Foothill College International Students - Prospective Students

Frequently Asked Questions

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General Questions (click to open & close)

Who is considered an international student at Foothill and how do I apply?
For application purposes, international students at Foothill College are students who hold an F-1 student visa. If you currently have or will apply for a temporary F-1 visa in your country, you should apply through the International Student Office and fill out an International Student Application form. The International Student Office (ISO) will be happy to assist you with your admission to Foothill.
I am a permanent resident, a U.S. citizen, or hold a visa other than F-1. How do I apply?
If you are a permanent resident, a U.S. citizen, or if you are currently in the United States in another visa category such as B, J, H or other, you are considered a domestic student for application purposes and you will need to fill out a domestic student application form. You should not apply through the International Student Office. This is true even if your academic records are from another country or your native language is not English. The International Student Office will not be able to assist you with your admission to Foothill. We suggest that you consult these additional resources for your application.
I am currently in the U.S. in another visa category (tourist, for example) but I want to change my status to F-1 in order to be able to study full-time at Foothill. What should I do?
To apply for a change of status from your current immigration status to F-1 status, you will need to file a petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Service Center. Some changes may be more difficult than others.We highly recommend that you consult our immigration advisor or a outside lawyer first regarding your specific situation. Please note that individuals in F-2, B-1 or B-2 status are eligible to apply for a change of status to F-1 but cannot enroll in classes until the change of status has been approved by the USCIS.
I would like to start my studies in the summer. Is that possible?
Admission to Foothill College is offered only for the Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters. We do not accept new students to begin in the summer. However, if your TOEFL/IELTS score is below our minimum for admission and you are planning to start your academic studies in the fall, you can participate in our Intensive ESL Summer Bridge Program (end of June-August).
I heard that Foothill has ESL classes. Can I just take ESL classes?
No, Foothill College only issues I-20s to international students who wish to pursue studies towards an academic degree. ESL classes will be part of the requirements to complete an associate's degree or a transfer program. Foothill College does not offer a separate English language program for international students. If you are looking for short-term English language study only (and possibly a future transfer to Foothill), we recommend that you contact one of our partner English language schools.
Can I take classes part-time at Foothill?
Only if you are an F-1 student at another college or university — not in an ESL program at a language school. Please follow specific instructions.
Can I take some pre-requisite courses for my graduate program at Foothill?
In most cases, the answer is "yes". You should contact the graduate program to which you are applying and inform them of your decision to take some prerequisite courses at Foothill College. The graduate program should be able to tell you which courses you may take here. Next, you should complete an International Student Application and be accepted by Foothill. Please enclose your undergraduate transcript with the application. Once you arrive to Foothill, you should meet with an international academic counselor to create an educational plan.
Can I take online classes at Foothill? How do I enroll?
If you are an F-1 student at another U.S. college or university, follow instructions for taking one or more part-time classes at Foothill. If you are an F-1 student at Foothill, you can enroll in no more than one online class as part of your first 12 units each quarter. If you hold a visa other than F-1 or reside in another country, follow a general application procedure.
Can I take classes at De Anza College if I am enrolled at Foothill?
Yes, but you must first obtain permission from your academic counselor at Foothill and from the International Student Office. Visit ISO for more details.
Can I take classes at Foothill College if I am a full-time F-1 student at De Anza?
Yes, you must follow specific instructions for De Anza F-1 students.

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Application Questions (click to open & close)

When are the application deadlines?
Foothill College is on a quarter system. The academic year is divided into three academic quarters: fall, winter, and spring. International students can apply and enter Foothill three times a year for the fall, winter and spring quarters. There is no admission for the summer quarter except for the Intensive ESL Summer Bridge Program. Application deadlines for overseas applicants are June 30 (Fall Quarter), October 31 (Winter Quarter) and January 31 (Spring Quarter). If you are already in the U.S., the application deadline may be extended.
When should I apply?
We offer rolling admissions so that you can apply early for any of our three quarters. As F-1 visa processing times vary from consulate to consulate, we recommend that you apply as early as possible in order to schedule a visa appointment and obtain your visa in time for your arrival in the U.S. Your application should arrive early enough to get an appointment for an F-1 visa interview and to have sufficient time to attend our mandatory new student orientation.
Can I submit my application by e-mail or fax?
Your international application must be mailed or turned in to the International Student Office with your original signature. Copies by e-mail or fax will not be accepted.
How can I pay the application fee?
You can pay the $50 application fee by international money order or a bank draft payable through a U.S. branch, or by credit card. The bank draft or money order must be made payable to Foothill College. Download a credit card authorization form here. No cash is accepted.
How can I find out the status of my application?
Once all of the original or certified required documents are received, you will be notified within 5-7 days of your acceptance. If you do not hear from us within 2 weeks after you believe we should have received your application materials (if possible, track your package first), you can check the status of your application with our International Admissions Coordinator at foothillinternational@foothill.edu or at 1-650-949-7293.
When will I receive my Form I-20?
Once the completed application packet with all of the original or certified required documents is received, we will usually send you Form I-20 within two weeks after your acceptance. However, if you apply five or more months in advance of the class start date, you will only receive an e-mail notification with your official acceptance to Foothill College. An actual I-20 will be sent to you at a later date.
When can I enter the United States?
If you are coming to the United States on a new I-20, you can only enter the U.S. 30 days or less before the start date indicated on the I-20. Please consider this date carefully when making travel plans to the U.S. Continuing students may enter the U.S. at any time before your classes start.

