College employees are not qualified or permitted by law to provide advice with respect to any legal matter including immigration and naturalization procedure. Please consult your attorney.
An International Student coming to this country to obtain a Bachelor's Degree could attend Macomb Community College and then transfer to a four-year institution in order to attain this goal. All persons in the United States on a student visa will be issued an I-20 form by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and are required to be enrolled full-time in a Macomb Community College program for the duration of the I-20. At Macomb Community College, a full-time undergraduate program consists of a minimum of twelve credit hours per semester. International Students at Macomb Community College are required to successfully complete a minimum of twelve credit hours for the Fall and Winter semesters and maintain a 2.0 (a ‘C’ average) grade point. Students are limited to 1 online class per term and only if they have a grade point average of 2.0 or better. If the student does not have a grade point average of 2.0 or better, they must take full term (16 week) classes.
If you are interested in one of the Selective Admission programs, please contact our Special Services office in the Counseling and Academic Advising office for information. (586.445.7211). Selective Admissions programs are: Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Respiratory Therapy, Surgical Technology and Veterinary Technician.
If you have questions about any other academic programs please contact the Special Services offices as well.
NOTICE REGARDING CHANGE OF STATUS REQUESTS
Effective immediately, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) launched the first version of the Electronic Immigration System (ELIS) to begin the agency's transition to an electronic environment.
USCIS ELIS is a user-friendly system created to streamline the application process for immigration benefits. For prospective students to Macomb College this would be used for a change of current visa status to an F-1 Student visa status. USCIS ELIS provides more accurate and secure customer service to prospective students and their legal representatives. It also allows USCIS to process cases in a more efficient, consistent and secure environment.
Applicants seeking to change their status are able to file electronically a Form I-539, "Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status."
After you have submitted the required paperwork to Macomb College, we will issue your I-20 to be used for the USCIS ELIS online process. (please see the appropriate change of status information for your visa type in the change of status checklists or you may obtain a packet at the South Campus Enrollment office.
*Note: Macomb College employees are not allowed, by law, to submit online I-539 forms to USCIS. You or your attorney must do this.
If you have general questions regarding ELIS please contact USCIS at uscis-elis-feedback@uscis.dhs.gov. For account setup, technology questions, or how to use the system, you can call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 or 1-800-767-1833 (TDD for the hearing impaired)
If you decide to apply to Macomb Community College, complete and mail in the required documentation. If the applicant is residing out-of-state or country when applying for admission, all documents must be forwarded directly to Macomb Community College. Postmark on the envelope must show state or country where applicant is residing. You may mail the required documentation to:
International Student
Enrollment Services, G-301
Macomb Community College
14500 E. Twelve Mile Road
Warren, MI 48088-3896
It is recommended that students make and maintain copies of all documents submitted to the college.If you have any questions, please contact an International Student Representative at f1student@macomb.edu
Since it takes time to process an application for passport and visa, to secure inoculation and vaccination and travel reservations, plan at least six months to complete all requirements
Sponsors
- Financial sponsors are expected to pay ALL educational and living expenses of the F-1 student, which is approximately $21,900 per year for each F-1 student and an additional $15,100 in living expenses for each dependent of the student.(These prices are effective for the 2013 FAll term.) If at any time during the normal length of study as outlined on the student's I-20, the initial sponsor cannot or will not support the student, it is the student's responsibility to find another sponsor IMMEDIATELY. The previous sponsor must submit in writing reasons for not continuing sponsorship. The new sponsor must fill out all required forms. If the student fails to submit the paperwork in a timely manner, they will be reported to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A student cannot maintain F-1 status without an appropriate sponsor.
- Submit recent statement(s) (within the last 60 days) indicating the sponsor has at least $21,900 in an account to support the F-1 Student. Financial statement(s) must be original documents. Copies are not acceptable.
English Proficiency
The applicant's success or failure at Macomb Community College will depend, to a great extent, on his/her command of the English language. All lectures and textbooks are in English.
All International Students are required to complete the TOEFL or MELAB or COMPASS English language test as evidence of proficiency in English.
TOEFL Test
- According to the Educational Testing Service, "The purpose of the TOEFL test is to evaluate the English proficiency of people whose native language is not English. The test uses a multiple choice format to measure the ability to understand North American English. It is given in a single session of about three hours, including the time required for admitting examinees." A minimum score of 500 is required on the hand-written test, minimum score of 173 is required on the computerized test and a score of 61 is required for the internet based test, for admission to Macomb Community College.
Macomb Community College does not offer the TOEFL. To receive more information on dates and test centers visit TOEFL or write to:
TOEFL/TSE SERVICES
EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE
P.O. BOX 6154
PRINCETON, NJ 08541-6154
USA
- The TOEFL Registration Form must be received by the Princeton, New Jersey Office of Educational Testing Services at least five weeks prior to the test date.
- Make sure to indicate Macomb Community College's School Code 1722 on the test application. After taking the test, the results will be received by Macomb Community College in about five weeks.
MELAB Test
- The test is an advanced level "Battery" (or Group) of English language proficiency tests. It is for adult non-native speakers of English who will need to use English for academic purposes at the college and university level.
- MELAB is designed to measure the applicant's proficiency in the four basic language skill areas: Writing, Listening, Reading, and Speaking. The entire MELAB lasts 2 ½ - 3 ½ hours (including the time required for admitting examinees). A minimum score of 80 is required for admission to Macomb Community College.
