Welcome to LCCC!! To request an Application Packet for International Students please email the international student advisor at international@lccc.edu
The college welcomes applications from international students who can benefit from the educational programs at Lehigh Carbon Community College. LCCC is a regionally accredited two-year, associate's degree-granting college. We have more than 100 degrees to choose from designed for transfer to a four-year college or university or to prepare you for the workforce.
International students are encouraged to begin the admission process six months prior to the start of the school semester to allow ample time for processing by both LCCC and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). After you have read this page, please contact Christine Flores (international@lccc.edu), International Student Advisor, with any questions you may have.
General Information
Some important facts that international students (students on an F-1 Visa) should know about Lehigh Carbon Community College:
- the College has no housing on or off campus.
- Public transportation (bus service) is limited. The majority of international students who attend LCCC live with sponsors who can provide the student with a car or transportation to the college.
- International students are not eligible for financial aid and must have financial sponsors document that the cost of tuition, housing, books, meals, and any other supplies for the duration of their studies in the US will be covered.
- International students may NOT be employed off campus while they are students.
- International students MUST maintain full-time status which is a minimum of 12 credits.
- International student tuition is about $6500 per semester. This figure does not include textbooks, housing, or supplies or other living expenses.
- Public health care is unavailable to foreign/international students. It is recommended that students be prepared to purchase health insurance upon entry into the United States.
- What is a visa or an I-20?
- For information about studying in the US click here: http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/
Admission Agreement
An international student will be admitted to Lehigh Carbon Community College with the following understanding: Any international student who is not proficient in reading, writing and speaking English must enroll in the English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. These courses are credit courses, and the fee is the same as for any other college credit course. Students should have an intermediate to advanced knowledge of English. To qualify for the first level of ESL students should complete the TOEFL exam and score of 75. or IELTS score of 6.5. Official ETS TOEFL score sheets must accompany all international application packets. All international students must be full-time (a minimum of 12 credits) students.
International students must register for 12 credits or more. Any petition to take less than 12 credits must be approved by the international student advisor. Students cannot accept a grade of 'W' or withdraw themselves for a class if that means dropping below 12 credits. Violation of this policy is a failure to maintain F-1 Visa status and as such you will lose your visa status.
International Student Advisor
The international student advisor's office is on the Main Campus in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania in the Student Service Building, Main Advising Office. International students are required to schedule an appointment with the international student advisor as soon as they arrive in the area (with in 10 days) and must bring their passport, visa, I-94, and I-20 to update to maintain their SEVIS records. The international student advisor will assist international students in course selection throughout their academic career and will advise students on their responsibilities for maintaining legal status while in the United States.
All international students must report regularly to the advisor, and must report within 10 days any change in their address, major, financial and employment status; this and all other requirements will be explained at the first meeting.
How to Apply for Admission
Please choose one of the three links below for the appropriate application packet.
International students are encouraged to begin their admission process early prior to the start of the school semester to allow ample processing time by both LCCC and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. Fall Semester typically begins at the end of August and Spring semester about mid - January.
What Needs to be Done After the Student Arrives in the Lehigh Valley?
When the student arrives at the U.S. port of entry, he/she presents his/her passport and the I-20 to the USCIS officer. The student should plan to arrive in the Lehigh Valley area at least 3 weeks, but no earlier than 30 days prior to the start of the semester. Arriving early, helps students get acclimated to the area and language and this helps when taking the LCCC placement test. Contact the International Student Advisor to make an appointment as soon as you are able. You will need to download your I-94 Arrival/Departure form at this website: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/
Testing
All students are given a placement test in speaking, writing, reading and mathematics. Phone 610-799-1124 to make arrangements for this testing and to schedule an advisement appointment with the International Student Advisor.
Registration/Advisement
Test results will be used to schedule students for appropriate courses. The Director of English as a Second Language Program assists students with registering for the appropriate level courses after the placement test. If additional advisement is needed, please make an appointment with the International Student Advisor 610-799-1137.
Important Information
You must keep your passport updated at least six months into the future. Passports must be updated at your native country's consulate or embassy. Most of these are located in either New York or Washington, D.C. Some countries require renewal in person. Before you leave the U.S. for a temporary visit to your home country (or any other country), you must obtain the signature of the International Student Advisor on your currently valid Form I-20, otherwise you will not be able to re-enter the United States. You must maintain full-time status to have your I-20 signed. If you have not maintained full-time status and wish to leave the country, you will need a new I-20 to take with you to your home country and you must go through the process of obtaining a student visa.
Foreign College Transcript Evaluations
Students who have completed college-level credits at universities outside the US who wish to have some of their credits applied to their LCCC major, should have their transcripts evaluated by a credential evaluation agency. These agencies will not only translate degrees and courses, but will also convert instructional time into the US semester system. Among those agencies accepted are World Evaluation Service and Educational Credential Evaluators. Agencies must be accredited through the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services; list of other NACES member-agencies. If you have any questions please email CreditTransfer@lccc.edu
Students Requesting Reinstatement to Student Status
Students who have failed to maintain status at Lehigh Carbon Community College or another college/university should discuss their particular situation with the International Student Advisor to establish the feasibility of petitioning USCIS for reinstatement to status. If it is possible for the student to apply for reinstatement the student must first gather updated documentation, your advisor will assist you. If a re-instatement is not possible or if the USCIS has denied your petition, students must leave the country immediately; there is no grace period. Students out of status over 5 months cannot apply for Re-instatement and must return home.
Helpful Links for more information: