International Applicants

Virginia Highlands Community College is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students. The College welcomes applications from international students who meet the qualifications set forth in these guidelines. All stated requirements are subject to change based upon federal regulations or a determination by the College that a policy change is in the best interests of the student and/or the College community.

International applicants will be admitted only if they fulfill all general and special requirements for admission. International students are considered out-of-state residents for purposes of determining tuition rates and admission to programs with limited enrollment. Students who acquired a student visa through acceptance by another school or college will not be considered until they have secured a written release from the original institution. International students who are exclusively taking classes through distance learning without entry into the United States will be evaluated on an individual basis. All documentation must be received by June 1 for Fall admission or October 1 for Spring admission.

1. Financial Responsibility
   No financial aid is available for international students. The College will not certify applications for an international students to obtain a work permit until they have successfully completed 30 semester hours of coursework at the College with a 3.0 GPA, or resided in the U.S. for at least twelve consecutive months, whichever is the longest period of time. All international applicants must complete a form provided by the College and have it notarized to affirm they have financial resources sufficient to pay college and living expenses prior to being issued an SEVIS-20. The statement must include the amount of income the student will receive while attending college, the source of income, and the manner in which living expenses will be met. All international students holding F-1 and J-1 visas must purchase health and accident insurance. If the applicant is under 18, the parent or legal guardian must submit the notarized statement of financial support. All international students must have a local sponsor who will assume financial responsibility for the student.
   
   
2. English Proficiency
   International students whose native language is not English must document proficiency in the English language by submitting a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score. Official copies of the TOEFL scores must be submitted to Enrollment Services/Admission. The TOEFL test is required of all applicants who are not native speakers of English, in addition to all foreign students with visas, except those raised or schooled in Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Jamaica, or other countries where the College can determine that English is the language of instruction. A TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based TOEFL test and 234 on the computer based TOEFL test is required, although achieving that score is no guarantee of admission. The applicant is responsible for making early arrangements for taking the test and should address inquiries to TOEFL, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, USA. The Bulletin of Information, obtainable without charge, contains a description of the test and rules regarding application, fees, reports on the conduct of the test, lists of examination centers, examination dates, and an application blank. On the application for the test, the student should specify that the scores be sent to the Admission Office at VHCC. The official results of the TOEFL must be received at VHCC at least 60 days before the term for which the applicant seeks admission. Applicants who are in the United States and who have not taken the TOEFL or achieved the minimum cut score, may petition the College to evaluate them for admission during a visit to the campus. This evaluation will generally include completion of our freshman assessment (COMPASS) in English, reading, and mathematics including a writing sample on an assigned topic, followed by an interview with a member of the English faculty. The English faculty member will make the final admission decision based on the interview, writing, and test results. There is no appeal to this decision. There is no substitute for planning ahead on the part of international students wishing to gain admission to our College. Transfer applicants who have completed two semesters or terms of a non-ESL English composition course with above-average grades at an American college or university are not required to submit TOEFL scores.
   
   
3. Academic Transcripts
   Non-English transcripts and documents must be submitted in their original form, accompanied by a certified English translation. Unofficial documents and documents without accompanying English translations will not be accepted. International transfer students must submit a syllabus of university study. This description of each course or subject studies must be submitted in English translation of the syllabus. Application without this information cannot be considered. It is recommended that transfer students seeking admission from international educational systems have a professional evaluation service review their transcripts and other educational credentials. Students currently enrolled in a U.S. system must still have their international transcripts evaluated.
   
4. International Applicant Contact
   For additional information about the process for international applicants please contact: Ms. Debbie Barrett, Virginia Highlands Community College, P.O. Box 828 Abingdon, VA 24212 or by e-mail at dbarrett@vhcc.edu. Below is a checklist of admission requirements for international students:

1.      Application for Admission/Readmission as a curricular student. 
2.      Official English translated and notarized/certified secondary and college transcripts.
3.      Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 550 on the paper-based TOEFL test and 234 on the computer-based TOEFL test is required and the test results cannot be more than two years old. 
4.      Verification of health and accident insurance. 
5.      Declaration of financial resources (must be in US dollars).
6.      Official transcripts from American colleges or universities attended.