To receive aid from the federal student aid programs, you must meet all the following criteria:

• have financial need, except for some loan programs
  
  
• be enrolled at least half-time or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree
  
  
• be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
  
  
• have a valid Social Security Number. If you don't have a Social Security Number, you can find out more about applying for one at www.ssa.gov
  
  
• maintain satisfactory academic progress
  
  
• sign a statement on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) certifying that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes
  
  
• sign a statement on the FAFSA certifying that you are not in default on a federal student loan and that you do not owe money back on a federal student grant
  
  
• register with the Selective Service, if required
  
  
• If you are a male 18 through 25 years of age and you have not yet registered with Selective Service, you can give the Selective Service permission to register you by checking a box on the FAFSA. You can also register through the Internet at www.sss.gov

The Student Financial Services Office at ICO will do everything possible to assist candidates with obtaining the funds necessary for their professional education. Learn more about ICO’s estimated cost of attendance.

Snapshot of Financial Aid Process

Start Early. ICO only requires the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for financial aid.  This form is available January 1 for the upcoming Fall term. Please note that you must reapply for federal aid every school year.

Review the eligibility requirements for federal financial aid.

Complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. This saves time and helps avoid common errors that are more difficult to catch on a paper application. Plus there is no charge for completing the FAFSA.

- Our school code is 001689

- Tip: You should save all records and all other materials used in completing the application because you may need them later if your application is selected for verification by the Department of Education.  You should also print out a copy of your FAFSA before you submit it and keep it for your records. [Note: Consider a pull out box with the tip]

Apply for loans and work-study opportunities. By completing the FAFSA and submitting all appropriate documentation, students will automatically be considered for a financial aid package that covers the cost of attendance and includes work-study, student loans and scholarships offered by the College.

Partner with ICO’s Office of Student Financial Services. This office will work with students to assist them in finding the most affordable ways to finance their education and manage student loans. On interview day, an ICO financial aid information packet is made available to candidates and includes information on financial aid programs including the Federal Work-study Program, Federal Stafford Loan, Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Health Professions Student Loans (HPSL), and the Perkins Loan Program.

Learn more about other financial aid resources available to you.

1) What percentage of International Students do you accept each year?
Our goal is to admit highly qualified students to our program regardless of origin. Therefore, we do not have a limit on the number of International Students admitted.

2) Do I have to satisfy certain special academic requirements to be admitted?
Not beyond the published admission requirements to ICO.

3) What is a DSO?
The Designated School Official is the person on-campus designated to assist International Students. At ICO, the DSO is Mrs. Lavern Young, Registrar.

4) What is an F-1 Nonimmigrant?
An F-1 Nonimmigrant is a foreign student pursuing a full course of study at an academic institution authorized to admit foreign students.

5) What is a Form I-20? How and when do I get one?
A Form I-20 is the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Students issued by the College accepting students. An approved college may issue one to a foreign accepted applicant after proof of financial responsibility has been met. The Registrar/DSO will mail you an I-20, no later than thirty days prior to the start of the Fall Quarter.

6) What is the SEVIS fee?
The DHS regulations require that individuals seeking status as an F-1 nonimmigrant student pay a $200 fee to cover the costs for the continued operation of the Student Exchange Visitor Program, including the administration and maintenance of SEVIS. Student and exchange visitors will have the options to pay with a check by mail or with a credit card via the Internet. DHS will also accept fee payment from a 3rd party, either in the US or abroad. For current SEVIS fee information, please see the US Immigration & Customs Enforcement website at http://www.ice.gov/sevis/students/index.htm.

7) Is a passport required for entry to the United States? Birth Certificate? Social Insurance Number?
Yes; you must present your passport, valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected stay, at the port of entry. You must also present your SEVIS Form I-20. You should carry these by hand instead of checking them with your luggage, to ensure that they are not lost.
In addition, it is strongly recommended that you also hand carry the following documentation:

• Evidence of financial resources;
• Paper receipt for the SEVIS fee, Form I-797, and
• Designated School Official contact information: Ms. Lavern Young, 1-312-949-7430. If unavailable, please contact: Office of the Registrar, 1-312-949-7425.

