Students Residing Outside the U.S. (Initial Applicant)
If you live outside the U.S. and you’d like to study at San Jacinto College as an international F-1 visa student, you will be considered an Initial applicant.
International Students may be admitted for any semester throughout the year. Students who begin in the Fall or Spring semesters are not required to attend Summer classes. Students who begin in the Summer term must enroll full-time in the Summer term during their first year of studies.
There may be certain Academic programs that F-1 international students are not allowed to be enrolled in.
San Jacinto College does NOT offer housing or medical insurance to international students
Priority Dates
All documentation must be received on or before the priority deadline listed below. If your application is completed after the priority deadline, your admission will be deferred to the next available semester.
| Semester | Priority Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall Semester Classes begin in August |
June 15th |
| Spring Semester Classes begin in January |
November 1st |
| Summer Semester Classes begin in June |
February 15th |
Virtual Information Sessions
Learn about the required documentation and application process during our Virtual
Information Sessions.
No sessions are scheduled at this time.
Step 1 Gather Required Documents
We will need official transcripts from any colleges or universities you have attended either in the U.S. or abroad, including the one you are currently attending.
Proof of U.S. high school equivalency completion is required.
International transcripts must be evaluated by an approved agency. Contact any agency listed here-Accepted Evaluation Company.
Request an evaluation on your international transcript(s).
Since classes at San Jacinto College are taught in English, proficiency is required for students whose native language is not English. Test scores allow us to accurately advise students into classes that will offer the best opportunity for success.
TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two years.
You may be admitted to an Academic Program with a minimum score of:
| TOEFL |
525 (Paper-Based test) |
| IELTS | Band 6 range |
| Accuplacer ESL | 110 - Reading 6 - Writer Placer 109 - Sentence Meaning 109 - Language Use 93 - Listening |
Native students from the following countries are exempt from proving English proficiency:
Australia, The Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, English speaking Canadian provinces, The Fiji Islands, Gambia, Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Malta, Nauru, Nigeria, New Zealand, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Tobago Trinidad, Uganda, United Kingdom, The Virgin Islands, the West Indies, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
We want to make sure your education won’t be interrupted by lack of finances, so we require proof that you have at least $31, 977 U.S. dollars of financial support. This is the estimated educational and living expense for one year at San Jacinto College. If you’re bringing family we will need proof of an additional $6,000 for your spouse and $3,500 for each additional dependent.
Sponsor Financial Information (maximum 2 sponsors per student)
Open the Affidavit of Support Form. Download this form and have your sponsor(s) complete the form.
Based on your sponsor’s status, provide us with one (1) additional piece of documentation.
All financial information must also include equivalencies in U.S. dollars.
- The most recent three (3) months of bank statements (checking and savings accounts only) on official bank letterhead from sponsor(s). The ending balance for each month must show the amount of at least the minimum amount of financial support.
- A statement/letter on bank letterhead and signed by a bank official that certifies the sponsor’s name, average balance, and affirmation that deposits have been made over the last year (letter must be recent as of three (3) months).
- A letter from Employer on company letterhead signed by your supervisor, stating annual income (letter must be recent as of three (3) months).
- Most recent U.S. Income Tax Return. The Taxable Income must meet the minimum amount of financial support.
Your dependent spouse and children (unmarried and under the age of 21), may apply for an F-2 visa to accompany you in the United States while you are in F-1 student status.
Required items:
- Proof of marriage for a spouse; If the marriage certificate is not in English, please provide a copy of the marriage certificate and the official English translation.
- Proof of birth for a child (birth certificate); If the birth certificate is not in English, please provide a copy of the birth certificate and the official English translation
- Copy of passport page(s) showing name, date of birth, place of birth and citizenship for all dependents (spouse and children)
We will need a PDF copy of the first page of your passport showing your name, date of birth, and expiration date. The expiration date must be more than six months away.
Download and complete the form.
Acceptance documents will be sent to the e-mail address placed in this form.
Read carefully the F-1 Memorandum of Understanding. Download and complete the form.
F-1 Memorandum of Understanding.
Step 2-Submit College Application & Upload Documents
An open-admissions institution, San Jacinto College offers a free online application through GoApplyTexas.org*.
To apply, set up an account and make sure you choose San Jac in your application.
- When asked to submit Social Security numbers please leave blank.
- Applications are processed in 2- 3 business days.
- and the steps to Claim Your Student Account.
- You must set up your student account to upload your electronic international admission forms.
- Make sure to enter the full address you used on your application to Claim Your Account.
- Trouble Claiming Your Account? Contact Tech Support at 281-998-6137 for assistance.
All international admission documents will be uploaded as attachments in PDF format under the Application for I-20 Form.
- Open the Application for I-20 Form
- Log in with your credentials created in Step 2
- Select Initial Application and complete all information
- At the bottom of the form, upload all required documents in PDF format
- Electronically sign and submit the application.
Expect a response within 7-10 business days.
Once we receive all of your documents, International Student Services will process your file.
Allow our office 7-10 business days to process your application.
You will receive an official International Student Acceptance Letter and the Initial Form I-20. Your SEVIS ID number will appear in the upper right corner of the form, and our school code will be at the bottom of box 2. You’ll need these for the next step.
All first-time F-1 students have to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee of US $350 prior to your interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Please visit https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html# for further information and payment instructions.
This is different from the visa application fee you pay before attending your visa interview.
Take your official Initial Form I-20, the SEVIS fee receipt, and other required documents to the American Embassy in your home country to apply for your F-1 Student Visa. This allows you to come to the United States and enroll at San Jacinto College.
Next Steps
Notify the International Student Services department of your Visa Decision & Expected Arrival Date.
If your F-1 visa was approved:
- Secure Housing -You need to arrange housing before you travel to Houston. San Jacinto College does not offer housing for any students.
- Plan Travel Arrangements Accordingly- Arrive at the college one month prior to the beginning of the semester so that you have enough time to complete all requirements
If your F-1 visa was denied:
- Email International Student Services immediately and include a copy of the refusal letter.
- You may request to be deferred to the next semester if you plan to re-apply for the F-1 visa.
Complete the following enrollment steps with the college. These steps can be completed prior to your arrival to the U.S.
1. Meningitis Vaccination Record (for students under 22 years of age only)
All incoming Texas college students under the age of 22 must receive a vaccination or booster against bacterial meningitis prior to registration. Meningitis Vaccine Information. Contact admissions@sjcd.edu for more information
2. Take Placement Test
- For students in ESOL program, the San Jacinto College uses the Accuplacer English as a Second Language (ESL) test to help determine ESOL course placement for non-native English speakers. The test consists of Listening, Reading, Sentence Meaning and Language Use multiple-choice sections, and a WritePlacer ESL essay section. View testing information here.
- For students in Academic program, the San Jacinto College uses the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) exam to determine college readiness levels in math, reading, and writing. The untimed exam is NOT pass or fail.
3. Meet with Advising
As part of our mission in ensuring student success, all students who are new to San Jacinto College will need to meet with an admissions advisor to talk about programs available, choosing their courses, and potential career options. Schedule a virtual meeting.
Please be ready to present a valid photo ID (passport) when meeting with an advisor. If no ID is presented, any information shared will be limited.
The International Student Orientation will be held virtually through Zoom. Dates will be set before the start of the semesters.
It is mandatory for all international students and will address important regulations pertaining to an F-1 visa holder.
