How to Apply

New International Students

You are responsible for submitting all required documents to allow ample time for visa processing. Upon receipt of all required documents, an I-20 will be issued, which authorizes you to apply for an F-1 student visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. The following documents are required for international admission to ECC.

1. International Student Application for Admission. Apply online and upload all required documents through the online application system.

2. International Student Financial Agreement, which certifies your ability to meet expenses for your first year of studies.

3. Non-Refundable $50 Processing Fee
You can pay online via international wire transfer via Flywire™ wire transfer, by check/money order drawn on U.S. funds payable to ECC, cash, or over the phone by credit card by calling Student Accounts at +1-847-214-7380. Note: You must have an ECC student ID to pay the processing fee. The ID will be sent to you by email once your application for admission is processed.

4. Evidence of Financial Support
U.S. federal regulations require you to certify your ability to meet all expenses for your first year of studies. All prospective F-1 students must submit financial documentation certifying access to funding for their studies pursuant to 8 CFR § 214.2, regardless of whether they are living with friends or family or have a financial sponsor. You must submit an official English-language bank statement or letter on bank letterhead certifying the account holder's name, current balance, and statement date. Certification must show available funds for first-year expenses at ECC, excluding travel expenses. Certification of funds must be dated within six months of issuing the I-20. Tuition may increase annually.

The estimated cost of attendance for 2024-2025 is $24,650:

• • Tuition and fees: $9,655
  • Living Expenses: $12,610
  • Other (books and mandatory health insurance): $2,385
  • Total: $24,650

5. Affidavit of Sponsorship
All sponsors contributing financially to your education must complete a Transfer Release Form (if applicable)
If you are transferring from another U.S. school, you must have your school complete the transfer release form. Please reference the International Student Financial Requirements for complete details.

6. Certified Secondary School Transcripts and Graduation Certificate/High School Diploma
Submit official secondary school transcripts and graduation certificate/high school diploma. An official English translation of the secondary school transcripts and graduation certificate/high school diploma is required if the documents are not originally issued in English. Notarized copies are acceptable and may be submitted electronically. Translation or evaluation services may require an additional fee to be paid by the student to an outside credential evaluation service.

If you have not completed high school/secondary education but meet the following requirements, you may apply for admission to ECC:

• • Age 17 years or older by intended start date at ECC.
  • Submission of high school/secondary transcript showing completion of at least 11 years of secondary education (equivalent to completion of junior year in high school).
  • If you apply to ECC without completing high school or secondary education, please note that ECC does not grant high school diplomas as part of the associate degree program.

7. Photocopy of Passport
Submit a copy of your passport that verifies your name, date of birth, and photo. You must show proof of age through a valid birth date on your passport or official government-issued identification. If you are currently in the U.S., please include a copy of your electronic I-94 record (available at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website) and your current visa or visa stamp.

Transfer Students

If you are transferring from a school in the U.S. to ECC, you must also submit the following:

1. Transfer Release Form (if applicable). If you are transferring from another U.S. school, you must have your school complete the transfer release form.
2. Copy of visa
3. Copy of most recent I-20 from your transfer-out school.
4. Transcripts from the current institution. To apply for transfer credit, submit your transcripts to our Records department for evaluation and complete the Transcript Evaluation Request Form.

Students Seeking Reinstatement

If you are currently in the U.S. and out of status on your F-1 visa, ECC may be able to help you regain your F-1 status. USCIS allows F-1 students who have fallen out of status to apply for reinstatement if certain conditions are met. Applications from students seeking reinstatement are accepted on a case-by-case basis throughout the year for enrollment at the next available program start date. Please contact the Center for Global Engagement at +1-847-214-7809 for specific information and advice related to your individual situation. Once you have met with a DSO at ECC and received confirmation that you are eligible for reinstatement, please complete the admissions steps outlined above and submit the Reinstatement Application - PDF. You'll have to submit additional documentation to USCIS.

• Questions? Check out our Reinstatement FAQ page.

Students Seeking a Change of Status to F-1 Visa

If you are currently in the United States on a non-immigrant visa, you may be eligible to change your status to F-1 without exiting the U.S. Applications from individuals seeking a change of status are accepted on a case-by-case basis throughout the year for enrollment at the next available program start date. To be eligible for a change of status supported by ECC, you must:

• be in the U.S. for at least 90 days;

• live within District 509 and provide a local address where you will reside;

• work directly with and submit proof in the form of a letter or email from a licensed U.S. attorney who has agreed to support your case.

Please get in touch with the Center for Global Engagement at +1-847-214-7809 for specific information and advice related to your individual situation. You will be required to meet with a DSO at ECC and receive confirmation that you are eligible for a change of status. Before you apply online, you may begin your Change of Status application online or complete the Change of Status Application - PDF.

