Transfer F-1 International Student

All documents must be saved as PDF files with short names (less than 30 characters). The file name should not contain any invalid characters such as (*:"<>?). Bad quality or upside-down documents will be rejected. Please combine different document types in 1 PDF file. For example, if you have statements from different banks, save them as one file. To scan and convert a file to PDF format, you can also use free PDF scanner apps (Genius Scan - PDF Scanner, Fast Scanner: Free PDF Scan for Android, Tiny Scanner- PDF scanner, etc.) Upon uploading, the System will add automatically 3 or 4-digit code and your HCC ID number to the name of the document. Do not attempt to modify the document's name!

1. Complete the SEVIS Form I-20 Application This is a fillable .PDF document that is different from the online application.
   Note: Type the information online and sign it. An electronic signature is acceptable. (This document may not show on the To-Do list if we have received it via email.)
   Add an additional page if more than 1 dependent.
2. Download the fillable F-1 International Student Transfer In Form .
   Fill out and sign the top portion of the form and then request the DSO at your current school to complete the second part and email the form as instructed.
3. Passport photocopy (biometric page only). *
4. Copy of visa (or Change of Status approval notice) To upload, please save all pages into one PDF file*
5. I-94 Departure Record: print out your I-94 at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home > click on Get most recent I-94; or provide the I-94 on the Change of Status approval notice I-797; I-94 should show class F-1 and admitted until date D/S.*
6. Financial Documentation
   To upload, please save all bank statement pages into one PDF file. Prepare affidavits and employment letters as separate PDF files.
7. Copies of previous SEVIS I-20s*
   To upload, please save all pages into one PDF file
8. $75 Application and $50 Orientation Fees  
   
   How to pay the fee:
   You can pay the fee online using a credit card or funds transfer from your local bank (via Flywire).  Refer to International Payment Tutorial (Flywire) for instructions. Please enable pop-ups on your internet browser for online payment. Ater payment, the receipt will be sent to your email address. Save the receipt as a PDF.
   
   Note: The payment term and entrance term may vary when paying the fee online. This is not a problem as the payment can be tracked by date.

* Provide this document for all dependents (spouse/ children under 21) who will accompany you with I-94 status F-2, as well as marriage and birth certificates.

1. Log in to your account on the HCC Student System using your HCC W number and your password.
2. In Student Homepage, click on Checklists
3. Click on the F-1 Student Checklist to upload the required documents (If you do not see an F-1 Student Checklist, please send an email to oiss.international@hccs.edu with your HCC student ID, "TRANSFER" and the semester you're applying for, written in the subject line. Check your account again within 3 business days, and the F-1 Student Checklist should now be available.)

New applicants should wait about 2 hours after submission of the online application to access their F-1 Student Checklist.

* Monitor your F-1 Student Checklist for additional documents that may be required.

Tutorial - F1 Students Checklist_Prepare and Upload Documents

Login to your HCC Student Sign-In and view your To-Do list (click on Checklists>F1 Student Checklist).  If the only item in your To-Do list is “I-20 In Process”, your application is under review by one of the Designated School Officials (DSO). If you see any other items in your F-1 Student Checklist, you must upload the required documents so that your application can be reviewed. 

After uploading all the required documents, it usually takes approximately 10 business days for the review of the application. The duration of this process may vary depending on when the application is submitted and the number of applicants in the queue at that time.

If you haven't heard from us within 10 business days (weekends and holidays are not included), please email oiss.international@hccs.edu  to check the status of your application. Make sure to include your HCC ID in the email subject line.

If you are under 22 years old, submit proof of Meningitis Vaccination to the Admissions office at any HCC campus or scan your documentation and send it via email to vaccine@hccs.edu. There are additional alternatives to submitting the proof on the following website: https://www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/meningitis/

Log onto your student Homepage via https://myeagle.hccs.edu and complete the Checklist items that prevent enrollment: Financial Responsibility; Residency Re-affirmation; Meningitis (if under 22 years of age); Complete the On-boarding Checklist: Eagle Launch (web orientation), Testing. Negative holds like Int’l Student Advisement, Bursar's office, and ESL should be cleared before enrollment with the relevant department (read details of the hold).  Positive holds like “F-1 student” do not affect enrollment. For additional information, review the Checklist Completion Video

Meet with Enrollment Services on an HCC campus or via the HCC Virtual Lobby www.hccs.edu/virtual-lobby to receive testing authorization. Pay the testing fee at the cashier’s office on campus or via your HCC portal, and bring the receipt to the testing center on campus to take the exam. Make sure to have a photo ID to present before taking the test. https://www.hccs.edu/resources-for/current-students/testing-services/

You can find more information about Testing and English proficiency on the following website: https://www.hccs.edu/support-services/international-students/foreign-credentials/  Documents with passing English proficiency scores should be sent to HCC as instructed. Evaluated foreign credentials or U.S transcripts should be sent to  Transcripts | Houston Community College - HCC (hccs.edu) 

Students placed in ESL/Intensive English levels 0,1 and 2 should contact the ESL department or their Zoom lobby for enrollment/registration. Click to learn more about CE-ESL services and support schedules.

Students placed in ESL/Intensive English levels 3 and 4 and all academic-ready students should meet with an Enrollment Services/Academic Advisor on campus or virtually about the classes they need to take. For help with enrollment, please watch the Class Search and Enroll Video or download the PDF tutorial:  How to search and enroll in classes.

Spring and Fall semesters - F-1 students must enroll in 12 credit hours, of which only ONE (1) class can be 100% online. The remaining classes must be in-person or hybrid classes.

If Summer is the first semester of attendance, F-1 students should enroll in 9 credit hours, of which only ONE (1) class can be 100% online, and the rest must be in-person or hybrid classes. Summer enrollment is not required. It is considered vacation time if you are not enrolled. Students in the Intensive English program will be enrolled in cohort-based courses that do not allow mix-and-match of the classes.

Note for transfer students: If you have not received your HCC I-20 form yet, you do not need to wait for it to register for classes. You should receive the Continued Attendance I-20 form within 30 days of the start of the classes.

Your sponsors can also pay for your classes from their home countries: International Payment Tutorial For government- or third-party sponsored students, go to Payment and Scholarship Information at https://www.hccs.edu/support-services/international-students/faqs/

You can find more about How to Make a Payment or Set Up Payment plan here.

F-1 international students will be automatically enrolled in HCC’s Student Health Insurance Plan. For more information about the plan and applying for a waiver of coverage, please visit http://www.hccs.edu/support-services/international-students/health-insurance/

Attendance at the International Student Orientation is MANDATORY. Please visit http://www.hccs.edu/support-services/international-students/orientation/ for more information.

Don't wait for the Mandatory International Orientation or for the HCC I-20 to enroll in classes! Classes are filling up quickly!