International Students

MCLA is a SEVP certified institution and accepts applications from international students. An international student is a citizen of a non-US country that intends to pursue study in the United States under an F1 student visa or other official status.   

If you are an international student studying or residing outside of the U.S., you must apply to MCLA as a full-time student in a degree program.  

Application Requirements

APPLICATION Deadlines

Fall Semester: March 1
Spring Semester: November 15

Common Application

First-Year Students 

• First-Year Common Application
• Letter of Recommendation
• Personal Statement 

Transfer Students 

• Transfer Common Application 

Official evaluation of secondary school and/or college transcripts

This evaluation must be course-by-course. The following approved organizations provide a course by course evaluation: this service: 

• The Evaluation Company (Dedicated order form for MCLA Applicants) 
• Scholaro  
• CED
• WES  
• ECE

English Language Test Results

Applicants from non-English speaking institutions must submit official English language test results. The following tests and minimum scores are accepted:

• DuoLingo (minimum 100)  
• TOEFL (minimum 79 on iBT or 550 on paper)  
• IELTS (minimum 6.0) 
• PTE (minimum 50) 
• LANGUAGECERT (minimum 33 on B2 exam) 

Certification of Finances

As required by U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services, you must complete the Certification of Finances form to verify access to sufficient financial resources to attend the College. All international students (not permanent residents or citizens of the U.S.) are classified as "out-of-state" students for tuition purposes. Since the College is unable to provide financial aid to international students, you must demonstrate adequate resources to meet yearly estimated expenses. A certification of finances must be submitted before a Form I-20 can be issued.

Additional Information 

Information regarding some commonly asked questions can be found below. For questions about your specific circumstances, please reach out to the Office of Admission at admissions@mcla.edu 

Financial Aid

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is unable, under any circumstances, to provide financial aid to international students. In addition, the enrollment fee cannot be waived.

Health Insurance

Massachusetts State Law requires that all full-time students participate in a health insurance plan.

Work

International students studying on an F-1 Visa in the U.S. are eligible to work in paid on-campus positions, but employment is not guaranteed. It is illegal for students on an F-1 Visa to be employed anywhere else. A student's potential earnings cannot substitute for, or be included in, financial documentation.

I-20 Form

MCLA issues an I-20 form only after a student is accepted and has provided the required enrollment deposit.