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Admission Policies

Information may be obtained from the Office of Enrollment Services and the HSU website. Applicants will submit the following:

  1. Application: Application for undergraduate admission may be submitted online from the HSU website, https://www.hsutx.edu/admissions/.
  2. Official High School Transcript: A transcript sent directly from the high school or accredited home-school program indicating graduation date. (No high school transcript is required of a student transferring at least 24 semester hours to HSU from post high school enrollment in an accredited junior or senior college.)  The student’s academic ranking within his/her class should be indicated on the transcript. Tentative approval can be granted upon receipt of a three-year transcript. (Unaccredited home school programs see G.E.D and Tentative Admission Status.)
  3. Entrance Examination Scores: All entering freshmen must indicate on their application whether they wish for their application to be reviewed with or without test scores (test optional). Freshmen who indicate that they wish to be reviewed with test scores must submit scores on either the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test of the College Entrance Examination Board (SAT) or the Classic Learning Test (CLT). It is the responsibility of the student to see that these scores are reported to the Office of Enrollment Services. (Scores are not required of transfer students with 24 or more transferable hours from an accredited junior or senior college.) Test optional students may be required to take placement exams before registering for classes to determine appropriate entry points for some coursework.  
  4. Admission Notification: After the University has received all materials, the applicant will be notified promptly concerning admission. Under certain conditions, tentative approval may be granted subject to a final decision to be made after the application process is complete. All materials submitted for admission purposes become the property of the University and will not be returned to the student.

Enrollment

Following admission approval students may pre-register for classes at designated times or by appointment. Prior to registration, all new students will pay an Enrollment Deposit of $300. The deposit is non-refundable after May 1 prior to the upcoming fall semester. (Short Term/Transient status exempt).

Housing and Health

Admitted students may make online housing requests after they have received admission approval. For details, refer to the Student Life section of this catalogue.

Texas legislation requires that every new student enrolling in a Texas college or university submit documentation of Meningitis Vaccination, regardless of residency status. Vaccine must have been received no less than 10 days prior to attending class. Exemptions include students enrolled in online or other distance education, or students 22 years of age or older. Any exceptions must be approved by the Vice President for Student Life.

Unless living at home with parents, all unmarried students under age 21 taking more than six semester hours , are required to live in a residence hall and to eat in the campus dining hall until the completion of four long semesters. (A long semester is equal to a fall or spring semester.)

Tutoring and Special Services

HSU provides all students with tutoring services through the Academic Center for Enrichment (ACE) and/or particular academic departments at no charge. Students with learning disabilities will be encouraged to take advantage of these services. In addition, HSU will provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services, which reasonably accommodate learning disabilities. However, HSU does not offer separate degree plans for a program of remedial instruction designed for students with learning disabilities. Any person who has been accepted for admission to the University and who wishes to disclose his or her learning disability should complete the application process with the Office for Students with Disabilities.

A student who makes a disclosure of a disability has the legal responsibility to request any special accommodations in a timely manner, allowing reasonable time for the University to respond. The student has the additional responsibility to provide the institution with appropriate current (within a three-year period) documentation of the disabling condition. Completion of the required documentation is necessary in order to allow the University to determine reasonable accommodation of needs.

Students with disabilities admitted to HSU will be expected to meet the same academic and behavior requirements that are expected of all students at HSU.

International Students

All undergraduate applications that are not U.S. citizens, or do not posses a permanent residence card, must complete the following information and submit the following items to be considered for admission as an international student to Hardin-Simmons University:

  1. An Undergraduate Admission Application. Application for undergraduate international admission may be submitted online from the HSU website: https://www.hsutx.edu/admissions/international
  2. Submit Official Transcripts in English. Transcripts must be original documents or clear photocopies of all academic work attempted (secondary and postsecondary).

    a. If transferring from a university outside the U.S, students will need to submit an official international credential evaluation to HSU.

    b. HSU does not require an international transcript evaluation for applicants who are transferring to HSU from a U.S. based university.
  3. College Entrance Exam Test Score. Entering freshman international students must indicate on their application whether they wish for their application to be reviewed with or without test scores. International students that wish to be reviewed with test scores must submit scores on either the SAT, ACT, or CLT exam. 

