Welcome International Students
CCU desires to offer the benefits of a Christ-centered education to students from different countries around the world and invites international students to apply for admission. In order to help you through this process, we have outlined international student admissions procedures and requirements specific to international applicants. We look forward to getting to know you and serving you throughout the admission and enrollment process!
CCU's College of Undergraduate Studies is SEVIS certified, and able to issue the I-20 for F-1 student visas allowing international students to study at CCU. This does not apply to the College of Adult and Graduate Studies at CCU.
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Two-Step Enrollment Process
CCU Admissions
During the first step, you will demonstrate your academic ability to study at CCU by receiving acceptance from CCU's Admissions Office. To apply for acceptance you will need to complete the CCU Application (see Steps to Apply), including essays. You will need to submit a copy of your visa documents to the application portal. These documents are required for international students' admission. Before starting an application, please review the minimum entry standards for CCU College of Undergraduate Studies.
- 3.0 High School GPA or 3.0 college GPA (if you have taken at least 15 college credits)
- Optional for 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic years*: 22 ACT composite score or 1110 New SAT; you may also submit a CLT score. The ACT or SAT is not required for transfer students that have at least 15 hours of college credit.
- TOEFL PBT Score of 550, or TOEFL IBT Score of 80 with subject scores of: Reading – 20, Listening – 20, Speaking – 20 OR IELTS Academic Score of 6.5 with subject scores of: Reading – 6.5, Listening – 6.5, Writing – 6.5, Speaking – 6.5
- A strong spiritual recommendation
- Application essay responses
Colorado Christian University accepts CLT examination results as an alternative to the ACT. Students can utilize a concordance to source an ACT equivalent to the CLT score as a point of reference for scholarship estimation. CCU will take the highest-scored exam submitted to determine merit scholarship eligibility. NCAA regulations require that potential student-athletes must still take the ACT/SAT at an approved location to become eligible to participate in NCAA sports — CLT scores are not accepted for student-athletes.
CCU International Student Services (ISSC)
Once you receive acceptance from CCU's Admissions Office, you can move to the second step of the enrollment process. This requires you to receive clearance from CCU's International Student Services Coordinator (ISSC) before studying at the University. In order to receive clearance from CCU's ISSC, you will need to complete the following.
- Receive acceptance from CCU's Admissions Office
- Request and receive a University issued I-20 Demonstrate the financial ability to pay for one year of college and college-related expenses
Please note the priority application deadline for financial aid and scholarship consideration is April 1st for the fall semester and October 21st for the spring semester. Additionally, if you have not been accepted by June 17 for the fall semester and November 1 for the spring semester, you will not be eligible for enrollment in the corresponding semester.
Students who require an F-1 visa at CCU are eligible to enroll in all majors in the following programs: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, and Bachelor of Science. F-1 Students are approved on a case-by-case basis. Please see the nursing details below.
Apply for Admission to CCU
CCU Admission Application
Complete your Application for Admission, including essays, and pay the application processing fee.
You will need to submit a copy of your Visa documents in the application portal. These documents are required for admission purposes for international students.
Spiritual Recommendation
Request your Spiritual Recommendation from a Pastor, Youth Pastor, Youth Worker, or Spiritual Mentor. (This form cannot be completed by a family member.) After starting your application for admissions, click on the START link under Recommendation Requests. This will send the online recommendation form to your recommender.
Official Transcripts
Request official transcripts from your high school and/or any colleges you have attended. Contact one of the Evaluators of Foreign Education for evaluation of your transcripts. For high school transcripts, request the GPA be verified, and upon completion, request both the final GPA and the degree completion date to be verified. For college transcripts, request that all grades and credit totals be verified. If you are currently enrolled in classes, please request that a final transcript be mailed upon graduation or completion of coursework.
Send transcripts to:
Colorado Christian University
Office of Admission
8787 W Alameda Ave
Lakewood, CO 80226Test Scores
CCU Test-Optional Policy
CCU currently has a test-optional policy. This will allow most freshman applicants the option to be considered for admission without submission of ACT, SAT, or CLT scores. The Office of Undergraduate Admission is able to evaluate most applicants for admission with or without the use of test scores by reviewing the rigor of high school coursework, written essays, and spiritual recommendation. However, to qualify for a Distinguished Achievement or Trustees' scholarship, a standardized test score is required. See our Scholarships page for more information.
Submit Test Scores
Submit your Official ACT, SAT, or CLT test scores. CCU's ACT code is 0523, and our SAT code is 4659. To submit your CLT score, send your score directly to ccuadmissons@ccu.edu. International transfer applicants who have completed 15 or more semester hours of college coursework do not need to submit test scores.
Send test scores to:
Colorado Christian University
Office of Admission
8787 W Alameda Ave
Lakewood, CO 80226English Language Test Scores
Submit your Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score if your primary language is not English.
Send test scores to:
Colorado Christian University
Office of Admission
8787 W Alameda Ave
Lakewood, CO 80226
The Office of Admission reserves the right to request additional information if deemed necessary to make a selection decision. CCU will make an admission decision when all application materials are received, and we'll contact you within two weeks of your application submission with a decision.
If you are admitted on a student visa, you must be enrolled for at least twelve semester hours of credit. In order to work off-campus, international students must meet with the International Student Coordinator at CCU to obtain permission from the United States Immigration authorities.
For more information on financial aid for international students and searching for scholarships, visit the financial aid website. International students may be eligible for institutional financial aid and awards but are not eligible for federal financial aid.
