Earn a Degree at Heartland

Should I Apply as an International Student?

An international student is a citizen of a country other than the United States who is authorized to remain in the United States for a temporary period of time, for educational purposes only as a non-immigrant (F-1 visa). If you have any other visa type, you will not need to apply as an international student. Please go to the Heartland application page to find out about applying as a traditional student.

If you want to change from your current visa to an F-1 visa, you would need to apply as an international student and then submit a change-of-status request with the US government to F-1 status. We recommend you also contact an immigration attorney for help with a change-of-status request. Heartland Community College cannot give legal advice on visa and immigration processes.

Application Process

Please follow the steps below to apply as an F-1 student at Heartland Community College.

1. Submit international application and all supporting documentation before the deadline.

2. We will review your application and supporting documents.
3. Once your application and supporting documents have been reviewed, we will send you information about scheduling a video interview and online English placement test. Please follow the instructions in the email to set up your interview and test.
4. Once you have completed the placement test and interview, we will send an acceptance letter and I-20 visa eligibility form. In most cases, you will receive the acceptance packet 2-3 weeks after you complete the English test.
5. Follow the instructions in your acceptance packet to complete the F-1 visa application and set up a visa interview appointment with your local US Embassy or Consulate.*
6. *It is important to understand that not every international student is granted a visa. Your visa application may be denied by the US Government at any time, for any reason.
7. If approved, make travel arrangements. You can travel to the US no more than 30 days before the program start date on your I-20. International Office staff will let you know details of recommended arrival dates and airport transit options. You must report to campus on the program start date listed on your I-20. This date is the first day of international student orientation. You will not be able to enroll in classes if you do not attend the orientation.
8. Follow any next steps Heartland Admissions and International Programs staff give you.

Required Documents

Are you ready to apply? Please make sure you have read through the application process. Next, be sure you have these documents ready before you go to the application:

• Copy of your passport: Please submit a copy of your valid passport in order to verify your eligibility to travel to the United States.
• Copy of high school completion documents: please provide documents to show that you have graduated from high school, either in the USA or in another country.
• Certificate of Financial Responsibility: Please download this document and complete it with your sponsor in preparation for your application. When you apply, you must turn it in to show that you have enough financial sponsorship to pay for an entire year of tuition and other expenses.
• Certified bank statements: Please submit certified bank statements that add up to the financial support requirement of USD$26,378. These accounts should be owned by the same person who signs as your sponsor on the financial responsibility document.

All documents must be either scanned copies, or clear photographs of the complete document.

Online Application Process

Are you ready to apply? Please make sure you have read through the application process. Next, be sure you have these documents ready before you go to the application:

• Copy of your passport: Please submit a copy of your valid passport in order to verify your eligibility to travel to the United States.
• Copy of high school completion documents: please provide documents to show that you have graduated from high school, either in the USA or in another country.
• Certificate of Financial Responsibility: Please download this document and complete it with your sponsor in preparation for your application. When you apply, you must turn it in to show that you have enough financial sponsorship to pay for an entire year of tuition and other expenses.
• Certified bank statements: Please submit certified bank statements that add up to the financial support requirement of USD$26,378. These accounts should be owned by the same person who signs as your sponsor on the financial responsibility document.

All documents must be either scanned copies, or clear photographs of the complete document.