Glen Oaks Community College

International Students

Glen Oaks Community College is a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school that is eligible to enroll F-1 students.

International students who are interested in attending Glen Oaks will be considered for admissions after all required documentation is supplied (see Application Process below).

Prospective international students should contact the Designated School Official for further information and guidance on the admissions process:

Prospective international students should begin the application process early and review all requirements for F-1 students on the Study in the States website. Students may also contact SEVP directly at 703-603- 3400 or email  SEVP@ice.dhs.gov (response times depend on office hours) for general or case-specific questions.

If an international student meets all requirements, Glen Oaks will issue a Form I-20, which the student then uses to apply for an F-1 visa.

Important Information

Application Process for Prospective F-1 Student

  1. Complete International Application online through Etrieve. Click here to access the INTL-International Student Application

    Attach all required documents to the Etrieve Application via the paperclip icon:

    • Official secondary school transcripts (translated to English) documenting that educational background is equivalent to a high school diploma or higher
    • English Proficiency Scores (TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo are accepted)
    • Official bank statement showing sufficient support for the following amount:
      • $25,000 USD
      • International students are expected to have funds readily available at all times to meet any and all expenses
    • If you will be living off campus: Proof of US Address (lease, deed or Statement of Local Sponsor Providing Room and Board)
    • If you will be living on-campus: Make sure to select this option on the International Application in Etrieve. Additional steps are required to apply to housing and the DSO will reach out to you regarding on-campus housing. International students residing in on-campus housing will be charged the international tuition rate.
    • Proof of international medical insurance with a repatriation clause that will be active for your time in the US
    • Clear copy of current passport with photo
  2. If a sponsor will be supporting you financially and/or with free room and board, please return the following forms to the DSO after the sponsor has completed them. All forms for sponsors are located on the Glen Oaks Website on the International Student page under “Additional Forms for International Students.”
    1. Statement of Local Sponsor Providing Room and Board. Sponsor must provide lease/deed.
    2. Financial Statement for International Student’s Local Sponsor. Sponsor must provide recent bank statement.
  3. If you will be bringing any dependents with you to the US, please also complete the Etrieve form INTL – F-2 Dependents Request and supply the required documents.
  4. Complete an Application for Admission to Glen Oaks. The online application to the college is located on the International Student website under “Additional Forms for International Students.” Please email this completed form to the DSO at international@glenoaks.edu.

    NOTE: Admission to the college will be determined only after the International Application is complete and all necessary documents are received by the deadline.

  5. If you are planning to live on-campus in Student Housing, the DSO will communicate with you regarding when you can apply to housing. Student Housing is not guaranteed even if you apply for a spot by the suggested deadlines and is not finalized until you sign your Student Housing Agreement.
  6. The DSO will review your application and documents. You will be contacted via email from international@glenoaks.edu regarding your application. If more documentation is requested, please reply in a timely manner. The DSO will contact you regarding your next steps if all application materials are acceptable.

Application Process for Transfer F-1 Student

  1. Complete International Application online through Etrieve. Click here to access the INTL-International Student Application
  2. Select that you hold an F-1 visa and attach the following documents to the application:
    • Copy of current 1-20 from the previous institution
    • Official bank statement showing sufficient support for the following amounts:
      • $25,000 USD
      • International students are expected to have funds readily available at all times to meet any and all expenses
    • If you will be living off campus: Proof of US address (lease, deed, or Statement of Local Sponsor Providing Room and Board)
    • If you plan to live on-campus: Make sure to select this option on the International Application in Etrieve. Additional steps are required to apply to housing and the DSO will reach out to you regarding on-campus housing. International students residing in on-campus housing will be charged the international tuition rate.
  3. The DSO will review your application and documents. You will be contacted via email from international@glenoaks.edu regarding your application. If more documentations is requested, please reply in a timely manner. The DSO will contact you regarding your next steps if all application materials are acceptable.
  4. Supply the Transfer Report Authorization form to your current institution and once completed, have it sent to international@glenoaks.edu
  5. Request official transcripts from your current institution be sent to Glen Oaks Community College for evaluation of transfer credit.
  6. The DSO will contact you regarding your next steps.