- To receive information on test dates and test centers write:
ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTITUTE
TESTING AND CERTIFICATION
500 E WASHINGTON ST
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
ANN ARBOR, MI 48109-1057
USA
- http://www.lsa.umich.edu/eli/testing/melab
- The MELAB Application/ID Form, photos and complete test fees must be received at the English Language Institute Testing Office by Monday of the week the applicant will be sitting for the test. Late applications will not be accepted. The applicant may telephone the Testing Office on the Tuesday before the test to see that registration materials have been received and are in proper order. Total turn-around time (from the time the application is sent until the time Macomb Community College receives the results) will be about six weeks.
COMPASS Test
- If the prospective student is already in the United States, they have the option of coming to Macomb College to take our ESL Compass test. They must place into EAPP 1300 (Integrated Skills & Preparatory Composition level 4) to qualify for admissions to Macomb.
Foreign Credentials Evaluation
- In order to receive possible credits for previous education, Macomb Community College requires a course-by-course report from an evaluation service. Most services will require an original document as well as an English translation.
- You may receive general elective course credit from Macomb but international courses are not equated to Macomb courses. Also, general elective credits would not apply to your Macomb degree requirements.
- After the agency completes the evaluation, please have the results sent directly to:
Macomb Community College
South Campus Enrollment Services, G-301
14500 Twelve Mile Road
Warren MI 48088-3896
Suggested evaluation services:
WORLD EDUCATION SERVICES, INC. - Phone: 212.966.6311 – www.wes.org
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS EVALUATORS - www.umevals.org
EDUCATIONAL CREDENTIALS EVALUATORS INC. – Phone: 444.289.3400 – www.ece.org
SEVIS Fee
Once the I-20 is processed, the student will be contacted to come in and sign the I-20. If the student is still out of the country, we will mail the I-20. Once the I-20 is signed, you will need to complete the I-901, which is a SEVIS Fee Form. Use the SEVIS number at the top of your I-20 and the school code of DET 214F 00557000. The fee for filing this form is $200. Follow the directions closely. This SEVIS Fee Form is available on the Internet. Please fill out the form and either submit it via the web-site address http://www.FMJfee.com, by using your credit card or filling out the form and mail it with a check or money order in US dollars. If the student is still in his/her home country, this SEVIS Fee must be paid prior to going to the Embassy.
Student Travel During School Year
International students traveling outside of the United States must have their I-20 endorsed by the Macomb Community College's Enrollment Office located at the South Campus in G-301 prior to leaving. Travel is not permitted during the Winter or Fall terms and discouraged during the term breaks. If a student travels without authorization, they are at risk of not being allowed to re-enter the USA.
Employment
Employment is not permitted for an F-1 student during the first year of studies. After successful completion of one (1) year of classes (Fall and Winter terms), an F-1 student may be allowed to work on a part-time basis on campus, at Macomb Community College. Off-campus employment is not permitted. Students must have approval from the Enrollment Office to work on-campus. A student must be in good standing with a 2.0 or better GPA and have taken at least 12 credit hours each term. The I-20 must be endorsed at the Enrollment Office located in G-301 at Macomb Community College's South Campus.
Social Security Number - Are you Eligible?
A Social Security number (SSN) is used to report your wages to the U.S. Government and to determine eligibility for Social Security benefits. Social Security numbers can be assigned to foreign workers who are authorized to work in the United States.
Social Security numbers are NOT required for the following situations:
- Admissions and Registration - It is not necessary to have a Social Security number in order to apply for admission to the college or to register for classes.
- You do not need a Social Security number to open a bank account or for most other financial transactions. If you are an F-1 visa holder, the bank may ask you to prove that you are exempt from the requirement of providing a Social Security number. If this is the case, the Social Security Administration can issue a letter of ineligibility to you.
- You do not need a Social Security number in order to obtain a driver's license in the state of Michigan. You may need to present a letter ineligibility from the Social Security office.
F-1 visa holders are only eligible for Social Security numbers if they have been approved in the following situations:
- On campus employment
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) with CPT endorsement on page 3 of your I-20 (only offered at Macomb under certain circumstances and for a limited duration)
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) with an Employment Authorization card (EAD). OPT is available only after graduation.
- If you were issued an EAD card for other reasons such as authorization due to severe economic hardship.
Living Expenses
International Students should not leave their native country until they are absolutely certain of continued financial support from their sponsor. The College will not finance the education of any student.
On the basis of current tuition rates at Macomb Community College, educational expenses for International Students for one year may be conservatively estimated as follows:
Tuition and Fees: $ 4,800.00
Books and Supplies $ 2,000.00
Personal Expenses $15,100.00
Total Expenses $21,900.00
The preceding budget assumes that the International Student will be conservative in the use of money, will come alone (without dependents), and is well supplied in advance with personal items.
For information on International student scholarship availability http://www.fastweb.com/fastweb/register/start?ref=edupass-21f--http://www.edupass.org/
It is highly recommended that the International Student obtain hospitalization insurance (not available at Macomb Community College). For information on ISO Student Health Insurance for International students visit www.isoa.org.
Climate
The climate in Michigan varies. Temperatures range from 37.8 degrees centigrade in the Summer to -17.8 degrees centigrade in the Winter. A student must be equipped with all types of clothing, including coats for winter months; rainwear and light clothing for the hot, summer months.
Housing/Transportation
An International Student should realize there are no dormitories, residence halls, on-campus housing or housing aid available. This necessitates the securing of housing in the community.
There are no means of transportation supplied by the College. It is the student's responsibility to provide his or her own means of travel to and from campus.
Disclaimer
The Enrollment Office staff are not USCIS employees. Any questions, other than information pertaining to F-1 status, must be directed to USCIS.