Admissions

International applicants must complete all general and international student admission requirements before they will obtain a Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility), which is necessary to acquire an F-1 visa.

We recommend that international applicants begin the application process six months prior to their anticipated enrollment date. All application materials must be received by the Admissions Office by July 1 if you plan to enroll in the fall (August) semester and November 1 if you plan to enroll in the spring (January) semester.

To be considered for admission, you must follow the steps below:

1. Complete an international student application

   All new international students must submit an International Application Form. Print out and make sure the entire form is completed. Send to the mailing address below or scan and e-mail it to the International Student Advisor (contact information below).

2. Submit a copy of your passport

   Mail or scan and e-mail a clear copy of your current passport to the International Student Advisor (contact information below).

3. Submit secondary school transcripts

   All secondary school transcripts must be translated into English. Mail or scan and e-mail to the International Student Advisor (contact information below).

4. Provide previous college transcripts

   If you have attended another college or university, send your previous college transcripts, with English translation, to the International Student Advisor (contact information below).

5. Transferring from a school within the U.S. to Northeast

   If you are transferring from a U.S. college to Northeast, you need to complete an F-1 Student Transfer Form. Make a clear copy of your current VISA and send it, along with the transfer form, to the International Student Advisor (contact information below).

6. Proof of English language proficiency

   If English is not your first language, you must submit official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). To be acceptable, your total score must be a minimum of 500 on the paper exam, 173 on the computer exam or 61 on the ibTOEFL. Northeast Community College's institutional code for TOEFL is 6473. In lieu of TOEFL scores, you may submit (1) an official transcript verifying successful completion of a college English course, at the 1000 level or higher, with a grade of "C" or better, at an accredited U.S. educational institution; (2) an official SAT score report with a writing and language sub score of 25 or (3) an official ACT score report with an English sub-score of 18 or better. "TOEFL Waivers" will not be accepted. All test scores must be verifiable and current within 5 years.

7. Verify financial resources

   You must provide written verification that you have adequate resources available to support you for one full academic year. All of the following three documents are required:

   1. Our financial sponsor form that is updated each year with the amount of costs associated for one academic year.
   2. A certified/notarized letter from the bank, on bank letterhead, and signed by a banking official, stating the sponsor (a legitimate person, not a business), is the owner of the account and in good standing with the bank. This certified letter should be professionally translated to English/USD.
   3. Recent bank statements showing proof of adequate funds to support you for one full academic year. Bank statements should be professionally translated to English/USD.

8. Medical Insurance

   All international students must provide proof of health insurance before enrolling in classes. Northeast does not provide health insurance coverage or healthcare for its students. You are liable for your own medical expenses.

   Northeast does not advocate any one health insurance provider but here is information for a provider used by past students: Insurance Information

9. Form I-20

   When all documentation has been received, we review each application to determine if admission can be granted. If admission is granted, the ISA will issue a form I-20 and email to the recipient.

   Prior to beginning classes, you must attend an Orientation/Registration session and complete a placement test. You should make travel plans accordingly and plan to arrive on campus at least 5 days prior to the first day of classes.

   All application materials must be emailed to: intladmissions@northeast.edu

10. VISA Information for F-1 Students

    After you have received your I-20, you will need to pay the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Fee before the Department of State will issue you a visa. You must print off your receipt and present it at your visa interview.

    901 Fee information and payment details:

    https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/paying-the-i-901-sevis-fee

    https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html

    Visa interview topics

    Visa denial information: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/visa-denials.html

    All application materials must be sent to:

    International Student Advisor
    Global and Multicultural Engagement
    Northeast Community College
    801 East Benjamin Avenue
    P.O. Box 469
    Norfolk, NE 68702-0469

    InternationalOffice@northeast.edu

Students in F-1 status are responsible for understanding and complying with U.S. federal laws and regulations governing the F-1 visa.

As an international student, you are expected to

• make housing arrangements prior to arriving in Norfolk
• arrive on campus before the first day of orientation, attend orientation and take placement tests. Make travel plans accordingly.
• pay all tuition, fees, and room & board costs prior to or upon arrival.
• purchase all books and electronic access codes for your courses.
• If you plan to transfer college credit from a previous international university, you must have your college transcripts evaluated, course-by course, by an international transcript evaluation company, one example is World Education Services- www.WES.org.

MAINTAIN F-1 STATUS

It is your responsibility to keep all records associated with your I-20 up to date by contacting your International Student Advisor (ISA). The Global and Multicultural Engagement Office is not notified of changes to address and program of study by other departments, so it is your responsibility to contact your ISA.

To stay in status

• enroll in a full course load of 12 or more credit hours per semester.
• do NOT enroll in more than one online course (maximum of 3 credits) per semester.
• contact your ISA prior to withdrawing from a course that places you below full-time enrollment. There are limited exceptions that require authorization for an allowable academic or medical reason.
• report all changes to your legal name to your ISA.
• report changes to your address to your ISA (even if it is just a different dorm room).
• report changes to your program of study to your ISA.
• note the “Program End Date” on your I-20. If you will need additional time to complete your degree, you must contact your ISA.
• never work off campus without prior approval from the ISA.
• have your I-20 signed by the ISA before traveling out of the U.S. if you plan to return to Northeast Community College.
• keep your passport and other immigration documents current.
• keep all of your old original I-20s.
• never allow your I-20 to expire if you haven’t completed your program of study.
• attend only the college or university that USCIS has authorized you to attend.
• notify the ISA of your future plans before your final semester at Northeast is complete.
• know the immigration regulations that relate to the F-1 visa.

