Applying to HACC as an International Student

At HACC, we are proud to welcome students from around the world. We are home to more than 150 international students from over 50 different countries.

Who should apply as an International Student?

Please select the international student application if you:

• Plan to apply for an F-1 student visa or change of status to attend HACC
• Are studying at another school in the United States with F-1 status and want to transfer to attend HACC

How to Apply

Additional documents may be required:

1. Note the application deadlines
   Please submit all of your application materials by the deadlines listed below to ensure you have enough time to complete the enrollment and visa processes, as well as register for classes.
   
   Fall Semester (August Start Date)
   Apply by July 1 (Aug. 15 for transfer students within the U.S.)
   
   Spring Semester (January Start Date)
   Apply by Nov. 1 (Jan. 5 for transfer students within the U.S.)
   
   Summer Semester (May Start Date)
   No international student admission due to course availability. 
   
   To learn all class start dates, please view HACC’s academic calendar
   .
2. Create an account and Apply to HACC.
   Select and complete the international student application.
   
   Select your preferred campus where your program of study is available.* (Harrisburg or Lancaster)
   
   Harrisburg - HACC’s largest campus, located in Pennsylvania’s capital city, with the most programs available. English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are currently offered in person at the Harrisburg and Lancaster Campuses.
   
   Lancaster - Depending on program availability. HACC’s second-largest campus is located in scenic, rural Lancaster County.
   
   *Please review our list of programs of study for international students to check campus availability.
    
3. Upload the following supporting documents with your online application:
   • Bank Statement* - F-1 visa students are required to be enrolled full-time (12 credits per semester) with at least 9 credit hours on campus. They must have the financial resources to live and study in the United States. Please upload a copy of a bank statement or a certified bank letter showing the annual financial requirements for one year of studies ($27,588 for the 2024-25 academic year.)
   • Affidavit of Support form* - If you are submitting a bank statement from a financial sponsor, please have them fully complete the affidavit of support form and sign it by hand. If a business is sponsoring you, please provide a letter on business letterhead stating their intention to sponsor you.
   • Proof of high school completion - We require a copy of your original high school record showing secondary school completion and the English translation, if applicable. (Optional: you may also upload any English proficiency scores you have with your high school record. English proficiency is required for I-20 issuance.)
   • Copy of the Information page of your passport
   • Affidavit for Free Room and Board* - If you will be receiving free room and board from a family member or friend, please submit the Affidavit for Free Room and Board.
   • Guardian form - If you will be under 18 years old when you begin classes at HACC, your parent or guardian must designate a legal guardian for you in the U.S. by completing this form.
      
4. Check your email for any requests for additional information. Once your application is complete you will receive an email with your student ID number and instructions to activate your student portal account.
   • Note that by activating your account, you are accepting your offer of admission.
   • Note future communication about your I-20 document and enrollment steps will be sent to your student email address (hawkmail.)
      
5. Provide proof of English proficiency
   Please see HACC’s minimum English proficiency requirements for placement into classes. If you did not submit English proficiency scores with your application, you will receive an email to schedule an online English placement interview with one of HACC’s ESL faculty members.
    
6. Request your I-20 document
   You will receive an email with a form to complete to request an I-20 document. This is required for you to apply for the student visa or to transfer from another school. 
   
    
7. Pay your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee
   The Department of Homeland Security requires all international students and exchange visitors pay the I-901 SEVIS fee. The initial payment is valid for up to 12 months. Students transferring their I-20 document from another school in the United States generally do not need to pay this fee again.
    
8. Apply for your visa and schedule your visa interview appointment
   Please visit the U.S. Department of State website for more information about the student visa process and the documents required for your visa appointment.
    

Additional information:

• There are limited HACC Foundation scholarships available for F1 international students. 
• Transfer students will receive instructions for the transfer of their SEVIS I-20 record after completing the I-20 request form. 
• If you have completed college or university studies, those classes may be considered for transfer to HACC. Transcripts from schools outside of the United States will need to be evaluated by one of HACC’s approved credential evaluators. Please see HACC’s transcript evaluation page for more information.
• Students with a dependent spouse or children are required to show additional financial support and upload a copy of their passports with the application.
• If you are in the U.S. and interested in applying for a change of status, please see our change of status guide for information about the process.