International Students

Students who wish to be familiar with AACC’s general statements for International Admissions may refer to the information listed below. Should you have a question about International Admissions, our Admissions Officers are happy to help.

General Statement for Admissions of International Students/Non-U.S. Citizens

Anne Arundel Community College welcomes students regardless of their immigration status, and is committed to responding to the educational needs of its community, including those whose native language is not English. These students include United States citizens, permanent immigrants to the United States and citizens of other countries temporarily visiting, working or studying in Anne Arundel County. Undocumented students who have graduated from a Maryland high school may be eligible for a special tuition rate in accordance with the Maryland DREAM Act. Tuition rates vary for noncitizens based on immigration and residency status and federal and state laws. All noncitizen applicants must submit copies of their immigration status to the Admissions Office prior to registration. Please refer to the Tuition, Fees and Payments  section of this catalog.

In all cases, the college requires students whose native language is not English to be tested for English language ability using the English as a Second Language Assessment test called the ACCUPLACER LOEP. Scores on this test are used to determine if classes are needed to improve English language skills for a successful college experience.

For students whose level of English proficiency is not yet sufficient to succeed in college credit courses, the college provides comprehensive preparatory course work in English Language Learning (ELL) through Continuing Education. For ELL course descriptions, refer to the Courses  section of this catalog.

Admission of International Students With a Student Visa (F-1) - Nonimmigrant international students who apply to Anne Arundel Community College must meet special admission requirements.

The college admits students from abroad into its ELL area of study and associate degree programs. Requirements for admission of F-1 students into either ELL sequence or associate degree programs are the same except that a higher level of English proficiency is required for admission into an associate degree program.

Students enrolled in English for Academic Purposes courses are eligible to take credit courses that do not have any ENG-101 requirement under the following conditions. They have:

• Tested out of, or completed ELL-318 (Advanced Listening & Note Taking) with a grade of PA.
• Tested out of, or completed ELL-319 (Capstone Grammar & Editing) with a grade of PA.
• Registered for ELL-320 (Capstone Reading & Writing). Withdrawing from ELL-320 at any time during the semester makes the student immediately ineligible for concurrently registered credit courses. Students who earn a CO in ELL-320 are not eligible for subsequent credit courses until earning a grade PA.

Students who apply to come to the United States for the purpose of studying full time at Anne Arundel Community College may be issued an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility For Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status form by the college after submitting the following documents:

• an online or paper application for admission signed by the student;
• official or certified copy of transcripts and diploma or certificate from secondary and postsecondary schools attended (translated into English);
• evaluation from one of the approved evaluation agencies: Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), World Education Service (WES), and SpanTran: The Evaluation Company (SpanTran) is required for students transferring college credits from foreign transcripts to Anne Arundel Community College; or seeking admissions from Health Professions programs. Note: The use of NASBA Evaluation Services is only for students in the Financial Accounting Certificate program leading to the CPA examination. To transfer credits to AACC, the college or university transcript must be evaluated course-by-course. General evaluation or general analysis evaluation is needed for a high school diploma and transcript.
• evidence of proficiency in English based on one of the following: (1) an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score no more than two years old; or (2) SAT or ACT scores; or (3) completion of the Anne Arundel Community College Assessment Test; and
• official bank statements or bank letter and a completed Statement of Financial Resources signed by the student and sponsor or family (if applicable) guaranteeing that the student has financial support for one year. The form must also indicate how the student will be supported for the remaining years in the program. Financial documentation must be in English or with English translation and must include the equivalent in U.S. Dollars. An additional $5,000 is required for each dependent (spouse or child) as well of a copy of each dependent’s passport (biographic page only).

Please note that admission is not granted and an I-20 form cannot be issued until all requirements are met.

Application for a Student Visa - The college issues an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility For Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status form to students who qualify for admission. Students pay the SEVIS fee, then present the I-20 form with other documentation to a U.S. Consular Office in the country where they are applying for a student (F-1) visa. Final decision on admission into the United States and permitted length of stay is made by the Department of Homeland Security. If approved for the F-1 visa from the U.S. Consular Office, students may travel or enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the program start date on the I-20.