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Admission (click to open & close)

I'm graduating from secondary/high school in June. I may not receive my final results or diploma by your application deadline. How can I still apply for the fall quarter or for the Summer Bridge Program?
If you are applying during your final year of school, you can submit your transcripts (school reports, grade sheets) up to the pre-final year and the first term of the final year. You must submit your final year transcript when it becomes available or when you arrive to Foothill.
I am currently studying in a U.S. high school as an exchange student. Can I apply to Foothill?
Yes. Please review our general application procedure and contact our Admissions Coordinator at foothillinternational@fhda.edu for more instructions.
I am under 18 years old. Can I still apply to Foothill College?
If you are under the age of 18, you may apply to Foothill College if you satisfy both of the following requirements:
- You have finished the equivalent of secondary school in your home country with average to better than average grades.
- You must be at least 16.5 or older when you arrive to start your studies at Foothill.
I have not completed secondary school in my country. Can I still apply?
If you are under 18, you are required to have graduated from secondary school/high school. If you are over 18, you must submit your transcripts for the school years that you completed. Please enclose a note explaining your circumstances. Admissions decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Does Foothill offer a high school completion program?
No, we do not offer a high school completion program.
Is GED (General Education Development) enough for admission?
Yes, we need to receive an original or certified copy of your GED diploma.
What are official transcripts?
Official transcripts are the original or certified records of all marks received during your last 3 years of high school or college. In some countries, they may be called school reports or grade sheets. Please note that the Form I-20 will not be issued until we receive official copies of your high school or college transcripts, either original or certified. A certified English translation must be submitted if your original transcript is not in English. A certified copy accepted by Foothill is a copy of your original transcript/diploma certified as a "true" copy by your school (bearing an official seal of the school and signature), by an official agency recognized by your local government, or by a public notary. Transcripts marked "Issued to Student" or "Student Copy" are not considered official. Internet print-outs are not accepted. You can contact a local Education USA office for help in identifying local organizations authorized to certify transcripts.
Are "O" level results equivalent to secondary school completion?
Yes, successful completion of at least 5 courses in the O Level with an IGCSE/GCSE certificate is enough for admission to Foothill.
I have my preliminary results, but my "O" level results will be available later. How can I apply for admission to the next quarter?
We will accept your preliminary results for provisionary admission. If all of the other required documents satisfy our admissions requirements, you will be able to start your studies in the next quarter. Once you receive your official "O" level results, you must bring them to the International Student Office.
What is the minimum TOEFL or IELTS score required for admission?
A minimum TOEFL score of 500 paper-based, 173 computer-based, or 61 IBT, or a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 is required. For more information on different ways to satisfy this requirement, please visit English Proficiency Requirements. Please note that your test scores must not be more than 2 years old. Older test scores will not be accepted.
What if my TOEFL or IELTS score is too low?
You can continue studying English until you receive a better result on the test.If your test scores are a bit lower (TOEFL: 475-499 PBT, 151-172 CBT, 52-60 IBT, or IELTS: 5.5-5.9), you may participate in our Intensive ESL Summer Bridge Program for guaranteed fall enrollment.

