Admissions

Admissions Procedures

Admissions Procedure for students residing outside the United States

To apply for admission, an applicant residing in a country other than the United States must:

  1. Complete the admission application and return it to Enrollment Services with a nonrefundable $25 (U.S. dollars) application fee. Make check or money order payable to Salem Community College. Students should apply to the College directly, not through a brokerage or other business.
  2. Submit official high school and college transcripts. Photocopies are not acceptable. Documents must attest to the student's graduation status. Original credentials must be accompanied by English translations certified as correct.
  3. Provide proof of English language comprehension/fluency. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores of 68 (iBT), 190 (CbT) or 520 (paper-based format) are required. Salem Community College does not offer intensive English as a Second Language instruction. TOEFL test scores must be submitted directly from The College Board to Salem Community College. Photocopies from the student are not acceptable.
  4. Submit proof of age through copy of birth certificate or passport.
  5. Provide an Affidavit of Support Form completed by the student's sponsor and notarized at a United States Consulate or Embassy. Supporting documentation must accompany the affidavit and amounts must be listed in U.S. dollars.
  6. Provide a check or money order for $4,000 U.S. drawn on a United States bank or other financial institution made payable to Salem Community College. The money will be deposited into the student's account and will be used to pay a portion of the tuition and fees for the first two semesters. If a student is denied a visa, the College will refund the money upon receipt of a letter from the student requesting the funds.
  7. Provide a check or money order for $250 U.S., made payable to Salem Community College, to cover the international student processing fee. This fee is nonrefundable.

Upon the receipt of all required material and deposits, an I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigration Student Status) will be processed and mailed to the student. The student will need to take the I-20 and accompanying documentation to the United States Consulate or Embassy to meet with a consular official. The decision to grant an F-1/M-1 student visa is made by the consulate or embassy staff representing the United States Department of State.

In the event the F-1/M-1 visa is denied and the student is unable to enter the United States, the student must write to SCC to request a refund due to visa denial. SCC will refund all tuition and fees with the exception of the $25 nonrefundable application fee and the $250 international student processing fee.

Students admitted under F-1/M-1 student visa status must enroll full-time (12 credits or more) and hold at least a 2.0 grade point average each semester in order to maintain good standing. Students failing to do so will have their enrollment ended.

Individuals holding B-1/B-2 visitor visas are required to return to their home countries if they wish to apply for F-1/M-1 visa status.

International students who wish to transfer to Salem Community College must be in compliance with their student visa requirements, request a transfer release from the other institution, and must follow the steps outlined for international student applicants.

Estimated cost for an international student to attend SCC for one year is $17,000. This includes tuition, fees, living expenses and off-campus room and board.

All application materials from international applicants must be received by the following deadlines: Fall (September) semester applicants - July 1, Spring (January) semester applicants - November 1.