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International Admissions

Welcome!  Bienvenido!  Bem-Vindo!  Bienvenue!  Willkommen!  Bon Bini!  Hoan Nghênh!

Palm Beach State College welcomes students from around the world. The College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.), Associate in Arts (A.A.), and Associate in Science (A.S.) degrees and more. Palm Beach State is authorized under United States Federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students.

This site contains essential information to assist you with the admission process and facilitate your transition into a successful student life at Palm Beach State. Palm Beach State College is a commuter school and does not offer student housing. However, there are many housing options in the surrounding areas of each of our five campuses.

Please also note that Palm Beach State College does not have an intensive English training program. Applicants need to provide evidence of proficiency in English before admission.

The site also provides returning international students with the tools needed to maintain their immigration status and achieve their educational objectives promptly.

 

  • - Palm Beach State College welcomes students from around the world.

  • - Palm Beach State College welcomes students from around the world.

 

 

Ready to be a Panther? Apply Now!

Note: Prospective international students should start the admissions process at the earliest possible date prior to the beginning of any college semester which are fall, spring and summer.

Please submit all admission documents to the Office of International Admissions prior to the deadline for the semester.


Step 1: Apply

Please fill out  and submit a completed Palm Beach State College Application to Credit Programs form to international@palmbeachstate.edu.

Applications can also be mailed to:

Office of International Admissions and Recruitment
Palm Beach State College
4200 Congress Avenue, Lake Worth, Florida, 33461

It is important that you provide your personal email address.

                                                                                                                                           

Step 2: Pay the $75 non-refundable application fee

Once the application is processed, you will receive an email with instructions regarding how to submit the application fee payment. Applications and supporting documents will not be reviewed until the fee has been paid in full.

 

Step 3: Submit all supporting documents

All documents should be emailed to international@palmbeachstate.edu

  • Documentation of successful completion of high school (upper-secondary). Students from British type school systems, for example, must submit the General Certificate of Education (G.C.E.) Ordinary Level or the Caribbean Examination Council Secondary Certificate (C.X.C.) with a minimum of five academic Ordinary “O" levels passed. Note: the College will accept electronic copies of high school diplomas and certificates submitted as .pdf attachments.
  • Transcript from each post-secondary institution (university/college) the applicant has attended. Applicants transferring from U.S. institutions must have at least a 2.0 grade point average (G.P.A.) be lawful immigration status and be in good standing (eligible to return to the institution). The submission of college transcripts from post-secondary institution outside of the United States is optional. To be considered for credit evaluation, applicants must have a course-by-course evaluation from an academic credential-evaluating agency (Applications for agencies such as Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. or World Education Services can be accessed directly)
  • Proof of English proficiency, Non-native English speakers who have completed their education in languages other than English must present evidence of proficiency in speaking, writing and understanding of the English language. Please submit a score of at least 500 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or 173 on the computerized TOEFL version; or 61 or higher on the Internet-based test (iBT); or a score of 5 or higher on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or 69 on the COMPASS/ESL test; or 86 (composites in both English and Reading) on the ACCUPLACER/ESL test. Please note that Palm Beach State TOEFL Code is #5531. For more information about TOEFL, please use this link: www.toefl.org Please note that you can Take the TOEFL iBT at Home Solutions from your home computer. Please use the following link https://www.ets.org/s/cv/toefl/at-home/to complete your registration and take the test. Please remember that Palm Beach State College TOEFL Code is 5531.

Applicants can also take the English as a Second Language (ESL) test, which is administered on-campus at Palm Beach State College and also proctored online. Please contact our Testing Center at centraltesting@palmbeachstate.edu  or call to 561-868-3019 to arrange to take the ESL.

  • Proof of the applicant’s financial ability to pay for his/her living and educational expenses while attending Palm Beach State College. The applicant needs to submit a letter from his /her financial institution showing a minimum balance of $24,000.00 (US). An applicant with a sponsor must provide a notarized Affidavit of Financial Support signed by the sponsor along with a letter from the sponsor's financial institution indicating the minimum balance. For more information regarding the cost for an international student to attend Palm Beach State College for one academic year, please see the List of Estimated Expenses.
  • Copy of Passport (visa and bio pages), I-94 (front and back), and Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20)
  • Transfer Form. Please complete and submit International Student Transfer Form (For international applicants already in the U.S. transferring from another approved school).Applicants transferring from any post-secondary institution must have at least a 2.0 G.P.A., be in status with immigration and be in good standing (i.e. eligible to continue at or return to their present institution).


