Iowa Western Community College

Per college policy, all transcripts, test scores, correspondence, or other materials submitted in conjunction with an Application for Admission become the permanent property of Iowa Western Community College and will not be returned, copies, or forwarded. Should a student need copies of their transcripts or documents for other purposes they will need to be obtained from the originating institution and/or organization. Please remember to keep copies for your records and Visa appointment.

Guide for Application Process

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1. Complete an Application for Admission

Getting started at Iowa Western is easy. Simply complete the FREE Application for Admission and start working on the next steps.

Apply Online! Enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport. When asked to choose the student type that best describes you, please select International Student, NOT New or Returning Student.

Approved Programs for F-1 Visa Students

2. Send Transcripts

Any school document sent by a student is considered Unofficial. For admission purposes, we accept unofficial copies, however they still must be certified true copies authenticated by your school or Ministry of Education. Iowa Western requires Official transcripts (list of classes with grades), examination results, and completion certificates to be sent directly to Iowa Western from your high school and/or university. These must be received within your first semester of attendance. If not received within the first semester, you will not be allowed to register for any future semesters.

• Mailed Official documents must arrive directly from the school in a sealed envelope before the end of your first semester.
• For high school transcripts, a student may bring documents in a signed/stamped envelope from the school that has not been opened.
• Schools may also email (from a verified school official email address) to international@iwcc.edu.
• Documents issued directly by your country’s government (original documents) must be brought in-person to be looked over and verified.

Any transcript or document issued in a language other than English must be sent with an English translation. When a translation is necessary, Iowa Western requests a literal translation, signed by a certified translator.

If you have completed post-secondary coursework and would like to receive potential transfer credit*, please have your official documents evaluated by either a member of NACES (https://www.naces.org/members) or AICE (https://aice-eval.org/endorsed-members/). Evaluations must be addressed to Iowa Western and arrive from the evaluation service in a sealed, stamped envelope; or electronically if that is a service the evaluation company provides. Please note that these evaluations have a fee, and there is not a guarantee that courses will be transferred in.

*Unfortunately, we are unable to evaluate college transcripts/diplomas from countries outside of the US. Please note that we are not able to accept most credits from institutions outside of the US. However, if you get your degree evaluated by a professional third-party service, the department chair may be able to evaluate whether your degree is equivalent to the necessary requirement(s) for your program at IWCC.

Send Transcripts
World Education Services
Educational Credential Evaluators

3. Submit Proof of Financial Support

As part of the admissions process, students need to provide proof of financial support. To do so they must complete and return IWCC’s Financial Affidavit along with a bank letter that is dated within six months from the day of submission. Unfortunately, International Students are not eligible for FAFSA (Federal Student Aid).

Students and/or their sponsors should submit a bank letter that reflects an account(s) with currently available funds (i.e., checking and savings accounts). The letter should include the date, full name of the sponsor (or self), and confirm that the total amount in the account has sufficient funds to match or exceed our estimated costs (minus any scholarship awarded). All documents need to clearly state the currency type represented. Further instructions can be found within the Financial Affidavit.

Bank statements reflecting account numbers and transaction history shouldn’t be submitted. Also, Iowa Western no longer accepts proof of employment, portfolios, or investment accounts.

A literal English translation should accompany all documents.

Updated 2/23/22, effective immediately

Financial Affidavit

4. Send Passport

Email, fax, or mail a copy of your valid, unexpired passport.

5. Proof of English Proficiency

The language of instruction at Iowa Western is English. All students are required to submit proof of English proficiency before beginning classes.

You may choose to meet this English requirement by submitting results from an approved standardized aptitude test. Iowa Western accepts TOEFL, IELTS, SEPT, EIKEN, Duolingo, and Pearson results. Test scores cannot be more than two years old at the start of the term for which you will be accepted. If you have completed your education within the United States, exam requirements may be waived unless your program requires minimum scores for acceptance. Alternatively, students may provide documentation proving that they originate from or have completed education in one of the recognized Waiver Countries. A complete list can be provided by the college.