Change of Status to F-1 Within the U.S. - Most non-immigrants are eligible to request a change to F-1 (student) status if they have maintained their current, lawful status. Individuals in J-1 status who are subject to the two-year home residence requirement (Section 212e) are not eligible for a change of status unless a waiver is granted by the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). Students must apply and submit required documentations for admission as listed above to AACC by the deadline in order to get the I-20 form or Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (F-1) Student Visa Status, pay the SEVIS fee, then submit the original I-20, acceptance letter, documentation of financial support with an I-901, (SEVIS processing fee form) or SEVIS payment receipt, I-539 form with filing fees and other required documents to the USCIS to file for change of status. Students must maintain their current status while their I-539 change of status application is pending. The approval of a change of status can take up to 15-18 months or more for USCIS to process. Students must check the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov for current special instructions and appropriate filing fees prior to mailing their change of status applications. AACC is unable to assist students with filing the I-539 with USCIS. Please consult an immigration attorney if you require assistance with these filings. If the I-539 application is still pending, students can request a deferral of admission from the Admissions and Development Office for a new I-20. If the I-539 application is approved, the student’s change of status to F-1 will be effective as of the date of approval. Students must enroll full time (12 credits minimum) at the next available term.

F-1 Visa Students Enrolled Full-Time At Other Colleges or Universities (Concurrently) - F-1 students are eligible for simultaneous enrollment with a combination of courses at AACC and another college or university, only if approved by the Designated School Official (DSO) at the authorized school. (The authorized school is the one that issued the I-20 and maintains the SEVIS record.)  Students must submit a college’s standard application, copy of F-1 visa or status, I-94, transcript form current school and permission letter from current DSO to enroll at AACC. After completion of courses at AACC, students must send an official transcript to their home institution. To request an official AACC transcript, visit the Request a Transcript webpage.

F-1 Transfer Students - Students with an F-1 visa seeking to transfer to Anne Arundel Community College from another U.S. institution must submit the following documents and meet the following criteria:

• a copy of the I-20 from the previous institution;
• a complete Transfer Eligibility form signed by the Designated School Officer (DSO) from the previous institution;
• official or certified copies of transcripts and school diploma or certificate from secondary and postsecondary schools attended (translated into English); evaluation from one of the approved evaluation agencies: Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) - www.ece.org, World Education Services (WES) - www.wes.org, and SpanTran: The Evaluation Company (SpanTran) - www.spantran.com is required for students transferring college credits from foreign transcripts to Anne Arundel Community College, or seeking admissions from Health Professions programs. To transfer credits to AACC, the college or university transcript must be evaluated course-by-course. General evaluation or general analysis evaluation is needed for a high school diploma and transcript.
• official transcripts from all previous schools attended in the U.S.
• evidence of proficiency in English based on one of the following: (1) an official TOEFL score report no more than two years old; SAT or ACT scores; (3) completion of the Anne Arundel Community College Assessment Test; (4) or college level English courses completed at a U.S. institution; and
• official bank statements or bank letter and a completed Statement of Financial Resources signed by the student and sponsor or family (if applicable) guaranteeing that the student has financial support for one year (the form must also indicate how the student will be supported for the remaining years in the program). Financial documentation must be in English or with English translation and must include the equivalent in U.S. Dollars. An additional $5,000 is required for each dependent (spouse or child) as well of a copy of each dependent’s passport (biographic page only). Please note that admission is not granted and an I-20 form cannot be issued until all requirements are met.

SEVIS School Code for AACC = BAL214F00081000

Application Deadlines - To meet federal requirements and allow adequate processing of applications for international students with F-1 visas, students must submit appropriate documents by the following dates:

Admission of Non-U.S. Citizen Students with Other Types of Visas or Statuses (Not F-1 Status) - Non-U.S. Citizen Students with Other Types of Visas or Statuses (Examples: Permanent Resident, Asylee, Refugee, H-1, J-1, Undocumented, etc.) wishing to enroll in credit courses or non-credit English for Academic Purposes courses as part of the ELL Department must submit:

