Latest information: Apply with confidence | Study with confidence | Live with confidence | UK FAQs | US FAQs
Last updated: January 12, 2022
Our university partners have a strong track record in delivering education solutions and supporting international students, so you can apply to a US university with confidence. Here, we’ve answered some of the questions you might have about your future studies.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined that the best way to slow the spread of COVID-19 is for individuals to get vaccinated. Over 70% of Americans ages 12 and older are now considered fully vaccinated.
US President Biden has issued “A Proclamation on Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” The proclamation has removed the travel ban restrictions on Brazil, China, India, Iran, Ireland, the Schengen Area, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
It is replaced with a global requirement that all “non-US citizens who are nonimmigrants” (including F-1 student visa holders) traveling to the United States from any part of the world, must show proof that they are fully vaccinated with an acceptable COVID vaccine, with some limited exceptions.
You can read the full Proclamation here.
You are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after you received:
All travelers coming to the United States, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status, must still present a negative test result on a COVID-19 viral test taken no more than 1 day before travel.
Please review the CDC’s website for full information on acceptable vaccines, testing requirements and other important information.
At Pace University, Simmons University, and the University of Connecticut, classes will be taught remotely for 1 or 2 weeks, at the start of the semester. After that, teaching mode is expected to return to in-person classes for the rest of the semester. International students may still arrive on campus as planned, but will initially study from their accommodation through digital learning.
At ASU, classes are being delivered in-person for the full Spring 2022 semester.
Check university links below for the most up-to-date communications:
Limited options for on-going remote study are still available at some universities for those students who are unable to travel to the USA. You can contact us with questions.
Yes, ASU re-opened its campuses at the start of the Fall 2020 semester. The university has created a safe and welcoming environment in which students can live and learn, and has returned to a fully in-person experience for the 2021-22 academic year. These plans reflect current public health guidance and are subject to change throughout the semester.
Beginning at the start of the Fall semester (August 19, 2021), ASU will return to teaching delivered to students by faculty in person and on campus. For select courses, instruction will also be available to students digitally.
ASU will continue to closely monitor COVID-19 on and near its campuses, and will remain ready to shift to interactive remote learning with live lectures via Zoom, if health conditions or official guidelines require it.
Arizona State University is committed to creating a culture of care that promotes the values of “Live well, be well.” Read about ASU’s health and safety precautions.
ASU continues to follow public health and safety guidelines with daily health checks and random testing, enhanced cleaning, and physical distancing protocols to make ASU a safe environment for the entire community. Employees and students are required to wear face coverings inside all ASU classrooms. Face covering must also be used inside ASU buildings where physical distancing is not possible.
Yes, you can attend live-hosted virtual experiences, and watch student-guided video tours. Explore all of your options at visit.asu.edu.
Yes, Arizona State University is accepting the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test, IELTS Indicator, Pearson PTE Academic Online, or the Duolingo English Test (DET) from all students applying to start in 2021.
These tests are an alternative proof of English proficiency for international students who are affected by test center closures.
The exam cost is usually $49 (USD), but Kaplan has purchased a group of tests and will provide agents and applicants with coupon codes so the DET can be taken for free. Please ask your education advisor or Market Manager for further information about this.
There are GRE and GMAT waivers in place for admission to many master’s programs, including popular degrees like engineering and business, for the 2021-22 academic year.
See GRE waivers for Fulton Schools of Engineering master’s degrees.
Additionally, all Arizona State University academic colleges are accepting at-home online tests for the GMAT and GRE. Graduate applicants to ASU master’s degrees that still require GRE or GMAT scores can use this option where necessary.
If you are having difficulty getting required application documents, please submit your application to Kaplan anyway. We will review the application and provide guidance on a case-by-case basis.
Yes. Effective March 26, 2020, the U.S. Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has made an exception to current regulations to allow universities to email I-20 documents to students. Emailed I-20s are suitable to use for visa appointments, when applicable. If an I-20 was previously sent through physical mail, you should continue to use this physical document.
You can start your studies on campus if you are able to obtain a visa and travel for the start of the semester.
Spring 2022 – we recommend you arrive on January 5, 2022 in time for the Arrival and Welcome event on Friday, January 7. Classes start on January 10, 2022.
Summer 2022 – classes start on May 16, 2022. You can arrive up to 30 days prior to this date and no later than 30 days after.
However, we recommend that you arrive in time for orientation, a few days before the start of the semester. Your pre-arrival information will give you the exact date.
ASU has returned to in-person classes in 2021-22. The university will work with students on an individual basis to support their study plans if they cannot get a visa or travel for the start of the semester. We encourage you to speak with your academic advisor so that you can continue your studies.
If you are a new student with ASU and will be studying outside the U.S. for the spring 2022 semester, you will need to defer your I-20 to the next available academic session.
You are encouraged to check usembassy.gov for the latest updates on available visa appointments as soon as you receive your I-20. Depending on where you are located, you may find it hard to get a visa interview at your local US embassy or consulate.
Yes. If you are unable to travel to the USA in time to start your program, we can advise you on how to defer your offer of admission to the next available intake for the program.
Please note, some business master’s programs have only one intake a year, in the Fall.
You are covered by the enrollment deposit and tuition refund policies of Arizona State University. We will help you review your options to start a program remotely or defer your enrollment before cancelling.
Yes, Pace University re-opened its campuses and residence halls in Fall 2020 and they remain open through the 2021-22 academic year. Pace is committed to providing students with a safe learning, working, and living environment.
For Spring 2022, all classes will be taught remotely for the first 2 weeks. In-person classes will resume on February 7, 2022.
After that, courses may be offered in one of four teaching modes:
Not all classes will have a hybrid or asynchronous mode, but Pace will make as many courses as possible available for students who cannot travel to the USA. Your class schedule and study modes will be set before the start of the semester.
Pace University is working to create a safe learning and living environment for the community, taking into account best guidelines and policies from federal, state and local health officials.
The University will follow all public health guidelines while still providing a great college experience for students. Read more about Pace University’s health and safety precautions.
Yes, you can schedule a virtual tour and watch campus video tours. Explore all of your options to learn about Pace University and its campuses.
You can also watch Pace University’s virtual admission events, including those for international students.
Yes, Pace University is accepting the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test, IELTS Indicator or the Duolingo English Test (DET) from all students applying for 2021-22 intakes.
These tests are an alternative proof of English proficiency for international students who are affected by test center closures.
The exam cost is usually $49 (USD), but Kaplan has purchased a group of tests and will provide agents and applicants with coupon codes so the DET can be taken for free. Please ask your education advisor or Market Manager for further information about this.
Pace University has waived GMAT and GRE score requirements for admission to its master’s degrees in 2021-22, so graduate applicants do not need to take these tests if they have minimum GPA 3.0 in all previous undergraduate study.
Pace is taking a more holistic approach to admission decisions at this time.
We encourage you to submit your application, even if your previous academic grades are on the borderline of Pace’s GPA requirement of:
See a summary of Pace University master’s degree admission requirements.
If you are having difficulty getting required application documents, please submit your application to Kaplan anyway. We will review the application and provide guidance on a case-by-case basis.
Pace is flexible in allowing alternative proof of financials for your I-20 request, if you are unable to get a bank statement.
Yes. Effective March 26, 2020, the U.S. Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS) has made an exception to current regulations to allow you to receive your I-20 documents electronically. These are suitable to use for visa appointments, when applicable. If an I-20 was previously sent through physical mail, you should continue to use this physical document.
To access your digital I-20, go into your Pace application portal and find your decision letter, then scroll down to find the PDF of the I-20.
You can begin your studies on campus if you are able to obtain a visa and arrive in time for the start of in-person classes.