8) Are family members eligible to enter the United States with me?
Yes, the spouse and unmarried minor children of an F-1 nonimmigrant may accompany the student to the United States. They will be classified as F-2 nonimmigrants. There is no SEVIS fee for spouses and dependent children.

9) Do you have any tuition payment plans available for International Students?
ICO does not have a specific payment plan for International Students. However, we do have several payment plans available for any student who chooses one.

10) Is Financial Aid outside Canada available?
Yes, but unfortunately very few low interest loans are available to foreign students. The Student Financial Services Office at ICO will assist you in determining what loans, if any, you qualify for, all of which require a United States co-signer. Canadian loans are also available to students studying in the United States.

11) Are immunizations required?
Yes, students who enroll at a post-secondary educational institution are required by Illinois State Law to present proof of immunity (from Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Tetanus/Diphtheria) to their College/University. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that health care workers comply with certain infection control measures. Specifically, this involves immunization for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and annual testing for Tuberculosis (TB). The required forms are made available to the incoming class.

12) Is Medical/Health insurance available?
Yes, Major Medical and Dental Insurance is available through the American Optometric Student Association. Information may be obtained from www.studentresources.com. It is important that you notify your Provincial Health Care Plan (i.e. Ontario - Health Insurance Plan) that you will be attending school in the United States. Most provincial plans will cover you, but only partially.

13) Will I be permitted to go home for holidays? Quarter breaks? If so, do I have to apply for a new visa each time I leave or re-enter the United States?
Yes, you are permitted to leave and re-enter the United States as long as your documents are valid and properly endorsed. You do not have to apply for a new visa each time. Usually, the visa is valid for the duration of the program.

14) Do I have to inform the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services of a change of address?
All foreign nationals residing in the U.S., including U.S. permanent residents and non-immigrants, who are over the age of 14 and remaining in the U.S. for more than thirty days are required to report a change in address to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services within 10 days. Change of Address forms are available in the Office of the Registrar.

15) If due to an unforeseen reason, I don't complete the program on time, can I apply for an extension?
Yes, contact the Designated School Official (Mrs. Lavern Young) for the required paperwork.

16) Am I permitted to remain in the United States after graduation?
Yes, an F-1 student may be eligible to engage in temporary employment for practical training in his or her field of study. Practical training following completion of studies is designated as Optional Practical Training, which may be granted for a maximum of twelve consecutive months. No specific job offer is required to request Optional Practical Training.

17) When and how do I apply for Optional Practical Training?
A student must apply prior to completion of the course of study. The Designated School Official will assist you with the required paperwork during the winter quarter of your fourth year of study.

18) Am I permitted to leave and re-enter the United States under this training?
Yes, an F-1 student engaged in Optional Practical Training who travels outside the United States temporarily can be readmitted for the remainder of the authorized training period, provided the student presents the Form I-20 (endorsed by the Designated School Official within the preceding six months) and an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

19) Is on/off campus employment available for International Students?
Yes, an F-1 student may accept on-campus employment at the institution he or she is authorized to attend without prior approval from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, formerly known as the Immigration and Naturalization Service. In addition, an F-1 student may work a maximum of 20 hours a week while attending school. A United States social security number is required. There are certain conditions which must be met in order to engage in off-campus employment. The Designated School Official can assist you in this process.

20) Do I need to apply for a Social Security Card for employment purposes?
Yes, the Social Security Card will state, "Not Valid for Employment Purposes", which means unauthorized employment. In fact, it is suggested that you apply for a Social Security Card as soon as possible after entering the United States.

