ADMISSIONS & RECORDS

International Student
Application Process

International Student
Change of Status

International Student
MAINTAINING F-1 STATUS

International Student
Transfer Procedures

EMPLOYMENT

International students must contact Sheila Hart before beginning any type of employment. USCIS regulations severely limit the employment opportunities available to international students. USCIS deems working without authorization as one of the most serious violations of status.

There are no on-campus employment opportunities available at New River Community College.

Off-campus employment is available only through direct and specific permission of the USCIS. Students are not eligible to apply for these off-campus employment opportunities until they have been enrolled at least one academic year. F-1 students may be eligible to apply for employment authorization as follows:

• Employment Authorization based on Economic Hardship
• Curricular Practical Training (must receive academic credit for the experience)
• Pursue a full-course of study (12 credit hours per semester) and make normal progress toward the completion of course of studies. A few provisions to this requirement are possible.
• Optional Practical Training (must apply for OPT prior to completion of program)

TRAVEL

There are no restrictions on traveling within the United States during the international student's stay. International students are advised to make copies of all immigration and other important documents just in case something happens to the originals during travels.

When the international student leaves the United States with plans to re-enter and continue studies, the student must have the following documents to re-enter (refer here for more information):

• SEVIS I-20 signed (endorsed) for travel by the Admissions Office. It is wise to obtain the signature each time the student travels outside the U.S.
• Verify that the SEVIS I-20 Information is correct and accurate
• Check U.S. entry visa stamp (stamped in passport) for validity for additional entries. If the stamp is expired or additional entries are not allowed, the student will have to get a new entry visa from the U.S. consulate while abroad. It is risky to try to obtain a visa in a third country such as Canada or Mexico.
• Documentation of financial support

• Transcript of course work from current and former institutions
• Proof of health insurance
• Certification of enrollment

Transcript Translation/Evaluation

F-1 International Students who wish to transfer to New River Community College must present transcripts to the Admissions and Records Office from all previous schools, including those from non-U.S. colleges or universities. Students interested in having their international courses/experiences applied as transfer credits towards their New River degree must have them translated and/or evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service.

Please note that transcript evaluation does not ensure that credits will transfer to New River following evaluation. All transcripts are thoroughly reviewed by the Admissions and Records Office to determine if course work is applicable to the program at New River.

An official copy of the evaluated transcript should be sent to:

New River Community College
Attn: Admissions & Records
5251 College Drive
Dublin, VA 24084

New River Community College does not require that a specific service be used to translate/evaluate transcripts. There are many quality evaluation agencies available. Below are some that have been used by former students. Paper applications from these specific agencies may be available at the Admissions and Records Office in Rooker Hall.

World Education Services (WES) (Does not provide translation services)
P.O. Box 5087
Bowling Green Station
New York, NY 10274-5087
USA
Phone: (212) 966-6311
Fax: (212) 739-6100
Web: www.wes.org

American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)
Office of International Education Services
One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite #520
Washington, D.C. 20036-1135
Web: www.aacrao.org

National Association of Credential Evaluation Services has a further list of reliable credential evaluation agencies. www.naces.org

USCIS (INS) RESOURCES

Students may get first hand information and forms from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. Learn about regulations and policies, and read their newsletter, at the USCIS website.

A glossary of USCIS terms and defintions can be found on NRCC's USCIS Glossary website.