Thank you for your interest in attending Miami Dade College (MDC). The International Student site contains very important information regarding your admission to the College. Please read all of the information carefully. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the International Students Services Office on the campus to which you are applying, and they will be happy to assist you. The checklist below reviews all of the necessary forms and paperwork that must be submitted prior to the issuance of the I-20. Once all required documents have been received, the I-20 will be completed within 4 weeks. Please adhere to term deadline.

Admission Information

I. Required Documents

The international applicant who wishes to study at Miami Dade College shall have completed secondary education and be eligible for admission to college-level studies. International applicants should begin their admissions process at the earliest possible date in advance of the intended term of enrollment. Three to six months lead time is recommended to assure enrollment as requested. Click here to see the calendar of application deadline dates.

You must submit the following items to the International Student Services Office at least ninety (90) days prior to the beginning of the term for which you are applying:

1. A completed MDC international application for admission.
   
   There are two ways of applying for admission: 
   
   
   • Apply online
     
     or
     
   • Submit a paper version of our Application Form(Adobe Reader required).

   Note: Please keep in mind the following when completing your application:
         
            • Check our various Academic programs, there is something for every one.
            • Make sure you have indicated the program of study you wish to pursue at the college.
            • An incomplete application and/or missing required documents will delay the admission process.

2. Official bank letter of financial resources
   
   

   Documentary evidence of means of financial support must be provided to the College for admission purposes and issuance of the Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20).

   The official bank letter must be issued on bank stationery and addressed to Miami Dade College indicating that you have or your sponsor has an account of at least $18,500* (equivalent in American dollars) and that this money is to be used to support you while you study at MDC. See Sample.   The bank letter must be certified authentic (notarized) by a bank official from that bank, in English, and with U.S. dollars equivalent noted in the letter.  The bank letter must be dated no more than 6 months from the term deadline date.  The name of the student applying must appear on the bank letter. If not, an additional notarized support letter will be required. 
   
   The support letter from the sponsor must indicate the name of the student being sponsored, state clearly the sponsor’s intent to use the funds for the student’s expenses at MDC. Please ensure the signature and address of the sponsor are notarized with an official seal.  Acceptable sources of financial resources are savings accounts, checking accounts, money market accounts and certificates of deposit.
   
   Students’ funds must be available for withdrawal from a U.S. bank or other source prior to the first day of class, to cover all living and educational expenses for the first twelve (12) months of study in the U.S. at MDC.  The average cost of all the expenses is $18,500 per academic year. The estimated minimum cost per year for rent, food, transportation and incidentals is $11,200. Students with dependents need to provide an additional $7000 per dependent.

   Federal financial aid is not available to international students. Tuition and fees must be paid by the beginning of each term.

   *Certain programs require additional funds.

3. Official educational transcripts and diploma/graduation documents
   

   All foreign and United States educational institutions attended must be listed on the application for admission. This includes secondary schools and graduation date, plus all post-secondary education including technical institutes, colleges and universities. High school graduates only, please  submit your original high school transcripts (record of your classes and all grades) and your diploma/graduation documents. For example, GCE/CXC, Bachiller, and Baccalaureate are such documents. View the Foreign High School Required Credentials for your country.   If submitting copies, these must be certified by the Ministry of Education. University students, please submit complete original transcripts with original English translation*.  Additional high school documents may be required. Acceptance of transfer courses are subject to approval by the College. *To view a list of certified translators, please refer to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) NACES® Members . Official transcripts must indicate the name and address of the educational institution, subjects studied, grades earned with grading system explanation, time period for each subject, examinations passed, and certificates, diplomas and degrees received at all secondary, college, university, and professional schools attended. It is also helpful, to have a catalog or syllabus from each post-secondary foreign institution attended for transfer credit evaluation purposes. To view a list of certified translators, please refer to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) NACES® Members.

   
   
   
4. A US$20.00 one time non-refundable application fee payable to Miami Dade College by money order or check in U.S. currency.

