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International
Student Admissions
- Admission - Miami-Dade College is
authorized under United States Federal Law, Immigration and Nationality Act,
Section (101)(a)(15) (F) to enroll non-immigrant alien students. These
students are required to follow the regular admission procedures, provide a
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score, a certificate of health
and accident insurance, statement of financial resources to support
education costs, and request a Certificate of Eligibility (Form 1-20 A-B)
from the College.
- The international applicant should start the
admissions process at the earliest possible date prior to the beginning of
any college semester or term. Six months lead time is recommended to
assure enrollment as requested. International mail delays, transcript
verifications, international monetary transfers. consular appointments,
travel. housing, and advisement/testing requirements must be anticipated
many months in advance of enrollment at the College.
- The application for admission, including all
admissions credentials and TOEFL test scores, must be received at least
6() days prior to the start of the term in which the applicant plans to
enroll. Academic transcript(s) of secondary school, college, university,
technical, and other post-secondary schools attended must be certified
official. Transcript(s) in languages other than English must include
official certified English translations, authentic verifying statements,
and signatures.
- International students who are unable to
complete the required admission and registration procedures prior to the
beginning of classes for the approved term of enrollment must wait for the
next term to begin their studies at Miami-Dade. Students who arrive after
the first week of classes for the approved term of enrollment may be
required to delay their enrollment until the next succeeding term. In such
cases, a new Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20A-B) may be required to
clear visa and/or U.S. Immigration requirements. The request for a new
1-20 A B must be initiated by the student.
- Registration and placement into courses and
programs is dependent on English language proficiency, advisement and
counseling, assessment/placement testing and course or program
requirements.
- Readmission - Readmission to the College for
the international student requires submitting a new application for
admission, new official transcripts of post-secondary education attempted
since last attendance at Miami-Dade, statement of financial resources to
support education costs and a request for a Certificate of Eligibility (Form
I-20 A-B). Transcript(s) in languages other than English shall include
official certified English translations, authentic verifying statements, and
signatures.
- English Language Requirements - Miami-Dade College courses are taught in the English language. The College
will provide English language training for students who have insufficient
English language skills. English language test scores determine placement
into college courses. Although no international students will be denied
admission because of their TOEFL score, submission of a TOEFL score is
required to complete the admissions process. Students with TOEFL scores (or
an equivalent score on other standardized tests) of 550 or higher are
eligible to take the Basic Skills Test, to determine placement in courses
leading to an associate degree. Additional placement tests will be
administered to students with TOEFL scores below 550.
- Students requiring English language training
may need to attend additional semesters at the College in order to
complete all associate degree requirements.
- The Test of English as a Foreign Language
(TOEFL) is usually administered several times each year at centers in most
countries of the world. Information and application forms for TOEFL may be
obtained from international centers or by writing to TOEFL, Box 899,
Princeton, NJ 08541, U.S.A. International students should plan to take the
TOEFL at least six (6) months prior to the intended term of enrollment at
Miami-Dade in order to assure the official test score report is received
at least sixty (60) days before the beginning of the term.
- Financial Requirements - All international
students must have sufficient funds to pay full college matriculation and
tuition fees, textbooks, living expenses, transportation expenses, and other
incidental expenses while attending college in the United States. Financial
requirements are included with the application for admissions form.
Documentary evidence of means of financial support must be provided to the
College for admission purposes and issuance of the Certificate of
Eligibility (Form I-20 A-B). This evidence is also required by the American
Embassy or Consulate when applying for a student visa to enter the United
States. Students must have these funds available when they register for
their classes each term. Advance arrangements to accommodate international
exchange conditions and time lag to obtain funds should he anticipated by
the international student. College financial aid is not available to
students on visa. See the Fees section in this catalog for details
concerning matriculation, tuition, and other fee requirements.
- Employment - Visa students may not be employed
outside the College while attending college in the United States unless
permission has been granted by the United States Immigration Services.
- Health and Accident Insurance Certificate -
Visa students must provide to the College, in advance of the intended term
of enrollment, a certificate indicating the student is covered by standard
health and accident insurance for 12 months. This insurance coverage must
continue for the entire period of enrollment at the College.
- Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 A-B) -
United States Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service
Certificate of Eligibility (Non-Immigrant "F-1" Student Status)
will be provided to admitted students upon student request following
completion of all admission requirements. Documentary evidence of means of
financial support must be attached to the Certificate of Eligibility when
applying for the student visa at the United States Embassy or Consular
Office.
