Introduction:

Niagara University (NU) is a small, private university located in Western New York State about five miles from the city of Niagara Falls, New York, on the border of the United States and Canada.  It is serviced by both train and air:

Buffalo Airport – 30 minutes from campus

Toronto Airport – 90 minutes from campus

Niagara Falls Amtrak train – 10 minutes from campus

New York City to Buffalo Airport – 60 minutes by air

New York City to NU – 8 hours by automobile

Bus service is available from both the Buffalo and Toronto Airports.

Student Body:

There are 3000 students studying for four year degrees (undergraduate) and about 900 students studying for advanced (graduate) degrees.  The university offers degrees through four divisions:  The College of Arts and Science, the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management. 

Applying for Admission:

This school is authorized under Federal Law to enroll nonimmigrant students.

In order to be considered for admission to NU, you must complete the following:

An international application and $30 fee

Submit a TOEFL score if English is not your native language

If your credentials are from a U.S. or Canadian institution, you may submit them directly to Niagara University.  However, if your credentials are from any other country, you must contact a Credential Evaluation Service and submit your Secondary School Documentation and/or Results and any college transcripts to the agency for review and subsequent submission to NU .  Your credentials will NOT be reviewed without an outside evaluation.

You may use any of the following credential agencies at the following web sites:

• World Education Services – www.wes.org
• Educational Credential Evaluators – www.ece.org
• Josef A. Silny & Assocs. – www.jsilny.com

Your application will be evaluated once all of the above documentation is received by the Office of Admissions, Bailo Hall, Niagara University, New York  14109.  All decisions are released on a rolling basis, however, early application is encouraged.  International applicants admitted to the university must apply for an I-20 document from Niagara University’s Records Office.  See “VISA/I-20 Documents” section below.

Application Fee

A non refundable application fee of $30 is required with each application.  The fee is payable to Niagara University and should be paid by check or money order in U.S. dollars.  Do not send any currency.

Official Academic Records

Applicants with foreign academic credentials must use a credential evaluation service before their application will be reviewed for admission.  Please refer to the information in the Applying for Admission section for the names of credential agencies.

English Language Proficiency

Non-native English speakers seeking admission to Niagara University must verify their proficiency in English by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):

VISA/I-20 Documents

International students entering the United States for the purposes of attending university must secure a passport from their government and a student visa from a U.S. Consulate.  To apply for a student visa from the U.S. Consulate, a passport and Certificate of Eligibility (form I-20) is necessary.   International must apply for the form I-20 from Niagara University’s Records Office.  The I-20 application can be accessed at www.niagara.edu/international .   An I-20 will be issued to students upon acceptance to the university and upon submission of the required I-20 application with the appropriate documentation (financial, English proficiency, copy of passport).  Students must provide proper financial support.  Be prepared to provide financial documentation in the amount of $33,300 for immigration purposes.   Unfortunately, NU is not able to provide financial assistance of any kind to international students.   The I-20 is to be used with your visa (if you are granted one), passport and other documentation to enter the United States.  If you plan on moving a spouse and/or children to the U.S. while you study, please indicate that on your I-20 application.  Your dependents will need to enter the US in F-2 visa status and will not be permitted employment of any kind. 

International applicants must furnish a photocopy of the I-94 record and their visa stamp upon arrival on campus.  In addition, international applicants holding F-1 status and who are currently in the United States must furnish a copy of their current I-20.  All F-1 students must complete the International student check in process at the Records Office within the first week of every semester.

A visitor’s visa (B-2) is not appropriate for students intending to study in the United States, unless the U.S. Consulate has designated the visa holder as a “prospective student”.  If this designation is not on the visa, it is extremely difficult to change status to F-1.  Further information may be available at the U.S. Consulate in your home country.

Certification of Funds:

Non-immigrants currently holding or intending to seek an F-1 (student) visa must provide proof of financial resources available during their studies at Niagara University.  (see “VISA/I-20 documents” above)

International Student Services

The university is appreciative of the contributions of international students.  The university office of Multicultural and International Student Affairs is committed to enhancing the collegiate experience for each member of the Niagara Community, especially its international students.  Student organizations and clubs include:  Bienvenidos, International Students Inc., Each One Reach One, Joshua’s Generation, and Heavenly Sounds Gospel Choir.  Events are presented throughout the year and may include panel discussions, presentations, live performances, and workshops.  Off campus excursions are also planned throughout the school year.

Accommodations

Housing and dining facilities are available on campus.  Most students live in multi-story, residence halls and can select either a single or double occupancy room.  Each floor houses either all males or all females.  Showers and lavatories are located on each floor.  There is a main dining hall that offers a variety of foods, and also a “snack” bar that offers food such as pizza, tacos, sandwiches, and burgers and fries.

Weather:

Niagara University has diverse weather patterns throughout the year.  In spring  (March to May) temperatures range between 45 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (F) with cool breezes.  In summer (June through September), the sun warms the temperatures to 80-90 (or higher) degrees.    October through November brings cooler temperatures again ranging from 40 to 60 degrees F, and December through February months bring cold temperatures that can be as low as 1 degree up to 35 degrees F as well as snow and winter storms.

Terms and Costs

Niagara University operates on two semesters or terms per year:

Financial Aid Assistance

Although no financial aid is available directly from the university, the following list of web sites may provide information on financial aid resources:

www.finaid.org/finaid/focus/itl-stud.html

www.nafsa.org/students.sec/financial_aid_for_study

www.finaid.org

 PART TIME CANADIAN COMMUTER STUDENTS:

On August 27, 2002, the Immigration and Naturalization Service announced new regulations regarding part time commuter students to serve the educational interests of students living in communities within commuter distance of the border.

The interim rule allows Canadian students to study on a part time basis at schools located within 75 miles of the United States Border.

To qualify for the classification described above, a student must:

• Be a national of Canada who maintains an actual residence in Canada
• Be attending a school located within 75 miles of the border
• Be matriculated (be accepted in a degree program) in a full course of study.  A full course is defined as leading to attainment of a specific educational or professional objective albeit on a part time basis
• Seek admission to the United States at a land border port of entry
• Present Form I-20 endorsed to reflect the student is registered as a “border commuter student in a full course of study on a part time basis only to the end of the current semester or term.

Students must re-apply for the Form I-20 each and every semester they intend to study.  A border commuter student is subject to all requirements applicable to the F-1 nonimmigrant classification including providing proof of financial support.