Frequently Asked Questions for International Students

If I have been given Engligh instructions throughout secondary education, do I still need to take TOEFL?
Yes. As long as English is not your native language, you are still required to take the TOEFL test. Students who were born and raised in the following countries will be exempted from the TOEFL requirement: Great Britain, Canada and Australia.

Is there any type of financial assistance at your institution?
Yes, Otterbein offers merit-based financial assistance. Please refer to our scholarship section to find out requirements.

Is there a Financial Aid form available to international students?
The Financial Aid form, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), is given to American citizens only. Therefore, there is no financial aid form available to international students.

Do I have to take the SAT to be considered for admission to Otterbein College?
The SAT is recommended but not required. Any national examination in your country can substitute for the SAT test. However, if you submit an SAT test score, a minimum composite SAT score requirement will be enforced (970).

Will I receive an I-20 form when I apply to Otterbein College?
The I-20 form will not be given to the student until he/she has been officially accepted to the College.

May I work off campus?
Since the fall of 1996, there have been some changes in U.S. Immigration law. The new law, known as IIRAIRA (short for Illegal Immigration REform and Immigration Responsibility Act of 1996) has made it tougher on some foreign students who are not careful about their status and who wish to work. Once an exchange students completes his/her exchange program at a high school, his/her student status in the United States is terminated unless he/she has been accepted to an American college and has been reinstated. No international student may work off campus without obtaining a work permit.

Will you help me with applying for a student visa?
We will give you advice on how to apply for a student visa, but it will be your own responsibility to apply for the visa, and to make sure you will have all the necessary documents for its process.

After I submit my documents, how long will it take for me to receive notification of my admission status?
Assuming we have all your documents, it may take at least three weeks for us to process your application. Generally, it takes about a month or so before you receive your acceptance letter and I-20 (after you submit all your documents). It could take months if you do not have all the necessary documents. So make sure you submit all the necessary documents. Keep in mind we do not accept copies or unofficial academic records. No copies of the TOEFL or SAT score will be accepted.

How much money do I have to show on my financial support statement?
For the 2006-2007 academic year, the cost of tuition is $23,871. The cost for room is $3,174 and the cost of board is $3,615. International students should also have approximately $2,000 for miscellaneous fees which include the cost of books, health insurance, and other necessities. Your financial support statement must show funds sufficient to pay for the amount you will be charged for tuition, room, board, and fees (a total of $32,660). Although you may be eligible for scholarships, you will still have to submit financial support statements to support that you will have enough funds to cover all your expenses as if you were not given any scholarships.

Are there many international students attending your institution?
We have about 60 international students representing over 30 different countries attending Otterbein.

Does the College provide rooms for international students?
Yes, room and board are guaranteed for all international students who want to live on campus.

Can international students stay in their rooms during holidays or long breaks?
During winter and summer break, international students may request to live on campus and will be assigned to a different dorm which will accommodate every student who wishes to stay on campus during those breaks.

Will someone come to pick me up at the airport when I arrive in Columbus?
Yes, we will make all the necessary arrangements so that you will be picked up and brought to the campus when you arrive.