International Admission Requirements

The requirements on this page apply to applicants who need F-1 student status to attend AIMS Education. Nonimmigrant applicants who are eligible to attend classes without obtaining F-1 status should follow the standard admissions process. Applicants entering the United States to begin their studies must obtain F-1 status before entry, and all international students must hold the appropriate F-1 status before starting their first semester.

International Applicant Eligibility

To be considered for admission, international applicants must meet these minimum requirements:

Be at least 18 years old at the time of enrollment
Possess a high school diploma or equivalent
Have completed at least one year of college-level coursework, equal to 30 or more credits
Provide acceptable proof of English language proficiency
Pass the required entrance examination or qualify for a waiver
Demonstrate basic computer skills
Meet AIMS Education's minimum technology requirements
Meet all applicable program-specific requirements

Meeting the minimum international admission requirements does not guarantee admission to AIMS or to a specific program.

Program-Specific Requirements

All AIMS degree programs available to international students use a selective admissions process, and some programs also require specific prerequisite coursework.

Applicants should review the requirements for their selected program before submitting an application. An applicant who meets the general international admission requirements may still be ineligible for a program if the program-specific requirements have not been completed.

Explore Programs Available to International Students

Entrance Examination

International applicants who are selected to advance after any applicable preliminary screening must take the ACCUPLACER tests in Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic, unless they qualify for an approved waiver. The minimum required score for each test is 250. Two attempts of each test are permitted per enrollment period.

Testing may be completed in person or online. A fee may apply to online testing to cover automated proctoring.

AIMS Education will accept official copies of ACCUPLACER tests taken at other institutions within the past 2 years.

Entrance Exam Waiver

Waivers for the ACCUPLACER tests are granted to applicants who have earned the equivalent of an associate degree or higher.

Interview

Applicants who successfully complete any applicable preliminary screening and earn a passing score on the entrance examination, or receive an approved waiver, may be invited to complete an interview with the program director, the dean of academics and student success, or another designated AIMS representative.

During the interview be prepared to discuss:

Academic and professional background
Interest in the selected program and field
Educational and career goals
Preparation for college-level study
Reasons for choosing AIMS and studying in the United States
Information provided in the application and statement of purpose

Required Admissions Documents

After submitting the international application, applicants will receive access to an applicant portal where they can upload the required admissions documents.

The documents you need depend on your current immigration status. Review each section carefully to determine which requirements apply to you.

Official English proficiency scores and credential evaluations must be submitted directly to AIMS by the testing agency or credential evaluation company.

Documents Required From International Applicants

Valid passport identification page
Evaluation of education credentials
Proof of English language proficiency
Statement of purpose
One letter of reference
Resume or curriculum vitae
Proof of financial ability

Additional Documents for Change-of-Status Applicants

Applicants who are currently in the United States and are seeking a change to F-1 status must also provide:

Most recent Form I-94
Proof of nonimmigrant status

Applicants should contact International Student Services before beginning a change-of-status request.

Contact International Student Services

Additional Documents for F-1 Transfer Students

Students seeking to transfer to AIMS from another institution while maintaining F-1 status must also provide:

Most recent Form I-94
Proof of nonimmigrant status
Current Form I-20
Transfer Verification Form

Passport Identification Page

The passport identification page is the photo page containing your personal information and passport number.

Upload a clear image of the complete page. The document will not be accepted if any part of the page is:

Cropped or cut off
Covered or blocked
Blurry
Unreadable

The information on your application should match the information shown on your passport.

International Education Credentials and Transcript Requirements

International applicants who completed education outside the United States and its territories must submit a credential evaluation of those educational credentials.

AIMS Education does not require applicants to submit official transcripts or other official academic records directly from foreign institutions. The required credential evaluation serves as documentation of the applicant's education completed outside the United States and its territories.

High School Credentials

A general evaluation is required for a high school diploma or other secondary school credential. The evaluation must confirm that the applicant has earned the equivalent of a United States high school diploma.

College and University Credentials

A course-by-course evaluation is required for all college or university coursework and degrees completed outside the United States and its territories. The evaluation must identify:

Courses completed
Grades received
Equivalent United States credits earned
Equivalent United States Degree or credential awarded

The evaluation must confirm that the applicant has completed at least one year of college-level coursework, equal to 30 or more credits, at an accredited postsecondary institution.

An applicant whose course-by-course evaluation confirms completion of a college degree is not required to submit a separate high school diploma evaluation.

Approved Credential Evaluation Services

AIMS accepts evaluations only from credential evaluation companies that are active members of:

The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, or NACES
The Association of International Credential Evaluators, or AICE

The credential evaluation must be submitted directly to AIMS by the evaluation company.

Find a NACES Member
Find an AICE Member

Coursework Completed in the United States

International applicants who have completed coursework at a college or university in the United States or its territories must submit an official transcript from each U.S. institution attended, in accordance with AIMS Education's general admissions requirements.

Proof of English Proficiency

International applicants must arrange for their official TOEFL or IELTS scores to be sent electronically to AIMS Education directly by the testing agency. AIMS retrieves official TOEFL scores through the ETS Data Manager and official IELTS scores through the IELTS Results Service.

AIMS accepts TOEFL iBT examinations administered at an authorized test center or through the TOEFL iBT Home Edition. TOEFL Essentials is not accepted.

AIMS accepts IELTS Academic examinations administered at an authorized test center or through IELTS Online. IELTS General Training is not accepted.

TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. Applicants who apply more than two years after the test date are required to retake the applicable examination and have a current official score sent electronically to AIMS Education.

The minimum required scores are as follows:

TOEFL iBT – 79 (taken before January 21, 2026)
TOEFL iBT – 4.0 (taken on or after January 21, 2026)
IELTS Academic – 6.0

The same minimum score requirements apply regardless of the approved delivery method.

English Proficiency Exam Waiver Request

Applicants may be eligible for a waiver of the English proficiency exam if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

Citizenship in a country in which English is an official language and is widely spoken.
A minimum of an associate degree earned in a country in which English is an official language and is widely spoken.
Twenty-four (24) credits of college coursework earned from an accredited postsecondary institution in the United States. The coursework must include an English or communications course, and all courses must have been completed in a residential or hybrid/blended learning environment. Credits earned through fully online courses will not be accepted as a replacement for TOEFL or IELTS.

Applicants who meet one or more of the criteria listed above may submit a waiver request form. Each request is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and approval of an English proficiency exam waiver is not guaranteed.

Statement of Purpose

Your statement of purpose is an opportunity to help the admissions committee understand your preparation, motivation, and goals.

Write a clear, cohesive narrative addressing:

Academic and professional background
Accomplishments and personal strengths
Interest in the selected program and field
Educational and career goals
Preparation for college-level study
Reasons for choosing AIMS and studying in the United States

The statement should be written in your own words and should be consistent with the information provided in your application.

Letter of Reference

Submit one professional or academic letter of reference. The letter may be written by a supervisor, colleague, teacher, coach, or mentor. The letter should address your academic abilities, professionalism, personal qualities, and relevant skills or talents.

The letter of reference must be:

Typed
Signed by the person providing the reference
Written in English or accompanied by an English translation

Resume or Curriculum Vitae

Submit a comprehensive resume or curriculum vitae that summarizes your academic and professional qualifications. Include applicable information such as:

Education
Employment history
Professional experience
Training
Certifications
Relevant skills
Volunteer or community experience

The information should be current and consistent with your application.

Proof of Financial Ability

All international students must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover tuition, fees, and living expenses for their first year of study. For current estimated costs, please refer to the AIMS Education College Catalog.

To meet the financial ability requirement, applicants must submit documentation demonstrating sufficient financial support. Acceptable documentation includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Bank Statement

Includes the account holder's name
Shows sufficient funds to cover tuition, fees, and living expenses

Sponsor Statement of Support

Must use the Sponsor Statement of Support form provided by AIMS Education
Must be accompanied by evidence of sponsor's financial ability

Proof of Approved Loans

Official documentation from a lending institution confirming the approval of a loan
Includes the recipient's name, loan amount, lender's name, and lender's contact information

Scholarship Award Letter

An official letter from a scholarship provider confirming the award of a scholarship
Includes the recipient's name, scholarship amount, the name of the scholarship provider, and the scholarship details

Employer's Letter

A letter from the student's employer confirming their employment status and annual salary
Includes the employer's name, student's name, student's position, annual salary, and employment details during the period of study

All financial documents must be dated within the previous six months and must be written in English or accompanied by a certified English translation. If a financial document identifies an account holder other than the student, the applicant must also submit a Sponsor Statement of Support and/or an applicable award letter.

Important: During the visa interview, international students may be required to demonstrate sufficient financial resources for the full duration of their program of study. Students are strongly encouraged to bring the original supporting documents to their visa interview.

Most Recent Form I-94

The Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, documents an individual’s admission into the United States. This document is required from applicants who currently reside in the United States and are:

Requesting a change to F-1 status
Transferring to AIMS in F-1 status

Applicants should provide a copy of their most recent Form I-94.

Proof of Nonimmigrant Status

Applicants seeking F-1 status from within the United States must provide documentation showing their current nonimmigrant status. Depending on the applicant’s current status, documentation may include:

Form I-94
Visa stamp
Form I-20 for an F-2 dependent
Employment Authorization Document
Form I-797
Other applicable immigration records

International Student Services may request additional documentation when necessary to understand or verify the applicant’s current status.

Current Form I-20

F-1 students transferring to AIMS must provide the Form I-20 issued by the school they currently attend. The Form I-20 should reflect the student’s current educational and immigration information.

Transfer Verification Form

F-1 transfer applicants must complete the AIMS Transfer Verification Form. The student must complete the personal information section. The international student advisor or designated school official at the student’s current school must complete the verification section.

Download the Transfer Verification Form

Health Requirements After Enrollment

International students must complete a physical examination and satisfy all applicable immunization requirements. Students must use the standard health forms provided by AIMS Education. All medical records must be written in English or accompanied by an English translation.

View Physical Examination and Immunization Requirements

Additional Policy for F-1 Students

Transfer Credit

Students attending AIMS in F-1 status are not eligible to receive transfer credit.

F-1 students must maintain a full course of study, which requires enrollment in at least 12 semester credits per term. Awarding transfer credit would reduce the coursework required within a student’s program and affect the student’s ability to maintain the required full-time enrollment.

Continue the Admissions Process

Before submitting an application, prospective international students are strongly encouraged to attend an AIMS information session. The session provides an overview of the program, selective admission requirements, application steps, and expectations for prospective students.

After attending an information session and reviewing the admission requirements, review the International Admissions Process for detailed application and enrollment steps. Then prepare the applicable admissions documents and submit the online international application.

This page provides a summary of international admissions policies. Applicants should review the current AIMS Education College Catalog for complete institutional requirements.

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