New Students
Find out Transfer Opportunities to 4-year university partners
| New Students |
| Pre-Arrival Tuition |
| Medical Information |
| Frequently Asked Questions |
| International Student Handbook |
Lone Star College System hosts more than 2500 students from 108 countries at our six campuses.
International students studying in the United States are expected to be full-time students and be in good standing with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
To attend one of our colleges, you must have an F-1 visa. Once you have been accepted for admission into a college, your advisor will send you a welcome packet containing a SEVIS I-20 form, which you will use to obtain your F-1 student visa at a local U.S. embassy or consulate.
Prior to interviewing for the student visa, you will be required to pay the SEVIS fee via mail using the I-901 form, Western Union, or by logging on to http://www.fmjfee.com/. You must present your receipt to the U.S. embassy or consulate before being permitted to interview.
Prospective international student applicants
We are an open-enrollment educational institution, and your first step is to apply for admission. Please contact one of the International Student Advisors before applying. If you are already in the US, please contact an International Student Advisor at one of our six campuses for transfer and enrollment requirements.
Enrollment at any of our six campuses involves three processes: admission, advising and course registration.
The following documents are required for admission:
- General admissions online application
- International Student application
- Evidence of financial support
- Proof of English proficiency
- Evidence of high school graduation or college-level work (i.e., official high school records, leaving certificates you received upon completion of high school, college/university transcripts).
Application Process
You must complete all of the steps below before your application will be considered.
1 - Complete the general admissions online application.
2 - Complete and sign the International Student Application (PDF). Contact a DSO/International Student Adviser at the campus of your choice about this form.
3 - Provide proof of Financial Support - All applicants must provide a completed and signed Financial Responsibility Statement (PDF) and 2 additional primary financial documents in USD (for example, recent savings and checking account statements) showing adequate funds for the duration of study. The International Student Advisor/DSO at each campus can provide additional information on acceptable forms of proof.
4 - Provide proof of English Proficiency - Individuals not proficient in English must take the COMPASS exam English as a Second Language (ESL) and be placed in the Intensive English Program. The following may be submitted as proof of proficiency:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Minimum score of 530 on written version,197 on computer version, or 71 on internet-based version.
- Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) - Minimum score of 700 or higher.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - Minimum score of 7 or higher.
- TOEFL and TOEIC test scores are valid for three years.
- IELTS test scores are valid for two years.
- Official transcripts from an accredited U.S. institution showing completion of a college-level writing course (not ESOL)
- Official transcripts from a foreign institution where English is the primary language of instruction
- Completion of a Lone Star College System approved intensive English language program
Admission Deadlines
New Students from Outside the united states: Your application and required documentation must be on file in the admissions office by the following dates:
· July 1st - Fall Semester
· November 1st - Spring Semester
· April 1st - Summer Semester
Applicants requesting a change of status to F-1
If you are requesting a change of status to F-1, you must submit all required documentation to Lone Star College at least 30 days before the expiration date on your I-94 card. If we receive your materials less than 30 days before, we will not be able to process your request. Please contact the DSO/International Student Advisor at the campus you wish to attend for a checklist of required documents.
Transfer students
An F-1 student transferring from another U.S. college/university must submit the following documents to a Lone Star College System International Advisor in a timely manner:
- General Admissions Online Application
- International Student Application
- Passport, VISA and I-94 card
- I-20s from all previous schools
- Official transcripts from any U.S. institution attended
- Evidence of financial support
- International Student Transfer-In Information form (PDF)
- Placement test scores (TASP/THEA, Compass, etc.), if applicable
- Signed and dated Maintaining Your F-1 Status form (PDF)
All forms listed on this page can also be found on the Forms page.
Academic Documents
To enroll at one of our six campuses, we need your education transcripts in English. You must submit an official transcript. Please contact an International Student Adviser for additional academic documents that may be needed for admission. Some of these documents can be found on our Forms page.
Applicants transferring credits earned outside of the U.S. must submit a course-by-course evaluation by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) International Education Services, or a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
**Important** This process may vary for different embassies, and can cost several hundred dollars and take weeks or months to process, so plan early.
Meningitis Vaccination Requirement
Texas law requires certain groups of students entering college to provide proof of Bacterial Meningitis vaccination at least 10 days before the start of classes. To determine if you are affected by this requirement, please see the Required Meningitis Vaccination page.
Orientation Sessions
Each campus provides an orientation session specifically for international students.
- 2013 Dates
These sessions occur before the semester begins. Be sure to verify this date with the International Student Advisor and make arrangements to attend this mandatory session.
Still have questions? Send an e-mail and ask us! Before you do, check out our Frequently Asked Questions and Terms and Definitions pages--you may find your answer there.
