International First-Year Students

Complete and submit Western’s Online Application for the desired term you would like to begin your studies. All requirements can be mailed or emailed at admissions@western.edu.

There is no application fee for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Official Secondary/High School Transcripts – “Transcript” refers to a course list, grade list, mark book or other document detailing classes and grades.

Submit an official transcript in English from the last high school/secondary school attended. A transcript is considered “official” only if imprinted with the issuing institution’s official seal or is a certified true copy. If transcripts are emailed or faxed by the applicant, the DO NOT count as official. Electronic copies from the school are acceptable, but they need to be sent to admissions@western.edu.

If the student has taken college or university classes, please refer to Transfer Students. Official high school transcripts must be submitted by transfer students only if you have less than 24 U.S. equivalent credit hours of college-level coursework.

If a student is from a country where English is not the primary language, the student must submit ONE of the following:

• TOEFL IBT: 70
• IELTS: 6
• Duolingo: 105

Merit scholarships are available to students who meet certain US GPA equivalencies. These equivalencies are as follows:

• US GPA of 3.35 to 3.749: $8,000
• US GPA of 3.75-3.99: $9,000
• US GPA of 4.0: $10,000

For additional scholarships apply using our scholarship portal.

Western Colorado University and the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement require that admitted students planning to enter the U.S. on an F-1 (student) visa provide proof of financial support before immigration documents (I-20) can be issued. Proof of the ability to cover the first year’s educational costs, living expenses and other miscellaneous expenses must be made available to the University.

You will be contacted by Western’s SEVIS Coordinator regarding required documentation for your visa application process once you are accepted to Western.

All documents appearing in a language other than English must be accompanied by certified English translations.

Some of the documents required include:

• Affidavit of Support form (provided by SEVIS Coordinator)
• A letter of financial support and bank statement showing sufficient funds to cover the first year of study.
• A photocopy of the applicant’s passport listing official name, birth date, etc.
• If the applicant is in the U.S., a photocopy of the visa and I-94 on which the applicant entered the country.
• Original documents, including bank statements, are required once the student gets to campus, copies will be accepted for initial certification.

Send materials to:

Western Colorado University
Attn: Laurel Becker
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231

Fax: 970.943.2254

Email: lbecker@western.edu

Important Offices and Contact Information

International Admissions Counselor – Vadood Ziroki, vziroki@western.edu
Visa and Visa Status Inquiries – Laurel Becker, lbecker@western.edu
Residence Life & Housing – reslife@western.edu
Financial Aid Office – finaid@western.edu
Disability Services – disabilityaccommodations@western.edu