II. Transfer Eligibility Form:

International students who are transferring from a United States educational institution to Miami Dade College must have the appropriate designated school official at the home institution complete this transfer eligibility form and send the original to the Miami Dade College Campus of choice.

III. English Language Proficiency

Miami Dade College courses are taught in English. The College will provide English language training for students who have insufficient language skills.  Students may demonstrate their English Language proficiency by submitting original TOEFL scores, OR by taking the COMPASS/ESL test. The COMPASS/ESL test is administered at MDC upon students’ arrival at the college.  Students requiring English language training may need to attend additional semesters at the college to complete their program of study.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is usually administered five (5) times each year at centers in most countries around the world. Information and application forms for TOEFL may be obtained from the TOEFL website, international testing centers or by writing to TOEFL at, Box 899, Princeton, NJ 08541, U.S.A. International students should plan to take the TOEFL at least six (6) months prior to the intended term of enrollment at Miami Dade College in order to assure the official test score report is received at least thirty (30) days before the beginning of the term.

Though it is not a requirement for admission, please submit your SAT/ACT scores if available.  Additional testing with the ACCUPLACER test may be administered at MDC for enrollment in  college courses.  To review information for the ACCUPLACER test, please visit the CLAST resource site.

 

IV. Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20)

The Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) will be provided to each admitted student following completion of all admissions requirements. This document is taken to a United States Embassy or Consulate to obtain an F-1 visa to enter the United States as a student. Documentary evidence of financial resources, SEVIS I-901 fee* payment receipt, valid passport, and proof of ties to home country must also be presented at your appointment at the US Embassy/Consulate.

*For more information on SEVIS I-901 click here.

Arrival Information

I. Arrival at the Miami Dade College and On-Campus Requirements

International students, after receiving confirmation of acceptance to the College, are to arrive in the United States and the Miami community approximately four weeks before the beginning of the intended term of enrollment. This is necessary in order to be tested, advised and registered into courses. In addition, this arrival time allows the foreign student to locate suitable housing in the community and be ready for the first day of classes.

International students must report to the International Student Services [ISS] office no later than 30 days after arriving in the United States as per immigration guidelines.  Upon reporting to the ISS office, students must present their stamped I-20, I-94, and passport.

II. Health and Accident Insurance

Students must purchase the mandatory health insurance policy available at the International Student Services Offices prior to registering for courses.  The coverage must be for a full year, and it must be renewed each year in order for a student to register for courses.

III. Housing in the Community

Miami Dade College does not provide student housing facilities for local or international students. However, each college campus will try to assist students to locate housing in the community. Students should arrive in Miami about four weeks prior to the beginning of the approved term of enrollment as indicated previously in order to arrange accommodations. International students must bring sufficient funds to pay at least three months of rent in advance at the time housing is located.   If interested see more details at the Homestays site.

Students must provide their own transportation from the International Airport or other transportation centers. Each student must provide their local address and telephone number to the International Student Services office immediately upon arrival in the community. Changes of address must also be immediately provided to the College and Immigration authorities for records purposes.

IV.  MDC Polices, Regulations and Rules

All students admitted to Miami Dade College are required to abide by the rules and regulations of the College, make satisfactory progress each term toward their associate degree objective, and remain in good academic standing. The College complies fully with the requirements stipulated by the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

 V.  Department of Homeland Security Regulations [DHS]

International students are required to attend college full time and earn 12 or more credit hours each Fall and Spring term and make satisfactory progress each term toward the degree objective as stipulated in the College issued Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20). International students may not work without proper authorization according to immigration regulations. When visa students do not enroll, do are not attending full time, maintain poor classroom attendance, terminate their enrollment, make unsatisfactory academic progress, or become employed without proper authorization, they will be reported to DHS as being out of status.
In addition, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services [USCIS] requires that International students fulfill the following conditions: pursue a full course of study at the educational institution they are authorized to attend;

• do not transfer schools or work off campus without United States Citizenship and Immigration Services' permission;
• keep a current passport that is valid for at least six month into the future;
• keep a valid I-20;
• notify USCIS within 10 days of an address change.