los angeles harbor college INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM
Detailed Entry/Visa/Housing/FinancialInformation
Applying for Admission to Los Angeles Harbor College:
For admission to LAHC as an international student, students must:
1. Complete the LAHC “ International Application Forms ” front and back. (Note: All application materials are available at www.lahc.edu/studyinlosangeles.)
2. Provide evidence of English proficiency. (A minimum score of TOEFL score of 450 paper-based,133 computer-based, or 45 internet-based TOEFL tests; an IELTS score of Band 5.0 or above; or Step Eiken Level 2, pre-1, or 1. This proficiency requirement may be waived if the student is from an English-language speaking country or if his/her high school was/is an “international” school where all subjects are taught in the medium of English.)
3. Provide evidence of high school completion. Official transcripts inEnglish must be sent directly from the student’s school(s) to the International Student Office. If transcripts in English cannot be provided, the student’s school can send native language transcripts;
the student can then provide a notarized English translation of the document. If student has attended university, copies of university transcripts should also be sent directly to the International Student Office.
4. Sign and submit the “International Student Agreement .”
5. Submit a completed “Affidavit of Support” accompanied by appropriate supporting financial documents. (The appropriate financial documents are documents showing that the sponsor has sufficient funds to cover one year of the student’s educational and living expenses (currently $15,680). Types of documents that may be submitted are a bank account or investment account statement, a letter from the sponsor’s bank, or even a copy of the sponsor’s income tax statement. If an applicant is sponsoring himself or herself, he or she should write “Self” for the question “Student’s Relationship to You.” If the student’s sponsor is a U.S. citizen, the sponsor will have to complete USCIS form I-134 which is available
at http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-134.pdf)
6. Submit two passport size photos taken within the last six months.
7. Submit the $35 application fee. (Do not send cash.
Make payment with a bank check or international money order. The check or money order should list “LAHC” as the payee.)
The Selection Review Process
The application packet is reviewed by the International Student Office. The student will be contacted if specific items (except the application fee) are missing from the application packet. No action will be taken on applications submitted without the application fee. When the application is approved, the International Student Office will issue the student 1) an official letter of acceptance, 2) a 3-page form called an I-20 -- Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student, and 3) a letter addressed to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country. With these documents, the student can apply for an F-1 (Student) Visa. The student may apply for a student visa up to 120 days prior to the report date listed in section 5 of his/her I-20; however, the student will not be permitted to enter the U.S. earlier than 30 days prior to report date listed on the student’s I20.
Applying for an F-1 (Student) Visa
To get an F-1 student visa, the applicant must
1. Pay the $200.00 visa application processing fee to the U.S. government at www.fmjfee.com. To pay this fee of $200, the student will need his identification number and the school identification number from his/her I-20.
2. Schedule an appointment for his/her F-1 student visa interview at the nearest U.S. Embassy or consular office.
3. Bring the following documents to the interview:
a. The I-20 sent to him/her by this college.
b. The acceptance letter addressed to U.S. EMBASSY sent to the student by the International Student Office at this college.
c. A passport that is valid for not less than six months after the expected date of entry to the U.S.
d. A completed Form DS-156 and a Form DS-158. Some applicants will also have to complete Form DS-157. Blank forms are available without charge at all U.S. consular offices and on the Visa Services website under Visa Application Forms at http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html
e. One 2” X 2” photograph. (For picture format, check http://www.travel.state.gov/)
f. The visa processing fee receipt from www.fmjfee.com.
g. Copies of any documents the student submitted to Los Angeles Harbor College especially financial documentation and evidence of English language proficiency. U.S. Foreign Service Officers are required by law to interview all visa applicants. The Embassy/Consular Officer who interviews the student will seek to verify 1) that the student’s intent in coming to the U.S. is for education, 2) that the student has sufficient funds to cover his/her first year’s educational and living expenses, and 3) that the student intends to return home after he/she completes his/her education and, where appropriate, one year of optional practical training (OPT) in the U.S.
