International Students

Student submit an online application with a Maryland address. Applicants with an address in the U.S, but outside of Maryland, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. After applying, complete and/or upload the following documents on your Application Status Page (select returning student):

• Complete the Address Verification Form
• Upload copy of passport
• Upload copy of the I-134 - Declaration of Financial Support ** See further details
• Upload copy of the bank statement or bank letter (in English and in U.S currency) ** See further details
• Upload copy of sponsor's government-issued photo ID

If you are currently residing in The United States upload:

• Upload copy of Visa
• Upload copy of I-94 (DHS Arrival/Departure Record)
• Upload copy of current I-20 form, if applicable

Additional documents might be required.

**The College is unable to provide scholarship assistance to international student applicants. The estimated minimum cost of tuition, fees, books, health, and living expenses per year is $32,000. Students attending the College on the F-1 Visa will be classified as out-of-state residents for tuition purposes while at FCC per the Determination of Residency for Tuition Purposes Policy.  (F-1 students are required to be enrolled full time with a minimum of 12 credits in the Spring term and a minimum of 12 credits in the Fall term).  Tuition and fee rates are subject to change.

Instructions for I-134 – Declaration of Financial Support  
 
Note: Proof of financial support must be resubmitted for extension of the I-20 form.

Student will complete the application process with a NACES approved foreign credential evaluation agency to have their secondary school (high school) coursework equated to the United States school system. You will need to request a document-by-document evaluation and have the completed evaluation sent to our Admissions office in the form of an official transcript or if you have completed courses at a college or university outside the Unites States, you must request a course-by-course evaluation of that coursework and have the completed evaluation sent to our Admissions office in the form of an official transcript. The length of the I-20 form may be dependent on credits eligible to transfer to FCC. We accept foreign credential evaluations from any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), including, International Education Evaluations (IEE), The Evaluation Company (TEC), and World Education Services (WES). Students that use these links for IEE or TEC will receive a special discounted rate. 

Student takes the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT). Minimum acceptable score is 61 on the internet-based test, 173 on the computer-based test or 500 on the paper-based test. Student will need to enter FCC School Code (5230) on the TOEFL request form to have the report sent directly to the FCC Admissions department. Student should allow time, as it can take up to a month for TOEFL to send scores to the College. For more information on how to take the TOEFL, visit the TOEFL website. 

**TOEFL score requirements are being reviewed. Proposed scores for students are: Minimum acceptable score is 79 on the Internet-based test, 212 on the computer-based test or 548 on the paper-based test (IBT).

Student applies for their F-1 Visa, as a separate process from FCC through the U.S. Department of State. 

4.A. Once admitted to the College and issued an I-20 by FCC, a student will be required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. The SEVIS I-901 fee is mandated by Congress to support the program office and the automated system that keeps track of the student and ensures that they maintain their status while in the U.S. Each student issued an initial I-20 is responsible for paying this fee to the SEVP. The fee must be paid in advance of their visa appointment and proof of purchase must be brought with them to their visa appointment.

4.B. Student will learn their Consulate’s requirements. A student can get this information by going to the U.S. Embassy website and choosing their country, then choosing the U.S. Consulate closest to their home.

4.C. Student will complete online Visa Application - Nonimmigrant Visa - Instructions Page (state.gov). (DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa) – Printing and keeping the DS-160 barcode confirmation page.

4.D. Student will make the Visa Appointment and pay the Visa Application Fee.

4.E. Student will collect their documents for that Visa Appointment (Passport,
I-20 from FCC, SEVIS Fee receipt, DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa barcode confirmation page, Visa Application Fee receipt, additional documents required  by their embassy or consulate).

4.F. Student will prepare for and attend Visa Interview and inform Frederick Community College of the outcome.

NOTE: After a student is approved for the F-1 Visa, the student is expected to arrive in Frederick County, MD no later than the International Student Orientation date listed in the admissions letter. 

All new F-1 visa students at Frederick Community College MUST attend the International Student Orientation. The orientation date will be provided in the admissions letter.

Note: Students will receive detailed information, such as time, location, and additional instructions a few weeks prior to the orientation date.

What to expect during International Student Orientation:

• Student will meet the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) and Designated School Official (DSO) at Frederick Community College, receive an overview of F-1 visa regulations, and sign the International Student Agreement Form.
• Take a campus tour to become familiar with available resources, classrooms, and student support offices.
• Take the placement assessment as appropriate.
• Student registers for classes either with their Academic Advisor or online through Campus Solutions.
• Student pays for the courses or sets up a payment plan.
• Student gets an FCC photo ID.
• Student buys books and supplies for their classes. Textbooks are available through the FCC Bookstore.
• Student completes the Go2Orientation at home.

Student will need to maintain their F-1 Visa status and notify the Designated School Official of any changes to their address or major within 10 days of change.