First, please complete the International Student Application, along with the non-refundable $60 application fee (bank check in U.S. dollars or credit card — MasterCard, Visa or Discover). In addition to these, we will also need your official TOEFL score and a few other important documents. Here are some details:

Academic Transcripts
Proof of Financial Support
Transfer Authorization
A Note about Your Family Name

Academic Transcripts
We need official transcripts from all schools or colleges you have attended. If your transcripts are in a language other than English, send both the original language transcripts and their English translations.

If you are currently attending a U.S. secondary school, you must submit official, original-language records and the English translations from your previous country’s educational system, as well as any U.S. high school transcripts. MU will not accept interpretations of grades from foreign schools that have been made by a U.S. school.

Proof of Financial Support
Before immigration documents can be issued, you must submit evidence of financial support for the estimated annual expenses for the academic year in which you will begin your studies. This evidence should be on official bank letterhead and contain the specific amount of available funds; account information (account holder’s name, account number); date; and bank officer signature.

If you are financially sponsored by a relative, friend or other person, the official bank document should be accompanied by an Affidavit of Support. This form should be completed and signed by the sponsor.

Both the Affidavit of Support and the appropriate bank statement should be returned to the International Admissions office.

Keep in mind that if you are applying from outside the United States, you will be required by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to document that resources are immediately available to cover the first year’s expenses. You also must show expectation of financial support for the remaining years of your program.

If you will be attending on a government sponsorship or other outside scholarship, you need to provide an official or certified copy of the award letter issued by your sponsor. That letter should include the U.S. dollar amount (per year) of the award. Scholarship letters must state that the scholarship has been awarded for study at the University of Missouri-Columbia, as well as list the expenses covered by the award and the maximum amounts available to cover each expense (fees, books, housing, etc.).  This should also be sent to the International Admissions office.

Transfer Authorization
International students who are currently enrolled at another school in the United States will need to complete the Transfer Recommendation/Release Form (PDF) in addition to other application materials required for admission.

Please print and complete the student section of the form and submit it to the international adviser at your current institution to complete the form. Return the completed form and copies of all previous immigration documents to the International Center. This transfer form is required to complete the processing of your I-20.
Important: You must provide verification that your financial sponsor has approved the transfer.

A Note about Your Family Name
At MU, we file materials from applicants alphabetically under the family name as indicated by the applicant on the International Student Application. All forms, records, and correspondence must use the same name and spelling. Materials often cannot be matched to files when they arrive with only part of or the initial of the family name. Any variation in the spelling of your name or your sponsor’s name will cause a delay in processing your I-20 or IAP-66.