If your English test scores are below our Summer Bridge Program requirements or you have never taken a TOEFL or an IELTS exam and are interested in taking English language classes first, consider attending one of our partner language schools. Foothill College has agreements with several local and national language schools, which allow guaranteed admission to Foothill upon completion of a specified level at the language school (in this case, TOEFL or IELTS scores are not required), or upon reaching the required TOEFL/IELTS score.
What is Foothill's TOEFL institution code?
Foothill's TOEFL code is 4315.
What if I have not received my TOEFL/IELTS score yet? Can I still apply?
Send us all the other required documents before the application deadline and let us know that you are still waiting for your TOEFL/IELTS scores. You may submit the scores after the deadline once they become available. Remember that you should register to take the test at the latest 1-2 months before the application deadline.
I have attended a college/university in the United States. Do I still need to submit a TOEFL/IELTS score?
The TOEFL/IELTS requirement may be waived on a case-by-case basis if you have successfully completed an advanced level ESL or English course at another academic institution. Please provide an official copy of your college or university transcript(s) for evaluation.
I graduated from a U.S. college/university with a bachelor's, master's or a doctorate degree. Do I still need to submit a TOEFL/IELTS score for admission to Foothill?
If you hold a BA, MA or a PhD degree from the United States, Australia or Canada, TOEFL or IELTS scores are not required. Submit official transcripts from your institution together with the rest of the required documents and the International Student Application.
Do I need to take the SAT or ACT?
No, SAT and ACT scores are not required for admission to Foothill College. However, if you are planning to transfer to a university in the United States to complete your bachelor's degree, you should know that some of the most selective universities may require SAT or ACT scores. Our excellent academic counselors and Transfer Center staff are available to help you with the transfer process and specific transfer requirements.

If you determine that SAT or ACT scores are needed for transfer, you will generally take those exams at the beginning of your second year at Foothill.

Good SAT scores can very much help to support the student's application for an F-1 visa in some countries like India.

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Transfer Questions (click to open & close)

I am studying at another college or university in the United States but I want to transfer to Foothill. What should I do?
First, you should complete an International Student Application and be accepted to Foothill. Then, you must follow specific transfer instructions.
I already have an I-20. Do I need another I-20 issued by Foothill College?
Yes. If you plan to transfer from your current college, university or language school and study at Foothill full-time, you must receive a new I-20. Complete a Foothill application first and then follow specific transfer instructions. If you want to take classes part-time at Foothill (one or more classes only), you will not need to receive a new I-20 from Foothill. Follow specific instructions for taking classes.
I would like to transfer to Foothill from one of your partner English language schools. I have completed the specified ESL level at my school, or I have attained the required TOEFL/IELTS score. Am I accepted?
1. If you have not applied to Foothill previously, you must do so now. Follow the application procedure and submit the International Student Application. You must also send us official documentation from your language school verifying that you have attained an appropriate English proficiency level.

2. If you have applied to Foothill previously and received the Conditional Letter of Acceptance (CLA), you must send official documentation to our office from your language school verifying your results.

Special Note! In both cases: Upon evaluation by our International Student Office, you will receive an acceptance letter with transfer instructions. You are not fully accepted by Foothill until you receive an official acceptance letter from our office.
I have attended a college/university in the U.S. Can you evaluate my transcript for course transfer before I apply to Foothill?
We are not able to evaluate your transcripts in advance. Actual determination of Foothill credit for classes taken at another U.S. college or university will occur during an individual appointment with an academic counselor once you arrive on the Foothill campus and present your transcripts.
I am transferring to Foothill from another U.S. college/university. Can I waive some of the prerequisites before my arrival?
If you are trying to register online for a course that has a prerequisite, and you believe that you have taken an equivalent course at another college/university, you should complete a Foothill College Prerequisite Clearance Form and fax it to the Counseling Department for evaluation. Please note that a course description may be required for prerequisite clearance.
I have attended a college or university outside of the United States. Can my foreign classes count towards my classes or degree at Foothill?
Foothill does not evaluate foreign transcripts or credentials. If you are interested in having your foreign coursework transferred to Foothill, you will need to have it first evaluated by an approved outside source.

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Orientation Questions (click to open & close)

Do I have to attend the new international student orientation?
Yes. Orientation is mandatory for all new international students on F-1 visas. Each quarter orientation takes place approximately 3-4 weeks before the start of classes. You will receive additional details about the orientation, such as exact dates, temporary housing, etc. in your official acceptance packet from Foothill.
I am transferring from a U.S. college or university. Do I still have to attend orientation?
If you have been taking academic level classes (not ESL) at another college or university in the United States, orientation attendance may not required. However, please consider that the community college system is quite different from that of four-year universities, private schools, etc., and it might be very beneficial for your future success to get a good introduction to the academics at Foothill as well as the various resources on campus.

