Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I apply to Bay Atlantic University? 

You need to fill out our online application form: baucommunity.force.com/bayatlantic/s & submit all required documents in order to be considered for admission and a scholarship.

What are the requirements for admission? 

Please refer to the BAU DOCUMENT CHECKLIST for detailed information on the requirements. Once you have gathered all necessary documents, kindly watch through the Applying to BAU Video for step-by-step instructions on how to proceed with your application. 

When is the application deadline and the start date of the semester? 

The application deadline for our various semesters is as follows: 

• Spring semester: December 1st 
• Summer semester: April 1st 
• Fall semester: July 1st 

Does BAU offer a Dual enrolment program? 

Yes, high school students are welcome to participate in the OSSE Dual Enrollment program at BAU. This program provides an excellent opportunity for high school students to begin their college education while still in high school. Click HERE to learn more about the OSSE Dual Enrollment program and how to apply. 

I have a 3-year bachelor’s degree, am I eligible for Master program at BAU? 

Yes, you can apply for a Master program with a 3-year bachelor’s degree. However, if your bachelor’s degree was obtained from a foreign institution, you’ll need to submit a course-by-course evaluation of your transcripts through a NACES-accredited agency to ensure equivalency with a US Bachelor’s degree. Depending on the evaluation, if your bachelor is not equivalent to a US Bachelor you may need to take additional classes to address any curriculum differences. 

How can I apply for tuition assistance and how to maintain it? 

To apply for tuition assistance, please explore our various tuition assistance programs available click HERE.

To maintain tuition assistance throughout the entire program, you must meet the following requirements: 

• Continuously enroll in courses to meet graduation requirements (unless taking an approved Leave of Absence). 
• Maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.0 at the undergraduate level and 3.0 at the graduate level for any semester. 
• Avoid any disciplinary action for any reason. 

If the scholarship is awarded to the student based on reasons other than standardized exam scores, and the student withdraws from the enrolled program to transfer to another higher education institution, the student is required to reimburse BAU for the tuition amount for all course credits completed since the scholarship was awarded. 

What does this tuition assistance cover? 

The Tuition assistance will cover only tuition and do not apply to fees, flights, food, or accommodation among others. Please contact our admissions team to [email protected] for additional questions. 

How long are the BAU programs and how many credits? 

• The Undergraduate programs at BAU consist of 120 credits and are designed to be completed over the course of four years.  
• The Master’s programs at BAU typically require 36 credits and are designed to be completed within a two-year timeframe.  
• The dual master’s degrees are earned by completing 72 credit hours of coursework, of which 48 credit hours are core courses, 15 credit hours are electives, leaving nine credits, which are counted for both programs from the core courses and are designed to be completed within a three-year timeframe. 

Does BAU offer fully online programs? 

Yes, we offer a fully online MBA program with a reduced tuition fee. To learn more about our online program and its offerings, please click HERE. We are committed to providing accessible and flexible education options to accommodate the diverse needs of our students.  

Is the SAT, GRE/GMAT required for admission? 

Standardized test scores are not required for the admission process at BAU. However, if you have already taken a standardized test, such as the SAT, GRE, or GMAT, you can use it to apply for our tuition assistance programs. For more information about our tuition assistance programs available click HERE.

Are essays and recommendation letters required to be admitted? 

Essays and recommendation letters are not required for the admission process at BAU. We aim to simplify the application process to ensure accessibility for all prospective students. 

Can I change my program after I receive admission? 

Yes, you can request a program change as long as the start date has not passed. Please reach out to [email protected] to request a program change and fill the form Change of Major Form. 

Can I submit a Medium of Instruction (MOI) to waive the English proficiency proof? 

If you earned a qualifying diploma or degree in a program where the language of instruction was English, you can submit the Medium of Instruction (MOI) documentation instead of English proficiency proof. Must explicitly state that the language of instruction for the diploma or degree was English. Finally, English language proficiency may also be demonstrated by successful completion of at least 12 semester hours with at least a C average at a U.S. postsecondary university at which the language of instruction was English. 

I am an international applicant; can I get a scholarship? 

All applicants are eligible for Merit-based tuition assistance at BAU. To learn more about our Merit-based tuition assistance program and eligibility criteria, please click HERE or contact our admissions team to [email protected] for further details. 

Is student housing available at BAU? 

Yes, student housing is available through Island Condos, conveniently located in the Brookland area of Washington, D.C., less than 4 miles from campus. For inquiries about student housing, please visit our website HERE or contact [email protected].  

Can F1 VISA holders attend online classes? 

