To apply as a freshman, a student may not have attempted or completed any college or university-level coursework. Students with college-level coursework must apply as a transfer student.
Steps when applying:
1. Submit an online application for the term you would like to begin. Students must indicate the major they wish to pursue in order for an I-20 to be issued.
2. Submit a copy of student’s passport information page proving a valid passport.
3. Submit complete secondary school records reflecting a cumulative grade of 75% (2.5 GPA equivalent) or higher. Transcripts that are not in English or in a 4.00 grade scale should have an official evaluation and translation of the secondary school record. Services such as ECE, WES, SpanTran or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. International Education Consultants are able to complete both an evaluation of the GPA as well as translation if needed.
Access an EKU specific form and discounted rate for Josef Silney (PDF, 277 Kb).
To expedite EKU’s receipt of your evaluation, you may opt to utilize SpanTran, a NACES approved transcript evaluator.
4. Submit an official copy of student’s high school diploma or graduation certificate (if applicable).
5. Provide a declaration of finances showing an account balance of no less than $39,604 USD in the form of a bank statement with a letter of authorization from the account holder. These documents must be no less than six months old from the date classes are set to begin. If student is sponsored by their home government or another entity, please include a letter indicating the awarding of such scholarship.
Note: The declaration of finances for a student seeking an Aviation – Professional Flight degree must reflect $52,604 USD to cover the additional program costs.
6. Submit a demonstration of English language proficiency. For standard admission, students may demonstrate proficiency by one of the following means:
- TOEFL score of 530 (paper-based), 195 (computer-based) or 71 (internet-based) with no band score below a 16.
- IELTS scores of 6.0 overall with 5.0 or above in EVERY subject/skill category.
- Duolingo English Test with a score of 95 or higher.
- Japanese students may submit the EIKEN test with a passing score of Pre-1.
- ACT English 18 and ACT Reading 20
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading/Writing 510
- Successful completion of the ELS Level 112 Intensive English program in the United States. (See below for details.)
Note: Students seeking an Aviation – Professional Flight degree are required to demonstrate FAA Aviation English Language Standard (AELS) Proficiency Rating Scale at the Operational Level 4. Students are required to attain this standard before acceptance of a student pilot application or issuance of a student solo endorsement. Additional details are available in FAA AC 60-28B.
Countries Exempt From the English Language Requirement:
Ireland – UK – Australia – New Zealand – Canada (Except Quebec)
Commonwealth Caribbean – Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago
ELS Center – English Language Study
International students who would like to study English in the U.S. prior to attending EKU to meet our English Proficiency standard may apply to study English at an ELS center. They can apply to EKU through the ELS program and if they meet all of the admissions standards with the exception of English Proficiency, they will be offered a Conditional Letter of Admission (CLA).
Priority Admission Deadlines
Summer Session: May 1st
Fall Session: August 1st
Spring Session: December 1st
International Undergraduate Scholarships*
First Time Freshman
Kentucky high school graduates will receive in-state tuition rates which are renewable with continuous spring/fall term enrollment. They will also be automatically reviewed for EKU Merit Scholarships.
ELS students: Students that complete the ELS Level 112 Intensive Certificate are eligible for the EKU Out-of-State Tuition Discount.
Students may apply for EKU Foundation Scholarships after they have applied and been accepted.
* ‘Sponsored students’ are not eligible for scholarships.