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How do I obtain an F-1 Visa?
- Complete the International Student Application and
obtain translated high
school and college transcripts from your home country and transcripts
from any U.S. schools attended.
- Take the TOEFL(Test of English as a Foreign Language™). Testing sites in all countries
are listed at www.toefl.org
- Send the application and all exhibits to SCC. All
financial information must be less than one year old and notarized.
- Once the government approves the documented information,
admissions prints off the I-20 (approval to study at SCC) form
and mails it to the student in their home country, along with
a letter explaining that the student must meet with an international
student advisor and take the assessment test .
- When the student receives the I-20, he/she must immediately
make an appointment with their closest U.S. embassy or
consulate. The student must pay their fee for the F-1, bring
their passport and submit to an interview at the U.S. embassy
or consulate, and a possible review of documents.
- After the interview, the embassy may or may not issue
the F-1 visa.
- The visa may be issued up to 90 days before
school begins, but the student is only allowed to arrive 30
days before school begins (i.e., 08/SP begins January
2008 – an
international student can come into the U.S. no
sooner than
December 2007).
- If a potential student is already visiting the U.S. as
a tourist (a B visa), or has another visa type, they can apply and
also take our assessment. If their scores are high enough,
Admissions may waive the TOEFL requirement.
- Once the student has completed their course of study (graduated
with the Associate of Arts Degree), the students must transfer
to a university and begin their new course of study within five
months.
Tips on Being A Successful International
Student at SCC
- Get to know the people on campus that can help you:
- Michelle Killeen – international student coordinator, admissions
- Laura Davidson – associate director, student development
- Laura Austin – academic counselor
- Kelley Pfeiffer – activities coordinator
- Yvette Sweeney – director, student development
- To achieve success in your studies:
- Meet with one of the academic advisors listed above.
- Register early for the next semester.
- Use the resources on campus such as the ACE Center for tutoring.
- Join a club and meet some new friends.
- To stay in Status:
- Maintain a 2.0 grade point average
- You must be a full-time student (12 credit hours or four
or more classes in fall or spring).
- Keep your passport valid.
- Do not let your I-20 expire.
- Get a new I-20 whenever you change your degree level, major,
etc.
- Report any change in address or phone number within 10 days
of change.
- NEVER work off campus without prior approval from the international student coordinator and the government – you may only work ON CAMPUS
without work authorization.
- Have Suzanne Beck sign your I-20 before traveling outside
the U.S.
- Working:
- You may only work on campus without
work authorization.
- You may only work 20 hours per week while school is in session.
- After your first year at SCC, and only if you have
an economic hardship, may you apply for an
EAD to work off campus.
- You may only apply for a Social Security number if you have
a job offer.
- Traveling outside the U.S.
- Plan ahead and register for classes early.
- See the international student coordinator one month before leaving the U.S.
- Have all necessary documents with you when entering the U.S.
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