F-1 Visa Holders - Prince George's Community College

As an F-1 student, you can connect with other students through clubs, organizations, sports, and events. Eligible students may also request to work on campus—or at one of our satellite locations—and participate in training related to their major. You may also request a Social Security Number, a learner's permit or driver's license, and travel home during the summer and semester breaks (spring and winter).

F-1 students are eligible for Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science, and Associate of Arts in Teaching degrees.

Nursing and Allied Health Information

If you are an F-1 student, you can petition for the College's Associate of Science in Nursing and Associate of Applied Science degrees in allied health, but only after receiving admission to the College. You must meet specific requirements and obtain a Social Security Number to be considered for program admission.

Out-of-state residents, including F-1 students, will be accepted only if remaining seats exist after all qualified Maryland residents are admitted. Click here for more information about program admission requirements.

Transfer Details

F-1 students may transfer to another Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certified school to further their education. Please refer to the following information to proceed with Prince George's Community College admission.

Change of Status Requests

If you are currently in the United States (U.S.) and plan to request a change of status in the U.S. after being offered an international admission, please note that this process lasts several months. You can refer to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website for more information.

F-1 Admission Requirements (Degree-Seeking)

Students studying under an F-1 visa are eligible for admission during the fall and spring semesters. They must submit complete packets with the application, fee, and supporting documents by the following dates:

Fall admission: June 1
Spring admission: November 1

Note: The College may deny admission to applicants who do not meet all requirements or miss deadlines.

Submitting Documents for F-1 Admission

Step One

Applicants must complete the international online application as degree-seeking students. (Please contact internationalgroup@pgcc.edu for assistance with the process.) An automated confirmation with guidance will be emailed upon submission of the online application and the non-refundable fee of $50.00.

Step Two

Applicants must upload these documents to their applicant portal or submitted as a complete packet to:

internationalgroup@pgcc.edu
(Please do not send hyperlinks—all emailed documents should be attachments.)

F-1 Student Admission
Office of Records and Registration
Prince George's Community College
301 Largo Road
Bladen Hall, Room 126
Largo, MD 20774-2199

If applicable, accompany your documents with an official English translation from a certified agency.

View the F-1 Admission Checklist for a summary of required supporting documents. Click on each item below for more information.

Required Supporting Documents for F-1 Admission

Choose question

Academic Records

All applicants must submit proof of high school or college completion. A certified translation agency must translate documents that are not in English. Examples of accepted documents are:

Transcripts that explicitly state a graduation date
School-Leaving Certificate, National Senior Certificate, or similar
National exam results, such as WASSCE, NECO, GCE or GCSE
- Applicants submitting results from GCEs, GCSEs, IGCSEs, and any other system that administers A-level and O-level exams must have earned at least 3 passes at the A-level or at least 5 passes at the O-level.
U.S. GED certificate

Unofficial copies will be accepted for admission purposes, but official copies will be required prior to enrollment. If admission is offered, students must have the institution or examination body that issued the transcript or administered the exam submit an official copy of their transcript, diploma, or national exam results, or submit an original or certified hard copy upon arrival in the United States. Original and certified copies will be returned to the student upon request. Photocopies are not considered official documents.

Proof of English Proficiency

All applicants must demonstrate proof of English proficiency using the Test of English Foreign Language (TOEFL), which must have been taken within the last two years. Scores will not be accepted from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam or any exam other than the TOEFL. Students must achieve the following minimum scores on the TOEFL exam in order to be eligible for admission:

Computer-based: 133
Internet-based: 46
Essentials: 5.5

Please click here for information on the IBT, CBT, or the essential tests, including preparation strategies. Upon completion, applicants should request to have their results forwarded by the provider of this exam, Educational Testing Service; PGCC’s reporting code is 5545.

Applicants admitted based on TOEFL scores are required to take a College-required examination for course placement prior to registration unless they achieve a score of 213 or higher on the computer-based test (CBT), a score of 99 or higher on the internet-based test (IBT), or 10.5 on the essentials version. 

 Students may be eligible for a waiver from the TOEFL requirement if they meet certain eligibility criteria. View the TOEFL waiver requirements for more information.

Note: Before enrollment, completion of the College's ESL placement testing may be requested, even if the TOEFL requirement is waived.

Valid Passport and Current Visa (If Applicable)

Copy of current valid passport and — if already in the U.S. — a copy of current visa.

Financial Sponsor Documentation

Complete and submit the following documentation:

Sponsor Declaration of Financial Support form if the student is not sponsoring themselves (also available in the online application). If not submitted through the online application, this form must be signed by the financial sponsor with a wet signature or a secure digital signature.
One of the following items that demonstrates proof of financial ability to support the applicant:
1. Complete bank statements from a savings or checking account that meet the following criteria:
  1. Show an ending balance of the equivalent of at least $26,174.
  2. In the name of the applicant or the financial sponsor.
  3. No older than 3 months from the date of submission, and not dated earlier than February 1 for fall admission or July 1 for spring admission.
2. A letter or summary signed or stamped by an officer of the bank in which the financial sponsor holds a savings or checking account. The letter or summary should include the following details regarding the account:
  1. Date letter or summary was generated (must be no older than 3 months from the date of submission, and not dated earlier than February 1 for fall admission or July 1 for spring admission).
  2. Date account opened.
  3. Name(s) of all account holders.
  4. Current balance, which must be the equivalent of at least $26,174.

