International Students 

Please choose one of the three links below for the appropriate application packet. 

• Apply for an F-1 visa from your home country 
• Transfer my current valid F-1 visa to LCCC 
• Change my current valid status to F-1 

 International students are encouraged to begin the admission process six months prior to the start of the school semester to allow ample time for processing by both LCCC and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Fall semester typically begins at the end of August and spring semester about mid-January. 

Admission Agreement

Any international student who is not proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English must enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. These courses are credit courses, and the fee is the same as for any other college credit course. You should have an intermediate to advanced knowledge of English. To qualify for the first level of ESL, you should complete the TOEFL exam with a score of 75 or an IELTS score of 6.5. Official ETS TOEFL score sheets must accompany all international application packets.  

All international students must be full-time students (a minimum of 12 credits). Any petition to take fewer than 12 credits must be approved by the international student advisor. As an international student, you cannot accept a grade of “W” or withdraw yourself from a class if that means dropping below 12 credits. Violation of this policy is a failure to maintain F-1 visa status and will cause you to lose your visa status.  

Requesting Reinstatement to Student Status

If you have failed to maintain status at LCCC or another college/university, you should meet with the international student advisor to establish the feasibility of petitioning USCIS for reinstatement to status. If it is possible for you to apply for reinstatement, your advisor can help you gather updated documentation. If a reinstatement is not possible or if the USCIS has denied your petition, you must leave the country immediately; there is no grace period. Students out of status over five months cannot apply for reinstatement and must return home. 

Congratulations on your acceptance to LCCC! When you arrive at the U.S. port of entry, you must present your passport and the I-20 to the USCIS officer. You should plan to arrive in the Lehigh Valley area at least three weeks, but no earlier than 30 days, prior to the start of the semester. Arriving early will help you get acclimated to the area and language, which helps when taking the LCCC placement test.  

International Student Advisor

As an international student, you are required to schedule an appointment with the international student advisor as soon as you arrive in the area (within 10 days). You can contact your international student advisor at 610-799-1137 or international@firstnews-extra.com. 

You must bring your passport, visa, I-94, and I-20 to maintain your SEVIS records. The international student advisor will assist you in course selection throughout your academic career and will advise you on your responsibilities for maintaining legal status while in the United States.  

All international students must report regularly to the advisor and must report within 10 days any change in your address, major, and/or financial and employment status. This and all other requirements will be explained at your first meeting.  

Testing

All students are given a placement test in speaking, writing, reading, and mathematics. Phone 610-799-1124 to arrange for this testing.  

Test results will be used to schedule you for appropriate courses. The director of the English as a Second Language Program assists students with registering for the appropriate-level courses after the placement test. If additional advisement is needed, please make an appointment with your international student advisor. 

Foreign College Transcript Evaluations

If you have completed college-level credits at universities outside the U.S. and wish to have some of your credits applied to your LCCC major, you should have your transcripts evaluated by a credential evaluation agency. These agencies will not only translate degrees and courses but will also convert instructional time into the U.S. semester system. Among those agencies accepted are World Evaluation Service and Educational Credential Evaluators. Agencies must be accredited through the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. If you have any questions, please email CreditTransfer@firstnews-extra.com. 

Maintaining an Updated Passport

You must keep your passport updated at least six months into the future. Passports must be updated at your native country’s consulate or embassy. Most of these are located in either New York or Washington, D.C. Some countries require renewal in person. Before you leave the U.S. for a temporary visit to your home country (or any other country), you must obtain the signature of the international student advisor on your currently valid Form I-20; otherwise, you will not be able to re-enter the United States. You must maintain full-time status to have your I-20 signed. If you have not maintained full-time status and wish to leave the country, you will need a new I-20 to take with you to your home country and you must go through the process of obtaining a student visa. 

Important LCCC Information for International Students

• LCCC has no housing on or off campus 
• Public transportation (bus service) is limited, and the majority of international students who attend LCCC live with sponsors who can provide the student with a car or transportation to the college 
• International students are not eligible for financial aid and must have financial sponsors document that the cost of tuition, housing, books, meals, and any other supplies for the duration of your studies in the U.S. will be covered 
• International students may NOT be employed off campus  
• International student tuition is about $6,500 per semester; this figure does not include textbooks, housing, supplies, or other living expenses 
• Public health care is unavailable to foreign/international students, and it is recommended that students be prepared to purchase health insurance upon entry into the United States 
• For information about studying in the U.S., visit http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/ 

• United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — International Students information page 
• Study in the States — Information on studying in the U.S. and maintaining status 
• United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) 
• United States Department of State 
• EduPass — This provides a list of words and definitions most commonly used in the American education system 
• http://www.discoverlehighvalley.com/ — Information about the Lehigh Valley area 
• http://www.wfmz.com/weather/ — This provides current weather information for the surrounding area 
• Lehigh Valley Apartments — This site provides listings of apartments and houses for rent 
• Lehigh Valley — This provides general information about the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, Pennsylvania, including events, things to do, things to see, etc. 

Please contact Christine Flores at 610-799-1137 or international@firstnews-extra.com with any questions you may have.