International Students

As an International student at LSSU, you’ll find that our unique programs, small size and personal attention give you the edge that you need to have success in today’s world. The strength of our programs resides in our high-quality faculty and, as a student, you work with them from day one at LSSU.

LSSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Several of our programs also have additional accreditation by independent agencies.

We invite you to join International students of the past as representatives of the future at LSSU. Come experience the opportunities to be part of a research team, to compete nationally and internationally in competitions, make presentations at conferences, work directly with faculty, and join a community dedicated to your undergraduate success.

How To Apply For Admission

  • Apply. Send your application online for free!

  • Send your Transcripts

    Students will need to provide official transcript(s) evaluated by World Evaluation Service (WES) or Education Credential Evaluators (ECE) or  SpanTran on a comprehensive course-by-course basis. Websites for WES and ECE are www.wes.org and www.ece.org. If you use SpanTran, please use the custom application they made for LSSU students to ensure you get the discount they offer. To apply with SpanTran, click here. This applies to first time in college students and transfer students.

    First Time in College Students:

    • Have your secondary school send LSSU an official copy of your transcript in the mail OR email to [email protected].

    Transfer Students Requirements:

    • Your Official transcripts of any attended college and/or university, via postal service
    • Your Official secondary school records, via postal service, (If you have completed less than 12 semester hours of credit prior to applying for admission)

  • Proof of English proficiency is required for admission to LSSU as an international student. English proficiency can be proven in several ways

    Score 500 or above on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of 61 on the internet-based TOEFL. Please use institutional code 1421 to report scores directly to LSSU.

    Score of 72 on the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB). Write: English Language Institute, MELAB Testing, 3020 North University Building, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1057, U.S.A.

    Completion of Level 112 at any ELS Language Center located in the U.S. More information can be found at:  www.studyusa.com or at www.els.com, 1-609-750-3500 or [email protected].

    APIEL – Advanced Placement English Language Test with a score of 3 or higher.

    SAT critical reading score of 480 or higher for tests taken before March 1, 2016, minimum overall score of 965 or higher, ACT equivalent is 20.  For SAT tests taken after May 2016 an evidence based reading and writing score of 510.

    Completion of two (2) years of study at a school, college or university located in an English-speaking country.

    IELTS – International English Language Testing System with a score of 6.0 or higher.

    PTE Academic test score of 44 or higher.

    Duolingo score of 85 or higher.

  • Health Insurance

    Students are required to purchase health and accident insurance through the university sponsored program – GEOBlue.

  • Declaration of Finances

    Students must verify the ability to pay for tuition, books, fees and living expenses for one academic year prior to the I-20 form being received.

     

Upon Acceptance to LSSU

Immigration laws severely limit work for international students. Therefore, you must be prepared to pay the full costs of attendance and advise your sponsor well in advance of fee payment dates so your funds will arrive on time. We would like to emphasize that the educational and living costs at LSSU are less than most U.S. universities.

In order to obtain an Immigration Form (I-20), the U.S.Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) requires that we have your verification of ability to pay the following amounts depending on your classification:

  • International residents intending to live in the US while in school — $32,102 for the 25-26 academic year

Verification of the ability to pay university expense can be supplied as followed:

  • A written financial statement from your bank account, or from the account of whoever will be responsible for your tuition/books expenses. This can be in the form of:
    • A letter from an officer at a financial institution listing the amount of tuition/books and expenses required for the upcoming year and verifying the account holder’s ability to pay this amount, and/or
    • A bank statement showing a savings equal to this year’s tuition/books and expenses, and/or
    • Verification of loan approvals, or scholarships received.
  • If the funds are coming from someone other than yourself, your “sponsor” will also need to supply a signed letter stating that the monies available in the bank account/loan, etc. will be used to pay for your tuition/books and expenses, plus room/board if applicable.
  • You should also indicate how the remaining years will be supported.
  • If you are a Permanent U.S. Resident or able to be in the U.S. with another form of documentation. We require a copy of this documentation for our records.
  • If you are a Canadian Aboriginal or Native American (excluding METIS) with at least 50% blood quantum and have J-treaty privileges (carry a tribal ID), you are exempt from needing an I-20 form. You must provide our office with a copy of your tribal ID and letter showing proof of blood quantum.

Official forms allowing you to demonstrate financial ability to pay tuition, books, fees, and living expenses are available for download or may be requested by contacting the Admissions Office.

Declaration of Finances for the academic year 2025-2026

SEVIS – Bank Statement for the academic year 2025-2026

Each student that receives a form I-20 will receive a unique SEVIS ID number assigned to him/her. The ID number and the I-20 form itself are used to obtain F-1 Status at a U.S. Port of Entry.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has implemented a rule requiring F-1 Status applicants to pay a one-time fee to supplement the administration and maintenance costs of the SEVIS program. Because LSSU will be issuing you an initial I-20 form, you will be required to pay this SEVIS fee. Information about payment of the fee and the processing of your I-20 form upon entry to the U.S. will be provided to you with your initial I-20 form.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Admissions Office at 1-906-635-2231

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Lake Superior State University has around 2,000 students giving it the distinction of Michigan’s smallest public university.

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