International Students

SCF International Student Services Center

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota’s (SCF) International Student Services Center advises and assists prospective students who have the equivalent of a U.S. high school diploma and are interested in studying in the United States.  Students wishing to study at SCF must have English language proficiency. For F-1 visa students, the Center is the hub for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services compliance.

Services offered at the International Student Services Center.

Services offered at the Center include advising first time in college and transfer student admissions, the pre-arrival process, F-1 visa information and navigating SCF’s policies, procedures and documentation.

We will specifically provide guidance for:

• Maintaining up-to-date and accurate Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) documentation.
• Understanding the transfer process from other institutions to SCF.
• Assistance for students about international credentials.

These resources can help you prepare for a easy college experience.

• Cost of attendance – View the estimated costs and required financial documentation to attend SCF.
• Testing Center – Schedule any necessary placement testing at SCF.

Deadlines to apply for SCF international admissions:       

• Fall semester: July 1
• Spring semester: October 31

Cost to Attend

International students wishing to study at SCF are required to provide proof of financial support in the amount of $35,000 (as of May 8th, 2024). This proof may be in the form of a bank letter or account statement, savings account information.

Students do not pay this amount to the College.  This is the amount the College has estimated, using government figures, to survive in the local area for one academic year.  The minimum amount required does not include travel expenses or the support of any dependents.  If there are any dependents, please add an additional $5,000 per dependent for additional living expenses and health/accident insurance.

This $35,000 (as of May 8th, 2024) requirement is subject to change without prior notice whenever increased costs make it necessary. Tuition, fees, books and supplies, are paid one semester at a time. Fees are subject to change each year.

Apply to SCF

Already Accepted to SCF?

International students who have been accepted at SCF need to do the following to complete enrollment.

• Apply for F-1 Student Visa
  Contact the U.S. Embassy in your home country to apply for the F-1 student visa. U.S. Embassies around the world can take from 5 days up to 4 months to process an I-20; therefore, the student must inform SCF of their embassy’s processing time, in order for the appropriate starting date to be entered on the student’s I-20.
  
  
• Complete the I-901 Payment Form
  Students are required to go to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) SEVIS I-901 FEE website to complete form I-901 and pay the I-901. The receipt from paying the SEVIS I-901 fee is required for the interview at the U.S. embassy. Please Note: This fee is in addition to the normal interview fees the embassy may charge.
  
  
• Complete Travel and Arrange Housing
  The U.S. government permits students to arrive in the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the start of classes. This time is invaluable to take any placement tests, attend New Student Orientation, register for classes, become familiar with the area, and find housing.
  
  
• Complete Placement Tests
  Make an appointment to take the College Placement Tests. After you have completed your placement testing, please schedule your new student orientation appointment.
  
• Attend Orientation

International Record Evaluation

High School/Secondary Documentation

Students with international High School Diploma credentials are invited to submit copies of official transcripts/marksheets, certificates, diplomas, and other documents that are equivalent to a U.S. High School Diploma (all in English) to the Office of the Registrar for a preliminary review. If further documentation is required, students will be asked to proceed in submitting their credentials to any credential evaluation company who is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

SCF requires an original copy of the document evaluation showing high school/secondary education that is the equivalent to graduation from an accredited high school in the United States. A document-by-document evaluation is sufficient.

Original evaluations should be sent to: State College of Florida, Office of the Registrar, P.O. Box 1849, Bradenton, FL 34206. The original document evaluation becomes the property of the college and will not be returned.

College/University Documentation

Students with college-level education outside the U.S. are required to have their international college/university transcripts evaluated. SCF requires an original copy of the course-by-course evaluation and copies of course descriptions/syllabi in certified English translation be sent to the Office of the Registrar. The original document evaluation becomes the property of the college and will not be returned.

Some pre-approved evaluation companies include NACES member organizations and the Center for Educational Documentation. Other evaluation companies will be assessed as needed.

International Transcripts

International Transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES member (https://www.naces.org/members); most of our students prefer to use the services of: ECE, IEE, SpanTran/TEC or Josef Silny & Associates.

International Student Resources

U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS)

• Required Information for USCIS/SEVIS: As international students arrive in the U.S., they must provide SCF Admissions with their original passport, I-94 Card, I-20 to be copied, and their new local address.
  
  Click here for forms and fees.

Entry and re-entry into the U.S. (USICE Rules & Regulations)

• It is of utmost importance for any student here on any visa to study the rules, regulations and procedures on the USICE website before making any plans to leave the United States, to make sure all the rules and regulations are followed so that the student will be able to re-enter the U.S. at a future time.

Keeping documents up to date

• All international students must keep their passports up to date with at least six months or more remaining before expiration. Renewing a passport is completed by contacting the student’s embassy and following their instructions.

Traveling within the U.S.

• The U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (USICE) is advising all international students who are on any type of visa, when traveling in the local area, to carry photocopies of their I-94 card, picture page of passport, visa and SEVIS-issued I-20 (if on F-1 status) with them at all times.
• If an international student travels outside of the Tampa Bay area anywhere in the U.S. (including possible hurricane evacuations), they must carry with them at all times their original documents: driver’s license, visa, passport, SEVIS-issued I-20 or DS 2019, I-94 card, Social Security card, EAC card, SCF ID card, special medical information, insurance policies, financial records, CASH, checks, credit cards, plane tickets, and anything else of value to the student’s staying in the U.S.

SCF International Student Forms

• Health Insurance Requirements and Forms
• Emergency Contact Form
• Student Responsibility Form

Approaching age 21 and what is needed (for Dependent Child on Visa Status other than F-1)

• Any Dependent Child whose parents are here on some type of work status may be in the U.S. only until age 21–No matter what the I-94 Card or Visa may say! For example, if a student is in the local area with their family on, lets say, the E-2 status, and they will be age 21 on August 2, 2006, even though their I-94 Card states their status expires July 26, 2007, they are illegal on August 2, 2006. Anyone in this situation may want to start to change their status to the F-1 status at least six months prior to their 21st birth date. For the change of status process please contact the Office of the Registrar. This office will guide the student through the entire process.

TAX TIME!

It is very important to read and follow this!!!!!

All International Students on the F-1 Student Status must file with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) each and every year by April 15^th–even if the student is not working and owes nothing to our government. The forms and instructions are listed below for your download. If you have any questions, there are various links you may go to for assistance or instructions.  

Tax season each year is from January 31st to April 15th. All papers must be filed by the April 15th deadline.

In all cases, in sending IRS forms from Florida, send tax forms to this simple address:

• Internal Revenue Service
  Philadelphia, PA 19255, U.S,A.
  
• IRS Web Site
• IRS form 1040NR
• IRS form 8843
  This form is used for all students.
  
• For IRS Instructions: IRS Publication for the 1040NR
• For Income Tax assistance: IRS Tax assistance (Foreign Student Filing Requirements)