International Students

Be a part of our culture

Florida Community College has a proud history of enrolling a diverse population of students from around the world. We have members from dozens of countries, speaking more than 80 languages! If attending Florida Community College as an international student sounds like a destination to you, then follow these steps toward admission.

International Admissions Checklist

Application

Note: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view/print PDF documents. Submit your International Membership Application (PDF) with the non-refundable $80 processing fee. It is important that you keep a valid e-mail address on file with the Office of Admissions at all times. Admissions decision letters are generally mailed within four weeks of the receipt of the completed application and required documentation. Incomplete applications will delay the decision process. Note: You must be at least 17 years old by the first day of class.

Certification of Finances Submit certification of financial responsibility, showing financial documentation that you can cover the estimated living expenses while you’re in school. If your sponsor is a U.S. citizen or U.S. legal permanent resident, the affidavit of support (PDF) must be completed and submitted with your application.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Test Scores

TOEFL Web Site

Submit Acceptable Scores

Paper 460 or higher

Computer 140 or higher

Internet-based 48 or higher

TOEFL Exemption Guidelines

Any of the following:

Native of an English-speaking country.

Transfer student who completed courses equivalent to English Composition I and II at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university with a grade of “C” or higher.

Three years of English with a grade of “C” or higher from an accredited U.S. High School.

Transcripts Submit certified copies of original official records/transcripts of ALL secondary and post-secondary school work. All records must be in English. If the language of the records is not in English, a certified literal translation must be included with the original document. Post-secondary records must include a course by course evaluation from an NACES approved foreign credential evaluation service.

Health Insurance (Effective Fall 2009)
Health insurance is required to cover the cost of unexpected accidents or illnesses. ALL F-1 visa students are required by the college to maintain health insurance coverage during their enrollment at FCCJ.

Transfer Applicants
Submit Additional Requirements: Copies of your visa and I-94 (front and back).

Copies of all previous I-20’s.

A photocopy of the visa photo pages in your passport.

A Transfer In Form sent directly from your previous institution to Florida Community College at Jacksonville.

Submit documents to: Florida Community College at Jacksonville, International Student Admissions, 601 W. State St., Jacksonville, FL 32202. Please allow 3-4 weeks for processing.

What Happens Next?

*I-20 Issued and Applying for Your Student Visa	Once your application is approved, your Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) will be mailed to the address listed on your International Membership Application. You will need to take the I-20 document to a United States Embassy or Consulate to obtain permission to enter the United States on a student visa. Review “Preparing for an F-1 Visa Interview” or “Getting Your Student Visa” to make sure you're ready for your Embassy or Consulate appointment.
Plan Your Arrival	Once you receive your I-20 you may arrive in the United States approximately 30 days before the beginning of the term you plan to enroll. Plan to arrive early enough to complete (CPT-L) testing, counseling, assessment and registration. Local flight information is available at Jacksonville International Airport.
Make Living Arrangements	Florida Community College does not maintain housing facilities for students. However, housing options are available at the local University for FCCJ students. To learn more visit Osprey Fountains or e-mail Cathy Heberling. It is your responsibility to make your own housing arrangements once your admissions application is approved. Students under the age of 18 must have local living arrangements with a guardian or relative approved by their parents prior to arrival. When making housing arrangements, we suggest you consider the location of the campus/center you would like to attend and transportation concerns.
Check-In	Once you arrive in Jacksonville, please call 904.632.3100 to schedule your Check-In appointment.
*Students requesting a change of status must complete additional steps after receiving their I-20. See Change to a F-1 Request Checklist.

Estimated Living Expenses for International Students

International students are admitted with the understanding that adequate finances are available during their period of study in the United States. The support may be from the individual’s own sources or from sponsors in this country or from abroad. In general, scholarships are not available to international students.

The College may require, based on certain conditions or circumstances within a country, that a predetermined amount of money be on deposit in the United States to cover a student’s expenses for one year.

Average cost estimated for one year for an A.A. or A.S. degree (effective Fall Term 2009):

Tuition (30 credit hours X $324.89)	$9,747
Total Estimated Tuition	$9,747
Books (30 credit hours X $40)	$1,200
Apartment Rent (12 months X $600)	$7,200
Electricity (12 months X $50)	$600
Food (12 months X $150)	$1,800
Transportation (bus fare at 75¢ per trip)	$750
Health Insurance (amount varies on coverage)	$450
Total Estimated Living Expenses	$12,000
Total Estimated Cost	$21,747

Average cost estimated for one year for a bachelor’s degree (effective Fall Term 2009):

Tuition (30 credit hours X $509.05)	$15,272
Total Estimated Tuition	$15,272
Books (30 credit hours X $40)	$1,200
Apartment Rent (12 months X $600)	$7,200
Electricity (12 months X $50)	$600
Food (12 months X $150)	$1,800
Transportation (bus fare at 75¢ per trip)	$750
Health Insurance (amount varies on coverage)	$450
Total Estimated Living Expenses	$12,000
Total Estimated Cost	$27,272

Additional cost per dependent is $6,000.

Note: Tuition and fees are subject to change without prior notice. Students on an F-1 student visa are NOT eligible for in-state tuition rates.

Financial Documentation

All financial documentation must be less than six months old. Financial support may be from your own resources or from a sponsor. If your sponsor is a U.S. citizen or U.S. legal permanent resident, the affidavit of support (PDF) must be completed and submitted with your application.

Acceptable evidence of financial support:	Unacceptable financial documents:
Bank statements on letterhead with required signature/stamp Scholarship letters Lines of credit Governmental funding	Chartered accountant statements Payroll reports/expected income Tax statements and W-2’s Property assessments Credit cards Bank statements lacking currency amounts Other statements of non-liquid assets

Helpful Links (all will open in a new window)

TOEFL - official site of the test of English as a foreign language
International Student
Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. - private organization specializing in foreign credential evaluation
World Education Services - non-profit foreign credential evaluation group

For additional information on becoming an international student or to request an international student packet, simply e-mail the admissions office or call 904.632.3100.