International Student (F-1) Applicants

Feedback

Welcome to Santa Fe Community College!

Thank you for your interest in Santa Fe Community College, located in Santa Fe, New Mexico!

International students seeking F-1 visas must apply for admission on a degree-seeking basis (for completion of an A.A., A.A.A., A.S., or A.A.S. degree). International students will not be admitted to certificate programs.

International students must commit to a full course of study, or at least 12 credit hours per semester. At least 9 of those credit hours must be in-person, on-campus courses.

We welcome our international students to join the following degree programs:

Associate of Arts (A.A.)
Accounting
American Sign Language
Business Administration
Criminal Justice
Early Childhood Education
English-Creative Writing
Film
Fine Arts
Human Services
Liberal Arts
Media Arts
Photography
Psychology
Spanish Language
Teacher Education

Associate of Science (A.S.)
Biological Sciences
Computer Science
General Engineering and Engineering Technology
General Studies
Physical Sciences

Associate of Applied Arts (A.A.A.)
Arts and Design
Photography

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)
Allied Health
Automotive Technology
Building Science and Construction Technologies
Business Administration
Computer and Information Technologies
Controlled Environment Agriculture
Criminal Justice
Culinary Arts
Engineering Machining Technologies
Engineering Technologies
Film
General Studies
Massage Therapy
Media Arts
Paralegal Studies
Sustainable Technologies
Welding Technologies

**The following programs are not eligible for international student admission:**

Nursing A.A.S.
Medical Assisting A.A.S.
Respiratory Care A.A.S.
Paramedicine A.A.S.
Dental Health A.A.S.

(Note: F-1 students may be eligible to apply for the above programs after admission to the college).

Application Deadlines

In order to provide sufficient time to process your paperwork and issue your Form I-20, please submit all of the above documents by the following dates:

  • June 1 for Fall semester
  • November 1 for Spring semester

Application deadlines are firm. Please note that all required documentation must be received by the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Documents must be original and mailed directly to SFCC.

Application Checklist

⇒Download a printable application checklist.

  1. International student application form 

  2. Official transcripts

  3. Proof of English language competency

  4. Letter of intent

  5. Student financial eligibility form and bank statement

Application Instructions

Students must complete an international student application. Please note that the form includes the applicant’s letter of intent (a statement of approximately 500 words explaining your intended program of study and how it will help you achieve your educational and personal goals).

First-time college students must send an official copy of their high school transcript to SFCC. Applicants who have attended a college/university in the U.S. must send their transcript directly to the college. Transcripts from foreign high schools and colleges/universities must be translated into English and notarized.

International applicants must demonstrate proof of English language competency. Students may submit scores from the Testing of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination, the International English Language Testing (IELTS) exam, or the Duolingo English Test. These scores must be sent directly from the testing service to the International Student Programs Coordinator. The minimum acceptable scores are: TOEFLiBT, 66; IELTS, 6.0; and Duolingo, 90.

This test is not required of students from countries where English is a primary language. These applicants must contact the international student advisor to confirm eligibility. Transfer students who have completed College English Composition at a U.S. school are also exempt from having to provide a language exam score, but must provide proof of successful completion in the form of a “C” grade or higher.

Applicants must submit a recent (six months or less) financial statement (download printable form) regarding the resources provided for the student while the student is in the U.S. This form must be signed, dated and stamped with the financial institution’s seal and sent directly to the International Student Programs Coordinator at SFCC from the financial institution. Because there are no institutional funds available to support an international student, each student must be able to meet all financial obligations while attending SFCC (there is no housing available on campus).

You are required to present proof of available funds in the amount of at least $27,546 U.S. dollars. This is an estimated amount based on expected tuition and living expenses for the academic year. Listed costs will increase with each dependent added to your I-20 (Tuition and fee charges for international students on F-1 visas are the same as for non-resident students). Applicants who are sponsored by a government agency or private company must submit verifying documentation. If funds are being provided from a sponsor, please provide a letter of sponsorship.

Applicants must upload a statement of approximately 500 words explaining their intended program of study, their educational goals, and how their chosen program will help them achieve those goals.

If you are transferring from a U.S. university and you wish to have credits transferred, an official transcript must be sent directly from the university to SFCC. A letter or SFCC Transfer Form from your designated student advisor (PDSO/DSO) indicating permission to transfer, and a copy of your I-20 issued from the attending university, are also needed. (download printable form)

All international students and exchange visitors entering the U.S. must pay a fee mandated by Congress in September 2004 with a Form I-20. All applicants must pay the SEVIS fee before going to the U.S. embassy or consulate for their visa interview. You can complete the Form I-901 and pay this fee at www.FMJfee.com with a credit card or through the mail.

All international students attending SFCC are required to have health insurance. Hospital care and all medical care in general are expensive; without insurance you will be held responsible for all costs. Proof of insurance must be provided at the time of your arrival.

Additional Information

For more information, please view our International Student Programs Office page. You may also contact Principal Designated School Official (PDSO), Nicole Ferreira, at nicole.ferreira@sfcc.edu or schedule an appointment here. We also welcome inquiries at international@sfcc.edu.