International Applicants
Welcome to Champlain College, located in Burlington, Vermont, USA! We are committed to the well-being and success of our international students and exchange visitors.
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First-Year International (F-1)
Non-U.S. students who have never attended university and wish to attend Champlain College full time.
Learn More About Being a First Year F-1 Student -
Transfer International (F-1)
Non-U.S. students who have attended university and wish to transfer college credit(s) to Champlain.
Learn More About Being a Transfer F-1 Student -
Exchange Student (J-1)
For students enrolled at a non-U.S. institution and wish to study at Champlain for a semester or full year.
Learn More About Being an Exchange Student
Be an Exchange Scholar (J-1)
If you do not fit the above application types, consider applying as an Exchange Scholar. This is an invitation for guests, artists, lecturers, researchers, and/or professors looking to conduct specialized services at Champlain.
How to Apply as an Exchange ScholarApplication at a Glance
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Deadlines
Due to the lengthy period of time needed for the visa process, we recommend that you apply as early as possible and by these preferred deadlines:
International Applicant Preferred Deadlines:
- Fall Application Deadlines (arrive on campus in August):
- Early Decision: November 15
- Early Action: December 15
- Regular Decision: January 3 (following year)
- Spring (arrive on campus in January): Application decisions are rolling
For more information on Early Decision, please visit our Early Decision webpage. If your application is not completed and ready for review by these preferred deadlines, there is a high probability that you will not be able to come to Champlain for your intended semester start. Please plan accordingly.
- Fall Application Deadlines (arrive on campus in August):
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Financial Aid & Cost of Attendance
Champlain College offers generous merit-based scholarships for international students between $5,000 – $30,000 USD each year. This can significantly bring down the cost of attendance at Champlain.
Champlain College does not offer need-based financial aid or full-tuition scholarships for international students.
International students are not eligible for federal financial aid (FAFSA) or state aid programs.
If accepted to Champlain College, your application will automatically be considered for merit-based scholarships—no additional forms necessary! These scholarships are renewed annually.
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Visa Information
If you pay your deposit to Champlain College, the Office of International Student Services (OISS) will invite you to apply for a Form I-20. This will allow you to obtain/renew an F-1 student visa, which will allow you to study full-time in a degree-seeking program at Champlain College.
For more information on the visa and Form I-20 processes or services for international students at Champlain, please go to the Office of International Student Services website.
First-Year International Students (F-1)
Please apply as a first-year international student if you have never attended university. You may have completed (or are almost ready to complete) secondary school in your home country.
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1. Fill Out an Application for FREE
You can apply to Champlain College using the Common Application or the Champlain College Application. Both are free. Regardless of which you choose, all applications are considered equally. Please do not submit more than one application for admission.
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2. Send Us Your Academic Records
Academic Transcripts
Please have your secondary school upload your transcripts into the Common App or Champlain College application through Parchment or SCOIR. If you have attended multiple secondary schools, you will need to reach out to each school and have them upload transcripts for you – we need a complete picture of your secondary schooling (our equivalent of Grades 9-12). Use the following links for the Common App, Champlain App, Parchment, or Scoir.
An administrator from your secondary school(s) can also directly email scanned copies of original documents or certified copies of academic transcripts, mark sheets, grade reports, diplomas or certificates, and national standardized examination results (if available) to admission@champlain.edu. Submissions should be translated into English.
In addition to your transcripts, you must also provide any national or international testing scores at the secondary level (WAECs, WASSCEs, NECOs, Ethiopian General Secondary Education Certificate (EGSEC) / Ethiopian General Secondary Education Certificate Examination (EGSECE) with an appropriate way to verify these scores independently of yourself (electronic scratch cards, etc).
If accepted, you will be required to bring official transcripts and other documents to be verified.
Portfolio
If you are applying to the Creative Media, Filmmaking, Game Art, Game Design, or Graphic Design & Visual Communication majors, please send us your portfolio.
Portfolio Requirements -
3. Provide Proof of English Proficiency
For students whose native language is not English, proof of English proficiency is required. There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Please have an official test score report sent to Champlain College in order to be considered for direct admission to the undergraduate program at Champlain. Our school’s code for the TOEFL is 3291.
- TOEFL (paper-based): 550 (no sub score lower than 50)
- TOEFL (internet-based – iBT): 79+ (no sub score lower than 14)
- IELTS Academic: 6.5 (no sub score lower than 5.5)
- PTE: 58
- SAT Verbal: 500+
- British ‘O’ Level English Pass: A-C
- Cambridge Assessment English: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency
- Duolingo: score of 105+ required.
- Students who have been entirely educated in English are exempt.
