Information for Incoming Exchange Students

Application Requirements
Students must:
- Be formally nominated by their home university
- Have at least 2.5/4.0 GPA
- Meet HPU English Requirements for regular admissions

APPLY TO STUDY ABROAD THROUGH YOUR HOME UNIVERSITY
Once accepted at your home university and formally nominated to study as an incoming exchange student at HPU, you will be sent a link to the Incoming Exchange Student Application. To complete your application, you will need the following documents:

INCOMING EXCHANGE STUDENT APPLICATION CHECKLIST
1. Color Copy of Passport
2. Official Transcript with Coordinator's Stamp and Signature
3. Conferral of Undergraduate Degree with Coordinator's Stamp an Signature (Graduate/Masters Students Only)
4. Original English Test Score with Coordinator's Stamp and Signature 
5. Health Clearance Form and Documentation 
6. Statement of Financial Support and a Bank Statement with the Amount in US Dollars 
7. Course Request Form- The form with instructions will be sent to you once your HPU application has been accepted

If English is not your first language, HPU requires proof English proficiency. We are only able to accept tests listed at HPU's English Entry Levels page. The score must meet the requirements for regular admission, and the score cannot be more than two years old at the time of your anticipated start at HPU. 

HPU Undergraduate/Bachelor English Proficiency Requirements:

Overall

Writing Score

TOEFL (IBT)

80

20

TOEFL (PBT)

550

4.0

TOEFL (CBT)

213

20

IELTS

6.0

6

HPU Graduate/Master English Proficiency Requirements:

Overall

Writing Score

TOEFL (IBT)

80

25

TOEFL (PBT)

550

5TWE

TOEFL (CBT)

213

25

IELTS

6.0

6.5

• Spring 2018- September 29, 2017

• Fall 2018- May 1, 2018

Your Exchange Coordinator will give you the application once you have been nominated

Incoming Exchange students can study at HPU for either one semester or one year.

• One Semester:

  • Fall- August to December 

  • Spring-January to May

• One Year (August to May)

HPU tuition is WAIVED for exchange students coming from one of the academic institutions we have established an exchange agreement with. Non-tuition related fees for students will include:

• $75 Upass Bus pass that will allow you to take the bus anywhere on the island all semester (Without the Upass each ride on the bus is $2.50)

• $50 Student Activity Fee so you can take advantage of the assortment of events and activities organized by HPU throughout the semester

• $120 Passport Week (Orientation) Fee. During Passport Week you will meet other new students and learn all about HPU and living in Hawaii

• Books. Students will be required to purchase books for each class, which can cost $200 or more per semester. There are rental options and used books available, and you can find the books you will need for each class here.

Participants are also responsible for the costs of transportation, visa application, room and board, health insurance and personal expenses.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: International students are required to take a minimum number of in person (not online) classes per semester:

• Undergraduate (Bachelors) 12 credits
• Graduate (Masters) 9 credits

CLASSES NOT AVAILABLE TO EXCHANGE STUDENTS:

• 4000 or 7000 level courses- these are capstone courses for HPU students only
• Honors Classes (HON)
• 8 week classes (Section 8A or 8B)- You can avoid seeing these classes by selecting "Full Term" in the course search
• Classes outside of their level:
  • Undergraduate (Bachelors) may only take undergraduate courses (1000, 2000, and 3000 level)
  • Graduate (Masters) students may only take graduate courses (6000 level)

Students can take any classes except for what is listed above as long as they have taken classes that match the prerequisites for each course they would like to take. This will be determined by an HPU academic advisor according to the transcripts submitted by the student.

COURSE SEARCH: The exact course schedule for Fall will be released in Mid-March and the schedule for Spring will be published in Mid-October. 

SYLLABUS SEARCH: For an idea of what classes are generally offered before the course schedule is published, you can access the syllabus search to see what classes have been offered in the past. Here you can get syllabi for previous classes and see what term (fall or spring) a class is generally offered. Please contact your exchange coordinator for a link to the syllabus search.

Incoming Exchange Students are able to use the same resources for housing as all HPU students.

On-Campus Housing: The are two on-campus housing options at the Waterfront Lofts downtown and at the Hawaii Loa campus. You can apply for housing through your HPU Pipeline account. You will receive your pipeline login information once your application has been processed.

Off-Campus Housing: There are various options for off-campus living. Visit our off-campus housing page for more information.

*Please note that Exchange Students do not need to pay enrollment deposits, and it is not necessary for them to pay an enrollment deposit to apply for on-campus housing.

HEALTH INSURANCE

All international students at HPU are required to have health insurance coverage that meets the Minimum Plan Coverage Requirements mandated by US Department of State. Before of upon arrival, students must submit:

• International Health Insurance Waiver Form
• Documentation of their insurance policy and what their insurance coverage includes translated into English. This documentation must show that the policy meets the minimum standards listed on the International Health Insurance Wiaver Form. 

Students can use thier own health insurance, government or program provided health insurance as long as they submit documentation translated in to English that the plan meets HPU standards. If you do not have international health insurance you can purchase it through one of the  ISO plans. Further details can be found under Student Health Insurance.

VACCINATIONS & MEDICAL SCREENINGS:

Per State of Hawaii regulations, students studying in Hawaii are required to demonstrate certain medical clearances in order to be enrolled in coursework:

1. PROOF OF MEASLES, MUMPS, AND RUBELLA (MMR) IMMUNIZATION

• All students are required to demonstrate proof that they have received two doses of the MMR immunization (taken at least four weeks apart) in order to register for coursework.  Click here for the MMR immunization clearance form.

• A certain few students may be eligible for an MMR immunization waiver. If you believe you may meet the one

  of the limited conditions for a waiver, click here.

• NOTE: Forms signed by a non-US licensed physician will require additional time for processing by HPU.  Please be patient as paperwork is processed.

2. TUBERCULOSIS (TB) TEST

• All students coming for study lasting longer than five months are required to take a TB test after their arrival in Hawaii. During check-in and orientation, students will be provided with information on how and where to get tested at no charge.  Click here for the TB clearance form.

Visas

Exchange Students will enter the United States on a J-1 visa status. In order to receive their J-1 visa, they will be issued an acceptance letter and a DS20-19 Certificate of Eligibility once they have successfully applied and been accepted to the Exchange Program.

United States visa requirements vary depending upon the country of origin. Please consult with your local US Embassy or Consulate.

Please see the U.S. Department of State's Information on J-1 visas for more detailed information.

Length Of Stay

J-1 Students may enter the United States no more than 30 days before classes begin and may stay no more than 30 days after the end of the term. Please see the Academic Calendar for the exact dates of the term.