Steps for International Student Admission

To be considered for admission, international students must:

1. Complete an online Application for Admission to St. Charles Community College (SCC).
2. Complete an International Student Application Packet from the SCC Office of Admissions and Recruitment.
3. Submit the following documents to the Office of International Student Services:
   • Official transcripts of records, translated into English, from all secondary schools attended verifying high school degree from native country or an American or International Baccalaureate high school degree
   • Completed Certified Financial Responsibility Statement demonstrating proof of adequate financial support through the entire period of planned attendance
   • Completed Conditions of Enrollment statement acknowledging understanding of enrollment conditions
   • Proof of English language proficiency level

Conditions of Enrollment

Acceptance to St. Charles Community College does not guarantee a Form I-20 or F-1 student visa; this decision is made by U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS). Failure to adhere to the following conditions and associated deadlines may result in enrollment prohibition, deregistration from courses, and termination of Form I-20. To become or remain enrolled, international students must:

• Be enrolled in a degree program, or take classes for ESL training or pathway through the English Language and Culture Institute (ELCI)
• Be enrolled in 12 credit hours each semester, unless a DSO has approved a reduced course in accordance with US government guidelines
• Attend class regularly according to attendance policy for each course
• Be responsible for housing and transportation
• Arrive ten days before the beginning of each semester of enrollment, follow check-in procedures, and attend orientation
• Complete TB Screening Form and Test within ten days of arrival for first semester of enrollment
• Arrange to obtain international student health insurance approved by SCC
• Register for classes through DSO
• Not drop a main-semester class and enroll in a second eight-week semester class without the ISS Director’s permission
• Maintain contact with Designated Student Officer (DSO) from the Office of International Student Services, who will monitor admission application status and issue Form I-20Pay for and arrange to ship Form I-20
• Treat themselves and others with respect, and students who violate SCC policies and procedures, or the State or federal law, or who fail to maintain agreements with SCC and SCC affiliates are subject to suspension or disciplinary action

Financial Responsibility

International students must provide proof of financial support from the student, family member, friend, government sponsor, or scholarship(s) at or above $20,495 annually or at the amount determined by the DSO and approved on the institution’s I-17.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees are outlined in the Schedule of Tuition, Fees, and Refunds for Credit Classes and must be paid by the due date each semester. Rates will be charged as follows:

• International students who hold F, H (except H-1B), J, O-2, P, or Q visas will pay Out of State/International tuition rates and fees.
• International students who live as an unemancipated minor, hold a visa in the categories specified above, and are dependent on and living with a parent or guardian who has established residency in the SCC taxing district with permanent resident alien status or a visa in a category other than those specified above will pay In-District tuition rates and fees.
• International students who are classified as non-immigrant alien and hold a visa in a category other than those specified above, with established residency in the SCC taxing district, will pay In-District tuition rates and fees.

Employment

International students must have approval from the DSO for on-campus employment, economic hardship employment, Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

Financial Aid

International students do not qualify for federal work-study programs or federal financial aid but are allowed to apply for scholarships.

English Language Proficiency

NON-NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKERS

Non-native English speakers who score below minimum requirements for English proficiency will be placed in courses offered through the English Language and Culture Institute (ELCI) to study English or pursue a pathway from ESL (English as a Second Language) to a degree program.

The following English proficiency requirements must be met for acceptance to a degree-seeking program with ESL support classes. Students who wish to study English or score below the following scores will take classes offered by the English Language and Culture Institute:

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Paper Based: Minimum score of 323
• TOEFL IBT (Internet Based Test): Minimum score of 50
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System): Minimum score of 5.5
• Duolingo Online Test: Minimum score of 80

EXEMPTION FROM ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) COURSEWORK

Non-native English speakers who apply for acceptance to a degree-seeking program may be exempted from English as a Second Language coursework with the following demonstration of language proficiency:

• TOEFL Paper Based: Minimum score of 550
• TOEFL IBT: Minimum score of 79 with no section score below 17
• IELTS: Minimum score of 6.5
• Duolingo Online Test: Minimum score of 100
• Cambridge CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English): Minimum grade of C
• Cambridge CAE (Certificate of Advanced English): Minimum grade of B
• GTEC CBT (Global Test of English Communication Computer Based Test): Minimum score of 100
• PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic: Minimum score of 6.5
• SCC ELCI (English Language and Culture Institute) Intensive English Program: Completion of highest level
• IB (International Baccalaureate) English A: Language & Literature HL Exam: Minimum score of 5
• Transferrable Credits: Minimum of 24 transferable credits from an accredited two- or four-year post-secondary institution in the United States
• English Composition Course: Minimum grade of C in English Composition at an accredited two- or four-year post-secondary institution in the United States
• American high school graduation and:
  • ACT (American College Testing): minimum score of 19 in Reading and English, or
  • AP (Advanced Placement): Score of 4 or 5 on either the English: Language and Composition; or English: Literature and Composition exams

Note: Students may not provide a score for exemption once they begin their course of study at SCC.

NATIVE SPEAKER EXEMPTION

Students from the following predominantly English speaking countries are not required to submit an English language proficiency score: Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Fiji, Gambia, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent (Grenadines), Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Students from these countries are required to assess basic reading, writing, and mathematics levels at the SCC Assessment Center before enrolling at the College. If scores on these placement instruments are significantly deficient, the student will be referred to the English Language Culture Institute for assessment.

NATIVE SPEAKER APPEAL FOR EXEMPTION

Students who have completed their education entirely in English in a country where the English is considered an official language but is not on the list of native English-speaking countries above, may submit a written appeal to the Director of International Student Services to be exempted from providing an English language proficiency score for admission. These students are required to assess basic reading, writing, and mathematics levels at the SCC Assessment Center. If scores on these placement instruments are significantly deficient, the student will be referred to the Assessment Center for English as a Second Language (ESL) assessment.

Enrollment, Attendance, and Academic Progress

According to Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP) regulations, international students must take a full course of study and make progress in their program, unless they are approved for a reduced course load by a DSO. Student visas may not be extended due to lack of progress in a degree program. To ensure compliance with these regulations, international students must:

• Enroll in 12 credit hours per semester.
• Enroll in Fall or Spring main semesters, and 12-week late start semesters by the deadline printed in the application materials (usually at least one month before the first day of classes).
  • Note: Students who wish to enroll in eight-week or five-week semesters must seek the approval of the Director of International Student Services.
• Meet class attendance requirements as determined by attendance policies for each course:
  • Degree-seeking international students who are administratively withdrawn for failure to attend class may not be allowed to enroll in eight week courses to maintain status.
  • International students reported as not attending class and falling below 12 credit hours in a semester will be suspended, and Form I-20 will be terminated. These students will not be allowed to re-apply for at least one main semester and should seek assistance from an immigration attorney rather than SCC officials when requesting reinstatement.
• Make academic progress in degree program:
  • International students submitted for Academic Early Alert will be advised by International Student Services staff and guided to SCC resources for grade improvement.
  • International students placed on academic probation must raise their GPA to the required level within one semester. Failure to do so will result in inability to register for the following semester, termination of Form I-20, and reapplication required for the next semester.
    
    

Content Owner: Student Services
Issued: 08/2020
Revised: 02/2021

Policy