- High school or college students who have had at least 3 years of instruction in English at an accredited U.S. college/university/high school may supply official transcripts to see if they might be able to waive the English Proficiency requirement.
If you have any questions about these tests or have taken another English language test not listed here, please email international@champlain.edu to discuss.
Important Note: The College reserves the right to request that an international student take a test to determine the student’s level of English proficiency even if the student has submitted the required documentation to waive English proficiency listed above.
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4. Letters of Recommendation
We ask for two letters of recommendation. One recommendation should be from your school counselor and the other recommendation should be from someone who can best highlight your academic potential. These letters should be uploaded into your Common Application or emailed directly to admission@champlain.edu.
Transfer International Students (F-1)
Champlain College has contracted with ECE to evaluate your university credentials. As part of the acceptance process, we will request that you sign a consent form and we will pay for and send your credentials to ECE for review, at no cost to you. Please allow 2 weeks for this process.
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1. Fill Out an Application for FREE
You can apply to Champlain College using the Common Application or the Champlain College Application. Both are free. Regardless of which you choose, all applications are considered equally. Please do not submit more than one application for admission.
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2. Send Us Your Academic Records
Academic Transcripts
A- Send Secondary School Documents
Please have your secondary school upload your transcripts into the Common App or Champlain College application through Parchment or SCOIR. If you have attended multiple secondary schools, you will need to reach out to each school and have them upload transcripts for you – we need a complete picture of your secondary schooling (our equivalent of Grades 9-12). Use the following links for the Common App, Champlain App, Parchment, or Scoir.
An administrator from your secondary school(s) can also directly email scanned copies of original documents or certified copies of academic transcripts, mark sheets, grade reports, diplomas or certificates, and national standardized examination results (if available) to admission@champlain.edu. Submissions should be translated into English.
In addition to your transcripts, you must also provide any national or international testing scores at the secondary level (WAECs, WASSCEs, NECOs, Ethiopian General Secondary Education Certificate (EGSEC) / Ethiopian General Secondary Education Certificate Examination (EGSECE) with an appropriate way to verify these scores independently of yourself (electronic scratch cards, etc).
If accepted, you will be required to bring official transcripts and other documents to be verified.
B – Send University (Universities – if there are more than one) Documents/Official transcripts/mark sheets from all post-secondary institutions attended, along with official English translations. These are required whether or not transfer credit is desired.
- University (Universities) Abroad – Please have your university (universities – if more than one) abroad send your official transcripts/marks sheets (with English translations) via email to admission@champlain.edu.
- University (Universities) within the U.S. – Please have your university (universities – if more than one) within the U.S. send official transcripts/marks sheets with English translation in one of the acceptable ways:
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- Email: admission@champlain.edu
- Common App, Champlain App, Parchment, or Scior
If accepted, you will be required to bring official transcripts and other documents to be verified.
Portfolio
If you are applying to the Creative Media, Filmmaking, Game Art, Game Design, or Graphic Design & Visual Communication majors, please send us your portfolio. View our portfolio requirements.
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3. Provide Proof of English Proficiency
For students whose native language is not English, proof of English proficiency is required. There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Please have an official test score report sent to Champlain College in order to be considered for direct admission to the undergraduate program at Champlain. Our school’s code for the TOEFL is 3291.
- TOEFL (paper-based): 550 (no sub score lower than 50)
- TOEFL (internet-based – iBT): 79+ (no sub score lower than 14)
- IELTS Academic: 6.5 (no sub score lower than 5.5)
- PTE: 58
- SAT Verbal: 500+
- British ‘O’ Level English Pass: A-C
- Cambridge Assessment English: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency
- Duolingo: score of 105+ required.
- Students who have been entirely educated in English are exempt.
- High school or college students who have had at least 3 years of instruction in English at an accredited U.S. college/university/high school may supply official transcripts to see if they might be able to waive the English Proficiency requirement.
If you have any questions about these tests or have taken another English language test not listed here, please email international@champlain.edu to discuss
Important Note: The College reserves the right to request that an international student take a test to determine the student’s level of English proficiency even if the student has submitted the required documentation to waive English proficiency listed above.
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4. Letters of Recommendation
We ask for two letters of recommendation. One recommendation should be from your school counselor and the other recommendation should be from someone who can best highlight your academic potential. These letters should be uploaded into your Common Application or emailed directly to admission@champlain.edu.
Exchange Students (J-1)
For non-degree students currently enrolled at an institution abroad who wish to study at Champlain College for a semester or a full year.
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Eligibility
In order to apply you must meet the eligibility requirements. You may apply if you:
- Are a student at one of Champlain College’s exchange partners. You will need to contact your international office to find out if you are eligible.
