International First Year Admission

All international credentials for admission* must be evaluated with a course-by-course equivalency by an accredited evaluation agency. Approved agencies must be a member organization of either the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or the Association of International Credential Evaluators. Evaluations should be sent directly to the LSUS Admissions Office or emailed to international@lsus.edu.  

• Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. (AICE)
• Academic Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES)
• American Education Research Corporation (AICE)
• A2Z Evaluations, LLC (NACES)
• Center for Applied Research, Evaluation and Education, Inc. (NACES)
• Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (NACES)
• Educational Perspectives, nfp (NACES)
• Educational Records Evaluation Service, Inc. (NACES)
• Foreign Academic Credential Service, Inc. (NACES)
• Foreign Credential Evaluations, Inc. (AICE)
• Foreign Credentials Service of America (AICE)
• Foundation for International Services, Inc. (NACES)
• Global Credential Evaluators, Inc. (NACES)
• Globe Language Services, Inc. (AICE & NACES)
• InCred (AICE)
• Institute of Foreign Credential Services, Inc. (NACES)
• International Academic Credential Evaluators, Inc. (NACES)
• International Consultants of Delaware, Inc. (NACES)
• International Education Evaluations, Inc. (NACES)
• International Education Research Foundation, Inc. (NACES)
• International Evaluation Services (AICE)
• Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. International Education Consultants (NACES)
• Scholaro (AICE)
• SDR Educational Consultants (AICE)
• SpanTran: The Evaluation Company (NACES)
• Transcript Research (NACES)
• Ucredo (AICE)
• World Education Services, Inc. (NACES)

* Applicants from partner universities may be exempted from this requirement if the partnership allows but must submit official transcripts sent directly from their home university Registrar to admissions@lsus.edu.  

It is critical that you have enough support to cover the full cost of attendance without relying on campus-based work. While it is possible for a small number of F-1 students to work on campus, this is not guaranteed. F-1 students are not eligible for United States public assistance programs.            

Costs listed are estimates for two semesters (one academic year) and are based on a course load of 15 credit hours (usually 5 classes) per semester. Costs for classes taken during summer or break periods are in addition to costs listed below.

 Estimated Costs AY 2024-25

* based on most recent cost data 

International Scholarship 

All international campus-based applicants are considered for the LSUS International Scholarship upon submission of the Application for Admission.

                Eligibility 

• • 2.0+ overall secondary GPA, or equivalent
  • 24 ACT/ 1160 SAT
  • Limited to 8 semesters

Estimated Costs with Scholarship AY 2024-25

Scholarship Retention Requirements (to keep the scholarship each year of your program)

• • • Full-time enrolment
    • 2.5+ overall GPA
    • Must successfully earn 24+ credits each academic year

Additional LSUS Scholarships

F-1 students are eligible for on-campus work only. Available positions are posted by LSUS's Office of Career Services on the Handshake platform, which is available in the student portal for admitted students only.

Academic Works is an online portal available only to admitted students and provides a search functionality for every scholarship available at LSUS. Most of our scholarships are administered through the LSU Shreveport Foundation and are made possible by university benefactors. Many of these scholarships require more than just the submittal of documents.

Campus-based international students will apply for F-1 student visa status, unless in possession of another current visa status.

 Steps to obtaining your F-1 visa

1. Receive your offer of admission
2. Receive your I-20 form (this can only be issued after LSUS has received both your Affidavit of Financial Support and a copy of your passport photo page)
3. Apply online for your Nonimmigrant Visa using the DS-160 Form 
4. Pay the visa application processing fee (costs listed on your local US Embassy or Consulate website)
5. Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee 
6. Schedule your visa interview at your local US Embassy or Consulate
7. Attend your visa interview

F-1 student responsibilities

• Maintain valid passport
• Maintain full-time enrollment
• Obtain prior authorization before dropping below a full course of study
• Abide by US Federal Employment regulations
• Report address changes within 10 days to the International Student Office
• Report program changes (including program dates or level of study) to the International Student Office
• Notify the International Student Office of any dependents who will accompany you
• Obtain Transfer Authorization prior to transferring to another US institution
• Depart the US within the designated Grace Period

NB: This information is provided as unofficial guidance only and is subject to change without notice. Consult the US Department of State for the most accurate information.

All international students must provide verification of an adequate health and medical insurance plan, including repatriation expense protection. Below are our recommended providers, or you may wish to find another suitable policy (except athletes, who must use Gallagher). Any policy that you choose must cover health insurance (which covers hospital, medical, surgical, and major medical expenses) and evacuation and repatriation insurance.   

• Gallagher - United Healthcare  (NB: if you are a student athlete, you MUST enroll as 'International Student Athlete' with at least 'ISS Sports Basic' coverage)
• International Student Insurance (ISI)

Pilots Pointe Apartments accommodates over 300 students in luxurious studio, two-bedroom, or four-bedroom apartments. Floor plans feature spacious living areas, private bedrooms, and fully-furnished kitchens. An eight-foot perimeter fence surrounds the community with electronically controlled limited access. Amenities include an outdoor pool, sand volleyball court, and a clubhouse with a big screen TV. An academic environment coupled with an array of educational, recreational, and social programming, coordinated by an on-site residence-life staff, enhances the overall college experience for LSUS students. 

There are additional apartment options within walking distance of campus. It is highly recommended to arrange to view external accommodation in person before making any payments.

We strongly recommend flying into Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV) as it can be challenging and costly to arrange ground transportation from the closest hub airports (DFW – Dallas-Ft. Worth; IAH – Houston; or MSY – New Orleans). Since you will be unable to fly directly from your country to SHV, you will want to ensure that you allow 3+ hour connection time at your airport of arrival into the US to go through the US Port of Entry and US Immigration and Customs.

• F-1 students may arrive in the US up to 30 days before the program start date listed on the I-20 form; however, do budget for the costs of temporary housing as your housing contract may not be available to you.
• Airport Meet-and-Greet is available only on official International Arrival dates and must be confirmed by the date requested in your welcome letter.
• The International Arrival date each semester will be provided to students upon issuance of their immigration documents and is typically at least one day prior to scheduled New Student Orientation.
• Please keep the International Student Office advised of your travel arrangements and arrival.
• It is not possible to arrive after the semester begins.

Orientation

New Student Orientation is provided before each semester begins and is mandatory for international students!

• Spring 2025
  • 8 January - Airport Meet and Greet available (book by 15 December by emailing international@lsus.edu)
  • 9 January - New International Student Orientation
  • 13 January - First day of classes
• Fall 2025
  • 21 August - Airport Meet and Greet available (book by 15 July by emailing international@lsus.edu)
  • 22 August - New International Student Orientation
  • 25 August - First day of classes

• F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year, but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment:

• • • Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
    • Optional Practical Training (OPT) (pre-completion or post-completion)
    • Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT)
      
      
• F-1 students may also be eligible to work off-campus on a case-by-case basis as a result of special situations such as severe economic hardship or special student relief. 
  
  
• For F-1 students, any off-campus training employment must be related to their area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Official and USCIS prior to starting any work.