When approved, the student will be receive his/her passport with an F-1 visa in it. In some instances, the consular officer may put the entry documents in a sealed envelope. In this situation, the envelope can only be opened by a U.S. Port-of-Entry officer. Once in the U.S., the Port-of-Entry official will stamp the student’s I-20 and passport. Also, the officer will staple a white card, called an “I-94,” in the student’s passport. The officer will stamp the card and write in an end date, that is, the date on which the student must leave the U.S. Generally for F-1 students, the official will write “D/S,” which means “Duration of Stay.” “Duration of stay” means that the student can stay in the U.S. for a reasonable but unspecified period of time in order to complete his or her program of study. The I-94 is a very important document; students must be careful not to let it become separated from their passports. The Port-of-Entry official may ask what the student’s purpose is for coming to the U.S. in order to verify that that the student is coming for educational purposes.
Students should make every effort to arrive in Los Angeles in time for the mandatory New Student Orientation meeting (whose date and time is listed on their I-20’s in the “Remarks” section). Students who arrive earlier are encouraged to stop by the International Student Office with or without an appointment and with their passports, I-20’s, and I-94’s. For an appointment, students should call 310-233-4111. The earlier the incoming student contacts the office, the more quickly the student can be provided with help in the assessment, course selection, and course registration process.
HOUSING:
The college does not have dormitories, but arriving students. New students generally stay at the Best Western hotelnear the campus or at a student hostel in San Pedro until permanent accommodations can be arranged, a process that may take two to four days. The International Student Office maintains a listing of nearby accommodations. Homestays can also be arranged through homestay agencies.
Use this link to view San Pedro Youth Hostel. Remember to click back on your browser to return to this site.
FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) does not routinely permit F-1 visa students to work while in the U.S. and since financial aid is not available for international students at this college, international student applicants must show evidence of having sufficient funds available to cover the first year�s educational and living expenses with the expectation that additional funds will be available the following year. These funds can be provided by a sponsor (parents, relatives, etc.), by the student, or by a combination of both.
ANNUAL EXPENSES (School-related and Living):
Direct School Related Costs
|
SEMESTER |
ANNUAL |
|
| Tuition ($198.00* per unit x 12 units) | $2,376.00 | $4,752.00 |
| Enrollment Fee ($26.00 per unit x 12 units) | 312.00 | 624.00 |
| District SEVIS Filing Fee | 25.00 | 50.00 |
| Health Fee ($11.00) Mandatory | 11.00 | 22.00 |
| A.S.O. Student Representation Fee (Mandatory) | 1.00 | 2.00 |
| Associated Students Organization ($7.00) | 7.00 | 14.00 |
| Books and Supplies (low-end estimate) | 400.00 | 800.00 |
| Parking Fee | 20.00 | 40.00 |
| Medical Insurance **(estimated) | **438.00 | 876.00 |
| TOTAL | $3,590.00 | $7,180.00 |
**Medical insurance - Subject to adjustment in January of each year. Medical insurance is mandatory and all students are required to participate in the cost-effective insurance program designed for the Los Angeles Community College District. The cost of the insurance will be added to the fall 2009 and spring 2010 semester tuition and fees bill and coverage will for six months at a time. The cost of coverage is comparable to plans offered by other local colleges.
Estimated Living Expenses
Food, lodging, personal expenses are estimated to be around $800 to $1,000 per month.
Total Minimum Estimated Expenses for a school year is $15,680-$18,000.
DEADLINES:
Deadlines are flexible but it is best for overseas applicants to submit their application packets by July 15th for the fall semester and December 15th for the Spring semester. Adjustments can be made depending on circumstances.
Transfer students may submit application packets/documents as late as the week before classes start, assuming classes are still available. Change of Status applicants may apply anytime since it may take several months for DHS USCIS adjudication.
ORIENTATION
Los Angeles Harbor College begins its academic year in late August or early September. Spring semester starts in late January or early February. Students should arrive on campus for the New International Student Orientation which is about two and a half weeks prior to the start of the semester in order to have enough time for orientation, assessment and registration in classes.