International or Foreign Students are those who already have, or will be applying for, a Student Visa (F-1) specifically to study in the United States. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or other visa types should follow the regular 4-step admission process.

International students wishing to study against the beautiful backdrop of the Rocky Mountains in the United States will find excellent academic opportunity at Arapahoe Community College. ACC is a two-year, comprehensive public community college enjoying full accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Arapahoe Community College has a student population of about 7500 with an average class size of 20. We have approximately 75 international students each semester representing 32 countries from around the world.

ACC provides a safe environment for students. The College is located in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. It has a small-town atmosphere. Students also have the advantage to commute 20 minutes to the downtown Denver area where they can experience the "big city" culture. Skiing is available no more than 2 hours away. Average annual temperature in Littleton is 11 degrees Celsius, with an average of 341 sunny of partly sunny days per year. International students should be aware that there are four distinct seasons with extreme temperature variation; average monthly temperature in January is 1 degree Celsius, and in July it is 23.4 degrees Celsius.

The Spring International Language Center, which is located on the ACC campus, welcomes students who need to learn or enhance their English before starting their college studies. E-mail Spring International Language Center

No matter where a student completes their Bachelor's degree, and no matter what their choice of major, there are certain basic courses taken by all students to fulfill their degree requirements. These basic courses are called the General Education Core. ACC students successfully completing the General Education Core courses are guaranteed transfer credit for these classes at Colorado's public four-year colleges or universities.

Additionally, students may tailor a full two years at ACC to be guaranteed transfer as a junior to a wide range of programs at any Colorado four-year college or university in fields such as Engineering, Business Administration, Computer Science, Biology and many more.

ACC also provides one and two year certificate/degree programs designed to prepare students for immediate employment in a variety of fields such as Banking & Financial Services, Computer Information Systems, Criminal Justice, Travel & Tourism, Graphic Design, Automotive Technology, Accounting and much more.

Support services in academic tutoring, advising and developmental studies courses are provided. Students are also welcomed by a dedicated International Student Advisor who provides academic guidance through the student's stay at ACC.A mandatory orientation program at the beginning of the student's first term provides immigration, cultural and study skills information as well as personal contact with instructors.

International Student Admission Requirements

International Students may apply for admission Fall, Spring, or Summer Semesters. Admission Deadline is the Friday before each semester begins for students already in Colorado and three weeks for those in the US, and for students outside the US, deadline depends on the visa process in that country.

Admission Information for New Students:

1. Completed International Student Application Form
2. Proof of high school (secondary) graduation; official English translations of academic records including diploma and transcripts from your secondary and/or post-secondary institutions is required.
3. Proof of English Language proficiency by one of the following:
   • Minimum score of 57 on the new internet-based TOEFL. Official test scores must be sent directly to ACC from:
     
     Educational Testing Services
     Box 899
     Princeton, New Jersey 08540
     U.S.A. The ACC code is 4014
     
     to
     
     Admissions & Records
     Arapahoe Community
     5900 S Santa Fe Drive
     Littleton, CO 80160-9002
     The ACC code is 4014
     
   • Minimum score of 75 on the Official Michigan Test if taken at Spring International Language Center.
   • Successful completion of an ACC approved English Language school program (Spring International Language Center, ELS, University of Denver Intensive English Center).
   • STEP Eiken test pre-1st level
   • Minimum of 5.0 on the IELTS exam. www.ielts.org
4. Proof of financial resources by one of the following:
   • Statement of Financial Guarantee and a current bank statement (statement must be no more than 8 months old) demonstrating a minimum amount of US $21,600 available to support your studies. The guarantee must indicate your relationship to your sponsor and include your sponsor’s signature
   • Letter of sponsorship from an Embassy

Special Students

Students attending other colleges or universities may wish to co-enroll for credit at Arapahoe Community College. These students must provide:

1. International Application for Admission
2. Letter of permission from the Foreign Student Advisor at their host institution
3. Proof of English Proficiency (as listed under #3 for admission requirements) may be required

VISA AND IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS
The I-20

When you are accepted to Arapahoe Community College, we will send you a Form I-20 (the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant [F-1] Student Status). When you receive the I-20, check it carefully. Be sure your name, birth date, country of birth, country of citizenship are all correct. Also note the date you are required to enter the U.S. which is listed on #5 on the I-20. Arapahoe Community College requires all international students to be on-campus the first day of each semester. Initial students cannot enter the US more than 30 days before classes begin.

Applying for a Student Visa

You must apply for a student (F-1) visa in order to enter the U.S. to study. To do this, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate and ask about the procedure. First you must pay the SEVIS fee. Go to www.FMJfee.com. Be sure to write your name exactly the same as it appears on your I-20. When you go to the Embassy or Consulate, take your I-20, your passport, and your financial documentation. You may also need to show other information. Be prepared to explain to the consular officer why you chose Arapahoe Community College. Allow several weeks to complete the visa application process. If you have questions about applying for a student visa, contact the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate in your country. You can also visit www.travel.state.gov for visa and travel information by country.

Financial Documentation

International students are required to prove that they have the financial resources to pay for tuition, fees, and living expenses while they are studying in the U.S. For ACC, students must document a minimum of US $21,600 is available to them for their first year of study at ACC. A Statement of Financial Guarantee must be submitted which will show the source (personal, family, sponsor, other) and amount of money available to you. The Statement of Financial Guarantee must have a notary's stamp or official stamp from the bank and be accompanied by a bank statement showing the funds available. The bank statement must be no more than 8 months old. Students who will be supported by their embassy or corporate sponsor may submit a letter from the agency.

All students at Arapahoe Community College are required to complete 12 credit hours each semester, except summer, and must maintain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 (C average) each semester. Arapahoe Community College takes pride in its concern for every student. The administration, faculty and staff of the College are genuinely interested in making education a rewarding experience and in assisting students in achieving their individual goals. If, however, a student fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress, the student will not be allowed to continue their studies at ACC.

Health insurance is required for ACC students who have an F-1 or J-1 visa. You must provide proof of insurance during the first week of class or you may purchase health insurance here.

If you buy health insurance here, you pay for it when you pay your tuition and other fees. If your family is here with you, you can also purchase insurance for them at an additional cost. The health insurance that you can buy here does not cover pre-existing conditions (any sickness or condition that you had before you bought the insurance).

Arrival in the U.S.

You will probably enter the U.S. through an international airport. If you do, you will go through Immigration and Customs there. You should have these documents:

• your passport
• your I-20
• copies of your financial support documents.

The Immigration Officer will staple a very important white card (the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record) in your passport.

Arrival in Colorado - Getting to ACC

The Denver International Airport is about 40 miles northeast of the ACC campus. You can take the Shuttle or a taxi to the ACC campus, a hotel, or other pre-arranged destination. The Denver International Airport has detailed information on transportation and hotels.

Important! ACC does not offer airport pick-up service.

Apartments

You should make any living arrangements before you leave your country. If you plan on locating and staying in your own apartment, make hotel reservations before you arrive because you may need several days to arrange for an apartment once you arrive. Some hotels provide airport pick-up.

How to Contact Us

Admission Information: Linda Sulsberger, Admissions Supervisor
303.797.5624
E-mail: linda.sulsberger@arapahoe.edu

Foreign Student Advisor: Janet Ludwig, Counselor
303.797.5652 or E-mail: janet.ludwig@arapahoe.edu

More about Spring International Language Center.

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