Florida Memorial University welcomes hundreds of students from around the world annually. Whatever your reason for applying or transferring to FMU, you’ll find lots of students like yourself on campus.
Florida Memorial University is the academic home to students from 35 countries across the globe. As an international student at FMU, you will have access to world class academic resources and a supportive campus community. Our international students play an integral role in contributing diversity in thought, opinion and experience within the academic and social setting. Our international recruiter and international student advisor advocate are an important part of the support system designed to help you succeed. Our local Miami Gardens area is very culturally diverse with access to beaches, local attractions and the South Florida culinary experience.
All transcripts/academic records that are not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations.
To be considered “certified,” documents should be true copies that are signed and dated by an educational official familiar with academic records. Any translated record should be literal and not an interpretive translation. Documents signed by a notary or other public official with no educational affiliation will not be accepted.
If the transcript/academic record does not indicate the degree earned and date the degree was awarded, separate proof of degree is required.
All transcripts/academic records that are not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations.
To be considered “certified,” documents should be true copies that are signed and dated by an educational official familiar with academic records. Any translated record should be literal and not an interpretive translation. Documents signed by a notary or other public official with no educational affiliation will not be accepted.
If the transcript/academic record does not indicate the degree earned and date the degree was awarded, separate proof of degree is required.
Applicants should submit official or certified copies of all secondary school records and/or examination results. All credentials from non-U.S. institutions must be evaluated by a foreign credential evaluation agency to include a U.S. equivalent grade point average. FMU recommends a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, (NACES). All academic records must be issued in the native language and be accompanied by a certified English translation. Review more information regarding NACES members, fees, and services.
All transcripts/academic records that are not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations.
To be considered “certified,” documents should be true copies that are signed and dated by an educational official familiar with academic records. Any translated record should be literal and not an interpretive translation. Documents signed by a notary or other public official with no educational affiliation will not be accepted.
If the transcript/academic record does not indicate the degree earned and date the degree was awarded, separate proof of degree is required.
Applicants should submit official or certified copies of all secondary school records and/or examination results. All credentials from non-U.S. institutions must be evaluated by a foreign credential evaluation agency to include a U.S. equivalent grade point average. FMU recommends a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). All academic records must be issued in the native language and be accompanied by a certified English translation. Review more information regarding NACES members, fees, and services.
Official English Language Proficiency results are required of all international applicants whose native language is not English. The following are the minimum scores required for admission to the University, although some departments require higher scores at the graduate level:
These scores are considered official only when they are sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the testing agency, and are not valid after two years.
Florida Memorial University is required by U.S. federal regulations to verify the financial resources of each applicant prior to issuing the Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 or DS-2019). If granted admission to the University, an email with instructions on how to complete the online Declaration of Finances form will be sent from the Office of Admission. You will provide information verifying your financial support (bank statements, award letters, scholarships, etc.). FMU requires proof of financial support for each year of study and demonstrated availability of funds for the length of your academic program.
U.S. federal grants and loans are not awarded to international students. However, student may be eligible for institutional scholarships. Funding is limited and qualified applicants must apply by the priority deadline of December 1st of each academic year to be eligible for awarding.
What is Curricular Practical Training?
CPT is a type of practical training authorization that allows qualified F-1 students to gain practical experience in their field of study while making progress towards the completion of their academic program.
CPT is a practical training that is performed for academic credit (part of the school curriculum and commensurate to degree level) AND that is required as part of the academic plan or program curriculum from ALL students in the program.
This includes:
Eligibility
VERY IMPORTANT: Internships without authorization and without any linkage to a course that carries credit are considered a violation of your F-1 status and your I-20 might be terminated due to unauthorized employment even if the internship is unpaid.
Other considerations regarding CPT:
A violation of these rules may lead to the termination of your immigration status.
Apply for CPT
What is Optional Practical Training?
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a period during which undergraduate and graduate students with F-1 status are permitted by the USCIS to work towards getting practical training to complement their field of studies once they have completed their program of studies.
“Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion). However, all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT.” (from USCIS)
To learn more about OPT, you can visit the OPT information section on the USCIS Website.
UPDATES ON OPT REQUEST SUBMISSION- NOW ONLINE!
On 4/12/2021, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) can now file their form I-765 online if filling under the pre-completion, post-completion and the STEM extension categories. FMU International Affairs provides all the instructions and steps below. Please follow all the steps carefully- this submission is your responsibility and any mistake or omission on your part may cause your process to be denied. Please be aware that International Affariswill provide courtesy advise once you have received the endorsed I-20 which we will provide.
Learn About New USCIS Flexibilities for Some OPT Applicants
Eligibility
Students are allowed to apply in their last semester of study 90 DAYS prior to the end of their last semester in their program and up to 60 DAYS after completing their program.
In order to be eligible for OPT, F-1 students must:
This is a time line that shows all the steps within the OPT process, from application to completion. These steps are crucial for a successful and uneventful OPT experience! PLEASE take them into account ALWAYS!
IMPORTANT: DO NOT apply online for OPT with USCIS until you have received the Form I-20 with the DSO recommendation. Filing without endorsed I-20 may get your application denied.
USCIS is the agency that will be processing your application and it is your responsibility to comply with all application requirements.
Step 1- PREPARE YOUR DOCUMENTS
90 days before your last day of class
1-Apply for Graduation
Please visit the University Registrar to apply for graduation. It is your responsibility to monitor your progress toward graduation and ensure you will graduate this semester. If this requirement has not been met, your new OPT I-20 will not be processed.
If you suspect that you may not graduate, you MUST contact the DSO immediately and take action to request an extension of stay before program end date.
Step 2- SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST TO the DSO FOR ENDORSED I-20
Step 3-APPLY ONLINE WITH UCSIS
VERY IMPORTANT: Instructions on how to submit Form I-765 online:
All FMU students will submit this application ONLINE. To file online you will need to set up a USCIS online account. Please visit the following USCIS website to set up your account: https://myaccount.uscis.gov/
As you move through the application you will be prompted with the documents required to apply. Please have the following documents ready to upload:
VERY IMPORTANT: For detailed instructions on how to submit Form I-765 online, please visit: USCIS Online Filing Webinar: Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, for F-1 Students Seeking OPT
The following guidelines relate to the most confusing parts of the form and are offered as a courtesy only.
Please consult an immigration attorney if you are unsure about any aspects of the USCIS online application.
Step 4-Additional OPT Information
While on post-completion optional practical training (OPT), you will continue to be in F-1 status.
Step 5- OPT REPORTING Information
When you get a job
If you change jobs:
Very important!
Non-immigrant students must remember to report employer information related to Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Without this information, students could be viewed as having failed to obtain employment and potentially be considered out of status for exceeding permissible periods of unemployment while participating in OPT.