A lot of the information presented can be very helpful, such as class registration, Honors Program, student government, etc. You should also consider that a private appointment with an international student counselor (pre-arranged for all students during orientation) is crucial in evaluating your transcript from another college/university and in determining the courses you may take at Foothill. If you miss orientation, it may be difficult to make an appointment with a counselor in time for class registration.

You are welcome to attend. For details, please contact our International Admissions Coordinator at foothillinternational@foothill.edu or at 1-650-949-7293.
I am a permanent resident, U.S. citizen or hold a visa other than F-1. Do I have to attend the international student orientation?
No, unless you hold an F-1 student visa, you are not required to attend this special orientation organized by the International Student Office. Most sessions about specific immigration and academic regulations will only apply to F-1 students.

Instead, we encourage you to attend a special New Student Information Session for Overseas U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, Non-F-1 Visa Holders.
Why is the orientation held almost a month before classes start?
Registration for classes usually begins a month before classes start. Orientation is held at this time to ensure the best availability of classes for international students following math and English placement tests and individual academic counseling. If you miss orientation and arrive late, we cannot guarantee that you will have an opportunity to meet with an academic counselor to discuss your academic plans and first quarter registration. Besides, many of the classes you want may already be full. It is very likely that you will have trouble finding open classes to satisfy the 12-unit minimum enrollment requirement to maintain your valid F-1 status.
I am a parent. Can I attend the orientation?
Yes. Parents are welcome to attend the orientation, subject to seating availability.

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Financial Matters & Work Questions (click to open & close)

What financial support documents are required for admission?
You and your sponsor (if you have one) must sign a Confidential Financial Statement on page 3 of the International Student Application form. In addition, you must include an original bank letter dated within the last 6 months verifying that you or your sponsor are in "good standing" at the bank and can demonstrate the amount of the minimum current estimated expenses for the first year of your studies at Foothill.
Can I be my own sponsor?
Yes. We need to receive proof of your financial standing (see question above).
Are online printouts of bank statements accepted for admission?
No. A copy of your account statement printed from your bank's Web site is not acceptable. Please submit an official bank letter.
When are the tuition and health insurance fees due?
The tuition and health insurance fees are due at the beginning of every quarter after you enroll in classes. F1 students must pay their fees by the second week of classes at the latest.
I already have a health insurance plan. Do I still need to purchase the International Student Insurance Plan provided by Foothill College?
Yes. All F-1 students are required to purchase a health insurance plan selected by Foothill College. The only exception is available to students who have a spouse/partner with full-time employment at a U.S. company that provides full medical coverage, or have an ongoing medical condition. If that is the case, a waiver application must be submitted by the end of the first week of classes. Please contact our office for waiver requirements.
I do not hold an F-1 visa. Can I still purchase the International Student Insurance Plan?
No, this plan is available only to international students on F-1 visas. Please contact the Health Services office for information on other insurance plans.
Is it possible for me to get California residency?
If you are in the United States temporarily (for example, on an F-1 student visa), you are not eligible to establish California residency. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, contact the Admissions & Records office for more information at 650-949-7004.
Does Foothill offer any scholarships or financial aid to international students?
Tuition and fees for attending Foothill College are very reasonably priced. There are currently no scholarships available for entering international students on F-1 visas. Federal or state financial aid is also not available to F-1 students. However, a limited number of scholarships (ranging from $500 to $1,000) are available for second-year students who demonstrate various academic and extracurricular achievements. The Honors Program awards several scholarships to students graduating with honors. Details about these opportunities will be available once you arrive on campus.
Are international students allowed to work?
International students on F-1 visas may work on the campus of Foothill College up to a maximum of 20 hours per week during academic quarters. Foothill College work opportunities are part-time positions and are subject to needs and availability at various departments and offices on campus. Wages begin at $8 per hour and can reach $14 per hour or more based upon the position and skills needed. For more information about eligibility and limitations, visit On-Campus Employment.
I am currently working on OPT. Can I apply for CPT during my first quarter at Foothill?
Yes, with the following limitation: Foothill only authorizes parttime CPT. CPT units can only be worth a maximum of 4 units, which means that you would still need to enroll in a minimum of 8 more units to be considered fulltime and maintain your valid F-1 status.

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International Links

Announcements

119 FHDA international students accepted to UC Berkeley and 167 to UCLA for Fall 2011!

Foothill is now an
iTEP Test Center.
Instead of TOEFL/IELTS,
Take iTEP for admission.