Once all the admissions requirements are satisfied, the applicant will receive the acceptance packet, which includes the Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) to apply for the F-1 visa in the home country, apply for change  of immigration status with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), or enroll in classes at Palm Beach State as a transfer student.

 

Important Information

Any document written in a foreign language must include a certified English translation (an attestation signed by translator indicating that he/she is fluent in both English and the original language of the document and competent to render a true and accurate translation). High school diplomas do not have to be translated to English with the exception on Hebrew, Arabic or Asian.

Palm Beach State College will accept original educational records from outside the U.S., make copies, and return original to applicants at their request. The College will also accept copies of the documents. The copies will need to be certified by either the U.S. Consulate or the Ministry of Education in the applicant's country.

Before an International student can register for classes, the following steps have to be taken:

  1. All first-time-in college students must be tested for placement purposes. Students must submit test scores from the American College Test (A.C.T.), Scholastic Aptitude Test (S.A.T.), or the Post-Secondary Educational Readiness Test (PERT) not older than two years prior to admission date.
  2. Provide proof of health and accident insurance to the Office of International Admissions and Recruitment at the College.
  3. Students must also attend a new student orientation session (students transferring from another U.S. college are not required to attend).
  4. Register for classes

During your stay in the U.S. in F-1 status, you are subject to many complex immigration laws and regulations that relate to your legal status. The Office of International Admissions will assist you in answering your questions about your immigration status, but it is your responsibility to know and abide by the law to maintain valid legal status.

It is to your benefit to make sure that you maintain legal status throughout the duration of your stay in the U.S.

As a non-immigrant international student, you must:

  1. Possess a passport that is valid at all times.
  2. Attend the school/institution you were authorized to attend.
  3. Be registered full-time (12 credits) for each academic semester as defined by USCIS. NOTE: You are not required to be registered for classes during the summer unless you have been admitted to Palm Beach State for the summer term or completing degree by end of summer term.
  4. Maintain good academic standing as per Palm Beach State policy and make normal progress towards completing your degree.
  5. Follow appropriate procedures to notify USCIS if you transfer schools or if you change from one educational level to another. Transfer procedure must be completed within 15 days from start of term.
  6. File for a Program Extension in a timely manner, if you must remain in the U.S. longer than the time estimated for completion of your program as stated on your I-20.
  7. Check your documents to be sure they are in order before leaving the U.S., even for a brief trip, and be sure to have the proper documents to re-enter the U.S.
  8. Limit on-campus employment or any authorized off-campus employment to a total of 20 hours per week during the academic semester.
  9. Obtain proper authorization before engaging in any off-campus employment whether the employment is paid or non-paid. (Working without proper authorization constitutes illegal employment, an offense that can lead to deportation.)
  10. Refrain from any on-campus employment if/while you are out-of-status.
  11. File for a Reinstatement in a timely manner, if you have fallen out-of-status.
  12. Report promptly any change of address by updating your records on the portal. Make sure you update the local and permanent addresses along with your phone number.

For further clarifications about any of the above, or if you wish to make sure you are maintaining legal status in accordance with your visa classification, please contact the Office of International Admissions.

All international students in F-1 status at Palm Beach State College are required to have medical insurance prior to registration. They must first, document medical insurance coverage meeting the minimum requirements, and clear with the Office of International Admissions before they are allowed to register.

If you have your own insurance policy or wish to purchase an alternate policy, you must have your insurance company complete the Health Insurance Compliance Form and fax it to the Office of International Admissions. The completed compliance form must verify the following:

  • that the coverage meets or exceeds the requirements

  • that the name, address, and telephone number of a claims agent are in the United States,

  • that you are covered under the policy, and

  • that your insurance has been paid through for the current academic year.