Campus Housing

• There are three residence halls and two apartment buildings available for students to live on campus. These facilities often fill to capacity
• All athletes are required to live on campus.
• Housing information- Northeast Campus Housing
• Housing Costs- Northeast Housing Costs
• For further information, please contact Residence Life at (402) 844-7155 or housing@northeast.edu

Off-Campus Housing

Students who wish to live off campus are responsible for finding their own housing. We require proof of housing submitted prior to arrival in the states. This proof can be submitted as a signed and dated lease, or a letter from the landlord or property owner. Proof of housing is a requirement.

Northeast's policy is for international students to pay IN ADVANCE for their tuition and fees BEFORE they are allowed to register for classes. All international students MUST BE IN A MINIMUM OF 12 CREDIT HOURS.

If you have athletic scholarships that cover full tuition and fees, housing, and books, please disregard; if your scholarships do not cover housing, please contact either Deb, debrad@northeast.edu or Megan, megan@northeast.edu in the Northeast Business Office for your bill regarding housing.

Cost and Tuition

Tuition and Fees	$5,130
Room and Board	$9,340
Miscellaneous	$2,862
Total	$17,332

Please note that travel expenses are not included in the cost and tuition.

Payment MUST be arranged in advance. There are three payment options:

1. FLYWIRE: --- This is a secure and easy way to pay from your bank accounts and in your currency. You can find further information by following the link below and instructions are attached to this sheet. www.Flywire.com
2. Northeast's Payment Plan system: --- This is a secure way to pay in monthly installments over the course of the semester. Please follow the link below to create an account and get signed up.Northeast Payment Plans
3. Call the Business Office at Northeast Community College: --- Call (402) 844-7001 and provide a credit or debit card for payment.

PLEASE HAVE PAYMENT ARRANGED AS SOON AS STUDENT IS GRANTED A VISA TO STUDY.

ADDITIONAL REQUIRED EXPENSES:

• HEALTH INSURANCE: All international students are required to have health insurance. We will be asking for PROOF of insurance at orientation and making a copy of your documents for your file. You may NOT register for classes until proof is provided.
• BOOKS AND SUPPLIES: Textbooks and access codes can easily add up to $1,000 or more, depending on which courses you take. Most students also have a backpack, notebooks, pens, and pencils.

** After a student shows proof of medical insurance and enrolls in at least 12 credits, an active Form I-20 is issued. If a student is unable to offer proof of medical insurance and pay tuition, then he/she will not be issued an Active I-20 and be forced to return to his/her home country.

As an international student, you are only allowed to work on campus in part-time (less than 20 hours a week), non-work study jobs. Employment is not guaranteed.

Steps to attain on-campus employment:

1. Receive valid job offer from on-campus supervisor for PT employment and meet with ISA.
2. Complete Employment Certification Form and obtain supervisor's signature.
3. Upon approval, ISA will prepare documentation allowing the student to apply for a Social Security number.
4. Contact the Human Resources Department after you have received your Social Security Card.

It is against the law to work off campus while in F-1 status without authorization/permission from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the ISA. If a student uses his/her social security number to become employed by an unauthorized employer, then his/her F-1 student Visa status is void.

After the student has been in F-1 status for at least one full academic year, an F-1 student may qualify for an authorized paid training position that is off-campus. The paid position MUST relate directly to his/her course of study. The student is required to obtain permission before he/she can begin work and complete all required steps. There are restrictions on the hours he/she may work during the school year. There are two types of practical training available for F-1 students: curricular practical training (CPT) and optional practical training (OPT).

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Student must provide an official employment offer that directly relates to his or her program of study. CPT requires a signed cooperative agreement or a letter from your employer. The DSO must authorize CPT in SEVIS and issue the student an updated Form I-20.Authorization is for one specific employer and for a specific period of time. While school is in session, you may only work 20 hours per week.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Training relates directly to the student's major area of study. The DSO must authorize OPT in SEVIS and issue the student an updated Form I-20. You can apply for 12 months of OPT at each education level, (i.e., you may have 12 months of OPT at the bachelor's level and another 12 months of OPT at the master's level). For work authorization, you must mail a completed Form I-765, “Application for Employment Authorization,” to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and pay a filing fee. USCIS will send you a Form I-766, “Employment Authorization Document,” (EAD) upon approving your Form I-765. ---Wait to start work until after you receive your EAD.

Norfolk, Nebraska is located in the northeast corner of the state of Nebraska.

The population is 24,210 (2010 U.S. Census Figures).

The closest major airport, Eppley Airfield, is located in Omaha, NE which is 113 miles (182 km) from Norfolk.

Northeast Nebraska's major industries include agriculture, agriculture-related businesses, steel manufacturing, food processing and healthcare.

The climate of Norfolk consists of four distinct seasons. Summer days in July warm up to an average of 87° Fahrenheit (30.5 Celsius) while January brings colder temperatures, averaging 31° Fahrenheit (-.5 Celsius).

Norfolk Area Visitors Bureau - www.visitnorfolkne.com
Norfolk Daily News (daily newspaper)-www.norfolkdailynews.com
City of Norfolk- norfolkne.gov/
Travel Northeast Nebraska- www.travelnenebraska.com

When you have finished your program of study at Northeast, you will have 60 days until your I-20 will be deactivated. You have the following options:

1. Continue studies at Northeast in another program. An updated I-20 must be issued to reflect these changes; make an appointment to speak to the ISA.
2. Transfer to another college or university. You will need to provide a letter of acceptance and a SEVIS transfer form from the transfer college or university. These must be given to the Northeast ISA before your I-20 will be transferred.
3. Apply for Optional Practical Training at least three months prior to completing your degree. Make an appointment to speak to the ISA.
4. Return home (leave the U.S.) within 60 days of the Program End Date.