- The program of study indicated on the
(.Certificate of Eligibility is tentative since final placement into
College programs and courses is dependent upon English proficiency,
placement test scores, student interest, prior educational training,
course admission prerequisites or corequisites, and advisement-counseling
requirements.
- Duration of Status - International students on
a visa are admitted to the United States for the entire time estimated for
them to complete.their approved program of study Students must fulfill the
following conditions to maintain Duration of Status: pursue a full course of
study at the educational institution they are authorized to attend, make
normal progress, keep a current passport that is valid for at least six
months into the future and do not accept off campus employment without INS
approval.
- Student Identification Number - Upon admission
to the United States for the first time, International students are issued a
Form I-20 ID endorsed with an admission number. This form must be kept with
the student at all times. This admission number is to be used on all
correspondence with Immigration and Naturalization Services.
- Arrival at Miami-Dade College -
On-Campus Requirements - After receiving confirmation of acceptance to the
College, International students should arrive in the United States and the
Miami community approximately 30 days before the beginning of the term of
intended enrollment. This is necessary so the student may locate housing,
provide a local address to the College, participate in new student
orientation, English language and placement assessment, obtain advisement
and counseling, and register for courses.
- A College academic calendar is provided to
all international student applicants and should be used by admitted
students to meet these requirements. Students who arrive later may be
required to delay their enrollment until the next succeeding term and a
new Form I-20 A-B required to re-enter the United States.
- Housing in the Community - As a Community
College, Miami-Dade does not provide or supervise student housing. However,
each College campus will assist students to locate housing facilities.
International students must bring sufficient funds to pay at least three
months' rent in advance at the time housing is located. The estimated
expense information provided with the application for admission form
provides important details.
- Transportation - Students must provide their
own transportation from the International Airport or other transportation
centers to the College or the area in which housing will be obtained.
- Arrival-Departure - Record/School Transfer -
Non-Immigrant alien visa students are required to attend the designated
educational institution as indicated on the Arrival-Departure Record (Form
I-94) by Immigration officials at the U.S. port of entry. They are expected
to complete at least one semester at that institution prior to requesting
transfer to any other educational institution. Completion of a degree
program at the designated educational institution is recommended.
- International visa students who wish to
transfer to another school in the same educational program must officially
do so by requesting a new Form I-20 A-B from the school to which they wish
to transfer. That institution will notify Immigration of the student's
intent to transfer schools. Students who are not pursuing a full course of
study are not eligible to transfer. A student who transfers schools
without completing this process is considered to be out of status.
- Passport Validity - International students on
a visa must have and maintain in their possession at all times a current
passport valid for a period of not less than six (6) months into the future.
It is the student's responsibility to meet this requirement.
- Full-Time Enrollment - Non-immigrant alien
students on visa are required by United States Immigration regulations to be
enrolled fulltime. They should make satisfactory progress toward their
approved program objectives each term. Otherwise the continuation of study
on a student visa may be jeopardized and the Certificate of Eligibility
(Form I-20 A-B) rescinded. See Standards of Academic Progress in Academic
Regulations section.
- United States Department of Justice,
Immigration and Naturalization Service Laws and Regulations - It is the
student's responsibility to comply with all non-immigrant alien requirements
as stated under the United States laws under Section 101(a)(15)(F) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act. The College is required to report to the
Immigration Office non-immigrant alien students who:
1.Do not register at the College at the time
expected;
2.Do not carry a full course of studies;
3.Do not attend classes to the extent normally required;
4.Become employed without authorization;
5.Terminate their attendance at the College.
- Visa Student Advisement - Advisors are
available at each campus to advise international students concerning
academic programs and course objectives.
- Visa students should contact the campus
admissions office or their International student advisor well in advance
of the end of the approved immigration time period (at least 60 days) if
they have any questions about immigration rules and regulations in order
to avoid possible difficulties with Immigration Services while on student
visa in the United States.
- Special Agency Fees for Advisement or Other
Special Services for sponsored students - College participation in
cooperative international education agreements with agencies, organizations,
or governments may include a requirement for special funding support or fees
from those agencies for advisement, counseling, and other special services
for international students within the program.
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For comments about this page, send e-mail to garcia@MDC.edu
Last modified:
03/09/2007by
jgarcia@MDC.edu
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