New International Students

The OISS must receive your application on or before:

• Fall Semester: June 15 
• Spring Semester: October 15
• Summer Semester: March 15

 

If your application is completed after the deadline, you will automatically be considered for admission for the next available semester.  If you do not want to be considered for the next semester, please email oiss.international@hccs.edu.

 

If you already have an HCC student ID, make sure the information on your HCC account is updated and go to Step 3 below. If this does not apply to you, begin at Step 1. Do not use the Degree Seeking (ApplyTexas) application because it is not customized for HCC F-1 students.

1. Click on online application for Admissions  (In the case of an error message, choose a different browser)
2. Go to “Start New Application"
3. Select “F-1 International” application (the third option from the top) and click Next
4. Enter your Names as they appear on your passport, Date of Birth, and your Email
5. Set your Password (take a screenshot of the page and record your password)
6. From the “New Account Created” page, click “Continue” to go to F1 Application steps.
7. Choose “Yes” to confirm that you are applying as an F-1 student
   
8. Choose New Student from “I am applying as”
9. Select the Admit term/semester you want to start studying at HCC
10. Complete all 9 steps of the application and submit
11. You will receive your Conditional Approval Letter and an email with the next steps with your HCC student ID and your Assigned Number (starting with P)

 

Do not submit multiple applications! You need only one HCC student ID and we can work with you if you have to make changes. Multiple student IDs will slow your application process. Remember: You will keep the same User ID throughout your HCC career.

Tutorial - How to Complete the International Online Application

 

•  Navigate to the Student System Sign In webpage:

1. Visit www.hccs.edu
2. Click the "MyEagle Student Sign-In" link found in the top left corner of the screen
3. Select "Student Sign-In"
4. You are now on the Student System Sign-In page.  You will need to re-visit this page often, so it is a good idea to save it as a favorite in your internet browser.
5. Log in with your HCC Student ID number (W00000000) and your password previously created

 

If you need additional assistance with accessing your account, please visit http://www.hccs.edu/resources-for/current-students/student-system-help/ 

 

* All documents must be saved as PDF files with short names (less than 30 characters). The file name should not contain any invalid characters such as (*:"<>?). Bad quality or upside-down documents will be rejected. Please combine different document types in 1 PDF file. For example, if you have statements from different banks, save them as one file. To scan and convert a file to PDF format, you can also use free PDF scanner apps (Genius Scan - PDF Scanner, Fast Scanner: Free PDF Scan for Android, Tiny Scanner- PDF scanner, etc.) Upon uploading, the System will add automatically 3 or 4-digit code and your HCC ID number to the name of the document. Do not attempt to modify the document's name!

1. Complete the SEVIS Form I-20 Application This is a fillable .PDF document that is different from the online application.

    Note: Type the information online and sign it. Electronic signature is acceptable. (This document may not show on the To-Do list if we have received it via email.) *Add additional page if more than 1 dependents.

2. Passport photocopy (biometric page only) *

* Provide this document for all dependents (spouse/ children under 21) who will accompany you, as well as marriage and birth certificates.

3. Financial Documentation

Note: If you have multiple documents, save them as 1 document in PDF format.

4. $75 non-refundable Application fee. Please enable pop-ups on your internet broser for online payment. Receipt will be emailed to your preferred address on file. Save receipt as PDF.

 

How to pay the fee:

Online payments (preferred): You can pay the fee online using a credit card or funds transfer from your local bank. For online payments, refer to the International Payment Tutorial (Flywire) for instructions. Allow pop-ups on your internet browser. Please note that you must have completed Step 1 and Step 2 before you can make a payment online. 

Note: The payment term and entrance term may vary when paying the fee online. This is not a problem as the payment can be tracked by date.

 

 

1. Log in to your account on the HCC Student System
2. In Student Homepage, click on Checklists
3. Click on the F-1 Student Checklist to upload the required documents (If you do not see an F-1 Student Checklist, please send an email to international@hccs.edu with your HCC student ID, "NEW," and the semester you're applying for, written in the subject line. Check your account again within 3 business days, and the F-1 Student Checklist should now be available.)

 

New applicants should wait about 2 hours after submission of the online application to access their F-1 Student Checklist.

* Monitor your F-1 Student Checklist for additional documents that may be required.

Tutorial - F1 Students Checklist_Prepare and Upload Documents

 

Login to your HCC Student Sign-In and view your To-Do list.  If the only item in your To-Do list is “I-20 In Process”, your application is under review by one of the International Admissions Advisors.  If you see any other items in your To-Do list, you must upload the required documents so that your application can be reviewed. 

