Students Whose First Language is Not English

The University encourages applications from a diverse population and recognizes that for some prospective students English is not their first language. Through the admission evaluation process, the University may determine that, although students are academically prepared for college course work, their knowledge of and skills in written and spoken English are not sufficient for participation in college level classes.

Applicants who may be included in this group are foreign nationals, U.S. citizens who were educated abroad, lawful permanent residents who were educated abroad, or other individuals from a country outside the United States but who reside in the United States. In such cases, non-native English speaking applicants to Rockford University will be granted provisional admission to Rockford University pending verification of the following:

• The student meets the specified grade point average requirement for admission (undergraduate admission requires a 2.65/4.0 or greater for first-year applicant; 2.3/4.0 or greater for a transfer applicant).
• The student has submitted all additional materials outlined above to the school.
• The student’s TOEFL score is below the accepted score of a 77 (Internet-based test), the IELTS (academic version) score is below the accepted 5.5 band score, or the student cannot provide Rockford University with a TOEFL score for unique reasons.
• Declaration of a major.
• F-1 and J-1 visa applicants must provide proof of financial support by furnishing the financial documents listed in the proof of financial support section above.

As a provisionally admitted student, she or he will be required to begin her or his studies at the appropriate level of Rockford University’s ESL program.** The student’s provisional status will be removed when she or he matriculates into course work for academic credits towards a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree after the following stipulations have been met:

• The student has successfully completed her or his required studies in the English as a Second Language program at Rockford University.
• The student has provided the school with an official and appropriate TOEFL or IELTS score.
• The student has met any other pending admissions requirements for her or his degree level program.

** F-1 visa holders will be provided with an I-20 for Language Training which will be eligible to be changed in SEVIS to a degree level I-20 upon completion of Rockford University’s ESL program and/or completing all requirements listed above.

IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations.