International Students

Welcoming, Diverse and Culturally Rich

Chicago, the United States' third largest city, is one of the most important cultural and artistic cities in the world. The School of the Art Institute is located in its vibrant downtown. You will feel right at home in a city that regularly hosts over half a million college students from around the world.

Our campus, comprised of nine buildings, is in the middle of Chicago's tourist district, just steps away from Millennium Park, miles of lakefront, the city's museums, and a luxurious stretch of shopping better known as the Magnificent Mile. 

Like many cities around the world, Chicago has an easy-to-navigate public transportation system that includes a subway, elevated trains, and buses that will bring you out to experience any of our 77 culturally diverse neighborhoods. Unlike U.S. coastal cities, Chicago is a very affordable place to live.

As you explore, you'll find that our city is very welcoming to young creatives through pop-up spaces, apartment galleries, and artist collectives, which often co-exist with centuries-old cultural institutions and established galleries. And, of course, as the birthplace of the skyscraper, we are known for our architecture. Beyond the arts, Chicago is a foodie's paradise, a music lover's Nirvana, and, if you don't know who the Cubs and the Bears are now... you will.

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The Art Institute of Chicago is the school's museum and it holds the third-largest collection of art in the world. TripAdvisor ranked the Art Institute of Chicago as the top museum in the world- the only museum to be top-ranked four years in a row, and "Best of the Best" for 2022!

International students are reviewed for merit-based scholarships during the admissions process. No additional application is necessary.

International students are eligible to work on-campus up to 20 hours per week during the Fall and Spring semesters, and 40 hours per week during the Summer and Winter sessions, without authorization from our International Affairs office. International students may not be employed off-campus unless authorized by an international student advisor (this includes unpaid and volunteer employment).

Students may review job listings at the careers and internships website, and apply directly to each office.

A listing of international scholarships and informational websites is available on the SAIC International Affairs website under Financial Resources.

Alternative/private loans are available to international students who can secure a co-signer who is a US Citizen or Permanent Resident and is considered creditworthy by the lender. Students may find helpful information on understanding the alternative/private loan process at finaid.org, or edupass.org. Students are encouraged to check with their home country for student loans before applying for alternative/private loans.

The Office of International Affairs is highly experienced in supporting the needs and interests of students from diverse cultural backgrounds. We will assist you in meeting new friends, connecting to the community, and adjusting to a new culture. Our goal is to help turn Chicago and SAIC into your home.

Services we provide:

• Orientations for new students held prior to each semester
• Assistance with visas, pre-arrival and arrival concerns
• Workshops on topics ranging from immigration regulations to resources for achieving academic, financial, and personal goals
• Advice on Optional Practical Training after graduation

International Affairs
Phone: 312.629.6830
Fax: 312.629.6831
Email: intaff@saic.edu