How to Become an International Student

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 week terms (August and January) and the Summer 12 week term (May). Please be aware that all admission documents must be received by the college semester application deadline. For more information on application deadlines, please see the Registrar Calendar .

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 admission to Palm Beach State College, international students must submit the following documents to the Office of International Admissions and Recruitment, Palm Beach State College, 4200 South Congress Avenue, Lake Worth, Florida, 33461, U.S.A.:

1. A Palm Beach State College Application to Credit Programs. Please print and complete a  Palm Beach State College Application to Credit Programs . Applications can be mailed to the Office of International Admissions and Recruitment or faxed to: (561) 868-3623. It is important that you provide your personal email address.
   

2. A non-refundable $75.00 (US) application fee. The application will not be processed until the fee has been paid in full.
   

3. A completed I-20 Request Form   (please print and complete)
   
   

4. 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 at least five academic Ordinary “O" levels passed.
   

5. Transcript from each post-secondary institution (university/college) the applicant has attended.
   

6. Post–secondary (university/college) transcripts must be accompanied by a course-by-course evaluation from an academic credential-evaluating agency (Applications for agencies such as Joseph Silny and Associates, Inc. or World Education Services can be accessed directly).
   

7. Proof of English proficiency, if English is not the native language. A score of at least 450 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); 133 on the computerized TOEFL version, or 45 or higher on the Internet-based test (iBT); 60 on the MELAB (Michigan Test); or 69 on the COMPASS/ESL test. Please note that Palm Beach State TOEFL Code is #5531. For more information about TOEFL, please use this link: www.toefl.org. Applicants that are already in the local area are encouraged to take the COMPASS/ESL which is administered on all four locations. For more information about the COMPASS/ESL, please contact our Testing Centers at the following numbers:
   
   Lake Worth.............................. (561) 868-3012
   Boca Raton.............................. (561) 862-4224
   Palm Beach Gardens................ (561) 207-5359
   Belle Glade.............................. (561) 993-1125
   

8. 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 or sponsor’s financial institution, showing a minimum balance of $23,000.00 (US) or a notarized Affidavit of Financial Support signed by the sponsor along with a letter from the sponsor's financial institution indicating the minimun balance. Applicants to the Aeronautical Science programs should show a minimum balance of $50,000.00 (US). 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.
   

9. Copy of passport (visa and bio pages) and I-94 (front and back).

10. (For international applicant already in the U.S. transferring from another approved school) International Student Transfer Form and copy of previous I-20. Please note international 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).

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

BEFORE AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CAN ENROLL IN 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 in Lake Worth, Florida.
   

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

You can check the status of your international application anytime using your student ID and Password, through PantherWeb, the online student information system. If you have any questions or concerns regarding international admissions procedures, please contact the Office at International@palmbeachstate.edu or (561) 868-3029.