»Frequently Asked Questions for International Students

If you are not a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident (which includes green card holders and those granted refugee or asylee status), you are considered an international student at Chapman University. U.S. citizens studying outside the United States are considered domestic students.

Undocumented students are considered domestic students during the application process. Visit our Undocumented Applicants page to learn about applying and the resources available.

Yes, many! Five percent of our students are international. They come from around 60 countries, including Canada, China, France, India, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and many others.

Chapman accepts international transfer applicants from both the U.S. and abroad. Visit our Transfer Student Information webpage to learn more about transferring.

If you are going to attend college in the United States, we recommend you schedule a transfer advising appointment. To schedule an in-person or telephone advising appointment—or to reach out with any questions—call our office at (714) 744-6711 or email us: transfers@chapman.edu.

You can find the most recent test and SAT averages for admitted students on our Test Optional page. This information should help you decide whether to submit test scores with your application.

For information about the yearly cost of attending Chapman as an international student, visit our Cost of Attendance for International Undergraduates webpage.

International students are eligible for merit and need-based scholarships:

• First-year applicants are eligible for merit-based scholarships of up to $32,000 per year.
• Transfer applicants are eligible for merit-based scholarships of up to $15,000 per year.

Chapman offers limited need-based aid of up to $15,000 per year for international applicants.

Merit scholarships are based primarily on a student’s grades and test scores; additional achievements may also be considered. Merit-based scholarships are awarded at the discretion of the Admission Committee. Additional scholarships are available through individual departments. 

If you have questions about funding your Chapman education, contact intladmit@chapman.edu

Chapman is unable to waive the $70 application fee for international students.

While Chapman is able to offer merit-based scholarships and limited need-based aid, we are unable to offer full funding to international students. For this reason, international applicants must pay the $70 application fee.

Yes! The best way to find out if we will be travelling to a location near you is by filling out our interest form.

You can register for either a:

• In-person Guided Tour
• Virtual Guided Tour

If you would like to request a meeting with an admission counselor, please email us at intladmit@chapman.edu

• Use your legal (passport) name on all admission documents, including your standardized test scores. This will allow the Office of Admission to match all necessary documents to your file.
• Be aware of all application deadlines and requirements, and be sure that everything is submitted on time. Check your Application Status Page to view missing requirements.
• Regularly check the email account listed in your application for important updates from the Office of Admission.
• Review our Application Tips.

All undergraduate international applicants are required to submit an International Supplement Form as part of the application. This form will be available in your Application Status Page  after you have submitted the Common Application.

For guidance on how to prepare this form, please view the International Supplement Form instructions.

Applicants expecting to hold F-1 or J-1 visas are also required to submit financial documentation. 

For students expecting to hold an F-1 or J-1 visa, please see International Tuition and Costs for additional information on the cost of attendance.

Chapman University offers test-optional admission (for most applicants, submitting test scores is optional). For more information, visit our Test Optional page.

Yes, Chapman recognizes the rigor of the AP, IB and A-Level curriculums. Courses completed in the AP, IB and A-Level curriculums are eligible for university credit at Chapman.

Please visit our website for information on AP equivalency and IB equivalency. Chapman will award two semesters of lower-division credits for A-Level results of A-D.

All applicants who are non-native English speakers must submit proof of English proficiency.

Students graduating from secondary schools where English is the language of instruction will automatically be reviewed for a waiver of this requirement.

Students who score at least a 600 on the SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section, or a 24 on both the ACT English and Reading sections, will automatically have this requirement waived. Only official SATs or ACTs will waive the English proficiency requirement; self-reported scores will not be used for this purpose.

Transfer students who are completing university coursework in the U.S. musthave completed a transferable English course in a traditional classroom setting. Online English courses will notsatisfy this requirement. 

Chapman does not offer English Conditional Admission.

Our minimum English undergraduate requirements for undergraduate students are:

• TOEFL:  4.5 for exams taken after January 21, 2026 (and an 80 with balanced sub scores for exams taken on or before January 20, 2026)
• IELTS: a 6.5 (with balanced sub scores)
• Duolingo English Test: 120

The Duolingo English Test is an online English proficiency test that can be taken online, on-demand, in under an hour. The test is taken via a computer with a camera and includes a proficiency score, video interview, and writing sample which are shared with Chapman University when you send your results. Certified results are available within 48 hours of the test session.

Transfer students who are completing university coursework in the U.S. must have completed a transferable English course in a traditional classroom setting. Online English courses will not satisfy this requirement.

Chapman does not offer English Conditional Admission.

Chapman requires official transcripts directly from the issuing institution. Transcripts sent by mail must be in sealed envelopes. They can be sent to the following address:

Chapman University
Office of Admission
One University Drive
Orange, CA 92866
USA

Official transcripts may also be emailed directly from the issuing institution to intladmit@chapman.edu

Applicants from Chinese institutions should request and submit official transcripts directly through the China Higher Education Higher Student Information and Career Center.. Requests are processed by CHESICC and will be sent electronically to Chapman’s admission office. You will not need to submit a paper copy with your transcript. 

If your official transcripts are in another language, please have them translated by a certified English translator. The translation should be a word-for-word translation.

Once you have been admitted to Chapman and have accepted your admission by submitting your enrollment deposit, your I-20 will be issued to you.

For additional information, please visit our International Student Services webpage.