International Student Services
The Trinity Office of International Student Services (OISS) at provides support and programming for international students.
We assist members of Trinity’s international community with admissions, visa procedures, complying with U.S. immigration policies, and with the many challenges of living and studying in a different country.
The primary purpose of this Office is to develop awareness, understanding and appreciation of cultural differences within the Trinity community by providing cultural adjustment assistance, advising about academics, personal and career matters.
The Office of International Student Services is open to all Trinity students regardless of race, gender, age, creed, religion or ethnic background.
The OISS also coordinates programming for the following two initiatives:
- English Language Programming for Speakers of Other Languages: Trinity provides supplemental academic support to students for whom English is not a first language.
- International Organization of Trinity, which is a student club whose mission is to develop awareness, understanding and appreciation of cultural differences within the Trinity community.
Admissions Process for International Students
To apply for admission to Trinity, candidates must present the following documentation:
- Application and Fee: A completed, signed and data application, accompanied by a $40.00 non-refundable application fee payable by personal check, money order or cashier’s check to Trinity.
- Transcripts: Original or certified educational documents of high school transcripts and degree, university transcripts and mark sheets. All international applicants must submit official transcripts for evaluation by an accredited agency such as the World Education Services (www.wes.org) or the American Association of Collegiate Registrar’s and Admissions Officers (www.aacrao.org). Please ask for a course-by-course evaluation.
- Personal Statement: Applicants may choose to write about his/her future ambitions, goals, a special talent or unusual interest that sets him/her apart from peers, or how an education from Trinity will advance the candidate personally and professionally.
- Recommendation Letters: The applicant must provide two letters of recommendation from a high school teacher, college professor or current employer.
- TOEFL: Official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language must be submitted directly to Trinity by ETS (Educational Testing Services) if a) English is not an official language in your country, b) you have not earned a college/university degree in the U.S., or c) you are not currently enrolled in a degree program in the U.S. Trinity’s TOEFL code is 5796, and a minimum of 550 (CBT = 213) is a must.
- Official PRAXIS I test results (Master of Arts in Teaching candidates only): The PRAXIS I examination, administered by ETS measures reading, writing and mathematical skills vital to all teacher candidates. All M.A.T. applicants must pass this exam prior to admission. For more information on the PRAXIS I examination, or to register for an upcoming test date, please visit www.ets.org.
The Immigration Form I – 20 needed to obtain the F-1 / Student Visa will be issued only to applicants that:
- Are admitted to Trinity.
- Demonstrate sufficient funds to cover expenses for at least one academic year. Proof of financial responsibility, which includes an official bank statement for the first year of study, along with a letter of sponsorship from the Sponsor. Applicants with sponsors in the U.S. will have to fill out and notarize the Form I-134, and send that along with a letter of sponsorship.
- Have paid the $100.00 enrollment fee.
Note: All international students must pursue a full course of study (a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester for undergraduate students and 9 credit hours for graduate students). Failure to adhere to this INS requirement for F-1 students may jeopardize your legal non-immigrant status.