Future International Students

Financial Verification Form

Instructions

• Financial Support Verification Form (Fillable Template) – Print and fill this form out as prompted. The form explains what is needed from each section. This document tells us how much money you are required to be sponsored for to complete your degree, based on degree plan and number of dependents. Additionally, it will tell us who has agreed to sponsor you during your time at Southwestern Seminary.
• Sponsor Letter (Individual and Church/Organization) – These documents correspond with Section III of the Financial Support Verification Form. It is a signed and notarized document that provides assurance of your sponsors intentions of supporting you. Each of these documents must be paired with a bank statement showing proof of funds.
• Transfer of Funds – Additionally, each sponsor letter must have attached to it a transfer of funds which details how each sponsor plans on sending you the funds over the course of your time at Southwestern Seminary.
• Degree Length Information – This document does not need to be filled out but is your reference to use as you figure out how much funds you need to pursue your education.

Proof of Foreign Residency

To assist with the visa interview process, international students must provide documentation demonstrating residency and established ties to their home country. These documents help verify your foreign residence and may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Recent telephone or utility bills showing your foreign address
• A government-issued residence permit or identity card
• An official letter from government authorities verifying your residence
• A signed and notarized letter from parents or guardians confirming that you reside with them
• Mortgage statements, rental agreements, or rent receipts connected to your foreign residence
• A letter from a foreign bank, on official bank letterhead, confirming:

• • Your foreign residence address
  • Your bank account number
  • The date the account was opened, demonstrating an established banking relationship

Providing clear and current documentation will help ensure a smoother visa application and interview process.

International Transcript Evaluation

If you have earned a degree outside of the United States, your transcripts must be evaluated and translated into U.S. educational terminology as part of the admissions process. To help make this process simple and reliable, we recommend using The Evaluation Company for your credential evaluation.

Please note:

• All official international transcripts must be evaluated before your application can move forward for admission consideration.
• Degrees earned within the United States do not require transcript evaluation.

To start the transcript evaluation process, follow the link HERE.

English Proficiency Test

International applicants to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary must submit proof of English proficiency through either the TOEFL or IELTS examination. Both exams are available online and may be completed without visiting a testing center. Additionally, students may partake in the English Language Institute (ELI) partnership with Dallas Baptist University (DBU).

Please note that the seminary no longer accepts the Duolingo English Test.

Accepted Exams & Minimum Scores

TOEFL

• • • Bachelor’s / Master’s Programs: 4–4.5
    • ThM / Doctoral Programs: 5–6

IELTS

• • • Bachelor’s / Master’s Programs: 6.5
    • ThM / Doctoral Programs: 7.0