Please be aware of the following:

If financial sponsor documents list a joint account holder, an additional Sponsor Declaration of Financial Support form must be submitted.
If documents list a company’s name as the account owner, documentation, such as a business license or business incorporation documents, must be submitted to demonstrate that the financial sponsor is the owner of the company listed on the documentation.
All funds must be liquid and available for withdrawal at any time. Support documentation that will not be accepted includes, but is not limited to, real estate holdings, stocks, bonds, lines of credit, investments, salary verification letters, retirement funds, property, life insurance policies, and unapproved loan documents. The College reserves the right to determine the acceptability of financial support documentation.

Local Sponsor Documentation

Applicants must provide a lease or mortgage in their name. Those who are unable to do so must submit a Local Sponsor Affidavit. The local sponsor must sign this form with a wet or secure digital signature if it is not submitted through the online application.

Current U.S. Attendance Information (only applicable to current F-1 visa holders attending another U.S. institution)

Applicants who are currently F-1 visa holders with or without active status must also submit the following:

All issued I-20s.
College/university transcripts. Official copies must be submitted if the applicant wishes to have their credit considered for transfer.

If the applicant’s SEVIS record has been terminated, they must leave the country and re-enter under a new SEVIS ID number. PGCC does not accept terminated SEVIS records.

Dependent Information (If Applicable)

The College will issue an I-20 to the student's dependents upon acceptance and notification. Students or financial sponsors must demonstrate that, in addition to the minimum required amount for the student, they have $6,000 to sponsor the student's spouse and $3,000 per child to sponsor the student's child(ren).

To obtain an I-20 for their spouse, students must provide a copy of their spouse's passport and marriage certificate. To obtain an I-20 for their child(ren), students must provide a copy of their child(ren)'s passport and birth certificate. All documents should be sent to internationalgroup@pgcc.edu.

The College will not issue I-20s for dependents until it admits the applicant.

F-1 Admission Requirements (Visiting or Concurrent)

1. Please contact internationalgroup@pgcc.edu to begin the application process.

2. Email the following documents as a complete packet for consideration to internationalgroup@pgcc.edu or submit them in person or via mail to: Records and Registration, International (F-1) Admission, 301 Largo Road, Largo MD, Bladen Hall, Room 126.

Image and date page of a valid visa.
Current I-20 to show Continued Attendance.
Current college transcript.
Permission for the desired term from the official at your home school. This letter must indicate that you are in good standing with the terms of your F-1 visa and specify courses that you are authorized to register for (evaluation forms that include status information are acceptable).

After F-1 Admission is Offered

F-1 students offered admission to Prince George's Community College will receive an acceptance letter and an I-20 showing initial attendance for the admitted term.

During your visa interview, the U.S. Consulate in your home country or USCIS here in the United States will request the acceptance letter, the form I-20, and any additional documents for consideration of F-1 immigration status. This step does not apply to F-1 transfer students seeking a degree in the U.S.

Please note that the College does not manage this phase of the process. You are encouraged to review USCIS guidance for preparing for your visa interview here.

Official evidence of F-1 status and arrival to the U.S. (if applicable) are required for enrollment. Admitted students should refer to their acceptance letter for information about the earliest date for entry to the United States and the latest date for entry to the United States.

Important Information for Current F-1 Students

Enrollment and Program Requirements

All F-1 students must be enrolled in a full-time degree-seeking program (at least 12 credits) and may not enroll in more than one online or remote course that counts toward the full-time course of study. No exceptions can be made to this policy, as this is a federal requirement.

Students who need to discuss their eligibility for a reduced course load, program extension, or temporary leave of absence should contact internationalgroup@pgcc.edu for guidance.

Students should work with an academic advisor to select courses that meet the requirements listed above and count toward their program of study. Registration assistance can be found here.

Tuition Information

All F-1 visa holders are charged the out-of-state tuition rate, regardless of the local address used during studies.

Students should refer to the Student Accounts website and their bill for tuition information and payment options. The College offers a payment plan with target dates to enroll by that requires a U.S. bank account. Please consider the cost of textbooks and supplies; the I-20 form will include an estimate. Federal financial aid is not available for F-1 students.

Change of Visa Status

Students who enroll at PGCC as F-1 visa holders and subsequently have their status changed should contact internationalgroup@pgcc.edu for guidance. Students may be considered for in-county or in-state/out-of-county residency for tuition purposes upon a change of visa status.

Employment Information

F-1 students may request on-campus employment at any point during their enrollment. F-1 students may also request off-campus employment (under extremely limited circumstances), pre-completion optional practical training (pre-OPT), post-completion optional practical training (post-OPT), and curricular practical training (CPT) after one academic year of enrollment.

Upon clearance by USCIS for OPT or CPT, students must comply with the required work hours of less than 20 hours a week while school is in session and all other employment requirements. Note that OPT must be related to the student's program of study, and CPT (cooperative education, internship, or work-study) must be attached to the program as a requirement for participation.

Note: All students must contact internationalgroup@pgcc.edu for guidance before beginning employment. No employment may begin until authorized by the College's Designated School Official (DSO).

Health Insurance

Health insurance is not required for international (F-1) admission. If you plan to seek coverage, please contact Maryland Health Connection for any assistance by visiting here.

Visiting F-1 Students

Students who hold F-1 visa status, are enrolled at another institution, and intend to remain enrolled at another institution may take classes as a visiting student. See Visiting Students to learn about the application and registration process for visiting students. Visiting F-1 students are encouraged to share your plans with the Designated School Official (DSO) at your current institution to ensure that they will remain in compliance with SEVP requirements and institutional requirements.

If you wish to transfer to PGCC as a matriculated student (in other words, you wish to have your SEVIS record transferred from your current institution to PGCC), you must follow the F-1 admission process. More information about the F-1 admission process can be found here.

Please email internationalgroup@pgcc.edu if you have questions about the F-1 transfer admission process.