English Proficiency Requirements

You don't need to be proficient in English to be accepted to ECC, and we don't require the TOEFL or IELTS. However, if you're not proficient, you'll be issued an I-20 for placement into our Intensive English Program. When you arrive, you will take an English language proficiency test to be placed into the appropriate level of the Intensive English Program.

Students who believe they satisfy the English language proficiency requirement as required by federal law must present proof of such proficiency by submitting one of the following:

• a minimum TOEFL score of 197 on the computer-based version, 527-530 on the paper-based exam, or 71 on the Internet-based exam; or
• a minimum IELTS band score of 6.0; or
• a minimum Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) score of 50 or
• a minimum score of 60 on E3PT; or
• a minimum score of 95 on the Duolingo English Test; or
• completion of ELS Language School level 109 with a B or better; or
• completion of the EF UPiBT test with a minimum score of 50; or
• a minimum score equivalent to the B2 level of LanguageCert;
• graduation from a high school where English was the mode of instruction or
• graduation from a post-secondary institution with the equivalent of a bachelor's degree where English was the mode of instruction or
• completion of college-level English composition with a grade of C or better; or
• satisfactory score on the ACT or SAT exam for placement into ENG 101, see Testing Scores Summary for most updated scores, or
• completion of the ECC Intensive English Program.

If you do not submit proof of English language proficiency, you must take the test during orientation week before registering for classes for which you qualify. Many students enroll in the Intensive English Program before matriculating into their degree or certificate program. 

As an incoming international student, you'll take placement tests in Writing, Reading, and Math to assess your skill levels and place you in the appropriate classes.

International students attending ECC can choose from various housing options, including the International Student Homestay Program, a private apartment, an extended-stay hotel, or living with family or friends. You must be at least age 18 or older to rent an apartment or hotel (in most situations).

ECC offers an International Student Homestay Program for full-time international students and scholars interested in living with a local family. To apply for the homestay program:

1. Read, complete, and sign the ISHP Application for International Students - PDF. You may begin your homestay application online, or you can complete the paper application.
2. Read and sign the ISHP Program Information, Policies, and Agreement for International Students. You may sign the agreement online, or you can sign the paper agreement.
3. Submit a letter of introduction with a current photograph.
4. Apply online at international.elgin.edu, by email to homestay@elgin.edu, by fax to +1-847-214-7785, or by postal mail to:
   
   • Elgin Community College
     Center for Global Engagement
     1700 Spartan Drive
     Elgin, IL 60123-7193
     United States of America
5. Once a homestay placement has been made, pay a one-time, non-refundable placement fee of USD 100.00 before arriving in the homestay. Payments can be made in person at ECC Student Accounts, online at elgin.edu/AccessECC, or via international bank wire through Flywire at Flywire: Delivering the Most Important and Complex Payments | Flywire (if the student is outside the U.S.).

Once we receive your completed application materials, they will be reviewed by a DSO for acceptance. Once you are fully accepted to ECC, an acceptance package will be emailed to you. Your acceptance email will contain the following official documents:

• Acceptance letter to ECC
• Form I-20

Your acceptance package will be sent to the email noted on your application. Please be sure to check your email regularly. 

ECC will mail your acceptance package to the address indicated on your admissions application only if requested in writing. Per SEVP guidance, your acceptance package and Form I-20 can only be mailed directly to you, the student, your dependents (if applying for F-2 status), or, for minors, your parents or guardian.

You must present yourself at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country to apply for the appropriate visa. You will need the documents sent to you in your acceptance package so be sure to keep the documents safe! The U.S. Department of State provides information to international students on preparing for the visa interview. You must also pay the I-901/SEVIS fee online prior to your visa interview.

We encourage you to utilize the free resources provided by EducationUSA, the U.S. Department of State network of over 430 international student advising centers in more than 175 countries and territories.

There are many enrollment steps that you can complete remotely prior to arriving in the U.S. Please log in to the secure International Student and Scholar portal at international.elgin.edu using your accessECC Portal credentials. You can also refer to the Enrollment Checklist to complete many enrollment steps remotely.

Once your visa has been approved, please email us at internationaladmissions@elgin.edu so we can plan for your arrival. You should make plans to arrive in the U.S. at least 24 hours prior to the start of orientation. Refer to your acceptance letter for specific arrival information.

Please note that students in the International Student Homestay Program may only move into the homestay the Saturday or Sunday immediately prior to the start of orientation. If you arrive before your homestay is available, you are responsible for your own housing and transportation. Please review some International Student Application Info Pamphlet - PDF to prepare you for life in the U.S. and in Elgin.