International Student Information

Applicants to Iliff living outside the United States should consult denominational leaders in their home countries before applying to Iliff. Such leaders can provide guidance regarding special denominational requirements and optimal places of study to prepare for the distinctive ministry in their home countries. Applicants for admission to the Master of Divinity degree program must obtain formal endorsement by their denominational headquarters before their applications can be processed.

In addition, candidates for all master’s degree programs must have received a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from a college or university accredited by an agency acceptable to Iliff. Please see the section on entrance requirements for a description of other admission criteria which include:

English Language Proficiency Requirement

Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting the required minimum score on one of the following tests taken within the past two years. 

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Internet test (iBT): 90 or higher
• Computer test (cBT): 230 or higher
• Paper test (pBT): 550 or higher
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• 5 or higher

If you have studied at a high school, college, or university in a country where English is the native language then you may be eligible for a waiver of the English language proficiency requirement. Contact your Admissions Representative for more information.

Credential Evaluation of International Transcripts

All applicants who attended a college or university outside of the United States must send their official transcripts to a recognized NACES agency, click here for a full listing, for a course-by-course evaluation of all university work completed. Once the evaluation is completed, a copy of the report must be sent to the admissions office directly from the evaluating agency.

 Recommended providers:

• Educational Credential Evaluators
• International Educational Research Foundation
• Josef Silny
• World Education Services

Since the evaluation process may take several weeks to complete, please start the application early and pay close attention to the priority deadlines of your desired program.

Demonstrated Financial Support

In order to receive an I-20 form, which will allow you to apply for an F-1 or J-1 student visa, accepted international students (including students living in Canada and Mexico) must demonstrate ability to pay for tuition, fees, books, supplies, health insurance, and living expenses for one year of study at Iliff School of Theology. Funds may come from any dependable source, including scholarships, fellowships, sponsoring agencies, personal funds, or funds from the student’s family. Documentation of personal or family funds should be on official bank letterhead stationery, be dated within the past six months, be from an individual bank account and show funds that are immediately accessible and transferable. Credit card statements, business accounts, property value documents, solvency statements, statements of income, and insurance policies may not be submitted as sources of financial support. If you are receiving financial support through an outside scholarship or sponsoring agency a recent copy of your support letter is required stating the amount of support and duration of the award. Photocopies, faxes, and scanned documents are accepted. It may be wise to get several sets of original financial documents. Review our current cost of attendance here: Financial Information

Please note, off campus housing must be obtained if you enroll in an on-campus program. The estimated cost for lodging is included in the cost of attendance.

Limited scholarships and funding are available to help international students in the master’s degree programs. Consequently, it may be necessary to limit the number of master’s level students coming from outside the United States who will require financial aid from the School.

International students may bring spouses and/or dependent children with them only if they assume all responsibility for their family’s financial support. The applicant must furnish documentation of ability to support his or her family financially during the entire stay at Iliff prior to the issuance of the proper paperwork (I-20 or DS-2019) for a Visa. In some cases, master’s students may be required to deposit with the Business Office a School-approved guarantee of return passage upon arrival.

Passport Identification 

International applicants are required to provide a photocopy of the identification page of their passport. The name and date of birth on your application for admission must match those listed on the identification page of your passport. If the name on your admission letter, I-20 form, and passport do not match, you may have difficulty during your student visa interview or when you enter the U.S.

Financial Support for United Methodist International Students

United Methodist students from outside the United States should contact their local Crusade Scholarship Committee or the General Board of Global Ministry for financial assistance. Students from other denominations should investigate comparable financial assistance in their own denominations.