Deadlines for Prospective F-1 Students

Please begin the application process early. Some embassies are experiencing extremely long wait times for an embassy appointment due to a backlog from the pandemic. Even if you are admitted and issued an I-20, the college cannot guarantee that you will receive an F-1 visa.

If you plan to reside in student housing, it is suggested that you submit all international application materials prior to the deadlines listed below. Student Housing Applications open in April for the following fall semester, and rooms may fill as early as April or May. Student housing is not guaranteed until you sign a Student Housing Contract. The DSO will contact you if you select on-campus housing on your International Student Application, as there are additional steps you will need to complete once your other application materials have been reviewed.

All international application materials must be submitted to the Designated School Official (DSO) at the very latest by:

  • July 1st if you intend to start in the fall semester, which begins in August
  • October 1st if you intend to start in the winter semester, which begins in January
  • March 1st if you intend to start in the summer semester, which begins in May
All documents, application materials, and questions should be sent directly to the DSO at international@glenoaks.edu.

CURRENT F-1 STUDENTS ATTENDING ANOTHER US COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY WHO WISH TO TRANSFER TO GLEN OAKS CAN BE ADMITTED AFTER THESE DEADLINES. Please contact the DSO for further information.

Accepted F-1 Students Next Steps

  1. If accepted to Glen Oaks, the student will receive a letter of acceptance and a signed Form I-20 via email from the DSO
  2. After the I-20 is issued, the student must pay the I-901 SEVIS fee
  3. The student must make an appointment at a US embassy for a visa interview/appointment. It is important to bring along all documentation with you to the appointment, including the I-20, all application materials and receipt of the I-901 SEVIS Fee payment.

    NOTE: Many embassies are still experiencing significant wait times due to a backlog from the pandemic. Even if you are issued an I-20 by Glen Oaks, the college cannot guarantee that you will receive an F-1 visa appointment in a timely manner or be issued an F-1 visa. Please communicate any questions regarding your visa appointment to the DSO at international@glenoaks.edu.

  4. The US embassy issues the student an F-1 visa if eligible. Only the US embassy has the authority to issue F-1 visas. The college cannot guarantee an F-1 visa will be issued even if the college provides the student an I-20.
  5. The F-1 student must send the following documents to the DSO before traveling to the US:
    1. Current passport with photo and updated visa

    Admitted international students who have been issued an I-20 and have obtained an F-1 must supply proof of their F-1 visa to the DSO 10 calendar days before the start of the semester and must plan to arrive at least 3 business days before the start of the semester.

  6. Once the student arrives in the US (not more than 30 days before the start of the semester), they will attend the scheduled International Student Orientation. This orientation will allow you meet staff, tour the campus, learn about college policies and F-1 visa regulations as well as register for classes.

You will need to read through the International Student Handbook for more important information about traveling, studying and living in the US.

Visa Deadlines for Admitted F-1 Students

All admitted students will need to supply a copy of their F-1 visa to the DSO at international@glenoaks.edu by 4 pm Eastern Standard Time 10 calendar days before the start of the semester.

International students are required to arrive at least 3 business days before the start of the semester.

For the 2024 Fall semester that begins in August, new international students must supply documentation of their F-1 visa by 4 pm EST August 16, 2024, and should plan to arrive (at the latest) August 21, 2024.

Maintaining F-1 Status

In order to continue studying in the US and maintain their F-1 status, students must be enrolled for at least 12 credits each semester, unless approved by USCIS for extenuating circumstances, and be making progress towards their degree. Please contact the DSO for more information.

It is the student’s responsibility to notify the DSO of any program, course, name, address, phone or other changes within 10 days of the change.

Work is strictly prohibited unless approved by USCIS. Work opportunities are very limited for F-1 students. Employment without prior approval is grounds for immediate termination of F-1 status. Please see the DSO for more information on employment, as well as the Study in the States website or the ICE website.

If you are planning to travel outside of the US while in F-1 status, you must see the DSO to see if/when you qualify for travel and to make arrangements. It is important to have all required documents up-to-date and on your person when you travel outside of the US.

Please review the regulations listed on Page 3 of your I-20.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Designated School Official or call toll free at (888)994-7818 ext-271.

Designated School Official

A B C D E F G H J K L M N P R S T V W Y Z

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Photo of Rachel Templin
Rachel Templin
Student Success & International Student Advisor
Student Services, A56 Phone: (269) 294-4328