According to USCIS regulations, international students holding an F1 VISA must take classes full-time. Only one online or distance learning class can count toward a full course of study for an F-1 student during each term or semester. (ONLINE CLASSES FOR F-1 STUDENTS ABROAD WITH ACTIVE I-20S ARE NOT PERMITTED – F-1 STUDENTS CANNOT STUDY ONLINE ABROAD ON AN ACTIVE I-20)  

How can I get more tuition assistance?  

Each student is eligible for a one-time reevaluation of tuition assistance. To learn more about the tuition assistance reevaluation process, please click HERE.

How long will it take till I receive my I-20? 

As soon as your admission Confirmation deposit is confirmed we will issue your I-20 in 5 business days. 

What financial documents do international students require to submit as proof of sufficient funding? 

Prospective F-1 or M-1 students must have the financial resources to live and study in the United States. This includes being able to cover the cost of tuition, books, living expenses and travel. Evidence of financial ability includes but is not limited to: 

• Family bank statements. 
• Documentation from a sponsor. 
• Financial aid letters. 
• Scholarship letters. 
• (I-134 AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT FOR SPONSORS IN THE U.S) “Who May File Form I-134? You may file this form on behalf of yourself or on behalf of a B, F, or M nonimmigrant requesting extension of stay or change of status.) 

Details regarding the necessary financial documents, including bank statements, can be found under the bank statement section in our BAU DOCUMENT CHECKLIST. 

I couldn’t secure an early VISA interview; what is the last day to join the classes? 

The last day to be physically in the U.S. is the Last day to add/drop classes. You can find this date in our academic calendar HERE. 

Can F1 VISA holder work in the U.S. while studying? 

Yes, international students can work on campus. However, the F-1 student’s total work hours for all jobs cannot exceed 20 hours during the school term. Students are allowed to work full-time (40 hours) during those periods when school is not in session or during the student’s annual break. 

Who is considered a transfer credit student? 

A transfer credit student is someone who has attended a college or university before enrolling at BAU for a Bachelor program. To learn more about our transfer credit student admissions policy please visit our academic catalog HERE.

Do you accept credits from my university? 

University credits earned at a previous school can be carried over and applied towards the student’s program at BAU. If you are considering transferring to BAU, please reach out to our admissions team for assistance with the transfer process and evaluation of your previous credits. To learn more about our transfer credit student admissions policy please visit our academic catalog HERE.

How long does a new student have to complete the requirements for transfer credits to BAU? 

Student can complete this process during the first semester at BAU. 

What is the maximum number of transfer credits BAU will accept? 

Undergraduate applicants can transfer up to 90 credits, while Master’s applicants can transfer up to 6 credits. 

How long does it take to receive my credit evaluation for transfer credits? 

After our academic department reviews your official transcripts and the course-by-course evaluation, you can typically expect to receive your credit evaluation within 5 business days. 

How Do I Complete my course-by-course Evaluation? 

Completing the course-by-course evaluation involves several steps such as contacting the evaluation service company, submitting your transcripts, English translations and paying the fees. We recommend this to be done with Scholaro Application – Bay Atlantic University or TEC Application – Bay Atlantic University. 

I am an F1 student at another school, but I want to transfer to BAU. How can I do this? 

Transferring as an F1 student from one school to BAU involves important requirements and deadlines to avoid any disruption in the student status. First, the student must apply to BAU, get accepted by BAU by completing with all the requirements and making the admissions deposit, secondly the student needs to notify the current Designated School Official (DSO) and request the transfer SEVIS record form to release your SEVIS number from your current school to BAU then you need to complete the financial process, attend the orientation and register to classes to maintain the status by maintaining a full-time enrollment and complying with all F-1 regulations. 

It might be mentioned that when applying and to be accepted for transfer students must check that there are not more than five months/150 calendar days between the last day of attendance at the current school and the first day of class at BAU.   

How many credits do I need to maintain full-time enrollment status?  

For international students studying in the United States, maintaining full-time enrollment status is crucial for staying in compliance with visa requirements. Undergraduate students must enroll in at least 15 credits hours (5 courses) per semester, and graduate students must enroll in at least 9 credits hours (3 courses) per semester to be considered full-time. 

What are the English language proficiency requirements? 

Here you can find the minimum scores. 

NAME	MINIMUM SCORE
	UNDERGRADUATE	GRADUATE
IELTS	5.5	6
TOEFL	70	80
TOEIC	650	700
DUOLINGO	75	90
PEARSON (PTE)	48	53
BAU PLACEMENT TEST	70	75
MENTORA COLLEGE ESL	400 C	500C

Are there student services (support) available for international students? 

The Student Services Department is available for all of Bay Atlantic University’s international students. Here is the link for more information about student services: Student Services Department.

Does Bay Atlantic University offer any programs or activities for international students to engage with the local community? 

