofstra offer need-based financial aid to students?
At this time, only academic merit-based scholarships are available. These scholarships can be very generous. There are also many other scholarship opportunities through various international foundations and companies. Please find more information regarding that here.
Can I submit the FAFSA?
International students cannot fill out the FAFSA. This form is only appropriate for US citizens and Permanent Residents.
Do you accept or require the CSS Profile?
No. We do not require or accept the CSS profile.
What financial documentation is required to obtain my Form I-20?
Financial bank statement (the most recent three months in liquid funds, CANNOT be an investment account or letter stating income). Must show tuition/fees/accommodation amount minus any scholarship you received (scholarship would be listed on the conditional acceptance letter upon admission). Statement must be in English.
Copy of passport: Passport cannot expire for at least one year.
I-20 Application Form – Only handwritten signatures or official digital signatures can be accepted.
Affidavit of Support Form(if your financial documents include an account that is not in the student’s name) – Must show tuition/fees/accommodation amount minus any scholarship you received. Only handwritten signatures or official digital signatures can be accepted. It is acceptable to provide multiple Affidavit of Support Forms that match with their respective bank statement.
If you are currently in the USA, we also need your:
What is an I-20?
After you are admitted to Hofstra University and you have submitted the appropriate financial documentation and it has been processed, you will be sent the Form I-20. When you receive this form, you should schedule an interview with a U.S. immigration official in your home country (usually at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy.) They will determine if you are eligible for an F-1 student visa, which they would then issue to you. You must pay your SEVIS fee before this appointment and bring several documents with you (including your TOEFL or IELTS score and bank letter, etc.). Our counselors are available to guide you through this process. For more information, please visit our International Student Affairs Resources page at https://www.hofstra.edu/international-student/resources.html.
I have a tourist visa to the U.S. Is that good enough?
No. To study in the U.S. you must be a full-time, matriculated, degree-seeking student and possess an F-1 student visa.
I have a different type of visa/I am the dependent of a U.S. visa holder.
There are some circumstances in which you may not need an F-1 visa. Please contact our office for more information.
I attend boarding school in the U.S. and I currently hold an F-1 visa. Do I need a new one?
Your current F-1 status will end when you graduate from your secondary school (high school), and you will need to get a new I-20 issued by Hofstra. Please submit the required financial documentation and Transfer Form to Hofstra. We will then transfer your SEVIS record to Hofstra. Please note that your new I-20 cannot be issued until you graduate from your secondary school. If your F-1 visa is still valid you may continue to use it for travel. If your F-1 visa is expired or will expire soon, you may choose to renew it at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy outside the U.S. (preferably in your home country). F-1 transfer students must use the I-20 issued by Hofstra to return to the U.S. to begin an academic program at Hofstra.
I attend a college/university in the U.S. and will be transferring to Hofstra. Do I need a new I-20?
Yes. A "Transfer Release form" must be sent to a Designated School Official at your institution, signed, and sent back to us via fax or email. We will process this upon admission to Hofstra and issue a Hofstra I-20.
Who should I contact regarding admission to a graduate program?
If you are interested in applying to an academic program at the graduate (master's or doctoral) level, please visit hofstra.edu/academics/grad.
TRANSFERRING TO HOFSTRA:
How do I apply as a transfer student? Hofstra has a separate application for transfer students, located on our website. You may also choose to fill out the Common Application.
What documents are required, as part of my application?
International transfer students should submit transcripts from all previously attended institutions. If you have earned less than the equivalent of 24 college-level credits (if you have attended college or university for less than one year) you may be asked to also submit your secondary school record. If your first language is not English, you must also submit Proof of English Proficiency. This requirement can be waived if you are attended a college or university in the U.S., have taken English Composition or Writing 1 and 2 and earned a C or better as a grade. Please remember that all transcripts must be in English.
How will my credits transfer into Hofstra?
You will receive a Statement of Transfer Credit after admission to Hofstra.
How do I transfer my SEVIS Record?
Upon admission, you will be sent a "Transfer Release Form" which must be filled out and signed by a Designated School Official at your current college or university. This is the individual who would have originally issued your I-20. They must also release your record to Hofstra in the SEVIS system. This form must then be faxed or emailed to the Office of Admission at Hofstra.
Are international transfer students considered for scholarships?
Yes. All international students are considered for academic, merit-based scholarships. This will be based on your previous college or university-level work.
What is your contact information?
Students are encouraged to stay in contact with our counselors. We are here to answer any questions or concerns that you have.
By phone: 516-463-6700
By fax: 516-463-5100
By email: internationaladmission@hofstra.edu