Your policy will be reviewed, and if it complies with the guidelines, you will be cleared to register. If your policy does not comply with the guidelines, you will not be cleared until you provide documentation of insurance coverage that meets or exceeds the minimum requirements.

For any further inquiries or clarifications regarding the medical insurance requirements, please contact the Office of International Admissions at Palm Beach State at 561-868-3029 or Fax 561-868-3623.

Step-by-Step Guide to Enrollment for International (F-1) Applicants to the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) Degree Programs

Prospective international students should start the admissions process at the earliest possible date prior to the beginning of any college semester. A three month lead-time is recommended to ensure enrollment as requested. Applications from international students will be accepted for the fall and spring 16-weeks terms (August and January) and the summer 12-weeks term (May). For more information on application deadlines, please see the Registrar Calendar.

Please note that any document written in a foreign language must include a certified English translation (an attestation singed by the translator indicating that he/she is fluent in both English and the original language of the document and competent to render a true and accurate translation).

International applicants to the Bachelor's Degree Program are advised to follow the Step-by-Step Guide below to ensure their enrollment in classes in a timely manner:

Step 1 - Apply to Palm Beach State College

First-time International Applicants and Current International Students (wishing to continue with the bachelor's degree program upon completion of the AA/AS): Please fill out and submit a Palm Beach State College Application to Credit Programs form to international@palmbeachstate.edu

Applications can also be mailed to:

Office of International Admissions and Recruitment
Palm Beach State College
4200 Congress Avenue
Lake Worth, FL 33461

It is important that you provide your personal email address.

Please remember to select the bachelor's degree program objective code. Please note that international students are only eligible for admissions, due to federal regulations, to the B.A.S. Supervision and Management concentrations (General Management/Health Management) with availability of year-round on campus and online classes.

 

Step 2 - Contact the Bachelor's Degree Program Office

International applicants will need to contact the Bachelor's Degree Program office directly, to submit the required documents for their admission to the bachelor's degree program.

 

Step 3 - Contact the Office of International Admissions

Once accepted into the bachelor's degree program, applicants will need to submit the following documents to international@palmbeachstate.edu by the deadline for the intended semester of enrollment:

  1. Official proof of acceptance to the bachelor's degree program
  2. An I-20 Request Form
  3. Proof of the applicant's financial ability to pay for his/her living and educational expenses while attending Palm Beach State College. The applicant needs to provide a letter from his/her or sponsor's financial institution showing a minimum balance of $28,750.00 (US). An applicant with a financial sponsor also needs to submit a notarized Affidavit of Financial Support signed by the sponsor. For more information regarding the cost for an international student at Palm Beach State to attend the BAS program for one academic year, please see the List of Estimated Expenses (Bachelors of Applied Science (BAS).
  4. Copy of passport (bio and F-1 visa pages only) and I-94 (front and back).
  5. (For international applicant already in the U.S. transferring from another approved school) International Student Transfer form and copy of previous Certificate of Eligibility (I-20).

Following completion of all admissions requirements a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) will be issued to each admitted student.

 

Step 4 - Register for Classes

  1. Before students can enroll in classes they need to provide proof of health and accident insurance to the Office of International Admissions.
  2. Register for classes.

 


Contact Us

 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding international admissions procedures or the status of your application for admissions to Palm Beach State, please contact the Office of International Admissions at international@palmbeachstate.edu or 561-868-3029.

 

Office Location:
Lake Worth Campus, Paul Glynn (PG) Building, Room 126 
Directions & Campus Map

 

Mailing Address:
Office of International Admissions and Recruitment
Palm Beach State College
4200 S. Congress Avenue, Lake Worth, Florida 33461

 

Contact Information:
Email: international@palmbeachstate.edu  
Phone: 561-868-3029   |  Fax: 561-868-3623

 

Office Hours:

Fall/Spring - (Mid August to Mid May)

  • Monday - Thursday: 8am - 6pm
  • Friday: 8am - 5pm

Summer - (Mid May to Mid August)

  • Monday - Thursday: 8am - 6:30pm
  • Friday: Closed

 

 

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