International Students

Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant international students. Admission of international students must comply with federal and state regulations pertaining to international student enrollment in U.S. colleges. International students should consult with the Dean of Student Services.

International Student Admissions Procedure

The following must be received before an application for admission can be processed:

1) A completed admissions application.

2) Official English translations of secondary and post-secondary transcripts, including certification of high school graduation.

3) Score report from Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum scores are accepted from any one of three testing formats that include:

• Paper-Based Test – score 500
• Internet-Based Test – score 61
• Computer-Based Test – score 173

4) Detailed statement of financial resources from a recognized financial institution indicating sufficient funds to finance education, living expenses and return trip home. The student may also submit a notarized statement from an American citizen claiming financial responsibility for their academic expenses.

5) Score report from Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or OCtech’s placement test.

6) Students must apply for and submit certified copies of immigration status documentation early enough for all criteria to be evaluated prior to acceptance.

Upon notification of acceptance, the student must submit an advance deposit of tuition for two semesters. The tuition will be based on the out-of-state/international tuition rate. Upon receipt of the advance deposit of tuition, the college will begin the process to register the applicant as a student with the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Applicant transcripts must be translated by the World Education Service prior to admissions and transfer credit decisions. Any fees associated with the interpretation and translation of transcripts will be paid by the applicant. Information about TOEFL may be obtained by the applicant at the nearest American Embassy Consulate Office or directly from TOEFL, Box 899, Princeton, NJ 08540.

Information about the SAT may be obtained by the applicant at the nearest American Embassy Consulate Office or directly from SAT Foreign Edition, Box 1025, Berkeley, CA 94701.

Transfer applicants will be required to meet all admissions criteria previously stated for new applicants. In certain cases, placement examination score requirements may be waived at the discretion of the Vice President of Student Services for an international transfer applicant who can supply official documentation of having earned 12 credit hours or more with at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA from an accredited post-secondary institution within the United States.

Enrollment of a new or transfer international applicant will occur only after the Vice President of Student Services has received proof of the F-1 student status. The student must provide the Vice President of Student Services with a copy of the I-94 form to be kept in the student’s permanent file, indicating the F-1 student status. International students must comply with all United States Department of Immigration requirements.

NOTE: Admission may be denied to an international transfer applicant with less than a 2.0 GPA, regardless of the total credit hours earned. In addition, the international transfer applicant must supply the Vice President of Student Services with a letter from their previous institution indicating the applicant is in good academic standing and in compliance with the Office of Immigration and Naturalization.