21) Where do I obtain a Social Security Card?
You must apply in person to the nearest Social Security Office. You are required to complete an application and show proof of identity. Acceptable examples of identity documents are driver's license, passport, school ID card and birth certificate. To be eligible for a Social Security Number you must provide evidence of age and identity, an I-20 form, a current I-94 (you will receive when you apply for your F-1 visa), and a letter from the DSO stating that you are authorized to engage in on-campus employment. Pertinent information is available in the Office of the Registrar. Processing takes approximately 6-8 weeks.

21) What are National Board Exams?
National Board Exams are comprehensive national evaluation exams used to assist state boards in determining the candidates' entry competence and safety for the practice of Optometry.

22) Do you have any Provincial Board Exam information available?
The Office of the Registrar requests state board licensing requirements annually from all states within the U.S. and Canada. The information is kept on file for your convenience.

International students who are selected for admission to the program must present proof of financial responsibility by June 15th of the year of admission. Proof of financial responsibility is documentation that adequate funds exist for the candidate’s first year of study. An estimated cost of attendance can be obtained from Student Financial Services by March of the planned enrollment year. Evidence of financial responsibility will allow the College to issue the student an I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility) which must be presented to the US Consular Office in the home country (or, for Canadian citizens, at the port of entry/Canadian border) to apply for an F-1 nonimmigrant visa.

The following documents are used to apply for an F-1 Visa:

• Form I-20 AB
• Evidence of English ability
• Evidence of intent to depart the US after completion of studies
• Passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected stay
• Financial support documentation
• SEVIS fee receipt (I-797 or electronic receipt)

In addition, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations require that individuals seeking status as an F-1 nonimmigrant student pay a $200 fee to cover the costs for the continued operation of the Student Exchange Visitor Program, including the administration and maintenance of SEVIS. Student and exchange visitors will have the options to pay with a check by mail or with a credit card via the Internet. DHS will also accept fee payment from a 3rd party, either in the US or abroad. For current SEVIS fee information, please see the US Immigration & Customs Enforcement website at: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/students/index.html.

As an international applicant, you are required to fulfill all of the general admission requirements, including successful completion of the Required Pre-Optometry Curriculum, and the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). Because ICO offers only a graduate-level program, it is also required that you successfully complete a total of at least 90 semester credit hours of undergraduate coursework or earn a bachelor’s degree (or the equivalent).

If you have completed college-level coursework at schools outside the United States or Canada or if your transcripts are not written in English, the transcripts must be submitted to an official evaluation service for a course-by-course analysis. ICO accepts transcript evaluations from World Education Services, Inc. (WES) and Educational Credential Evaluations (ECE). An official copy of the evaluation must be forwarded directly to the Office of Admissions from the evaluation board and not to OptomCAS.

The Admissions Committee will evaluate international applicants using the same criteria by which U.S. applicants are evaluated. We recommend that you begin to
assess your own strengths and weaknesses early in the application process. Check out ICO’s Entering Class Profile and tips to Strengthen Your Application.

The following major areas can impact the competitiveness of your application:

• OAT Scores
• GPA
• Knowledge About the Profession
• Bachelor’s Degree

Take a careful look at your academic background and identify your strengths and weaknesses by comparing your grade point average and Optometry Admission Test scores to those of the previous Entering Class Profile.

While the Admissions Committee recognizes the “numbers-side” of the application is not the only indicator of your potential for success in the program, your GPA & OAT scores play an important role in qualifying you for an on-campus interview and gaining acceptance into the Entering Class. Improving the “numbers-side” will increase your chances for interview selection, strengthen your overall application, and help to make you a competitive applicant for admission to Illinois College of Optometry.

Strengthen Your OAT Scores

Prepare for the exam well in advance. Successful candidates report that careful & planned preparation time, study guides, flash cards, review courses, and practice exams are helpful.