    Minimum satisfactory college entrance exam test scores are:

    a. SAT – 1030
    b. ACT – 20
    c. CLT – 66

It is the responsibility of the student to see that these scores are reported to the Office of Enrollment Services. Freshman or transfer students with more than 24 college credit hours are not required to submit college entrance exam test scores for international admission.

  1. English Proficiency Exam Test Score. International Admissions to the university requires the international student to demonstrate the English language proficiency needed to succeed in their college study in the United States. English language proficiency is achieved by meeting one of the following criteria:

    a. Minimum satisfactory score on one of the following English proficiency exam tests:

    i. TOEFL – 79
    ii. IELTS – 6.5 (may not have a band lower than 5)
    iii. Duolingo – 100
    iv. PTE (Pearson Test of English): 58
    v. CAE (Cambridge English: Advanced): 176

    b. International student completed at least 1 year and graduated from a U.S. High School with a 3.0 GPA in non-ESL classes and 12th Grade English.

    c. International student completed at least 2 years and graduated from an International High School that is regionally accredited in the U.S.

    d. International student is from one of the following English speaking countries: Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Guyana, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos, United Kingdom, Virgin Islands.

    e. The English proficiency requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Enrollment Services department for students who previously studied in the U.S., completed a U.S. regionally accredited ESL program, or completed other secondary or post-secondary academic programs that were instructed in English with satisfactory scores. International students may be interviewed and tested by HSU staff to demonstrate they have the English language proficiency needed to succeed in their college study in the United States.
  2. Statement of Purpose. Submit a one to two-page essay explaining the purpose for college study in the U.S. and why the international student would like to study at HSU.
  3. Immigration Requirements. In order to study in the United States, international students must complete the following immigration requirements in order to obtain an F-1 visa (student visa) and attend HSU at the Abilene campus:

    a. Copy of valid passport.

    b. Completed Statement of financial backing. Before a Form I-20 can be issued an official statement from family or sponsor indicating ability and willingness to assume all financial responsibilities while in the United States, including official bank statements and/or other requested substantiation of available resources. All documents must be valid within 6-months and officially notarized.

    c. Form I-20. Once a Form I-20 is received from HSU, the international student will need to pay their I-901 fee and schedule a visa international at a corresponding U.S. Embassy in order to receive their F-1 visa (student visa).

    d. F-1 Visa (student visa). Once approved for an F-1 Visa from a U.S. Embassy, the international student should proceed with making an enrollment deposit, registration of classes, making travel plans, and completing housing and international student arrival items.

    e. Enrollment Deposit. In order to secure their admission at HSU, each international will need to pay a non-refundable three-hundred-dollar enrollment deposit ($3,000 USD) with the Business Office prior to their registration.
  4. Additional International Student Requirements.

    a. Student Health Form. International students are required to receive the Meningitis, MMR immunizations and also a TB screening when studying at HSU. Admitted international students must submit a student health form that is filled out by their health care provider online through MedProctor prior to their arrival to the HSU campus.

    b. International Student Health Insurance. To meet U.S. Department of State guidelines and protect our international students, HSU requires all international students to be enrolled in the HSU group policy through the International Medical Group (IMG). HSU will automatically enroll international students in the HSU group plan with IMG each fall and spring semester and place an insurance charge on the student’s account.

    c. International Student Orientation. U.S. Department of State guidelines require international students to report to a Designated School Official (DSO) in the HSU Office of Global Engagement and are required to attend a mandatory international student orientation prior to the fall and spring semesters. Additional documentation and completion of immigration paperwork is required at the mandatory international student orientation each semester.