Cecil College is committed to the collective and individual educational needs of its community, including individuals who have been granted permanent residence or similar status by U.S. immigration authorities. These students include permanent immigrants to the US and citizens of other countries who are temporarily visiting, working, or studying in Cecil County.

The College recognizes the value of enrolling non-resident international students who could benefit from the educational offerings of the institution. For purposes of this policy, foreign-born US residents, non-U.S. Citizens wishing to study in the US, as well as non-residents will be called International Students, with differences in admissions procedures noted below. All international students must submit their Admissions Application and proof of visa status to the Admissions Office.

In all cases, the College requires students whose native language is not English to be tested for English language ability. Students are required to submit their scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum of 500 on the paper-based test or a minimum of 173 on the computerized version is required. TOEFL examination dates and information may be obtained through the American Consulate or Embassy, or e-mail toefl@ets.org. Results will be reported to Cecil Collegeby indicating the College's institutional code, 5038. In addition to TOEFL, the College's skills assessment will be required of all new international students prior to registration for classes.

Permanent Resident Status
A student with an Alien Registration Receipt Card who has been given permanent residence in the US as an immigrant, refugee, or alien may enroll at the College for full or part-time study. Tuition costs are determined by location of residence. Verification of permanent residence status is required at the time of application to the College. Any student without appropriate identification as a permanent resident is required to pay out-of-state tuition rates.

To apply with Permanent Residence Status a student must submit:
1. Application for Admission signed by student.
2. SAT or ACT scores if available (the College's skills assessment may be required for enrollment in certain courses.
3. Transcripts from secondary and postsecondary schools attended (translated into English).
4. Proof of permanent resident status: temporary evidence or actual Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-551 or I-151).

New F-1 Applicants:
New F-1 applicants must complete and/or submit the following documents to obtain the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) student status, I-20 form:
1. Cecil College Application for Admission signed by the student.
2. Original or certified copy of high school transcript (including verification of graduation) and transcript(s) from college(s) attended in any country. Transcripts should be accompanied by an English translation and certified by a recognized authority. Students seeking advanced standing for college or university course work completed outside of the United States will need to request a full course-by-course evaluation of their transcript(s). The College requires foreign transcripts be evaluated by the American Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) International Education Services. You may access their website at www.aacrao.org/international/foreignEdCred.cfm.
3. Official TOEFL Score Report. The TOEFL is not required if English is the applicant's first language or a course equivalent to Freshman Composition, EGL 101, has been successfully completed with a grade of "C" or higher in a US college or university.
4. Notarized Declaration of Financial Support Form and notarized Financial Statement from financial sponsor(s) on bank letterhead that confirms a minimum of $16,000.00 (US dollars) is currently available for the student's educational expenses. The statement must be in English, show equivalency to US currency and not be older than three (3) months from the date of receipt of all required documents to Cecil College.
Students accompanied by their family must provide an additional $3,000.00 for their spouse and $1,500.00 for each child. Students planning to bring family members must inform the College on separate paper of the individual's full name, birth date, country of birth and relationship to student. The financial sponsor(s) must provide the necessary funding required for each family member.
5. Prospective International Student's Certification of Financial Support form.
6. Declaration of Sponsor's Financial Support for International Students form.
7. US Citizenship and Immigration (USCIS) Form I-134.
8. Health insurance is important and highly recommended, since medical services in the United States are very expensive.

Application for Student Visas
The College issues an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility form to students who qualify for admission. Students present this form with other documentation to a US Consular in the country where they are applying for a student (F-1) visa. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) makes final decisions on admission into the US and permitted length of stay.

Transfer F-1 Applicants:
F-1 students seeking to transfer to Cecil College from another institution in the United States must follow the same procedures and submit the same documents as new F-1 applicants including the following:
1. An official transcript(s) from each college attended.
2. Copy United States visa, I-94 card and passport page.
2. A release from SEVIS from the most recently attended United States institution which indicates eligibility to transfer.

Applicants transferring from another college or university within the US, who meet all requirements to Cecil College, will be issued an acceptance letter and an I-20 form after being released in SEVIS by their previously attended college. To complete the transfer process, applicants will need to meet with the College's International Advisor to register for classes.

Application Deadlines
To meet federal requirements and allow adequate processing of applications, all documents must be sent to the Director of Advising at Cecil Community College by the dates listed below:
New Students:
Fall enrollment deadline - July 1
Spring enrollment deadline - November 15
Summer enrollment deadline - April 1
Transfer Students:
Fall enrollment deadline - July 15
Spring enrollment deadline - December 1
Summer enrollment deadline - May 1

Additional Information
Non-Immigrant students are subject to out-of-state tuition rates. Students with F-1 visas must enroll for a full-time course of study, which is a minimum of 12 credits each term or semester. It is highly recommended that a student register for at least 15 credits a semester so that the degree may be completed within the I-20 completion date.

Downloadable PDF Forms:
Admissions Procedures for New F-1 Students
Student Certification of Financial Support
Declaration of Sponsor's Financial Support
Fact Sheet for International Students
USCIS Form I-134
SEVIS Fee Memo
International Student Personal Data Sheet

All of the above forms should be mailed together to:
Cecil College
Director of Advising
One Seahawk Drive
North East, MD 21901

For more information, to schedule an appointment with the International Student Advisor, or to be mailed an International Student Packet, please call 410-287-1000.