- Are nominated by your home institution.
- Have proof of funds to cover the program.
- Meet the English language requirements.
- Have the required health insurance for study in the U.S.
- Complete all forms/contracts by the deadlines assigned by Champlain College.
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Deadlines
- Spring (January – May): Deadline is October 1
- Fall (August – December): Deadline is April 1
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Cost of Attendance
In many exchange agreements, the cost of tuition is covered by Champlain College, but some exchange agreements differ or may cover additional items. See your home university international office for more details.
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How to Apply
Once you have been nominated by your home institution, the Director of the Office of International Student Services (OISS) will reach out to you via email with instructions on how to apply. Generally, these documents are required to complete an exchange application for Champlain College:
- Completed Champlain College Exchange Application
- Copy of your current, valid passport’s biographical page
- Proof of financial support
- Contract of Participation Form
- Proof of English Language Proficiency Form
- Statement of Health Insurance Coverage Form
- Copy of your transcript
All documents should be scanned and sent directly to Jessa Karki, Director, Office of International Student Services at international@champlain.edu.
- Additional Information
Exchange Scholars (J-1)
J-1 exchange scholars are usually visiting artists, lecturers, postdoctoral candidates doing research, or professors at Champlain. They are invited officially by Champlain College to perform specialized services (i.e. teaching, lecturing, observing, demonstrating specialized skills, etc.) for a specific time period.
This section is for those who have been officially invited by the College and are seeking immigration, arrival, orientation, and other information.
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How to Apply for Your U.S. Immigration Documents from Champlain College
Step 1: Please download and complete the Champlain College Request For Form DS-2019: Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status – For Scholars Only.
Step 2: Gather a copy of your biographical information page of your passport and copies of your funding documentation (bank statements, letters of support/affidavits, etc).
Step 3: Download and complete both the Champlain College J-1 Scholar Statement of Health Insurance and the Champlain College J-1 Scholar English Proficiency Statement.
Step 4: Scan and submit via email to the Director of the Office of International Student Services at jkarki@champlain.edu the following completed documentation:
- Champlain College’s Request For Form DS-2019: Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status – For Scholars Only
- Scanned copy of your biographical information page of your current, valid passport
- Scanned copies of your funding documentation
- Champlain College J-1 Scholar Statement of Health Insurance Form
- Champlain College J-1 Scholar English Proficiency Statement
Step 5: Wait for the Director Director of the Office of International Student Services to reach out to you to discuss with instructions.
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How to successfully get your J-1 Visa for J-1 Scholars
Now that you have been issued your Form DS-2019, the next step is to apply for your J-1 visa.
Here is how you start the visa application process:
- Pay the U.S. SEVIS I-901 fee and print out the receipt by going to this link: https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html . You will need to present this receipt at your visa appointment. This fee is required for ALL international exchange visitors who want to visit the United States.
- Visit https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/ and complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160). Print out the DS-160 barcode page and bring it with you to your visa appointment. This form is required.
- Make an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in your home country with jurisdiction over your place of residence.
- U.S. government officials require evidence to prove that you qualify for the J-1 visa.
This is what you need to have with you when you go to the visa interview:
- Original Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status
- SEVIS I-901 Fee receipt (Form I-797)
- DS-160 barcode page (confirmation page with application ID number on it)
- MRV Fee Receipt
- Valid passport (valid at least 6 months beyond intended stay)
- Two 2X2 Photographs
- Original letter of invitation from Champlain College
- Original financial documents (less than 6 months old) from your sponsors (this includes yourself).
- Official transcripts and diplomas
- Proof of ties to your home country
- Visa Reciprocity Fee (if applicable) (http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/fees/reciprocity-by-country.html)
Tips for a successful visa interview:
- Be brief and answer questions directly.
- Keep a positive attitude during the interview.
- Be ready to explain why you are going to Champlain College.
- You must convince the consul that you do plan to go back home to stay after you complete your studies. This is the number one reason for visa denial! Present documents that show you have “ties” to your home country, which will force you to return to your home country. These “ties” are usually social, economic, and/or family.
- Practice your English. You will be required to speak it.
Important notes after your visa interview:
- After your J-1 Visa is issued and before you leave the embassy/consulate, please check the visa to make sure that all data on the visa is correct. Check that your name matches your passport name and that it shows that it is a J-1 visa. If these items are incorrect, please ask for them to be fixed.
- If your visa is denied, contact Jessa Karki (jkarki@champlain.edu) with complete details of what was said and what documents you presented with your application. Please send her a copy of any written reason for the denial you may have been given.
- DO NOT plan to enter the United States earlier than 30 days before your program start date indicated on your Form DS-2019.
- Do not pack your immigration documents in your suitcase.
