International Students

If you are a citizen of another country or are from a U.S. territory where a language other than English was spoken in your secondary school system, you must provide additional documentation for admission, as outlined below.

To be considered for undergraduate general admission, you must submit all documentation to the college 30 days before the term’s registration.

Please note that many undergraduate programs have additional requirements, and undergraduate general admission does not guarantee admission to these programs. Details and dates relating to graduate program admission are available annually via the institutional website and by contacting program personnel.

International Student Admission Requirements

All documentation must be submitted to the college 30 days prior to a term’s registration date in order for undergraduate general admission for that term to be considered.  Dates relating to graduate program admission consideration are available annually via the institutional website and by contact with program personnel.  The necessary documents are:

1. Completed South College application for undergraduate general admission or applicable application/process for graduate program.
2. $50.00 application fee for undergraduate general admission or $60 for graduate program application.
3. Official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).  Current F-1 students who transfer from another college/university are not required to submit a TOEFL score.
   • International students must show a sufficient knowledge of English as demonstrated by a minimum score on the TOEFL (550 TOEFL PBT, 213 TOEFL CBT, or 80 TOEFL iBT) or satisfactory completion of related college courses in the United States.  Score reports must be official and come to the institution directly from the testing service.
4. Official scores on SAT, ACT, or college administered entrance examination for those seeking undergraduate general admission (see Undergraduate General Admissions Requirements for minimum scores). Score requirements for graduate programs are listed in the admissions requirements for those programs.
5. Certified copies of examination results, diplomas, and transcripts. One copy must be in the native language and one copy must be a certified English translation and equivalency evaluation prepared by a member agency of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. It is the responsibility of the student to provide all necessary documents.
   • Evidence of satisfactory completion of secondary school graduation is required – Secondary school records must list the subjects studied each year and the mark or grade of proficiency earned in each, a key to the marking system with information in the minimum passing mark, and examination results if an exit examination is administered.
   • Post-secondary transcripts must include all subjects studied and the mark or grade earned in each subject and a key to the marking system with information in the minimum passing mark.
   • Examples of approved credential evaluation companies include:

     SpanTran (Click for South College link to request evaluation)

     International Education Evaluations

     World Education Services

     Joseph Silny & Associates, Inc.

     Evaluation Service, Inc.

6. Official transcript from any US institution attended.
7. Completed Proof of Financial Ability Form. (Not required of U. S. Trust or Territories students.) (Required only for those entering the U.S.)

Admission is based on appropriate documentation of high school completion, as well as college or university transcripts, as applicable.  Additional materials and testing may be required for graduate level programs.  International students requesting undergraduate admission as transfer students are considered on a case-by-case basis.

International students seeking undergraduate transfer credit from international institutions, or who are seeking admission to a graduate program, must provide an evaluation of credit from an acceptable evaluation service.

A Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (Form I-20) will be mailed to accepted international students who are coming to or staying in the United States to attend South College upon receipt of a completed Proof of Financial Ability Form evidencing ability to fund tuition, fees, and living expenses for the first academic year. It is the responsibility of admitted students to follow-up with the Office of the Registrar to ensure receipt of the Form I-20 within the needed period in order to remain in the United States. Accepted students taking online classes from outside of the United States are not required to have an I-20. Please note that international students on temporary visas or those taking online classes from outside the United States are not eligible for financial aid and should expect to pay the full cost of enrollment.

International Students Taking Online Courses

Accepted students taking online classes from outside of the United States are not required to have an I-20. Please note that international students on temporary visas or those taking online classes from outside the United States are not eligible for financial aid, and should expect to pay the full cost of attendance.

Due to Homeland Security requirements, international students in the United States are limited to one online class each quarter, which usually equals 4 credits.

If an international student in the United States needs only one course to complete his or her program of study, the course cannot be taken online. Physical presence is required for the course. For security reasons, international students are not allowed to remain in the United States without reporting to any classes.