Future students

 
11+ students
 
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Click on the  icon to read stories from current and former HACC international students.

 

Congratulations on taking YOUR first step to become a student at HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College. We are proud to be the first and largest community college in Pennsylvania, and to welcome students from around the world! In 2022, the College hosted more than 150 international students from over 50 different countries.

You are considered an international student at HACC if you:

  • Plan to apply for an F-1 student visa to attend HACC
  • Are studying at another school in the United States with F-1 status and want to transfer to attend HACC

 

 

To get started with your enrollment to the College, please complete the steps below.  For questions or assistance please email InternationalStudent@hacc.edu.

 

Please submit all of your application materials by the deadlines listed below to ensure you have enough time to complete the enrollment and visa processes, as well as register for classes.

Fall Semester (August Start Date)

Apply by July 1 (Aug. 15 for transfer students within the U.S.)

Spring Semester (January Start Date)

Apply by Nov. 1 (January 5 for transfer students within the U.S.)

Summer Semester (May Start Date)

No international student admission due to ESL course availability.

To learn all class start dates, please view HACC’s academic calendar.

Please Note: English proficiency is required for placement into HACC’s classes and for issuance of the I-20 document. Admission to the college does not guarantee eligibility for the I-20 document.

  1. Create an account
  2. Select and complete the international student application to apply to HACC. Please note that transfer students who require an I-20 document must complete the international student application. 
  3. Select preferred campus.* (Harrisburg or Lancaster.)
    • Harrisburg - HACC’s largest campus, located in Pennsylvania’s capital city, with the most programs available. 
    • Lancaster - Depending on program availability. HACC’s second largest campus, located in scenic, rural Lancaster County.
    • *Students can take classes at any HACC campus, but cannot complete an entire program there and therefore are not eligible for F1 international student admission. English as a second language classes are currently only offered in person at the Harrisburg Campus
  4. Upload the following supporting documents with your online application:
    • Bank Statement* - F-1 visa students are required to be enrolled full time (12 credits per semester) with at least 9 credit hours on campus. They must have the financial resources to live and study in the United States. Please submit a bank statement or multiple statements or a certified bank letter showing the annual financial requirements for one year of studies ($26,720 for the 2023-24 academic year.)
    • Affidavit of Support form* - If you are submitting a bank statement from a financial sponsor, please have them fully complete the affidavit of support form and sign it by hand. If you are being sponsored by a business, please provide a letter on business letterhead stating their intention to sponsor you.
    • Proof of high school completion - We require a copy of your original high school record showing completion and the English translation, if applicable. (Optional: you may also upload any English proficiency scores you have with your high school record. English proficiency is required for I-20 issuance.)
    • Copy of the Information page of your passport

Additional documents may be required:

Affidavit for free room and board* - If you will be receiving free room and board from a family member or friend, please submit the Affidavit for Free Room and Board.

Guardian form - If you will be under 18 years old when you begin classes at HACC, your parent or guardian must designate a legal guardian for you in the U.S. by completing this form.

*Documents must be dated after Dec. 15 for the Summer, after Feb. 15 for the Fall, and after July 15 for the Spring.

After you receive your acceptance email, please:

  1. Use the directions in your acceptance email to activate your myHACC student accounts.
  2. Activate your student email address (HAWKMmail). Please note that the College will communicate with you using your HAWKMail account.
  3. Log in to your myHACC student account to receive ongoing updates from the College through your HAWKMail.

You will receive an email with a form to complete to request an I-20 document. This is required for you to apply for the student visa or to transfer from another school. Remember, English proficiency is a requirement for the I-20 document.

Please see HACC’s minimum English proficiency requirements for placement into classes. If you are unable to provide a score report or transcript, an ESL interview or college placement tests will be required before I-20 issuance.

If you have completed college or university studies, those classes may be considered for transfer to HACC. Transcripts from schools outside of the United States will need to be evaluated by one of HACC’s approved credential evaluators. Please see HACC’s transcript evaluation page for more information. 

The Department of Homeland Security requires all international students and exchange visitors to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee. The initial payment is valid for up to 12 months. Students transferring their I-20 document from another school in the U.S. generally do not need to pay this fee again.

You are eligible to apply for your student visa once you have been accepted to HACC, received your I-20 and paid your SEVIS fee. Please visit the U.S. Department of State website for more information about the student visa process and the documents required for your visa appointment. United States embassies can only issue student visas 120 days prior to the start date listed on an I-20. 

Please:

  1. Visit the U.S. Embassies and Consulates website and Study in the States website for additional information
  2. Review the list of commonly asked questions included in your acceptance packet.   

We want to ensure that you have the necessary skills to succeed in college-level courses. We are here to help you throughout this transition.

To do this, you:

  • May need to take the math and/or English placement tests. Placement testing is an assessment to determine class eligibility and ensure that you can enroll in the best-fit classes.
  • May need to submit test scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE, SAT or ACT tests scores to see if you can be exempt from placement testing. Please submit these scores to admissionsrecords@hacc.edu.
  • Will be required to complete HACC's English as a Second Language (ESL) placement test if you do not have any test scores.
  • Will attend a mandatory New Student Orientation (NSO) to receive college resources, registration information and more.

Please:

It’s time to meet with an academic advisor to review your placement test results (if applicable), review your academic program and plan your classes. You will receive your advising code for registration during this appointment.

Please visit HACC's Advising Services page for information on connecting with your advisor.

Tuition and fees must be paid by the deadline for your enrollment to be complete.

To learn how you can pay your tuition and fees, please view HACC’s “How Do I Pay My Bill?” webpage.

To pay your tuition, you may submit payment online through your myHACC portal.

Learn more about payment plans offered at the College.

 

Please email HACC's international admissions team to notify HACC of your visa approval or denial

If your visa is denied, you may schedule an appointment with international admissions to discuss your options for reapplying.

It’s time to start planning your arrival in the United States!

Please:

  • Attend a pre-departure orientation at an EducationUSA Center if it is available in your area.
  • Note HACC does not provide on-campus housing, so you will need to confirm housing before arriving in the United States.
  • Please contact international admissions with any questions regarding housing or arrival.

 

 

Attending a new international student information session is mandatory for all new HACC international students. During this session, you will receive information critical to your success at HACC and learn how to maintain your immigration status. Details will be emailed to your HAWKmail account.

You’re almost ready! Now, it’s time to purchase your books online or at your campus bookstore for your first day.

Congratulations and thank you for joining the HACC community!

Congratulations and thank you for joining the HACC community! We have many services and opportunities to help you achieve your academic goals. Please visit HACC's Current Student Resources to learn what's available.  

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