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What you need to know about entering the U.S. as a J-1 Exchange Scholar
We are looking forward to your arrival at Champlain College! If you follow the instructions outlined below, you should be able to enter the United States without difficulty.
- IMPORTANT! DO NOT come earlier than 30 days before your program start date indicated on your Form DS-2019.
- DO NOT enter later than the program start date without the College’s permission.
- DO NOT pack your immigration documents in your suitcase.
- Take our phone number in case of emergency: +1 (802) 318-0365 (this is Jessa’s personal cell phone number).
- All international visitors entering the U.S. by air or sea will receive a stamp in their passport – this stamp will show the date of admission, class of admission (J-1), and date that the visitor is admitted to (“D/S”). International visitors entering the U.S. by land borders (Canada and Mexico) will be issued a paper copy I-94A with a stamp showing date of admission, class of admission (J-1), and date that the visitor is admitted to (“D/S”).
- Have your documents ready to show a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer. You will be asked to show your passport, J-1 visa, Form DS-2019, financial documents, your letter of invitation from Champlain College, your SEVIS fee receipt, and contact details of Champlain College (above) when you are going through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Inspection.
- Be prepared to explain why you are coming to the U.S. The CBP officer will ask a few questions about your purpose for coming to the U.S. Please be prepared to tell him or her why you are coming to visit Champlain College.
- Check that the CBP officer properly stamped your documents before you leave the inspection area. Before you leave the inspection site when you enter the United States, please make sure that the stamp in your passport clearly reads: “J-1 D/S”. If your stamp or I-94A is missing any piece of this important handwritten notation, please walk back to the inspector at the port of entry and have them fix it immediately.
- You may be asked to go to secondary inspections. This is normal – do not worry.
- Please report to Jessa Karki, Director, ISS as soon as you arrive on campus. Please bring the following documents with you for our inspection and photocopying:
- Passport (s) with current J-1 Visa
- Original Champlain College Form DS-2019
- Your original I-94 stamp or I-94A card
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International Scholar Orientation
As a J-1 Scholar, you will be asked to attend a required International Scholar Orientation before the start of classes. The Director of the Office of International Student Services will arrange this with you before your arrival. This is a mandatory requirement of the J-1 Program and must be completed no later than the first week of employment.
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English Language Proficiency
As an international student, you will be required to show proof of English language proficiency or request a waiver. Champlain College reserves the right to request that an international student take a test to determine the student’s level of English proficiency even if the student has submitted the required documentation.
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Portfolio Requirements
For some majors, submitting a portfolio of your work is a required step in the admissions process. Your portfolio is a way to show us your unique approach to your craft! Check out our requirements to see if your major requires a portfolio!
Portfolio Requirements -
On-Campus Housing
International students are guaranteed on-campus housing all four years at Champlain College. International students are able to stay in their Residential Halls over all academic breaks, except summer break. Summer housing is only offered to students doing internships locally or are employed on-campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Location
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Champlain College is located in Burlington, Vermont, on Lake Champlain, about 156 km south of Montreal, QC, Canada. We are located 347 km north of Boston, MA, USA. The city of Burlington is home to three colleges and universities and has a population of about 40,000.
Champlain College is located about 10 minutes from the Burlington International Airport. This airport connects with New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Detroit, Orlando, and other major cities. Champlain College will provide initial airport pick-up for international students.
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Programs of Study
Champlain offers more 100 unique areas of study across its majors, minors, and concentrations.
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Cost of Attendance
Please visit Tuition & Cost of Attendance for a complete breakdown of the cost to attend Champlain College.
Have questions? Contact us!
More Inside How to Apply
First-Year Applicants
You are considered a first-time, first-year student if you are a current high school senior, have a high school equivalency diploma, or haven't attended college since graduating from high school.
Transfer Applicants
Join our transfer-friendly campus where practical, career-focused education meets a vibrant community of thinkers and doers. Continue your journey to success and transfer to Champlain!
International Applicants
Welcome to Champlain College, located in Burlington, Vermont, USA! We are committed to the well-being and success of our international students and exchange visitors.
Military & Veteran Applicants
Champlain College welcomes those who have served our country in the military and their family members. We understand your unique needs and are here to help you succeed.
Academic Requirements
We're looking for students who are as unique as our approach to education. Think we could be a match? Keep reading to find out.
Admissions Portfolio
For some majors, submitting a portfolio of your work is a required step in the admissions process; other majors offer the opportunity to submit a portfolio to support your application.
Applicant FAQs
Get answers to all your questions about applying to Champlain College! Learn about Early Decision benefits, Regular Decision deadlines, portfolio submission, and the test-optional policy.