New Students

Interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree at Sacred Heart University? Your first step is applying! Visit Undergraduate International Admissions to learn more.

Interested in pursuing a graduate degree at Sacred Heart University? Your first step is applying! Visit Graduate International Admissions to learn more.

If you are an F-1 student planning on transferring to Sacred Heart University and have been accepted, download the SEVIS Transfer Form and have your International advisor at your current school complete it and email it to us at OIIS@sacredheart.edu. 

If you seek to transfer academic credits to Sacred Heart University, follow the instructions provided on our transfer credit evaluation page.

Take a virtual tour of our beautiful campus and explore the interactive map.

• Initial Form I-20
  • Must be endorsed at the bottom of page one by both a Designated School Official (DSO) and the student.
  • This I-20 will say “Initial Attendance” on the first page.
• Valid Passport:
  • Must be valid at least six months into the future at the time of admission.
• Valid U.S. Visa
  • Does not apply to Canadian citizens
  • All other international travelers need to have a valid visa in their passport issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate.
• Receipt from paying the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) I-901 Fee.

• The University requires your health care provider to complete health forms to comply with Connecticut State Law regarding student immunizations. For more information, visit the Heath Services website.
• Failure to submit your health forms and immunizations will result in a block on your account and prohibit you from registering for courses.
  

Sacred Heart University offers full-time and part-time English as a Second Language (ESL) courses on our Fairfield campus during the day, evenings and on weekends. Visit the ESL website for additional information.

Education USA can help you prepare for your educational experience in the United States. Education USA centers are the U.S. State Department‘s network of over 400 advising centers in 170 countries designed to assist local students in finding the appropriate college or university in the United States. We encourage you to visit your local center for information on selecting the U.S. college or university that meets your needs, understanding and preparing for the required admissions tests, assistance in the admission process, advice on finding financial aid for your studies, preparation for the student visa process, and pre-departure orientations.

While studying at Sacred Heart, you must use your University email address for any correspondence and updates. Once enrolled and attending, all email communication must be done using this account.

Follow the instructions on the Activate Your SHU Email Account webpage to set up your account and allow at least 24 hours for activation.

Now that you are here in the US, you must travel to campus. Here is a link to the University’s transportation page with many options that are available or recommended to use.

 Transportation Information

• Reporting your U.S. address and phone number is part of maintaining your legal status in the U.S. and must be done within 10 days of moving
• To update, students must log into the Student Planning & Advising (SPA) website
  • Updating Your Information in SPA

• All students are required to attend an orientation session prior to the start of their first semester. Our primary goal at orientation is to assist students and their families with the transition to attending and experiencing Sacred Heart University.
• As a new student at SHU, you will have questions. We designed orientation around you, helping to uncover the answers to the questions you have and providing you with information about campus resources, programs and services. Orientation is an opportunity for you to learn how to navigate Sacred Heart University and introduce you to the SHU community.
• You will meet with student leaders and staff at the mandatory international student meeting during orientation. They will help you navigate campus and set up essential technology. They will also guide you through activities as well as answer your questions about life at SHU.

To better support international graduate students during their transition to life and study at Sacred Heart University, students will be enrolled in the Graduate Year Experience (GYE-500) course in their first semester. This course aims to familiarize students with the University’s support services, offer a structured support system and lay the foundation for academic and professional success at Sacred Heart and beyond.

Rooted in Sacred Heart University’s mission to educate the whole person—mind, body and spirit—while advancing social justice, the GYE-500 course promotes a holistic approach to student development. It acknowledges the unique challenges international graduate students face upon arrival and addresses the urgent need for a more comprehensive and guided support framework. By focusing on cultural and academic transitions, enhancing English and communication skills, and building career readiness, the course equips students with the tools they need to become confident, active learners. It empowers them to develop essential skills early on, helping them succeed in their academic programs and prepare for future careers in their respective fields. The discussion topics are organized in the following clusters: Transition to Life in the U.S., Academic Culture and Expectations, Mastering Effective Communication for Academic and Career Success and Career Readiness.

With the course being offered in person in a cohort model, in addition to providing students with practical knowledge and skills to better prepare them for academic success in their programs at Sacred Heart, the course will further provide a platform for students to establish a peer support system and develop connections with their classmates while going through a shared experience of cross-cultural transitions to the new cultural, social and academic environments together. The course is free of charge and offered through Graduate Student Life.