Once you have uploaded all of your documents, you should wait at least 10 business days for processing of the SEVIS Form I-20. This time will vary depending on when the application is submitted and how many applicants there are at that time. Applications are processed in the order they are received.

If you have not received any communication from our office within 10 business days, please email oiss.international@hccs.edu to check the status of your application.

 

Once the office receives all of your documents, you should wait at least 10 business days for processing of the SEVIS Form I-20. This time will vary depending on when the application is submitted and how many applicants there are at that time. Applications are processed in the order they are received.

We are now sending the I-20 form electronically via email (per SEVP COVID-19 temporary policy).  This action will eliminate any additional expenses for mailing, as well as help alleviate any uncertainty with receiving your I-20 in a timely manner due to postal service delays. Form I-20 cannot be picked up from our office or sent to you by mail. It will be sent to your preferred email listed on your student's account.

 

Using the information on your I-20, submit SEVIS I-901 Fee payment here: www.fmjfee.com.  Print your receipt to present during your visa interview and when you enter the U.S. I-901 fee applies only for the F-1 applicant. The dependent applicants (F-2) do not pay this fee.

A prospective F-1 student with a country of citizenship or country of birth of Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria or Gambia must pay by money order, Western Union Quick Pay or certified check drawn from a U.S. bank. 

All other prospective F students also have the option to make a credit card payment on FMJfee.com.

• SEVP will accept third party payments, meaning someone else can pay your I-901 SEVIS Fee using the same method of payment. For students from Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria or Gambia who cannot pay the fee by credit card, third party payers are also restricted from paying the fee by credit card.
• Visit SEVP's website for instructions on how to complete the Western Union Quick Pay/Quick Collect form.
• You can access the PDF version of the SEVIS Form I-901 on SEVP's website. Print and mail in your paper SEVIS Form I-901 with your check or money order, according to the instructions on the form.
• For detailed instructions or for assistance on how to make an I-901 SEVIS Fee payment, call the SEVP Response Center at 703-603-3400.

 

Apply for an F-1 Visa with your U.S. embassy/consulate.  For additional information about this process, review Study in the States’ Five Ways to Prepare for Your Visa Interview.

Visa Denials: If you are denied an F-1 visa on your first attempt, you can re-apply with your U.S. embassy/consulate.  If you will be unable to enter the U.S. by the Program Start Date listed on your I-20, you can defer your attendance to receive an I-20 for the next semester. Please note that you can apply for deferment only by the date listed on your acceptance letter. Applications received after that date will be processed as initial/new applications.

* Citizens of Canada and Bermuda are not required to obtain an F-1 visa. Upon arrival as F-1 students, their passports should show an entry stamp indicating F-1 and D/S (Duration of Status).

 

Once you have a valid F-1 visa, you are permitted to enter the United States up to 30 days before the start date listed on your I-20.  It is recommended that you arrive at least 2 weeks before the Program Start Date listed on your I-20 so that you have enough time to complete the steps required to enroll in classes.  Classes can fill up so you need to arrive as soon as possible to ensure you are able to enroll in the required number of classes. 

If you will be unable to enter the U.S. by the Program Start Date listed on your I-20, you should defer your attendance to receive an I-20 for the next semester.

All Initial F-1 students coming to the United States must be ready to present the following documentation when entering the U.S.:

1. Original SEVIS Form I-20 – With valid Program Start Date and signed by the Designated School Official/International Student Advisor (DSO/ISA)
2. Passport – Must be valid for at least six months after the date of your entry.
3. F-1 Visa – Must be valid and designated for attendance at HCC.
4. Proof of Financial Support – Information showing proof of necessary funds to cover tuition and living expenses.
5. I-901 Fee Payment Receipt – Validating that the I-901 payment was submitted.  The receipt can be reprinted at www.fmjfee.com.

Please review Study in the States’ Getting to the United States for additional instructions about your entry to the U.S.

 

After you have successfully entered the U.S. on your F-1 visa, you must immediately report virtually to Check-In with the Houston Community College Office of International Student Services by sending the Check-in document via oiss.international@hccs.edu email. You can find the documents required for Check-In here. 

Don't wait for the Mandatory International Orientation to enroll in classes! Classes fill up quickly, so act fast after Check-in is completed.  Click to download the Next Steps for New F-1 Students.