Waiver Countries

English Proficiency Standards (Academic)

English Proficiency Standards (Pathway)

6. Form I-20 Issuance

Once all admission steps have been satisfied and a student has been accepted to Iowa Western, a Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility) will be issued. By default, this document will be sent to you electronically to the preferred, personal email submitted with your Application for Admission. After you receive the electronically transmitted I-20, you should print a copy to present at any required interview and upon arrival at a U.S. Port of Entry.

Electronic Issuance (Default): Iowa Western is authorized to electronically sign all signature fields of the Form I-20; in addition, we may scan and email the Form I-20 to F and M students and their dependents. Approval of electronically signed and electronically transmitted Form I-20s is supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of State, and U.S. Social Security Administration. Official SEVP Policy Guidance.

Please note that IWCC will not release documents to unauthorized third parties. The Form I-20 may only be released directly to the F-1 student, or in the case of minors, their parent, or legal guardian. Exceptions may apply if U.S. courier services do not operate in your country or if you live in an area that makes deliveries difficult or unsecured. All exceptions will need to be submitted and approved by the Student & Exchange Visitor Program prior to the release of a Form I-20 and admission package.

7. Obtain a Visa

International students must complete all the above admissions steps before a Form I-20 will be issued. Once you receive your Form I-20 you will need to make an appointment to apply for a Student Visa with a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Form I-20 is required before you can apply for an F-1 Visa. A Visa is required to enter the United States.

F-1 and M-1 Student Visas can be issued up to 120 days in advance of your program of study start date. However, you will not be allowed to enter the United States in F-1 or M-1 status earlier than 30 days before your start date.

Applying for a Visa takes a lot of time and preparation. Refer to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website where you intend to apply, start early, and follow the steps below:

Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee

After you have been accepted to a United States institution and been issued a Form I-20 you are expected to pay the  Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) I-901 Fee. The U.S. government requires that all prospective students applying for “F”, “M”, or “J” Visas pay this SEVIS Fee. The current fee is $350 and is non-refundable. Visit the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) website to learn more.

Complete the Non-immigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160)

You must complete the online Visa application and print the confirmation page to bring to the interview. You will be expected to pay the non-refundable Visa application fee. Some United States Embassy and Consulate locations require this fee prior to the Visa interview, others will ask for it after issuance of your Student Visa. The fee depends on different factors such as the Visa type being issued and your nationality.

Gather Required Documentation

All applicants for a Student Visa must provide:

• A Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility
• Completed non-immigrant Visa application (DS-160)
• A passport valid for at least 6 months after your proposed date of entry
• Receipt of payment for SEVIS Fee

All applicants should be prepared to provide:

• Transcripts and diplomas from all institutions attended
• Scores from any standardized tests taken
• Financial evidence that shows you or your financial sponsor have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses for no less than one academic year. For example, if you or your sponsor is a salaried employee, please bring income tax documents and original bank books and/or statements. If you or your sponsor owns a business, please bring business registration, licenses, and tax documents, as well as original bank books and/or statements
• Proof of intent to depart the United States upon completion of the course of study

Please refer to your U.S. Embassy or Consulate website and the Student Visa guide found at www.travel.state.gov for updated and detailed instructions.

Canadian Students

Canadian Students do not need a Student Visa. Once students have completed all admission requirements and obtained a Form I-20 they will present this form to the Port of Authority (Customs and Border Patrol) agent upon first entrance to the United States. At that time, the Customs Agent will issue an Admission stamp and create an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record. Canadian students must have a Form I-20 and an Admission stamp whenever they intend to cross the border.

Transfer Students

If you are currently studying in the United States on an F-1 visa, you will need to have your SEVIS record transferred to Iowa Western. To do so, you will need to submit all the required documents as mentioned above, along with a copy of your valid passport, visa page, and Form I-20 documents from all previously attended institutions. Please also let us know your travel plans, so that we can best advise you on the timing of your transfer/entry into the U.S.

8. Make Travel Arrangements

Once you’ve obtained your Visa you can make travel arrangements. Before you book your flight contact international@iwcc.edu to get a list of important dates such as Residence Life move-in, orientation, and the first date of the class.

You should seek Omaha, Nebraska as your final destination. Omaha’s Eppley Airfield is only 15 minutes from Iowa Western. Note that you will need to make arrangements for transportation from the airport. You can contact one of Omaha’s taxi services by calling (402) 333-TAXI (8294).

