Undergraduate International Student FAQs

Students whose native language is not English must submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), PTE Academic or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Students may self-report their scores in the following ways:

• On their application for admission
• Via email at admissions@rit.edu
• From your school/college counselor via mail or email

Admitted students will be required to submit their official scores once they choose to enroll at RIT.

All admitted students scoring in a conditional admission range will be tested by RIT's English Language Center upon arrival at RIT. The results of this testing will determine if English instruction for non-native speakers will be required before a student may begin academic courses. RIT also offers conditional admission where students can integrate English Language studies with their academic program.

If your scores fall below the conditional admission range, you may apply for English Language Center admission directly.

Note: When completing the information for the TOEFL score report, please include RIT's institutional code of 2760 so that your scores arrive at RIT's Admissions Office.

TOEFL/PTE Academic/IELTS is not required for applicants from the following countries:

International scholarships will be awarded to highly qualified first-year and transfer applicants. All applicants are considered for merit scholarships, which are renewable with a 2.8 or higher RIT grade point average. First-year international applicants are strongly encouraged to submit SAT or ACT results for review. Merit-based scholarship awards are only offered upon admission to RIT.

RIT offers need-based scholarships for international undergraduate students. To apply for need-based grants, students must complete the College Board CSS Profile for International Students, Canadian Student Financial Aid Application, or the RIT International Student Financial Aid Application (RITISFAA) and submit it to RIT by uploading to your admissions portal. 

• When completing the Canadian Student Financial Aid Application, please upload a scanned copy of your financial aid application to our Secure Document Upload.
• When completing the College Board CSS Profile, enter code 2760 on your CSS Profile application to have your Profile information sent to RIT.

An international student scholarship (if awarded) may be based on merit, need or a combination of both. Full tuition scholarships are not available. 

If you have completed your most recent studies outside of the US and have demonstrated adequate resources to cover the entire cost of attending RIT, an I-20 will be sent with your acceptance letter.

Students who are awarded merit or need-based scholarships may use scholarships awarded as part of the documentation of support. The total support, which may include the merit or need-based scholarships if applicable, must total at least $70,000 USD in order for RIT to issue the I-20 or DS-2019 forms necessary to apply for a student visa.

If you will begin your studies at RIT within 5 months of attending a US secondary school, college or university, you will be asked to complete a SEVIS Transfer form with the assistance of your International Counselor.

Once we receive the SEVIS Transfer form, an acceptable Declaration of Financial Support and bank documentation, and you have sent RIT a non-refundable $500 enrollment deposit, your SEVIS record will be transferred from your previous school to RIT and an I-20 will be sent to you.

Canadian applicants should also follow the instructions above. However, Canadian applicants can apply for other forms of need-based financial aid (grants and work study) offered by RIT. It is not necessary for Canadian applicants to submit a Declaration of Financial support with their initial application. Upon acceptance, a Financial Aid application for Canadian Students will be sent to you. Once this is completed and returned to RIT, you will be considered for financial aid. Once your financial aid package has been offered, you will need to submit a Declaration of Financial Support and bank documentation showing adequate funding for the difference between the total cost of attendance for one year and your financial aid offer. Once this financial documentation has been provided, an I-20 will be issued to you.

Deaf and hard-of-hearing test takers do not need to take the listening and speaking sections for the TOEFL and IELTS. Scores from these sections will not be considered in the review of application materials because the listening/speaking components of the TOEFL and IELTS sections are not relevant for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.