International Students (F1 visa)
FCC is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant students. International students studying at FCC must be pursuing a full course of study towards an Associate Degree other than an Allied Health field, Nursing, Biotechnology, Emergency Management or English as a Second Language.
Prospective F1 International students complete five steps prior to being admitted and receiving their I-20 from FCC; six steps to obtain their VISA from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate; and six additional steps with FCC after obtaining their F1 Visa and arriving in the U.S., to complete the enrollment process.
Student Process to obtain I-20 from FCC:
Step one: Student submits a completed
I-20 Request Form with local (Maryland) sponsor’s address and student’s address from their home country.
Step two: Student submits an official high school (secondary school) transcript evaluation in English to an accepted evaluation service. World Education Services
(www.wes.org)or any member of the National Collegiate Evaluation Services (
www.naces.org) is accepted. Students should ask for the document-by-document evaluation and that it be sent to the FCC Admissions Department.
Step three: Local sponsor submits the
I-134 Affidavit of Support - a statement of financial resources including the amount and source of support for the prospective student, ie: bank statement or bank letter, via mail or email to the FCC Admissions Department. 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 $26,000. Students attending the College on the F Visa will be classified as out-of-state residents
for tuition purposes while at FCC.
Instructions for I-134 Affidavit of Support are available to students from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Step four: Student takes the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). 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, a student can go to
www.toefl.org.
Step five: Student submits a copy of their current Passport by mail or email to the FCC Admissions Department.
NOTE: Student must submit all materials and required documents in support of their I-20 request to FCC by June 1 for the subsequent fall semester and October 1 for the subsequent spring semester. The I-20 is issued at the time the student is formally accepted and admitted to the College, which occurs after the above listed documents have been received and evaluated for minimum requirements. Evaluations occur in June and October.
Student Process once admitted to the College and issued an I-20 by FCC:
Step six: Student applies for their F1 Visa, as a separate process from FCC through
http://usvisas.state.gov.
6. 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 of $350. 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.
6.B. Student will learn their Consulate’s requirements. A student can get this information by going to
http://www.usembassy.gov and choosing their country, then choosing the U.S. Consulate closest to their home.
6.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.
6.D. Student will make the Visa Appointment and pay the Visa Application Fee.
6.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).
6.F. Student will prepare for and attend Visa Interview (Why they want to study in the U.S., why FCC, what financial support they have, plans for after studies are completed, connections and ties to their country, etc.).
NOTE: After a student is approved for the F1 Visa, the student is expected to arrive in Frederick County, MD no later than August 10 for fall term and January 10 for spring term.
Student Process after Arrival in U.S. on I-20 from FCC:
Step seven: Student makes an appointment with the Designated School Official in the Admissions Department and signs the
International Student Agreement Form to certify they understand the conditions of admission related to the I-20.
Step eight: Student completes the course placement assessment
as appropriate. Referral to take the assessment will be given to the student when they meet with the Designated School Official. The student can either take the Accuplacer assessment at FCC, another testing location, or online.
Step nine: Student uses their Student ID number to complete FCC’s
online orientation.
Step ten: Student schedules their
appointment and meets with an Academic Advisor to select courses as a full-time student.
Step eleven: Student registers for specific classes either with their Academic Advisor or online through
Campus Solutions – FCC’s Student Information System.
Step twelve: Student completes their enrollment at FCC.
12.A. Student pays for their courses.
12.B. Student buys books and supplies for their classes. Textbooks are available through the FCC
Bookstore.
12.C. Student attends class.
NOTE: Student will need to maintain their F1 Visa status and notify the Designated School Official of any changes to their address or major within 10 days of change.