ES4120 - International Student Admission Requirements

1. Institutional Regulation
   
   The College shall establish procedures for enrollment of international students. International students shall be required to meet the same academic standards as resident students, and they must demonstrate a minimum proficiency of the English language.
    
2. Procedure
   1. Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) recognizes the importance of having a diverse student population, which includes students from many cultures throughout the world. The presence of international students enhances international learning and goodwill and promotes opportunities for global understanding. Des Moines Area Community College will continue to accept students admitted to the United States on non-immigrant visas.
      1. Students on F-1 (“student”) visas are required to be enrolled full-time during the fall and spring semesters. Students with other visas may be enrolled either full-time or part-time according to the regulations set forth by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
      2. All documentation concerning international students will be processed through the International Student Office at the Ankeny Campus. Any documents received at other campuses will be processed only in consultation with the International Student Office.
   2. A non-refundable deposit of $200 (U.S.) is required for new or transfer F-1 students at DMACC. This deposit must be paid before course registration takes place.  Further direct and indirect costs are set forth in the Des Moines Area Community College International Students Admissions Packet and on the DMACC website.  F-1 students pay tuition costs at the non-resident rate. The applicant assumes all responsibility for financial planning.
   3. Students applying for admission from outside the United States must file all required documents 120 days prior to the first date of the semester. Transfer applicants, students with a valid I-20 who have or will have completed one or more semesters at another accredited college or university before attending DMACC must file all required documents 45 days prior to the first day of the semester. Prior to acceptance, the applicant will:
      1. Submit a completed and signed International Application for Admission to the College.
      2. Submit a completed International Student Information Sheet.
      3. Submit a completed Statement of Financial Support to provide evidence of ability to meet educational and living expenses while attending the College. The statement must be notarized or accompanied by a recent statement or letter from a bank.
      4. Submit official transcripts from high school and any prior college attendance, translated into English by a professional translation service in accordance with ES4528 - Postsecondary Transfer Credit Evaluations . Those students wishing to use credits from a college or university outside the United States must have the transcript reviewed at the subject analysis or catalog level by a commercial service for an additional fee.
      5. Meet the College assessment requirement for mathematics by:
         1. Taking the ALEKS assessment in math.
         2. Submitting an ACT score in math.
         3. Provide evidence of successful college experience in math by providing a college transcript for evaluation. A grade of C or higher in a college level math course.
      6. An applicant whose native language is NOT English is required to provide evidence of English proficiency as stated in ES4205 .
      7. A student who cannot provide evidence of English Proficiency as stated in ES4205  is still eligible to apply for a DMACC I-20 for F-1 visa application or transfer to DMACC from a U.S. college or university. The student must complete the required Accuplacer ESL Test(s), unless the student will be enrolling in the ESL program.
   4. Prior to acceptance, non-F-1 visa holders who intend to enroll full-time will:
      1. Submit a completed and signed International Application for Admission.
      2. Submit official high school or prior college transcripts translated into English by a professional translation service in accordance with ES4528 - Postsecondary Transfer Credit Evaluations .
      3. Complete the required assessment, unless enrolling in the non-credit ESL courses.
      4. Submit photocopies of documents showing their immigration status.
      5. Submit evidence of English proficiency, as above.
   5. F-1 International Students, who are currently enrolled as students in a credit program at another college or university and want to take classes at Des Moines Area Community College, will:
      1. Submit photocopies of current passport, Visa, I-94 Form and I-20. Applicants who want to transfer to DMACC will also need to provide the documents required in II. B & C.
      2. Enrollment in an Intensive English program will not enable a student to enroll in credit classes at Des Moines Area Community College.
   6. All International students with a Des Moines Area Community College issued I-20 are required to have valid proof of medical insurance. Students who purchase their own medical insurance must provide proof of insurance within the first 15 days of each semester to qualify for a waiver of the insurance fee. For students who have no proof of insurance, insurance will be provided from a DMACC selected insurance provider. The insurance fees will be collected from the student by Des Moines Area Community College.
   7. Students whose native language is NOT English, but who are permanent residents or citizens of the United States, are subject to the same regulations as other citizens or permanent residents. However, they will be required to submit evidence of English proficiency as stated in ES4205 .

May 10, 2022 - Cross-Referenced to SA Policy 503.

July 9, 2024 - Changed amount of deposit.