Student Visa Requirements
After receiving acceptance to Colorado Christian University, you can follow the process of preparing for course registration by connecting with your enrollment counselor.
Please follow the listed steps and download the Process Guide for either Initial F-1 Status Students or Transfer F-1 Students.
Steps for Obtaining a Student Visa
- Beginning in Early May (for Fall start students) or Late October (for Spring start students), the International Student Services Coordinator (ISSC) will reach out to you via the email you provide in your application to begin the F-1 Visa Application process at CCU.
- The ISSC will send a welcome email with documents that are required to be returned within 30 days of receiving the email. This will include:
- I-20 Request Form (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status): This form will provide CCU with all information to be reviewed to determine eligibility to be issued a form I-20, which is required for scheduling an embassy appointment for your visa application interview.
- Verification of Funds Form: You will demonstrate your ability to support the required cost for one full year of attendance at CCU. In order to demonstrate your financial preparedness to attend CCU, you will be required to submit a notarized bank statement showing adequate funds and further guarantee the proposed funds are dedicated to the financial costs of attending CCU.
- Transfer Form (Transfer Student Only): This form will be completed by the applying student and sent to your former school's DSO or International Student Services Office. Then, your former school will return their portion of the form to the ISSC.
- When all of your required documents have been submitted to the ISSC, they will be reviewed by the ISSC to determine if you are eligible to receive an I-20 from CCU. If granted, the I-20 form will be emailed to your CCU Student Email and the personal email address you provide on the I-20 Request Form.
- If granted an I-20, you will then be responsible for paying the SEVIS I-901 fee on the U.S. Immigration website. The government requires this fee (and a copy of the receipt) in order for the student to legally cross the border into the U.S. for study purposes.
- Set up an appointment with the U.S. Embassy in your country for your F-1 Visa interview. Please note, receiving an I-20 from CCU does not guarantee that the U.S. Embassy will grant you an F-1 Visa. Receiving an F-1 Visa is required to study at CCU.
- Once you have received approval for your F-1 visa, you will make plans to travel and arrive at CCU. NOTE: New F-1 students with initial status are permitted to enter the United States no more than 30 days prior to the date that you are reporting to CCU for Weekend of Welcome. Please make arrangements to pay your student bill.
International Nursing Students
International students seeking a placement in the School of Nursing – BSN Program through the College of Undergraduate Studies will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
International students seeking a placement in the School of Nursing – BSN Program through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies please visit CAGS International Student Admissions.
International Nursing Student Elibility
Factors for determining eligibility for students in the College of Undergraduate Studies include, but are not limited to:
- Background Checks and Health Screenings:
- Background Checks: All clinical sites and the university itself require international students to undergo a criminal background check. Students must complete and pass this check before beginning clinical rotations during the junior year.
- Health and Drug Screenings: International students must meet the university’s health requirements, which include: up-to-date immunizations, proof of health insurance, tuberculosis (TB), and urine drug screening. Additionally, students must complete a Fit for Practice Exam prior to enrollment in nursing coursework.
- Employment Restrictions:
- On-Campus Employment: F-1 visa holders may work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during scheduled breaks, provided that employment does not interfere with academic progress.
- Off-Campus Employment: International nursing students are prohibited from working off campus without prior authorization from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT) may be available under specific circumstances, but these options are limited and must be approved by USCIS and the university.
- Clinical Placements: Students must ensure that their visa status allows them to participate in off-campus clinical placements, as these are essential to completing the nursing program.
- English Language Proficiency: International students must demonstrate English language proficiency through an approved test such as TOEFL or IELTS. Minimum score requirements are set by the nursing program and may vary based on specific program needs.
- TEAS Test: International students must demonstrate proficiency in science, math, English and reading comprehension through the TEAS exam, which is facilitated by ATI. It is recommended that international students take this exam prior to beginning freshman-level courses. Specific proficiency levels are listed on the University’s website.
- Licensing and Certification Considerations:
- Eligibility for Licensure: International students must ensure that upon completion of their studies, they are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Students should consult state-specific licensure requirements, as additional steps may be required for international graduates.
- Background and Immigration Status for Licensure: Some state boards of nursing may require U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency for licensure. International students are responsible for verifying state requirements and understanding any potential limitations based on their visa status.
- Post-Graduation Considerations:
- Optional Practical Training (OPT): After completing their program, international students on an F-1 visa may be eligible for up to 12 months of OPT, which allows them to work in the U.S. in a field directly related to their studies. Nursing students who meet the criteria may apply for this work authorization before or after graduation.
- H-1B Visa: Graduates seeking to work in the U.S. long-term may explore the possibility of transitioning to an H-1B visa, which requires employer sponsorship. It is the student’s responsibility to explore this option and meet the necessary criteria.
- Compliance with State and Federal Laws: International nursing students must adhere to all federal immigration laws, state nursing regulations, and university policies throughout their course of study. Non-compliance with these laws and regulations may result in academic or legal consequences, including loss of visa status or dismissal from the program.
These statements are designed to ensure that international students are aware of the requirements and considerations for studying nursing in the U.S. and can successfully navigate both academic and legal frameworks while pursuing their degree.
International Payments
We have partnered with TransferMate to provide seamless international payments through your online student account. Log into your student Self-Service account, select Make A Payment, choose TransferMate from the dropdown menu, and follow the prompts.
For more information about making international payments through TransferMate, please watch the TransferMate video for easy instructions.