As far as commercially-available study aids, ICO does not endorse specific tools or methods as many different modes of study work well for different applicants. However, we are happy to provide information on a few of the options which past applicants have used:

OAT: Complete Preparation for the Optometry Admission Test
Format: book

OAT Destroyer
Format: book

Kaplan OAT
Format: book

Optometry Admission Test Sample Exams : TopScore Pro for the OAT
Format: cd-rom

OAT Professor
Format: online

OAT Flashcard Secrets
Format: flashcards

Kaplan OAT Tutorial Program
Format: in-person private tutoring or classroom course; online course

Khan Academy
Format: online videos

Course Saver (aka Chad’s Videos)
Format: online videos

Most students also use their pre-optometry science coursebooks and class notes to study for the test and many have found MCAT preparation materials very helpful.

Time your practice tests! Identify and master standardized test-taking strategies and time management. Some students use their first time taking the OAT as a “trial-run” just to see what the test is like. We recommend that you use self-administered practice tests as your trial-runs – recreating the testing environment and applying the same time limits as the actual test. This will help to ensure that you are well-prepared, know how to pace yourself, and feel confident when you take the official test!

Arrive at the testing site early with the mindset that you are prepared to do your very best.

In the event you are not feeling well the day of the test, keep in mind that the Admissions Committee is not able to take into consideration an excuse of illness for poor performance on the test.

Enhance your GPA

Upon fulfillment of the minimum Required Pre-Optometry Curriculum, completion of additional upper-division courses in human-based biological sciences is highly recommended. Courses may be taken either at the undergraduate or graduate level at a competitive 4-year college or university, preferably on a full-time basis (4 to 6 courses taken concurrently).

Increase your Knowledge about the profession 

1. Shadow, observe, intern, volunteer or work with a practicing optometrist. ICO encourages all prospective students to contact and spend time with a Doctor of Optometry practicing in their area. ICO does not require applicants to log a specific number of shadowing or observation hours. The primary goal is to guarantee that you are confident in your career choice and to assure the Admissions Committee that you are making an informed decision.
2. Contact Doctors of Optometry in your area to discuss current issues in the profession.
3. Read journals and professional publications related to optometry and healthcare in general.
4. Participate in extra-curricular activities that afford you the opportunity to interact with people. Leadership experiences can be especially helpful.
   
   

Earning Your Bachelor’s Degree

Although a baccalaureate degree is highly recommended for application to ICO, it is not a requirement. Candidates admitted to ICO without a degree must be extremely well-prepared. Please refer to the Entering Class Profile for the percentage of students admitted without a degree.

If you will earn at least 90 semester credit hours (or 135 quarter hours) including the Required Pre-Optometry Curriculum, before August of the year you would like to enter optometry school (usually after your junior year at the university level), you may still apply. Deciding to apply to ICO before earning your bachelor’s degree could allow you to begin the Doctor of Optometry program a year earlier, and join the profession of optometry a year sooner!

Students accepted to ICO without a degree, are eligible to be awarded a Bachelor of Science in Visual Science (BSVS) from ICO in addition to the Doctor of Optometry degree.

Most entering students will have completed at least four years of college-level coursework and, in addition to completing the Required Pre-Optometry Curriculum, they will have completed additional upper-level biology courses. The criteria for evaluating applications with or without a bachelor’s degree are the same.

The Optometry Admission Test is required of all applicants to ICO. The OAT will assess general reading comprehension, quantitative reasoning, biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics.

Only OAT scores reported within the last two years are acceptable. For application to the entering class of 2013, scores including and since August 2010 are valid.

Optometry Admission Testing Program
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611-2678
Phone: 800-232-2159

Following are the minimum college-level pre-optometry courses required for admission. Completion of additional science coursework, particularly human-based biological science coursework, is strongly recommended. Only grades of C or higher will be accepted for prerequisite courses.

ICO will accept Advanced Placement (AP) course(s) for the prerequisite(s) as long you received the appropriate number of credit hours. The courses need to appear on your official college transcript and you had received college credit for the course(s). If your college or university does not show this information on the official transcript, you will need to have a letter sent to us from the Registrar's Office documenting the credit awarded for the AP course.