International Students

No. Students applying to ACC with / seeking an F-1 status need to already have proficient skills in English. Minimum requirements are listed in our Application Process and Requirements.

Yes. I-20s are provided to students who complete the international admissions process and provide all requirements and documents that successfully determine their F-1 student eligibility for an available term.

Eligible degrees information specifically for F-1 students is listed on our International Admissions webpage. Not all degrees are eligible so it is important for students to review these published options.

Apply to ACC through the International Admissions Process. Additional instructions for Transfer students are outlined in that process. 

NOTE: International Student Applications will not be reviewed until the $75 application fee is paid. Incomplete applications will not be processed and will result in significant delays.

Students wishing to change an existing non-immigrant status are advised to consult with an immigration attorney for guidance on their specific situation.

There are two options to change status:

1. Pursue a Change of Status and remain in the U.S. while it processes (can take several months)

2. Return to your home country and apply for a student visa from there

Both options will require the student to complete the International Application Process.

Yes. Deadlines are different than for domestic students. Students are encouraged to plan ahead to allow enough time to complete all processes. Please review the Application Deadlines for new and transfer students.

All required documents are outlined on our international admissions webpage in the Application Process and Requirements section. 

NOTE: Applications will not be reviewed until the $75 application fee is paid. Incomplete applications will not be processed and will result in significant delays.

English proficiency requirements for international student admission are outlined on our webpage in the Application Process and Requirements. Only tests and scores listed here will be accepted.

Students must provide proof of finances in the full amount of the estimated cost of attendance for 12 months. This includes estimated tuition costs, living expenses, transportation and other miscellaneous expenses. Details are outlined on the Affidavit of Financial Support and in the Application Process and Requirements section of our webpage. Costs are subject to change.

As long as the submitted application process is complete with all required documents and paid application fee, students can expect an update within 2-4 weeks, depending on the time of year. This is an estimate and timelines can vary. Students will receive an acceptance letter and Form I-20 from International Programs if they meet all requirements, documents are verified and they are fully admitted as an international student. 

Incomplete applications will result in significant delays in processing.

ACC does not issue visas. We can assist students with determining their student eligibility paperwork/Form I-20. All visa processes go through U.S. government agencies. View Visa Appointment Wait Times

Tuition rates can change slightly, year to year, and students are charged per credit hour. F-1 students will always pay the Non-Colorado Resident tuition rate and will be required to take mainly on-campus classes and a minimum of 12 credits per fall/spring semester. A full degree over the course of 2 years will result in a total of 60 credit hours. View details and calculate expected charges on our Tuition and Fees webpage for an estimate.

Yes, students only pay for their registered classes each semester and have the option to set up a payment plan to pay as you go. Review more information about the Ways to Pay.

No. F-1 students will never qualify for resident tuition at ACC while on that visa status.

Providing proof of financial support for the overall estimated cost of attendance for one year is a government requirement for your visa application. ACC requires the proof of finances for the living expenses regardless of anticipated in-kind support. This is to protect the student and to create a clear expectation of your needs as sometimes this type of support can change over time.

Maybe. F-1 students do not qualify for any public funds but are encouraged to search for outside, privately funded scholarships. ACC may have limited, merit-based scholarships for international students but is not guaranteed and would not cover the full cost of tuition. Students must complete at least 1 semester at ACC and meet minimum GPA requirements to be eligible, if funds are available.

The ACC Institutional Scholarships are open from November – April for applications and awards would be applied for the following academic year. Currently enrolled students can always apply and sometimes funds are available based on program of study or other individual factors.

Yes. Please review our ACC Au Pair Information and Resources. If you still have more questions after reviewing this information, contact ACC Workforce and Community Programs directly at 303.797.5722 or wcp [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (wcp[at]arapahoe[dot]edu).

Maybe! Students need to Apply to ACC before sending any transcripts. Completed courses need to be the equivalent of the required courses within your chosen degree program at ACC. If you are pursuing a similar academic pursuit at ACC as you did in your home country, you may have courses that could apply. All international transcripts must be translated and evaluated by a NACES member company in order to be considered for transfer by ACC. We recommend that you discuss this with the International Programs advisor before investing in the evaluation process.

No. We are a commuter school and students are responsible for finding their own housing.

No. F-1 students are required to maintain comprehensive health insurance coverage during their studies at ACC, however, they must find their own insurance.

Arapahoe Community College primarily offers 2-year degrees that prepare students for either transfer to a 4-year university to complete years 3-4 or to enter the workforce in their chosen career path. We typically provide lower costs for classes and everyone is welcome at our institution. Class sizes are small and students have access to a variety of free resources and support.

Students are invited to sign up for a virtual International Admissions Information Session. (Available sessions are limited during high volume times of year.)

In order to make your experience as seamless as possible, we have provided a number of helpful forms and informational handouts below:

Attaining F-1 Status:

• How to Apply for an F-1 Visa
• How to Apply for a Change of Status

Health Insurance Options

International students are required to have health insurance coverage while enrolled at ACC. We do not currently offer a group plan nor do we endorse any specific company. Students are responsible for finding their own coverage and renewing it as needed.

Here are some options to assist in your search:

• International Student Insurance
• ISO
• INextInternationalMedical Insurance Plan
• Insurance for Students
• Compass Student Insurance
• PGH Global
• Insubuy
• Lewerglobal
• IMG
• HTH Worldwide

Maintaining F-1 Status:

• Basic Information for International Students
• Reduced Course Load Request
• Program Extension Request

Employer Resources:

• How to Hire an F-1 Student
• Employer Letter Template to Obtain SSN

Optional Practical Training (OPT):

• OPT: General Information
• OPT: How to Apply
• OPT: Recommendation Request

International Education Research Foundation (IERF)
P.O. Box 3665 
Culver City, CA 9451
310.258.9451
www.ierf.org

Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
P.O. Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203
414.289.3400
www.ece.org

World Education Services (WES)
P.O. Box 5087
Bowling Green Station
New York, NY 10274-5087
212.966.6311
www.wes.org

International Consultants of Delaware
3600 Market St, Suite 450
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2651
215.243.5858
www.icdevel.com

For Nursing Credentials
CGFNS International
www.cgfns.org

For pricing information, please visit the website of the organization of choice.