How to Change to Student (F1) Status

• Submit all F1 application materials to Howard Community College by the appropriate deadline (see below).  After verifying that the application is complete, we will prepare the I-20 form for the student.
• • For all newly created I-20s, students are required to fill out the I-901 form, pay a $100 fee, and obtain a receipt.  This form is available, and payable, online at www.fmjfee.com.  For more information on the I-901 form and payment, please visit the SEVIS website at http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/faq2.htm.
    
    
• The student will then submit a completed I-539 form to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Office.  To download the I-539 form, and for more information, please visit the USCIS website at http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-539.pdf.  The student must include the following with the I-539 form:
• • $300 fee payable to The Department of Homeland Security
  • Original I-20 form (signed)
  • Proof of payment of SEVIS fee (where applicable)
  • Photocopy of both sides of I-94 form
  • Photocopy of current immigration status documents (visa stamp, passport ID pages)
  • Photocopy of financial support documents
  • Letter from student explaining the reason for requesting a change of status
    
    
• If the change of visa status is granted by the immigration office, the student is officially accepted to HCC with F1 status.
• • Please note: Students requesting a change from B1/B2 status to F1 status, or from F2 status to F1 status, may not begin taking classes until USCIS has granted the change in status.

F1 Application and Instructions

Prospective students seeking a change of nonimmigrant status must fulfill all application requirements by June 1st for the fall semester and by October 1st for the spring semester.  Admission requirements for degree and certificate programs include submission of:

• Application for Admission to Certificate and Degree Programs for International (F1) Students and $50 nonrefundable application fee.
  
  
• Official transcript of the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).  Score requirements for degree and certificate programs are 203+ on the computer version, 537+ on the paper version, or 74-75+ on the internet-based version.  Students already in the United States may take Howard Community College's placement exam instead of the TOEFL.  Placement into ENGL 086 or higher is required for admission.  Howard Community College's institution code is 5308.
  
  
• Certification of finances form, bank statements, and statements of support must verify that students can pay for their academic and living expenses before they can be admitted.  These costs are currently $23,800* for a year of study (*costs subject to change).
• • tuition: $7,800
  • fees: $500
  • books: $900
  • personal expenses: $2,500
  • room and board: $11,100
  • health insurance: $1,000
    
    
• Official secondary school transcripts and/or diploma.
  
  
• Official college or university transcripts, if applicable.  Students seeking transfer credit must have their overseas transcripts evaluated by a transcript evaluation agency.
  
  
• Proof of health insurance for care in the United States (students will obtain insurance during their first semester at HCC).