Spring 2022 – classes start remotely on January 24; you must have arrived in the US by February 4, 2022.
Summer 2022 – classes start on May 31, 2022.
However, we recommend that you arrive in time for orientation, a few days before the start of the semester. Your pre-arrival information will give you the recommended date.
Pace’s commitment to providing a world class education for all students continues in 2021-22 with a focus on in-person class delivery. The university will work with students on an individual basis to support their study plans if they cannot get a visa or travel for the start of the semester.
You are encouraged to check usembassy.gov for the latest updates on available visa appointments as soon as you receive your I-20. Depending on where you are located, you may find it hard to get a visa interview at your local US embassy or consulate.
Yes. If you are unable to travel to the USA in time to start your program, we can advise how to defer your offer of admission to the next available intake for your program.
You are covered by the enrollment deposit and tuition cancellation policies of Pace University. We will help you review your options to start a program remotely or defer your enrollment before canceling.
Yes, you can schedule a Simmons University virtual visit. Online information sessions and campus tours are hosted by current students and admission staff.
Yes – Simmons University accepts the at-home IELTS Indicator or Duolingo English Test. The Duolingo exam cost is usually $49 (USD), but Kaplan has purchased a group of tests and will provide agents and applicants with coupon codes so the DET can be taken for free. Please ask your education advisor or Market Manager for further information about this.
Yes, the University re-opened campus starting in Fall 2021, including in-classroom learning, at-capacity residence halls, and participation in on-campus activities.
Classes in the first week of the Spring 2022 semester will be taught remotely. Simmons plans to resume in-person classes on Monday, January 24. Read the latest information for Spring 2022 semester.
You are encouraged to check usembassy.gov for the latest updates on available visa appointments as soon as you receive your I-20. Depending on where you are located, you may find it hard to get a visa interview at your local US embassy or consulate.
The University is not offering fully remote teaching or online classes in 2021-22. Simmons will work with each student on a one-on-one basis to discuss their options. If you are unable to travel to campus for the start of the semester, you can defer your admission to the next available intake.
Yes, there are a variety of ways to explore all of UConn’s campuses virtually. Take a look at the University’s Virtual Experiences web section and you can find virtual tours, videos and more to really see what it’s like to be a UConn student.
Yes, UConn campuses are open in the 2021-22 academic year.
A lot of work has gone into making UConn as safe a place as possible for all students and staff. Rigorous cleaning and hygiene protocols, social distancing, mask-wearing and testing are all in place to help keep the campus running successfully. View the campus safety guidelines.
All UConn classes will be held remotely for the first 2 weeks of the semester. International students may delay their arrival to the U.S. and to campus, as long as they arrive on time to begin in-person classes on January 31, 2022. Read the latest information for Spring 2022 semester.
For the remainder of the semester, most UConn courses will be taught through in-person classes.
Yes, UConn is currently accepting the Duolingo English test (DET). The exam cost is usually $49 (USD), but Kaplan has purchased a group of tests and will provide agents and applicants with coupon codes so the DET can be taken for free. Please ask your education advisor or Market Manager for further information about this.
You are encouraged to check usembassy.gov for the latest updates on available visa appointments as soon as you receive your I-20. Depending on where you are located, you may find it hard to get a visa interview at your local US embassy or consulate.
The University is offering very limited online classes in 2022. UConn will work with each student on a one-on-one basis to discuss their options. Contact your academic advisor to find online courses that will count toward your degree program. If you are unable to travel to campus for the start of the semester and unable to find enough online courses available, you can defer your admission to the next available intake.
Yes. If you are unable to travel to the USA in time to start your program or unable to study remotely, we can advise how to defer your offer of admission to the next available intake for your program.
We hope you’ve found this information useful. If you are unsure of anything relating to your studies or your future plans in the USA, don’t hesitate to contact us or speak to your Kaplan representative. They’ll be happy to advise you and give you all the information you need.
