International Admissions

An international applicant is any student who requires an F-1 student visa to study in the U.S.
 

• Create your account on the MySFBU Applicant Portal.
• Complete the online application for your intended degree program.

• Scan and upload a PDF of your official documents based on the checklist provided below:

  • Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions. We accept electronic transcripts sent directly from the issuing institutions or an original hard document issued by the institution. Any translated version must also be attested by the institution or the Ministry of Education.
    • A high school/college cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.5 or above is recommended.
    • Lower CGPAs may require an interview with the Academic Team. A GPA below 2.0 does not qualify for admission.
       

  OR

  • General Education Development (GED): SFBU recognizes the General Educational Development (GED) tests and accepts the GED graduates.
    • A GED score of 456 or above meets the minimum score requirement. Lower scores may require an interview with the Academic team.

  
   

Once the SFBU Admissions Office receives your complete online application and supporting documents, the application undergoes a formal review. The committee reviews your application and takes the following steps:

• Examines if you meet the admissions criteria and/or if you need to submit additional documents
• Determines if you need an admission interview
• Follows SFBU’s credit transfer policy to determine transferable credits
• Generates an Admissions Evaluation Report/Study Plan
• Prepares an admissions acceptance package upon acceptance, which includes:
• President’s welcome letter
• Dean’s welcome letter
• Admissions checklist
• Enrollment confirmation letter
• SFBU scholarship award letter (if applicable)
• I-20 document for international student (if applicable)
• Transfer letter for international transfer student (if applicable)
   

International students who are currently enrolled at another U.S. high school, college or university are “transfer-in” applicants. In addition to the required admissions documents above, transfer-in students must provide:

• Your visa and most recent I-94
• Your current university I-20

Any students who are currently in the United States on any one of the following non-immigrant visas (e.g., A2, B1, B2, F2, H1B, H4, L1, L2) are “change of status” applicants. In addition to the required admissions documents above, change of status students must provide:

• Your visa and most recent I-94

Yes, here is more information:

Required Documentation

• Official Transcripts from all previously attended institutions. Electronic transcripts sent directly from the issuing institutions are accepted.
• Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a member of National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE) or American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO).
  • We require a general analysis with GPA credential evaluation.
  • We accept an electronic copy sent directly from the credential evaluation agency or an original hard document issued by the credential analysis agency.
• Evidence of English proficiency for non-native English speakers (any one of the following):
  • An official IELTS (Academic) , TOEFL (iBT), TOEFL Essentials, iTEP Academic, PTE Academic, Duolingo, or Cambridge B2 First test score report. Minimum scores are as follows:
    • IELTS (Academic): 5.5
    • TOEFL (iBT): 59
    • TOEFL Essentials: 6.5 band
    • iTEP Academic: 3.7
    • PTE Academic or PTE Academic Online: 50
    • Duolingo: 100
    • Cambridge B2 First: 168
  • An English assessment report from a few U.S. English language institutions recognized by major universities in the U.S.
  • A high school diploma earned or a for-credit English course passed at an institution located in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada
  • A high school diploma earned at an institution in which the language of instruction is strictly English. Applicants from the following countries meet this criteria:
    • Anguilla
    • Antigua & Barbuda
    • Ascension
    • Australia
    • Bahamas
    • Barbados
    • Belize
    • Bermuda
    • Botswana
    • British Virgin Islands
    • Canada (except Quebec)
    • Cayman Islands
    • Dominica
    • England
    • Eritrea
    • Gambia
    • Ghana
    • Gibraltar
    • Grenada
    • Guyana
    • Ireland
    • Jamaica
    • Kenya
    • Kiribati
    • Lesotho
    • Liberia
    • Malawi
    • Mauritius
    • Namibia
    • New Zealand
    • Nigeria
    • Papua New Guinea
    • Saint Helena
    • Saint Kitts & Nevis
    • Saint Lucia
    • Saint Vincent & The Grenadines
    • Scotland
    • Sierra Leone
    • Singapore
    • Solomon Islands
    • Swaziland
    • Tanzania
    • Tonga
    • Trinidad & Tobago
    • Tuvalu
    • Uganda
    • Wales
    • Zambia
    • Zimbabwe
• Financial Support Documents
• Your passport

Provide a recent financial support document indicating a minimum amount of $40,000 available to pursue your studies in the first academic year at SFBU (any one of the following):

• A current bank letter and bank statement
• A loan letter from a lending institution
• Copies of fixed deposits

An affidavit of support or sponsor letter is required if the funds are not in your name. Upload the financial support document and sponsor letter into a single PDF document

San Francisco Bay University offers an exclusively in-person learning modality. All courses will be conducted on campus, as we believe this format best supports engagement, academic excellence, and relationship-building.

This decision reflects the university’s commitment to delivering a learning environment where students can benefit from:

• Face-to-face interaction with faculty and peers within small classroom sizes

• Hands-on learning, including off-site excursions and live activities 

• A stronger sense of belonging within the Bayhawk community

• Greater academic structure and focus

We understand that flexibility is important. Please note that synchronous online learning will still be available in limited, approved cases, such as medical accommodations or temporary disruptions like COVID-19.