Please be sure to bring any necessities with you on your travels. You will need to bring enough money to last your first week as you may not be able to open a bank account immediately. Also, your first payment towards tuition and housing costs will be due. It is best to bring travelers’ checks or a credit card rather than large amounts of cash.

Please note: Visa regulations prohibit students from arriving more than 30 days in advance of the Program Start Date listed on your Form I-20.

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International Student Enrollment Policies

1. Reduced Course Load (RCL) for Academic Difficulty – can only be granted until the deadline to drop classes during a semester.

• Limitations: only allowed ONCE per degree program
• Enrollment Requirements:  minimum of 6 credits with at least 3 credits in-person
• Requirements to be approved: Email or letter from professor of class to be dropped or academic adviser, recommending that the student be allowed to drop the class for one of the following reasons:
  • Improper Course Placement – This option is appropriate for students who were advised inappropriately and have taken classes out of sequence, or who were inappropriately allowed to take a course for which they did not have the prerequisite knowledge to be successful.
  • Unfamiliarity with U.S. Teaching Methods – This option is appropriate for students for whom the professor or adviser feel the lack of success is due to cultural differences in classroom expectations (only for first or second semester students).
  • Initial Difficulty with English Language or Reading –during the first semester in the U.S., a student can be eligible to drop credits during the semester if they find they are struggling significantly with the English language used in the classroom, or with the new teaching methods.

2. RCL for Final Semester – semester before completion of program (graduating semester). Must be approved BEFORE the semester begins.

• Limitations: up to 2 semesters, if the student later discovers that their last semester will not actually be their last (for special circumstances involving program extension)
• Enrollment Requirements: enroll in number of credits needed to graduate (a maximum of 3 credits can be online, unless there is only one course left to take – must be in-person.)
• Requirements to be approved: Your I-20 end date must show that this is your last semester.  Complete the I-20 Reduced Course Load Request form.

3. Medical RCL – can only be granted until the deadline to drop classes during a semester

• Limitations: one semester at a time, up to 12 months cumulative during one degree program.
• Enrollment Requirements: number of credits reduced will be determined case-by-case.
• Requirements to be approved: must provide an official note from a licensed medical professional indicating their recommendation that a student not study full-time during a specific semester, based on a medical situation.

Please Note: dropping classes for academic difficulty or a medical reason does NOT guarantee that the tuition will be refunded

Change of Program/Degree Level

Students must always notify a DSO when changing their programs of study or moving from one degree level to the next. The DSO will need to update the student’s record in SEVIS and send the student a copy of the updated Form I-20. Students must submit an Extension Request Form before the program end date listed on their Form I-20 if they are not able to complete their degree on time. The form needs to be signed by a College Success Advisor.

Please Note: not all IWCC programs are approved by SEVP for F-1 visa students to pursue. For more information, please consult with our International Student Services Office. Additionally, a program extension cannot be approved if the reason is a failing grade in one or more courses during the final semester.

Extended Absence or Withdrawal

Students must report to a DSO before leaving the U.S. if they plan to withdraw or have an extended absence from IWCC. This usually includes dropping classes, canceling housing, and/or updating your SEVIS record. Failure to report to the DSO can result in the termination of your record for unauthorized early withdrawal.

Employment

F-1 students are eligible for on-campus employment while studying in the U.S. They are only authorized to work as an IWCC employee (except if CPT and OPT approved). Work can begin up to 30 days before the start date on their I-20 and only after applying for an SSN. During Fall and Spring semesters, the total number of working hours cannot exceed 20 hours per week. This includes any paid or unpaid hours of work. They can work for IWCC (not off-campus) during the Winter or Summer breaks for more than 20 hours per week. Graduating F-1 students cannot work beyond the last day of their final semester. Students transferring before graduation must stop working on the date of their SEVIS transfer.

Travel

Students who plan to leave the U.S. at any time need to meet with a DSO before leaving. An I-20 travel signature is required for permission to re-enter the U.S. It is a student’s responsibility to make sure all travel documents, passport, Form I-20 and visa, are updated and unexpired.