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 to the College.

Scope and Applicability

This policy applies to all international students and to employees who make decisions about the admission of international students on an F-1 student visa. This policy does not apply to students who are currently granted classification as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and does not cover programs offered by SFCC in other countries.

Policy Statement

SFCC welcomes international students and assists those who are interested in attending the College with ensuring they have completed the required documentation for admission.

Definitions

1. F-1 Visa is 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 authorized 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.
2. International Student is a student attending the college on an F-1 visa. An international student is categorized as a foreign-born person who is not a citizen, national, or permanent resident of the United States, nor individuals who have been granted asylum or refugee status.
3. Nonimmigrant Person is a citizen of another country (and not a U.S. citizen) who is admitted to the United States temporarily for a specific purpose.

Policy Process

1. International Students may be admitted to the College and accepted as regular, full-time students into approved degree programs in accordance with the guidelines outlined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the College’s most current certification documents.
2. International Students seeking 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.
3. International Students must meet the requirements to Establish New Mexico Residency as set forth in NMAC 5.7.18 to establish residency for tuition purposes.
4. Current International Students who have been granted U.S. residency or citizenship must submit documentation regarding their change of status. Once documentation has been accepted, the student will no longer be in F-1 status.
5. There are restrictions on the programs of study available based on Department of Homeland Security regulations.

Statement of Accountability and Responsibility

The President, through the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, shall be responsible for enforcing student policies and procedures. The Office of Academic and Student Affairs 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

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
National Association of Foreign Student Advisers Manual
New Mexico Overt Act Requirements NMAC 7.18.11, 8/14/2000

APPROVAL

SFCC Governing Board approved: 1/15/2002
Revised and Governing Board approved: 10/15/2013
Revised and Governing Board approved: 8/24/2016
Revised and Governing Board approved: 5/22/2024

Associated Procedures

• Admission of International Students – Procedures