2-7: Admission of International Students Policy

Policy Overview

This policy provides the guidelines by which nonimmigrant applicants seeking admission to Santa Fe Community College (SFCC or College) on an F-1 visa may be admitted. This policy does not cover any programs offered by SFCC in other countries.

Scope and Applicability

SFCC welcomes international students and recognizes the value they add to the learning environment. This policy applies to international students seeking admission to the College on an F-1 student visa.

Policy Statement

1. International students on F-1 student visas may be admitted to the College and accepted as regular, full-time students into approved degree or certificate programs in accordance with the guidelines outlined by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and summarized in the Adviser’s Manual of Federal Regulations Affecting Foreign Students and Scholars.
2. A prospective student, whether international or domestic, must meet the provisions of the New Mexico Overt Act Requirements New Mexico Administrative Code 18.11, 8/14/2000 to be considered a legal resident of New Mexico for tuition purposes.

Definitions

1. F-1 Visa is a visa issued to a nonimmigrant who is pursuing a “full course of study” to achieve a specific educational or professional objective, at an academic institution in the United States that has been designated by the Department of Homeland Security to offer courses of study to such students, and has been enrolled in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. (as defined by the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers Adviser’s Manual).
2. International Students Nonimmigrants (aliens) coming temporarily to the United States to attend school. The applicant must plan to pursue a full-time program of academic study at an academic institution that is authorized by the USCIS to enroll foreign students.
3. Nonimmigrant Is citizen of another country and not a U.S. citizen, defined by the Immigration and Nationality Act as an alien, who is residing in the United States on either a temporary or a permanent basis. Nonimmigrants may be in this country legally, i.e., with official documentation of legal authorization to reside here; or illegally, i.e., without official documentation of legal authorization to reside here.

Policy Process

1. Students seeking F-1 admission to SFCC must complete the International Student Admissions form, meet eligibility requirements and provide all accompanying documentation to the international student admissions representative by the appropriate deadlines.
2. The programs of study may have some restrictions based on United States Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations (www.uscis.gov).

Statement of Accountability and Responsibility

The President, through the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, shall be responsible for enforcing student focused policies and procedures. The Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs or designee and the Academic and Student Affairs Office shall work with the different departments and offices to comply with this policy and to develop procedures that will enforce this policy regarding awareness, prevention and remediation.

Authority

Adviser’s Manual of Federal Regulations Affecting Foreign Students and Scholars
National Association of Foreign Student Advisers Adviser’s Manual
New Mexico Overt Act Requirements, New Mexico Administrative Code 7.18.11, 8/14/2000
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

APPROVAL
Approved by SFCC Governing Board: 1/15/2002
Revised and Governing Board approved: 7/24/2013
Revised and Governing Board approved: 9/17/2013
Revised and SFCC Governing Board approved: 10/15/2013
Revised and Governing Board approved: 8/24/2016

Associated Procedures

• Admission of International Students – Procedures