POLICY

PERTINENT INFORMATION:

CAMPUS PROCEDURES

1. Non-Contract Sponsored International Students

   1. Upon receipt of inquiry or request for admissions from a foreign national, the Office of Admissions will identify the application status of the person and provide all pertinent admissions and enrollment information. The applicant status can generally be categorized by the following:
      
      
      1. Foreign person in his home country.
      2. Foreign person in the United States on Tourist or Visitor Visa.
      3. Foreign person in the United States as a student requesting transfer.
         
         
   2. There are four categories of foreign student sponsorship in which almost all applicants or students exist. These are:
      
      
      1. "J-1" (Exchange Visitor - U.S./Foreign Government Sponsored individual or group.
      2. "F-1" or "M-1" (Non-Immigrant Student) Self or family sponsored individual.
      3. "F-1" or "M-1" (Non-Immigrant Student) - U.S./Foreign Agency sponsored individual or group.
      4. "F-1" or "M-1" (Non-Immigrant Student) - Foreign Government sponsored individual or group.
         
         
2. Admission Procedures for International Students
   
   Due to delays in international communications, international applicants are encouraged to complete all admission requirements at least 90-days prior to the expected entry date.
   
   
   1. Application for Admission
      
      
   2. Student Immunization
      
      
   3. Student Health Services Information Form
      
      
   4. Housing Form (and deposit should accompany these documents)
      
      
   5. Affidavit of Support
      NOTE: This form must have attached to it a conversion of monetary equivalencies in American dollars and cents and it must be notarized or their country’s equivalent of a notary public should sign and stamp or impress their seal.
      
      
   6. Transcripts from all previous educational experiences from secondary schools through any post-secondary educational institution. All such transcripts, if in other than English language, must be accompanied with an attachment which translates verbatim the wording on each such document into the English language.
      SPECIAL NOTE : All forms and documents required must be official documents with all necessary signatures and seals. Documents may be copies only where there are original signatures and seals. Copies of documents with copied signatures and seals will not be acceptable.
      
      
   7. Official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores showing a minimum score of 550 on a paper exam, or 213 on a computer-based exam (applies to applicants from countries where English is not the primary language). Students from the following countries, where English is the native language, are exempt from taking the TOEFL exam: Australia, England, Ireland, Philippines, Jamaica, Trinidad, New Zealand, and Canada (west of Ontario). French is the native language west of Quebec, in part of Nova Scotia, and New Brunsfield.
      
      
   8. Valid visa, passport and I-20 (applies to applicants already in the United States)

      SPECIAL NOTE: All forms and documents required must be official documents with all necessary signatures and seals. Documents may be copies only where there are original signatures and seals. Copies of documents with copied signatures and seals will not be acceptable.

      • International Students transferring within the United States
        
        Student must also provide a statement from the college/university international student advisor giving permission for the student to transfer.
      • Concurrent Enrollment
        
        Student is in the United States and is enrolled at another institution. The student is allowed to take one or two courses at TSTC-Harlingen and transfer these credits back to his home college/university. A statement from the home college/university international student advisor must be submitted prior to acceptance stating that the student has permission to enroll at TSTC-Harlingen and the I-20 will be maintained at that school. TSTC-Harlingen will not issue an I-20 for this type of student.
        
        
      • Currently Enrolled TSTC International Students Seeking to Transfer or Concurrent Enrollment at Another Institution.
        
        
        1. Transfer to Another College – Complete International Student Advisor’s Report and mail to transfer institution.
           
           
        2. Concurrent Enrollment at another college/university

           Verify courses student desires to enroll for at another college/university will transfer back to TSTC-Harlingen. Obtain statement of transfer from appropriate department chair. Prepare a letter of enrollment and approval for concurrent enrollment. Be sure the following statement is included in the letter: Student has permission to be concurrently enrolled at TSTC. The student’s I-20 will be maintained by TSTC. Then mail letter to the receiving college/university.

      • Change of Status from B-2 to M-1
        
        The following is the procedure for persons wanting to change their Visa type from B-2 to M-1 student Visa:
        
        
        1. The prospective international student is required to meet all admission requirements for the M-1 student.
           
           
        2. After meeting the admission requirements, the individual should submit the following: a completed I-539 form; and appropriate fee to INS with a letter requesting status change.
           
           
      • Change of Status from F-2 to M-1
        
        The student wishing to change from F-2 to M-1 student status must meet the same admission requirements as the student who originally applied for the M-1 status.
        
        
      • Change of Status from J-1 to M-1
        
        The admission requirements and procedures are the same except that a copy of the IAP66 form needs to be included in the paperwork.
        
        
      • Reinstatement of Student Status
        
        An international student who has dropped below full-time status (either at TSTC or transferring into TSTC) and is in the United States:
        
        
        1. Student currently enrolled at TSTC must submit, in writing, the reason for dropping below full-time status and that this is only a temporary situation.
           
           
        2. The letter should state that the student will register as a full-time student for the next semester.
           
           
        3. If the reason is medical, a doctor’s statement is required.
           
           
        4. File this letter in the student’s file.
           
           
        5. Indicate to the student that dropping below full-time status could affect transferring.
           
           
      • Out of Status Student Seeking Admission to TSTC-Harlingen.
        
        The student must meet all requirements for admission to TSTC. In addition, the student should submit the following:
        
        
        1. The I-539 Form (Request for Reinstatement)
           
           
        2. A letter stating the reason for being out of status (Original letter is retained and student is given a copy for his/her records).
           
           
        3. A copy of the I-94 card
           
           
        4. A non-refundable check or money order made payable to INS for the appropriate fee.
           
           
   9. International Student Procedures upon receipt of acceptance letter and I-20.
      
      
      1. Foreign person in his home country
         
         Upon receipt of Form I-20, "Certificate by Non-immigrant Student..." for classification as "M-1" student status and acceptance letter to program desired (issued only after all requirements have been met fully including TOEFL Test Scores):
         
         
         1. Proceed to Consulate/Embassy office for Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record and Visa.
            
            
         2. Make arrangements for transportation needs, and.
            
            
         3. Proceed to TSTC Harlingen in accordance with necessary arrival date shown on Form I-20.
            
            
      2. Foreign Person in the United States on Tourist or Visitor Visa:
         
         Proceed to closest immigrant office with Form I-20 and obtain Form I-506 "Application for Change of Non-immigrant Status" and have status changed from - Visitors for Pleasure" to Non-immigrant Student" status.
         
         
   10. Regulations of U.S. Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service:
       
       
       1. All foreign students must at all times carry a full load.
          
          
       2. No foreign student may participate in our Co-op program as it does not constitute full-time attendance credit hour-wise and is not considered practical training from the view of the Immigrations Office in addition to the fact that he will not be permitted to work off-campus in that program.
          
          NOTE: Since many of our programs participate in the Co-op program and do not offer course during the Co-op term, some of the foreign students may have to take support courses and/or electives on a full-time basis during such terms. It may also cause them to request an extension of stay for an additional term, which can be request via Form I-538 available in the Foreign Student Advisor’s Office.
          
          
   11. International Student Academic Progress
       
       All foreign students who are attending TSTC are required to maintain satisfactory progress according to TSTC’s satisfactory progress policy. Any student not maintaining satisfactory progress for any reason other than a correctable language problem will be deported if the immigration office deems it necessary.
       
       
   12. International students, enrolling in one of the TSTC/Laredo Community college partnership programs, may be admitted under individual approval based upon LCC procedures.