Academic Programs

Admissions

Tuition & Financial Aid

Student Experience

Undergraduate On-Campus International Students

Cornerstone University students represent more than 30 countries. Our students have a drive and passion to serve the global church and deeply value the perspective each international student brings. No matter where you are from, we are all part of God’s kingdom.

Admission Deadlines

Admission Item to CompleteWithout an F-1 VisaWith an F-1 Visa or Canadian Citizenship
ApplicationApril 1June 1
Submit Transcript(s) for EvaluationApril 15July 1
Submit English Proficiency Test ScoresApril 15July 1
Application AcceptanceMay 1July 1
Complete the Declaration of Finances FormMay 1July 1
Pay Enrollment DepositMay 1July 1
Obtain F-1 Student VisaAugust 1N/A
Pay Health Insurance FeeAugust 1August 1
Jump To:
01

Apply Online

Submit your Cornerstone application or Common App.

As part of our admissions requirements, applicants should have a high school grade-point average of 2.5 or higher, as determined by the U.S.-based grading scale.

We do not require a recommendation letter for admission consideration.

Please keep in mind that it can take several months to complete the entire admissions process. We recommend applying as early as possible for the semester in which you intend to enroll so that you can stay on track with the required deadlines listed below.

If you miss the application deadline, you must submit a new application for the following academic year (fall semester start).

We are not currently accepting international applications for the Spring 2024 or Summer 2024 semester.

02

Submit Transcript(s) for Evaluation

After your application is submitted, begin working on submitting your educational record(s) immediately. Please plan accordingly, as some evaluators take several weeks to process your records.

High School evaluations must include records for at least three years of study.

High School Grade-Point Average Requirement: 2.5 or higher

Outside of the U.S.

If you are attending or have attended a high school and/or university outside of the U.S., your transcript(s) must be officially evaluated by one of Cornerstone’s approved evaluators if course instruction was not completed in English.

Be sure to follow the directions on the approved agency website, as requirements may be different for each country.

Cornerstone University requires a course-by-course evaluation or detailed evaluation.

These evaluators will then calculate a U.S. based GPA to be used for your admissions review. Organizations should send your evaluation directly to Cornerstone University one of two ways:

  • Email: immigration@cornerstone.edu
  • Sealed envelope by mail: Cornerstone University, Attn: Admissions Office, 1001 East Beltline Ave. NE., Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Evaluations will only be accepted if received directly from one of the approved evaluators.

You are responsible for any costs and fees associated with transcript evaluations and submissions.

Within the U.S.

Official university transcripts from a U.S. based high school and/or university must be sent to Cornerstone University by the institution you attended. These transcripts do not need to be evaluated by one of our approved evaluators.

You are responsible for any costs and fees associated with transcript evaluations and submissions.

03

Provide English Proficiency Test Scores

TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores must be submitted to demonstrate your proficiency in the English language if you are from a country where English is not listed as an official language.

Results from the approved testing organizations are valid for two years. If your test results are older than two years, you must take the test again.

  • TOEFL: A 550 written or 80 internet-based minimum score required.
  • IELTS: A minimum score of 6.5 required.
  • Duolingo: A minimum score of 105 is required.

You are responsible for any costs and fees associated with test score submissions.

If you are a student currently attending high school in the U.S., your language test score may be waived if your high school guidance counselor submits a letter verifying your English proficiency.

Please mail test score results to the following address:

Cornerstone University
Attn: Enrollment Management
1001 E Beltline Ave NE
Grand Rapids MI 49525
United States

04

Application Review

Following the submission of your application and all supporting documents in steps 1-3, your information will be reviewed.

You should allow at least four to six (4-6) weeks for an admission decision to be made once you have submitted all required documents and have followed all processes and procedures required for an admission decision.

Admissions decisions will be communicated via email, so be sure we have your most up-to-date contact information.

05

Complete the Declaration of Finances form

Once you have received acceptance to Cornerstone University, please fill out the Declaration of Finances form. The International Student Declaration of Finances form is evidence of your financial resources to cover the cost of attendance.

Proof of financial ability to study in the United States is required by the U.S. government. For more information, please visit the U.S. Homeland Security website.

This form should only be completed by accepted students.

Declaration of Finance forms will not be accepted after the deadline.

06

Pay Your Enrollment Deposit

If you are admitted to Cornerstone, a $200 deposit is required after being accepted to the university. This ensures a spot for you in the upcoming semester and will reserve your housing and academic registration.

Pay Your Deposit

07

Immigration Process | Deadline: Aug. 1

A Designated School Official (DSO) will work with you to begin immigration paperwork after you have been admitted to Cornerstone, are financially approved and have paid your $200 enrollment deposit.

Please note that you need a valid passport to study in the U.S. We encourage you to contact immigration@cornerstone.edu to discuss the best way to send Cornerstone University a copy of the ID page of your passport or to begin the necessary paperwork to obtain or renew your passport.

To ensure a successful transition to college, Cornerstone University’s policy states that visa appointments must be completed by Aug 1.

Note: F-1 visas for new students can be issued up to 365 days in advance of the start date for a course of study. Because many places may have long appointment wait times, it is recommended to schedule visa appointments as soon as you have been admitted to Cornerstone and financially approved. Contact immigration@cornerstone.edu if you have any questions.

Full instructions for obtaining your F-1 visa are available at Travel.State.Gov.

08

Pay Your Health Insurance Fee |
Deadline: Aug. 1

Once you have obtained your visa, an additional $1,350 is required to be paid to Cornerstone. This amount will be applied toward your health insurance coverage, which is required by the U.S. government.

Pay Your Health Insurance Fee

At Cornerstone, I feel at home. The quality education and the community life here equip me to be the man that God wants me to be.

Silvio Rodriguez (’21)

Things to Know

Admission Requirements

Please send these supporting documents to the Admissions Office in addition to your application:

  • High school transcripts (minimum of three years and a minimum 2.5 GPA or higher).
  • University transcripts, if applicable.
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Test System (IELTS) or Duolingo examination scores: International students who are not from an English-speaking country are required to demonstrate their proficiency in the English language by submitting their TOEFL scores. The test should be taken within one year of the application date.
  • TOEFL: A 550 written or 80 internet-based minimum score required.
  • IELTS: A minimum score of 6.5 required.
  • Duolingo: A minimum score of 105 is required.

Exchange Programs

Application to this special program, sponsored by Cornerstone and Handong Global University or CHE, is restricted to enrolled students of either institution. Interested students should contact the appropriate university representative for proper application instructions. This exchange program is a non-degree program and, in most cases, is limited to one term of enrollment at the host campus. If you would like additional details, contact the Admissions Office by email at admissions@cornerstone.edu.

College Athletics

If you plan to play collegiate athletics, you must also use the InCred evaluation service through the NAIA.

International student-athletes must complete the following steps:

  • Register with InCred.
  • Enter their PlayNAIA ECID# into the InCred registration.
  • Link their PlayNAIA and InCred accounts by clicking on the “Link your InCred Account” task via their PlayNAIA profile.

Additional Resources

View the external resources below to learn more about studying in the United States and financing your college education.

External Financial Aid Opportunities

Resources & Guides

Connecting With Campus

We want to help you connect with campus from wherever you are! Join our student community on the ZeeMee app to meet others interested in Cornerstone and find out more about what it’s like to be a student here. You can even watch campus videos created by current CU students!

Download ZeeMee

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