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Incoming GEP Students

Application Guide For GEP Students

This program is for GEP students coming to UCA from GEP Partner Universities.

please see the list of UCA GEP partner universities for more information.


STEP #1: Institutional Approval

Approval by the GEP student’s home university and the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) is required for acceptance to the GEP. Students applying to the UCA GEP must be recommended by the International Programs or Office of Exchange Programs at their home university.

Prospective GEP Students: Please contact the international programs or exchange program office at your home university for more information about being recommended. Completing an application or inquiring without a prior approval will NOT make you eligible to study at UCA as a GEP student.


STEP #2: Submit Application Materials

 

 APPLICATION DEADLINES:

Applications are complete once all required documentation is submitted.

Fall Admission

June 1

Spring Admission

November 1

Summer Admission

TBA

1. Online Application for GEP Admission

  • Online application link for GEP students is shared only after a student has been recommended AND his/her recommendation has been accepted by the UCA Center for Global Learning and Engagement.
  • All application materials (copies of transcript, passport, etc.) must be submitted as part of the online application.

2. Official transcript from your university, with English translation

Make sure to submit an English translation of your transcript. It does not have to be notarized.

3. Copy of the biographical page of your passport

Students are required to have a passport to travel to the United States and a copy of the biographic page of the passport is required.

4. Proof of Financial Support

U.S. Immigration Law requires that all F-1 and J-1 students demonstrate sufficient funds available for their educational expenses PRIOR TO immigration document issuance (Forms I-20 or DS-2019).

  • Undergraduate and Graduate GEP students, who will GEP package price at UCA, must provide:
    • Documentation of Financial Resources (bank statement from within last six months that shows ending balance as indicated in the GEP Cost of Attendance which was sent to your home university.
    • Financial Support Statement.

5. Proof of English Proficiency

Please take a look at this page for minimum requirements of English language proficiency and submit your test results at the time of your application. For GEP students who don’t meet the English proficiency standards, they will take Intensive English Program courses.

 


STEP #3: Apply for a J-1 Exchange Student Visa (How to Apply for a Visa Guide)

& Make Your Travel Arrangements

  • Complete the form DS-160, online nonimmigrant visa application. You will receive a confirmation of successful submission. Print this confirmation as you will need to bring your confirmation page with your application ID number on it in order to have your application retrieved. You must bring the confirmation page with you during all phases of the application process.
  • Pay the DS-160 application fee. Bring proof of this payment to your visa interview.
  • Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee. For information on how to pay, see the www.fmjfee.com website. Bring proof of this payment to your visa interview.
    • NOTE: Your SEVIS number is located above the barcode on your DS-2019 document.
  • Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate at which you wish to apply to confirm whether you need to be interviewed by a consular officer, and to schedule an interview. If the embassy or consulate at which you apply informs that you must have a visa interview, the visa application process cannot be completed until you appear for an interview with a consular officer. Schedule a visa interview.
    • To find the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your area, please visit: www.usembassy.gov
    • You should also check the visa wait times before making travel arrangements. You can find visa wait times at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html
  • Make your travel arrangements; plan to arrive at UCA campus before the check-in date indicated on your admission documents.

 STEP #4: Arrive at UCA and attend the MANDATORY International Student Orientation

UCA Center for Global Learning and Engagement provides transportation to the UCA campus from the Little Rock National Airport. To request transportation, please complete the International Arrival Form. In addition, we offer many other types of assistance and support services to new and currently enrolled international students and scholars, including, but not limited to: orientation, information and assistance with immigration regulations, housing assistance, social and educational programming.

If you cannot find the answers to your questions on the website, or for other assistance, please contact your admission counselor directly.