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.
  
  
• Language proficiency requirement - Change of status applicants must complete one of the following:
• • Howard Community College's placement exam (placement into ENGL 086 or higher is required for admission)
  • Official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) transcript.  Applicants should use HCC’s Institutional Code (5308) to have official scores sent directly to the college.  Applicants must meet one of the following score requirements:
  • • 74 or higher on the internet-based test (ibt)
    • 537 or higher on the paper-based version
    • 203 or higer on the computerized version

• Certification of finances form, official 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 $26,000* for a year of study (*costs subject to change).
• • tuition: $8,000
  • fees: $500
  • books: $1,200
  • room and board: $12,800
  • personal expenses: $2,500
  • health insurance: $1,000
    
    
• Official secondary school transcripts and/or diploma.  Uncertified photocopies not acceptable.
  
  
• 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 can obtain insurance during their first semester at HCC).
  

More information concerning changing visa status...

• After completing the application, HCC will prepare an I-20 for the student.  For all newly created I-20s, students are required to fill out the I-901 form, pay a 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

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.