International First-Time Students | Colorado Mesa University

Colorado Mesa University welcomes first-time undergraduate international students to apply for admission. You are considered a first-time international undergraduate student (freshman) if:

You are a non-resident who has or will be seeking an international student visa,
AND
You have completed or are completing high school/secondary school,
AND
You have never attended college after high school graduation.

Each student's application will be carefully reviewed for consideration. All international students seeking direct admission to CMU must meet certain academic standards and submit documentation as outlined in the admission requirements below.

Admission and visa deadlines:

To ensure adequate time for processing applications, the visa application/interview process, as well as time to prepare for travel, secure on-campus housing and a course schedule, international student applicants must:

Be fully admitted and have been issued an I-20 by May 1 for the Fall semester (August-December) or October 1 for the Spring semester (January-May). Exceptions to this reviewed only on a case-by-case basis. Contact us with questions.
Have a visa appointment secured by August 1 for the Fall semester and January 1 for the Spring semester (not applicable to Canadian citizens).

Applicants who do not meet the above criteria must defer their application/admission to the next available semester.

International Student Admission Requirements

All supplemental admission documents should be uploaded to the CMU applicant portal.

Complete the online Application for Admission for the desired semester you would like to begin your studies.

Pay the $40 non-refundable application fee. Payments are made online through the application system.

Optional admissions documents:

The SAT or ACT test is optional but recommended. First-time students who have not taken this test may be required to take placement exams with Colorado Mesa University's Testing Center before registering for math and English classes. This ensures that students are placed in the correct level of courses.

Submit a transcript in English from the last (or current) high school/secondary school attended.
For admission review, an official or unofficial transcript may be submitted.
At the time of enrollment, a final and official transcript must be submitted.
- A transcript is considered "official" only if imprinted with the issuing institution's official seal or is a certified true copy; or is mailed or emailed by the school directly to the university.
An applicant with college or university classes should refer to the requirements for Transfer Students. Official high school transcripts must be submitted by transfer students only if less than 24 U.S. equivalent credit hours of college-level coursework have been completed.
High-achieving students with a U.S. equivalent GPA of 3.0 or higher qualify for the CMU International Student Merit Scholarship, valued at $4,500 per semester/$9,000 per year.
Official transcripts may be emailed directly from the secondary/high school to [email protected].
Physical copies of official transcripts should be sent to the following address:

Colorado Mesa University

Attn: International Student Admissions

1100 North Avenue

Grand Junction, CO 81501 USA

If a student is from a country where English is not the primary language (certain exceptions may apply), the student must submit one of the following to fulfill this requirement:

TOEFL	Internet Based	Minimum Score: 70
	Note: Subject score minimums apply to Reading and Writing
IELTS	Minimum Score: Band 6
	Note: Subject score minimums apply to Reading and Writing
DuoLingo	Minimum Score: 105
	Note: Scores must come directly from DuoLingo to count as official; subject score minimums may apply
Oxford ELLT	Minimum Score: 6	Discount code available upon request
All Other English Proficiency Tests	Evidence will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Any costs associated with a proficiency exam is the responsibility of the applicant.

Upload to the CMU applicant portal a photo of a valid passport.

Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility) Requirements

All applicants must submit proof of funding. Documents should be uploaded to the applicant portal.

Applicants must show proof of funds to cover at least the estimated expenses to both live and study in the U.S. for one full academic year. Please submit proof of funding with a valid bank statement(s). If an applicant has more than one source of funding, an official bank statement for each person/source must be submitted. A financial bank statement is only "official" if it is on organization letterhead with the amount clearly displayed. Other or additional documentation may be accepted and reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Expenses will vary based on credit hour enrollment, living arrangements, major, marital status and lifestyle. Applicants who are married or that have dependents must submit an additional $5,000 for a spouse and $4,000 per child.

Students who qualify for the International Student Merit Scholarship (see information under International Student Admission Requirements), may deduct that amount from the total proof of funding requirement.

The chart reflects the average cost of attendance and living expenses for a full-time undergraduate student during the nine-month academic year. These are estimated expenses.

2024-25 Estimated annual cost of attendance for undergraduate programs:
Tuition/fees (average of 30 in-person credit hours over two semesters)*	$26,918
Residence Hall & Meal Plan Average*	$13,159
Personal Expense Average (includes an estimated $100/mo for health insurance)	$4,000
Books & Supplies Average	$1,500
Total	$45,577
*charges billed by the university Note: The CMU-CU Boulder Mechanical Engineering Partnership Program has a different tuition structure. Learn more about the engineering program.

The Statement of Financial Support shows how the student's education and living expenses are to be financed over the course of study.

Each sponsor who submits a bank statement must also submit a Statement of Financial Support and have it notarized by a public official or notary who verifies the signature of the person signing the form. Applications cannot be processed until proof of adequate funding is demonstrated.

Finalizing Your Enrollment

Anytime during the admissions process but before registering for classes, students must:

Colorado State law requires college students born after January 1, 1957 to show proof of two measles, mumps, and rubella immunization shots. Students will upload proof of vaccination online after receiving admission. More information on immunizations.

Detailed information about health insurance and coverage is provided after admission.

If notified by the Office of International Student Admissions of the need to provide a tuition deposit, please see the International Payment Policy for more information and payment instruction.