|
International StudentsThe college must comply with federal law to enroll international students as provided by the US Department of Homeland Security. An international student seeking appropriate F-1 or M-1 visa status to attend a college of the DCCCD must:
In addition to the requirements stated above, an international student must be in good academic standing (2.0 or better GPA) and also in valid F1 immigration standing as defined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) who wish to transfer from another U.S. institution of higher education. Valid F1 immigration status inclues but is not limited to pursuit of a full course of study during the term immediately preceding transfer from the institution last authorized by The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). If admitted, students must present all original immigration documents. Each individual college of the DCCCD is authorized to issue Form I-20s for attendance in classes at the college that issued the I-20. An international student must obtain an I-20 from the college that admits the student. In the event a student wishes to transfer to another institution that is Student and Exchange Visitor Imformation System (SEVIS) approved the student must contact the international student office at that college to initiate the transfer in SEVIS request. If a student wishes to take courses at another college (another college of the DCCCD or a non-DCCCD college), the student must receive prior written permission from the admitting college. In the event of a complete transfer to attend another college (all classes taken at another college), a student must complete a transfer procedure as required by the SEVIS program prior to enrollment. An international student must enroll in 12 hours or in a course load otherwise defined as full-time in accordance with USCIS F1 regulations as required for an F1 student to maintain full-time student status during each regular semester in order to maintain visa status. Therefore, an international student must be enrolled in and maintain a full course load as determined by each individual college program. For example, an international student who pursues an Associate Degree in Nursing, Vocational Nursing, or Associate Degree in one of the allied health fields of study, is considered a full-time student when the student's lecture, laboratory assignment and clinical work in clock hours are determined by the college to equal or exceed 12 credit hours. A college may also determine whether an international student who is enrolled in an intensive English program is a full-time student based upon the student's clock hours in class each week of the session in this program. After admission, international students must present scores from an assessment test approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board under the TSI unless otherwise exempt. If adequate scores are not demonstrated through assessment, the college shall require placement in any or all of the following courses: additional reading, English language or mathematic courses to meet course prerequisites. The college shall take all the following steps regarding out-of-status international students:
For tuition purposes out of the status F1 students may not claim undocumented out of status for any reason. Students who enter this country with visas, other than F-1 or M-1 visas, must submit an application for admissions and provide documentation of immigration status. The college recommends that all prospective students have adequate immunization for bacterial meningitis, diphtheria; rubeola, rubella, mumps, tetanus and poliomyelitis (see Department of Health and Human Services Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule); and submit an official transcript from each college or university previously attended in the Unitied States as well as any assessments if required by a college. For tuition purposes, colleges shall classify these students based upon their visas and appropriate documentation. As with international students, these students may not also claim undocumented status for any reason. An undocumented student is defined in this policy/catalog as anyone who entered the United States without papers (visa stamp/I-94 record)/official inspection at a US immigration border post as defined by the Texas Noriega student law and the Dream Act. It is strongly recommended that international students obtain health insurance for the duration of their studies in the college. |