• an online or paper standard application for admission signed by the student;
• SAT or ACT or TOEFL scores if available (the college assessment tests may be required for enrollment in certain courses) or college placement tests in English and/or Math;
• final transcript(s) from secondary and post-secondary schools. These transcripts must be translated into English if written in the student’s native language. Evaluation from one of the approved evaluation agencies: Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) - www.ece.org, World Education Services (WES) - www.wes.org, and SpanTran: The Evaluation Company (SpanTran) - www.spantran.com is required for students transferring college credits from foreign transcripts to Anne Arundel Community College, or applying for Financial Aid, or seeking admissions from Health Professions programs. To transfer credits to AACC, the college or university transcript must be evaluated course-by-course. General evaluation or general analysis evaluation is needed for a high school diploma and transcript; and
• proof of legal immigration status (i.e. valid permanent resident card or green card, valid work authorization permit, valid visa stamp and I-94, letters from USCIS as proof of legal presence in the United States, etc.)  If you have been approved for Permanent Residency status but have not yet received your card, submit a photocopy of your passport and a copy of the page containing the I-551 stamp.

Prospective students with a temporary visa status such as B or Waiver (visitors, business, etc.) should contact the Admissions and Enrollment Development office to have their applications approved before registering for classes. Nonimmigrant students other than F-1 international student visa holders may take as many credit courses as their college admission status permits, as long as the term begins and ends within the duration of stay indicated on the I-94 in their passport. They are subject to the out-of-state tuition rates. Refunds will not be issued after the term’s scheduled drop dates.

Students with Undocumented Citizenship Status - Information obtained in this process is strictly confidential and will not be disclosed unless required by law.

Students with undocumented citizenship status are subject to the out-of-state tuition rates and are not eligible for federal or state financial aid unless they have received approval for special tuition rate through the Maryland Dream Act.

Maryland Dream Act law provides the opportunity for some undocumented immigrants who graduated from a high school in Maryland to be charged tuition at either the in-county or out-of-county rate. In order to qualify for this special tuition rate, students must provide documentation that they meet the following requirements:

1. Attended a public or nonpublic high school in Maryland; and
2. Graduated from a public or nonpublic high school in Maryland or received the equivalent of a high school diploma from the State; and
3. Enrolling at a Maryland public college or university no later than 6 years after graduating from high school or receiving a GED; and
4. Provided documentation that the student, or their parent or legal guardian, have filed Maryland income tax returns:

   1. annually for the three-year period before the academic year in which the tuition rate exemption would apply; and

   2. an address in the county is used on the Maryland income tax return of the student’s parent or legal guardian of the calendar year prior to the academic year in which the rate would apply; and

   3. will continue to submit proof of tax filings each year student is enrolled at Anne Arundel Community College.

5. Provide a signed affidavit attesting to become a permanent resident within 30 days of becoming eligible to do so; and
6. Registered with the Selective Service System if required to do so. (This applies to all males 18 and older.  You must submit a copy of proof of selective service registration.  This can be obtained online at www.sss.gov or from your local post office.)

The college reserves the right to request additional information and documentation as necessary.

English Proficiency - In order to be admitted to an associate degree program, applicants must submit or complete one of the following:

• TOEFL iBT score of 79; or paper test score of 550; or computerized test score of 213. AACC TOEFL code: 5019; or
• ACT English test score of 18; or
• SAT EBRW test score of 480; or
• ENG 101 placement from AACC Accuplacer placement test; or
• Transfer credits of English from an accredited U.S. institution (must submit an official transcript)

Students with an TOEFL iBT score of 46, a paper test score of 450, or a computerized test score of 133 may be admitted to the English Language Learning (ELL) program. These students will be issued an I-20 form. After arriving at the college, students must take the college’s English as a Second Language (ESL) placement test before registering for courses.

Additional Information - Students with an F-1 visa must enroll for a full-time course of study, which is a minimum of 12 credits/billable hours each term. Students should consult their Academic Advisor or ELL Advisor for course selection. Courses in the college’s ELL core program may be included as all or part of the 12 hours. Students with B1, B2 and F2 dependents must consult with the International Student Advisor prior to registration, to discuss registration limitations.

Questions pertaining to the most current regulations regarding the admission of international students should be directed to the Admissions and Enrollment Development office in the Student Services Center, 410-777-2677.

For more information, visit the International Student Admissions webpage.