Ibrahim Gardner
Community colleges in the US are a popular option for international students, with around 94,562 studying at US community colleges in the 2017-2018 academic year. They offer a range of benefits, including lower tuition fees, open-access admission, rolling admissions, smaller class sizes, and the opportunity to transfer credits to a four-year college or university. International students should consider factors such as college size, the presence of other international students, transfer agreements with universities, and English language requirements when choosing a community college.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of international students in US community colleges | 94,562 in 2017-2018 |
| Cost | Lower than universities |
| Acceptance | Easier than universities |
| Open admission | Nearly all qualifying students can attend |
| English proficiency requirements | Vary across colleges |
| Application flexibility | Rolling admissions allow applications at any time |
| Visa requirements | F, M, or J visa |
| Work opportunities | OPT allows temporary work during or after degree program |
| Transfer agreements | Many colleges have agreements with four-year schools |
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What You'll Learn
Lower tuition costs
Community colleges are a great option for international students who want to lower their tuition costs and maximise their educational opportunities. Firstly, community colleges are significantly cheaper than universities. The tuition fees at community colleges are, on average, less than half of the equivalent program at a public university, and private universities are usually even more expensive.
Secondly, community colleges often have transfer agreements with four-year schools, allowing students to complete their first two years of education at a lower cost and then transfer to a university to complete a bachelor's degree. This is a popular option for international students, as it allows them to save on tuition fees while still obtaining a degree from a prestigious university. Additionally, community colleges tend to have less stringent language requirements than four-year institutions, making them a more accessible option for international students who may not have met the English proficiency requirements for university admission.
Furthermore, community colleges often provide financial assistance to international students, which may not be available at private institutions. While federal financial aid from organisations like FAFSA is typically not available to international students, individual community colleges can still offer institutional aid.
Lastly, students attending a local community college can live at home, saving a significant amount on housing and living costs. This is especially beneficial for international students who may not have access to on-campus housing or the ability to easily secure off-campus accommodation.
In conclusion, community colleges offer international students a more affordable route to obtaining a higher education degree in the United States. With lower tuition fees, financial assistance, and the option to transfer to a university after two years, international students can significantly reduce their overall tuition costs by starting their educational journey at a community college.
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Easier admissions
Community colleges in the US are a popular option for international students. They offer a range of benefits, including lower tuition costs, easier admissions, and flexible transfer options to four-year universities.
Community colleges often have more accessible admissions criteria for international students. Many community colleges in the US use rolling admissions, allowing students to apply at any time, rather than restricting applications to specific points in the year, as is common with four-year universities. This flexibility is especially beneficial for international students whose academic schedules may differ from the US, as they don't have to wait until the next academic year to begin their college classes.
Additionally, community colleges tend to have less stringent language requirements. While English language proficiency is generally required, the specific criteria vary among colleges. Some colleges may require official TOEFL or IELTS test scores, while others may accept alternative forms of proof, such as prior instruction primarily in English or attendance at a US high school. Some colleges may also assess proficiency through entrance exams in subjects like reading, writing, and math to determine course placements.
Community colleges often have more inclusive admission policies, with some not specifying a minimum high school GPA. This provides an opportunity for students who may not have met the stringent requirements for direct admission to four-year universities. The open-access admission structure means that nearly all qualifying students can attend, making community colleges a viable option for international students seeking higher education in the US.
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Transfer agreements with four-year schools
International students can benefit from transfer agreements between community colleges and four-year schools in the US. These agreements allow students to obtain an associate degree at a community college and then transfer to a four-year university to complete their bachelor's degree. This option offers several advantages, including lower tuition costs, smaller class sizes, and a smoother transition to life in the US.
Many community colleges in the US have transfer agreements with four-year institutions to streamline the transfer process for students. These agreements often involve recognising and accepting academic credits earned at the community college, allowing students to enter directly into the third year of the university program. This not only saves students money on tuition but also provides a strategic path to obtaining a bachelor's degree from their university of choice.
The number of credits required for transfer usually depends on the university and program. However, completing at least 60 credits, equivalent to two years of college, is generally necessary for transfer consideration. It is essential to research the specific requirements of the desired four-year school and plan accordingly.
Some notable four-year schools in New York with articulation agreements include New York University, Queens College, Stony Brook University, and Cornell University. These agreements give priority to applicants with associate degrees or recognise community college credits towards a four-year degree.
Additionally, community colleges often have rolling admissions, allowing international students to apply at any time, providing flexibility and accommodating different academic schedules. Language requirements at community colleges may also be less stringent, offering multiple ways to demonstrate English proficiency.
Overall, transfer agreements between community colleges and four-year schools provide international students with a cost-effective and accessible pathway to obtaining a bachelor's degree from a US university.
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English proficiency requirements
Pasadena City College also accepts other English proficiency qualifications, such as IELTS, STEP Eiken, or iTEP. Students can also satisfy proficiency by obtaining instruction primarily in English for at least three years or attending a U.S. high school for at least one year with enrolment in English classes. Lane Community College also accepts students who have successfully graduated from an AP, IB, IGCSE high school with an English Language curriculum.
Some colleges, such as Delaware County Community College in Pennsylvania, do not require students to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. Similarly, Westchester Community College in New York does not require TOEFL scores but does require applicants to prove their English proficiency through entrance exams in reading, writing, and math. Richland Community College in Illinois and Pasadena City College do not require English proficiency test scores if students attended a high school where English was the language of instruction.
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OPT work opportunities
Community colleges in the US are a popular option for international students, with around 94,562 international students opting for this route in the 2017-2018 academic year. They offer a more affordable route to higher education in the US, with the added flexibility of rolling admissions, which means students can apply at any time. International students can take classes at a community college and then transfer the academic credits earned to a four-year college or university. This route can improve a student's chances of acceptance to their university of choice and save on tuition costs.
OPT, or Optional Practical Training, is a program that allows international students to work temporarily in the US during or after their degree program. Students are allocated 12 months of OPT for each degree level. This means that an international student can work for one year under OPT while earning their associate degree at a community college, and then, when they transfer to a university for their bachelor's degree, their OPT time resets, and they get another 12 months of work authorization.
There are two types of OPT:
- Pre-completion OPT: Students can apply for pre-completion OPT after being lawfully enrolled full-time for one academic year at a college or university certified by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enroll F-1 students. Students can work 20 hours or less per week while school is in session and full-time when school is not in session.
- Post-completion OPT: Students can apply for post-completion OPT after completing their studies. If authorized, they must work part-time (a minimum of 20 hours per week) or full-time.
If a student has already received one year of full-time pre-completion OPT, they will not be entitled to any period of post-completion OPT employment authorization. However, if a student has earned a degree in certain STEM fields, they may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT.
To apply for OPT, students must:
- Request that their Designated School Official (DSO) at their academic institution recommend OPT by endorsing their Form I-20.
- Properly file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization with USCIS, along with the required fee and supporting documentation.
- Students cannot begin their OPT until their Form I-765 is approved, and they receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, community colleges in the US accept international students. In the 2017-2018 academic year, around 94,562 international students studied at US community colleges.
There are a number of benefits for international students who attend community college in the US. Firstly, community colleges are cheaper than universities. Secondly, it is often easier to gain acceptance to a community college than a university. Community colleges also offer more flexibility with rolling admissions, meaning students can apply at any time.
International students should consider the size of the college, the number of international students, and whether the college has transfer agreements with good universities.
