International Students

Enrollment Requirements

International students following the F-1 Visa requirements must:

1. Attend North Central Michigan on a full-time basis during the Fall and Winter semesters, taking a minimum of 12 credit hours (approximately four regular courses) each semester.
2. No more than one (1) course per semester may be in a “distance” format (online or other) and all coursework must originate from North Central Michigan College.
3. Enrollment in the Summer Session is optional and not required for International students.

Residency for Purposes of Tuition

International students, as well as students holding various non-resident visa designations, are classified “Out-of-State” for purposes of computing tuition rates. A change in residency status is possible only at the time that the international student obtains “permanent resident status,” commonly known as the “green card.”

Medical Insurance

International students must provide adequate medical insurance, including repatriation benefits, while enrolled at North Central Michigan College. International students are automatically enrolled in an affordable student accident and sickness insurance plan, and the charge is added to tuition and fees each semester. International students may arrange for their own health insurance; however, the policy must be proven adequate to substitute for the College-sanctioned plan.

Housing and Transportation

North Central maintains a modern, co-educational residence hall with furnished double rooms laid out in suite arrangements: every two rooms are connected by a private bathroom. Costs of living in the residence hall have been computed in the "Declaration of Finances Form" required from international students. The residence hall is not open during holidays. International students are not required to live in the residence hall.  It is the student’s responsibility to provide transportation to and from the College.

Employment

The F-1 student visa permits international students to work only for North Central Michigan College, up to a maximum of 20 hours per week, 40 hours per week during summer vacation period. North Central Michigan College is a small campus with a limited number of student work positions, therefore the international student should not plan on work positions being available while attending the College.

Financial Responsibility

International students are expected to provide all money for all possible expenses they may incur. Expenses will include tuition, fees, books, room, board, transportation, entertainment, incidentals, travel, insurance, etc. Financial aid is not available to international students.

International Student Deposit

A $750.00 refundable deposit is required from each international student attending North Central prior to enrolling in their first semester classes. The deposit is held for the student by the College in case of an emergency; this money is refunded to the international student at the completion of study with North Central, provided that the student has not incurred outstanding debts. The deposit cannot be used by the student to cover tuition or living expenses.

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Admission Deadline Dates:

Deadlines for submitting application for admission (10 weeks prior to beginning of semester):

For Fall Semester 2024: June 26, 2024
For Winter Semester 2025: October 25, 2024

Estimated Student Expenses

Based on enrollment in 30 credits of coursework (5 courses each for the fall & winter semesters,) Academic Year 2024-25: (Estimated expenses + 5%)

(Based on enrollment in 30 contact hours of coursework, for Academic year 2024-25):

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Contact Information

We hope that your questions about being an International Student at North Central Michigan College have been answered by this informational packet. Please contact us if you have additional questions:

Joseph Balinski, Registrar
North Central Michigan College
1515 Howard St.
Petoskey, Michigan   USA   49770
Telephone: 231-439-6347 or 1-888-298-6605
Fax: 231-439-6590
Email: jbalinski@ncmich.edu

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PROSPECTIVE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADMISSIONS PROCESS

Application Packet

All the following items, #1 - 8, must be in the possession of North Central before an admissions decision can be made and before the I-20 can be issued.  Item #9 is required for F1 school to school transfer.

1. Submit an online application for admission to North Central Michigan College. All applicants seeking an F-1 visa must have an educational goal of a degree. To apply online, go to: ncmich.edu and click “Apply” at the top of the screen, and follow instructions for completing an application. It will ask for a SSN number which you may not have.  Please use 000-00-0001 for the SSN number so you can complete the application.
2. Submit copies of all immigration documents (such as passport, visa, I-94, previous I-20) if currently in the United States and holding a Visa.
3. Submit all transcripts (translated to English). Transcripts of coursework completed at all secondary schools and universities must show an above-average academic record (U.S. letter grade of B). For international university-level coursework, we recommend having those transcripts evaluated for U.S. equivalency. North Central highly recommends Educational Credential Evaluators: ece.org. 
4. Submit an official copy of Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test results. Scores of 550 or higher on paper-based test, 213 or higher on computer-based test, or 79 or higher on the Internet-based test are required for admission. North Central Michigan College’s TOEFL code number is 1569. Exceptions to the TOEFL requirement include only lifetime residents of Australia, Canada (other than Quebec), New Zealand, United Kingdom, or the United States (other than Puerto Rico).
5. Complete and submit the enclosed Declaration of Finances. It must be completed in its entirety before the admissions process can proceed; the student must demonstrate the equivalent amount of resources as the length of program being sought. Bank statements, when used as proof of financial ability, must be dated within the last four months.
6. Submit the International Student Certificate of Health form, completed by a medical physician.
7. Submit the FERPA Waiver Form granting parents or guardians access to your educational record.
8. Submit a check or money order for the refundable International Student deposit (US$750.)
9. If applicant is transferring from another U.S. school, sign and submit the F-1 SEVIS Transfer Student Form.

Issuing of the I-20:

1. If the applicant is requesting initial entry to the U.S. on an F-1 visa, a completed I-20 will be mailed to the applicant in their home country.
2. For new entry or change of status, once the I-20 is issued, please visit FMJFee.com to pay the required SEVIS I-901 fee. Credit card, check or money order is accepted. The SEVIS number printed at the top of the I-20, is needed to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.
3. U.S. embassy or consulate officials will require your I-20 and official North Central Michigan College acceptance letter when considering your request for an F-1 visa. They may also want to see your financial support documents as well as the receipt for the paid SEVIS fee. Entry into the United States can be no earlier than 30 days prior to the beginning of the college semester.
4. If the applicant is requesting a transfer from another U.S. school, a completed I-20 will be mailed to the applicant at their local address. The I-20 will be issued after the applicant has registered for and attended classes at North Central Michigan College.
5. If the applicant is requesting a change of visa status to an F-1 student visa, first apply and be accepted into North Central. Second obtain Initial form I-20 with reason "Initial Attendance - Change of Status Requested". Third pay I-901 SEVIS Fee. Fourth, file Form I-539 with USCIS. You may wish to contact an immigration attorney to assist with the process. Change of visa status may take 3 months to   Not all non-immigrant classifications are eligible to change to F1 student status.

Enrolling in classes:

1. Take the ACCUPLACER placement test, administered in the Tutoring and Testing Center at North Central Michigan College.
2. Attend an Orientation session, then meet with the International Student Advisor to select your classes.
3. Register for the required number of credits each semester.

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