Next Steps for International Students:
APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2026 NOW OPEN!
WHO SHOULD APPLY AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT?
An international student at Hanover College is a student who will need an F-1 Visa to enter the United States to pursue their studies at Hanover College. There are two types of application processes for international students at Hanover College:
- First Time International Student: A student who has never studied in the United States before at a postsecondary level. This includes students currently studying at a university in another country.
- Transfer International Student: A student currently studying at another United States University or College that plans to transfer to Hanover College.
HOW TO APPLY & ENROLL: STEP-BY-STEP
To begin, all international students must apply for admission by February 1 of the year they intend to enroll. Applications may be completed through Hanover’s institutional form (here on this website) or through the CommonApp. In either case, students are responsible for paying a $60 USD fee.
As part of the application, international applicants must also provide:
- A copy of their passport information page,
- an English proficiency test score or waiver (see more details above),
- and an up-to-date transcript.
After all required materials are received by Hanover College, applications will be reviewed for a decision.
Upon receiving news of their admission, admitted international applicants will be required to attend a one-on-one meeting with their admission counselor to discuss next steps. These next steps include the completion of Hanover College’s financial ability and employment notice forms. Admitted applicants wishing to enroll must also provide a bank statement for proof of ability at this stage.
After completing step 2, admitted students will be provided with a financial aid award letter detailing expected costs at Hanover. These students will then be eligible to make their $300 enrollment deposit – by a deadline of July 1 – reserving their spot in the next fall class.
After receiving their Form I-20, students must make a Visa appointment with the correct consulate to receive their F1 Visa. Once the visa is procured, students must provide a copy to Hanover College by August 1. (Students who do not complete the visa process by August 1 must defer their enrollment to the next year’s fall semester, or cancel their deposit.)
Students who complete the entire process detailed in steps 1-5 will then be invited to enroll on our campus and become a Hanover College student.
ADMISSION DEADLINES
International applicants are eligible for enrollment in Hanover’s fall term, and must have completed their application by the February 1 Regular Decision deadline.
- February 1: Deadline for Application and Materials
- July 1: Deadline for Accepting Offers, Enrollment Deposit
- August 1: Deadline to Complete Visa Process
SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Merit Scholarships
All admitted international students will receive a minimum of $32,000 USD scholarship, called the HAQ Scholarship, renewable for four years.
Proof of Financial Ability
Prospective students applying for an F-1 visa are required to submit evidence of financial ability to Hanover College prior to the issuance of a Form I-20 or other immigration documents. This evidence must show that the applicant and/or sponsor has sufficient funding to cover the cost of tuition and living expenses for the entirety of their first year of studies.
- Proof of Financial Ability is only required for admitted international students.
- Proof of Financial Ability is indicated by submitting the Hanover College Statement of Financial Support Form (provided to applicants following admission)
- Current academic year costs can be found here.
APPLICATION MATERIALS
Your application for admission to Hanover will be considered when the following items have been received, along with your $60 USD (non-refundable) application fee:
- Complete application for admission on Hanover’s website on or after August 1, or via the Common App on or after August 1. All applications must be complete by the February 1 Regular Decision deadline. (Required)
- Transcripts originating from academic institutions outside of the U.S. must be translated into English. Applications submitted by international students will not be reviewed until all required materials and fees have been received, including but not limited to the transcript.
- Copy of Passport Information Page. (Required)
- English Proficiency Test Score, any of the items below will be accepted: (Required)
Accepted English Proficiency Tests
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Hanover’s school code is 1290. For registration information, please visit the TOEFL website at www.toefl.org- Minimum score: 80
- International English Language Testing Service (IELTS)
IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. For more information on IELTS visit www.ielts.org- Minimum score: 6.5
- Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
Hanover’s school code is 1290. For more information on the SAT visit www.collegeboard.com- Minimum score: 1050 (Reading/Writing 550)
- American College Test (ACT)
Hanover’s school code is 1200. For more information on the ACT visit www.act.org- Minimum score: 20
- American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Test (ACTFL)
For more information regarding the ACTFL, visit https://tep.languagetesting.com/for-test-takers/- Minimum score: Intermediate High (IH) to Advanced Low (AL)
- Global Test of English Communication (GTEC)
For more information regarding the GTEC, visit: https://gteccbt.com/user/login/- Minimum score: 336-340
- Pearson Test of English Academic or Pearson Test of English Online (PTE)
For more information regarding the PTE, visit: https://pearsonpte.com/- Minimum score: 58
- Duolingo English Test (DET)
For more information regarding the DET, visit: https://englishtest.duolingo.com/- Minimum score: 110
- International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP)
For more information regarding the iTEP, visit www.itepexam.com- Minimum score: 4.0
- The Oxford Tutorial College Certificate (TCC)
For more information regarding the TCC, visit www.oxfordtcc.co.uk- Minimum score: Level C1, B2 with interview
English Proficiency Waiver Eligibility
First, determine if you are eligible, then apply for a waiver using the link below.
You are eligible for an English Proficiency Waiver if you are from one of the following countries/territories:
- Australia
- Belize
- Cameroon
- Cyprus
- England
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Nigeria
- Northern Ireland
- Rwanda
- Scotland
- Sierra Leone
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
To apply for an English Proficiency Waiver, contact Alton Cummings at cummings@hanover.edu
If granted a waiver, you must submit the following 2 items in place of an English Proficiency Test:
- A 250-word typed essay/personal statement,
- The prompt is a free-write, meaning you can pick the topic, but usually students write about what they are interested in studying and why they wish to study at Hanover College.
- An endorsement from the Director/Principal/Counselor of your school verifying that the medium of education at the school was English.
OPTIONAL APPLICATION MATERIALS
- Personal Statement.
- Letter of recommendation from a current teacher or instructor.
QUESTIONS?
For more information, email international@hanover.edu or
connect with the international admission counselor.
