Information for International Students

Join a Creative Community in a World-Class City

From its top-tier facilities and creative community to its location in the culturally rich city of Chicago, it's easy to see what makes SAIC stand out as one of the best art and design schools in the US. See why students from around the world choose to make SAIC their home.

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International Students & Community at SAIC

International students have been an integral part of the SAIC community since our founding in 1866, and now our 3,300+ student body includes those from 80 countries. Our diverse faculty, visiting artists, and international students combine to provide a rich, global perspective around creative expression and dialogue—all at one of the world’s top ranked art and design colleges.

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Connect with Our Admissions Team

We are thrilled that you are considering joining our vibrant, global community of artists and designers. Navigating the logistics of studying in a new country can feel like a big undertaking, but we are here to support you every step of the way.

Want to learn about your next steps as an international student? Connect with our team by calling 312.629.6830 or emailing us at intaff@saic.edu. You can also visit our Meet SAIC page for upcoming international admissions events and opportunities.

If your high school diploma(s), certificate(s), or transcript(s) are in a language other than English, please include officially translated transcripts. We recommend students consider and use credential evaluation services that are members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
US residents and international students whose first language is English or are attending US-accredited high schools abroad, or who have studied in an English-language school for 4+ years or earned 12 or more semester hours of college credit from an English-language university are not required to submit ACT, SAT, or language assessment scores. If you believe your scores provide additional insight into your academic abilities, please feel free to submit them.
International students who do not meet the above criteria need to submit a language assessment from any of the following and must meet the designated minimum scores:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):
Pre-January 2026: minimum 82 Internet Based
January 2026 and later: 4.5
TOEFL Essentials: minimum 9
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): minimum 6.5
Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic): minimum 55
Duolingo: 110
* For the Bachelor of Arts in Art History degree, a TOEFL IBT score of 5 or equivalent is required.
Test scores may be sent directly to us by selecting our school codes when taking the test.
SAIC's ACT Code: 1136
SAIC's SAT Code: 1713
SAIC's TOEFL Code: 1713
Email ugadmiss@saic.edu or mail scores to:
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Undergraduate Admissions
36 S. Wabash Ave., suite 1201
Chicago, IL 60603

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Merit Scholarships

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

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Working on Campus

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 Student 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.

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Additional Scholarships

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

Loans

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.

Visa Application Process

Our International Student Affairs team will help guide you through the immigration process, every step of the way. The two most common types of visas for our students are:

1. The F-1 Student Visa, which is used by most students.

2. The J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa (Student Category), which is designed for non-privately sponsored students, such as those whose funding comes from their government, the Fulbright Commission, or those who are SAIC exchange participants.

While Canadian citizens also enter as F-1 students on SAIC-issued immigration documentation, Canadian students are exempt from the actual visa application process.
The US government requires that all international applicants provide SAIC with evidence of your ability to pay a full year of tuition and living expenses before a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) may be issued. To apply for your I-20, you will need to prepare the following documents:
Completed immigration and financial matters packet
Bank statement showing a full year of available funding
Copy of your passport biographical page
International declaration of intent
Learn more about immigration and visas on the International Student Affairs website.

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Your Support Team on Campus

The Office of International Student 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 and 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

Learn More About Our Team