Yes, Bay Atlantic University (BAU) offers a variety of programs and activities designed for international students to engage with the local community and immerse themselves in the cultural and social fabric of the nation’s capital. The Director of Student Services actively organizes events, field trips, and excursions, details of which are available on BAU’s website and student bulletin boards on campus. Please check our website for more information & events: Social Life and Student Clubs.

How can I obtain a student visa to study in the US? 

Before applying for a U.S. student visa, you must be accepted by a school or institution approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). After your acceptance by an SEVP-approved school, you will be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
BAU will issue the I-20 so they can obtain the SEVIS ID number to make the appointment at the embassy-DS/160 Form and they must pay $350 SEVIS FEE before going to the appointment.  

OR? 

Before applying for a U.S. student visa, you must first be accepted by an SEVP-approved school, which will then register you in the SEVIS system. 

How can I find information about healthcare options for international students? 

You can find information about healthcare options for international students at Bay Atlantic University by visiting the following link: Bay Atlantic University | School Insurance Requirements  

What is F-1 student status, and what are the requirements to maintain it? 

F-1 student status is a non-immigrant visa category for individuals pursuing full-time academic or language studies in the United States. To maintain F-1 status, students must: 

• Attend the school 
• Maintain a full course of study, except during approved breaks or (Authorized leave of absence outside the U.S -AEW- or Reduced Course Load for medical conditions) academic difficulties.  
• Keep their I-20 valid by following proper procedures for extensions or changes. 
• Refrain from unauthorized employment.
• Keep a valid passport. 
• Report any changes in address (TELEPHONE NUMBER, EMAIL ADDRESS) or academic status to the designated school official (DSO) WITHIN 10 DAYS.

What is the deadline for applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation? 

According to USCIS rules, the deadline for applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation is within 90 days (about 3 months) before or 60 days (about 2 months) after completing the academic program. 

Can I travel outside the United States while on an F-1 visa? 

Yes, you can travel outside the United States within your semester break OR HOLIDAYS. However, you must take a travel i20 from DSO before traveling AND PROVIDE FLIGHT TICKETS SHOWING DEPARTURE AND RETURN DATE.

What is the Website Where I Obtain My I-94? 

• IF i-94 IS NOT AVAILABLE ONLINE STUDENTS MUST VISIT CBP OFFICE AT DULLES OR RONALD REAGAN AIRPORT TO RETRIEVE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT.  

The website for obtaining I-94 is https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94  

What documents do I require for a Driver’s License or State Identification Card? 

The documents required to get a Driver’s License or State Identification Card are the following: 

• Valid passport with visa (if applicable) 
• Original copy of your Form I-20 updated and signed  
• 3 Residency proofs (if you need a residency proof please request this to [email protected] 
• UPDATED U.S. ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER IN SEVIS 

For State Identification Card: https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/dmv_factsheet.pdf 

What documents are required for the application process? 

a. Undergraduate Transcripts (official or officially notarized copy) 

b. Photocopy of Government-Issued ID (international students need a passport, undocumented students need proof of residency) 

c. Official Bachelor Degree Transcript (to show Bachelor’s degree credentials) 

• If the Bachelor’s degree was issued by a foreign institution of higher education, the applicant must provide an evaluation of the transcript from a NACES-member (http://www.naces.org/) or an AICE member (http://www.aice-eval.org/) credential evaluation service to establish U.S. equivalency of a Bachelor’s degree. The evaluation must be a course-by-course evaluation of the transcript. 
• If the Bachelor’s degree transcript is not in English, the applicant must provide a certified English translation. 
• If the transcript does not clearly indicate the degree awarded, the applicant must provide a notarized copy of the college or university diploma. 
• Scholaro and TEC are our recommended international transcript evaluation services. They have created a custom application for Bay Atlantic University that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate.  

d. Proof of English Language Proficiency 

What is the requirement for English language proficiency? 

All applicants whose first language is not English must submit an official score report for one of the approved standardized English proficiency tests, including:

NAME	MINIMUM SCORE
	GRADUATE
IELTS	6
TOEFL (PBT, CBT, IBT)	550, 214, 80
TOEIC	700
DUOLINGO	90
PEARSON (PTE)	53
BAU PLACEMENT TEST	75
MENTORA COLLEGE ESL	500C

Waiver is available if the applicant has completed four years of education at an English-language secondary school or 12 credits of undergrad courses. 

Can students holding an F1 visa in the U.S. apply for the program? 

No, students holding an F1 visa in the U.S. are not allowed to apply for this program. They must enroll in a full-time in-person program. 

What is the tuition cost for the online MBA program? 

Please refer to the tuition and fees webpage.