|
The International Student Services Office assists international students in making the transition from their home countries to CF. The staff assists students with admissions, immigration regulations, academic planning, personal problems and other areas of concern. The International Student Services office is located in the Bryant Student Union, Room 102 and online at www.cf.edu/international.
Admission of International Students
The College of Central Florida is authorized by the Department of Homeland Security to enroll nonimmigrant students and to issue a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) to qualified applicants who wish to apply for an F1 student visa. Applicants who wish to study at CF on an F1 student visa must submit the following items:
- A completed online Application, including a $30 nonrefundable application fee and a Non-Florida Residency Declaration.
- An official document-by-document evaluation of the applicant’s high school or secondary school transcripts and diploma/certificate from International Education Evaluations, Inc. (https://myiee.org/university/college-of-central-florida), Josef Silny & Associates (www.jsilny.org), SpanTran (www.spantran.com), World Education Services Inc. (www.wes.org) or any active member of NACES. If the documents are not in English, the applicant will also need to have an official English translation. The cost of the evaluation and translation are the responsibility of the applicant. If the applicant graduated from an accredited high school inside the United States, then an evaluation is not required and the official transcripts may be sent directly to CF.
- A completed Financial Statement Form (https://pr.cf.edu/files/SA-INT2_International_Financial_Support_Statement.pdf.) Applicants must provide evidence of financial ability and have sufficient funds to pay for tuition and fees, textbooks, living expenses, and health insurance for one year. Applicants and/or sponsors must complete the Financial Statement Form and provide proof of financial ability such as bank documents or scholarship letters.
- A photocopy of the applicant’s valid passport.
Applicants who previously attended a non-U.S. college or university and want to have their postsecondary coursework considered for transfer to CF must submit an official course-by-course evaluation prior to the first semester of enrollment. If the documents are not in English, the applicant will also need to have an official English translation. The cost of the evaluation and translation are the responsibility of the applicant. CF accepts course-by-course evaluations from International Education Evaluations, Inc. (https://myiee.org/university/college-of-central-florida), Josef Silny & Associates (www.jsilny.org), SpanTran (www.spantran.com), World Education Services Inc. (www.wes.org) or any active member of NACES.
Applicants who are currently studying on an F1 visa at a SEVP-certified school and wish to transfer to CF must submit all items listed above, as well as a copy of their valid F1 visa, copies of previous I-20s, official college transcripts and a completed International Student Services Transfer Form (https://pr.cf.edu/files/SA-INT1_F1_International_Student_Transfer.pdf).
Applicants who are currently in the U.S. on a different visa and wish to change to an F1 student visa should contact the International Student Services Office for assistance with applying for a Change of Status (USCIS Form I-539).
Deadlines: Although CF accepts international student applications year-round, the following deadlines must be followed in order to ensure that the application is processed and the applicant receives their admissions packet in time to apply for an F1 student visa. Fall - July 1, Spring - Nov. 15 and Summer - April 1.
New International Student Orientation is mandatory for all new F1 students and is held on the days prior to the first day of class.
Students will be informed of their orientation date in their acceptance letter. During orientation, students will complete any required academic placement testing, receive a class schedule, and be required to pay tuition for one semester.
Enrolled International Students
It is critical that F1 students maintain their legal status while in the United States. F1 Students must adhere to the following rules and regulations or they will be considered out-of-status and face serious consequences, up to and including deportation.
- Enroll full-time in an academic degree program. F1 students must register for and attend at least 12 credit hours in the fall and spring semesters. For a 12-credit course load, they may only take one 3-credit online class. Summer semester is a vacation semester and taking classes is optional. However, students who begin their course of study during the summer must enroll full-time. F1 students must be degree seeking and be making progress towards completion of their degree. Students on their final semester may request a Reduced Course Load but must enroll in at least 6 credits including one in person course to remain in status.
- Maintain a valid I-20. F1 students must be aware of the Program End Date on their I-20, and apply for an extension before that date if they need additional time to complete their degree. Extensions cannot be granted once the Program End Date has passed and the student must transfer schools or depart the U.S.
- Maintain a valid passport. F1 students must have a valid, unexpired passport.
- Refrain from participation in unauthorized employment. All employment must be approved by International Student Services. F1 students cannot begin employment or accept employment until it has been approved. Accepting unauthorized employment could result in immediate termination of the F1 visa.
- Update contact information within 10 days. F1 students must notify International Student Services of any address change within 10 days of moving. F1 students must provide up-to-date contact information including a phone number, email address and emergency contact information on the International Student Contact Information Form (https://pr.cf.edu/files/SA-INT8_F-1_International_Student_Contact_Information_Form.pdf)
- Maintain health and accident insurance coverage. F1 students are required to be covered by health and accident insurance during their entire time at CF, including summer semesters and while on OPT. Students must purchase insurance, either from Insurance for College Students (IFCS) or an approved alternate policy. New students must provide proof of insurance at orientation. For current students, insurance will be verified each semester prior to registration.
- Know the tuition and fee payment responsibilities. F1 students must pay their full tuition and fees by the due date specified on the course registration schedule each semester that they are enrolled. If they fail to pay their full tuition balance by the due date, they will be removed from all of their courses. F1 students not enrolled during the semester will be considered out of status, the I-20 will be immediately terminated and the student will be required to depart the U.S. All F1 students are considered non-Florida residents for tuition purposes and are not eligible for in-state tuition unless they attended a Florida public high school on an approved visa for the proceeding three years. This will be verified by the official high school transcript and subsequent completion of House Bill 851 Nonresident Tuition Waiver for Select High School Graduates. This must be completed prior to each semester for duration of enrollment and submitted to the Office of Enrollment Services.
- Have I-20 signed before traveling outside the U.S. Before traveling outside the United States, F1 students must check their documents carefully. Before leaving the U.S., the student must bring their I-20 to International Student Services for an updated signature on page 2 to verify that they are currently in-status. Only a Designated School Official (DSO) may sign the I-20.
- Maintain academic standing. F1 students must maintain an overall grade point average (G.P.A.) of 2.0 and make progress towards their academic degree program. F1 students who are placed on academic suspension or dismissal will be considered out-of-status, their I-20 will be terminated, and they must depart the U.S.
- Comply with all CF rules and regulations. F1 students must comply with all rules and regulations while attending CF, including the Academic Integrity and Honor Code.
- Comply with all USCIS regulations. F1 students must comply with all the federal regulations required of their visa, as listed on page 3 of their I-20. F1 students must sign their I- 20 prior to entering the U.S. which acknowledges that they have read and agree with the terms and conditions of their I-20.
|
