International Student Enrollment Guide

Next Steps

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I’ve received my I-20, what is my next step?

Pay SEVIS I-901 Fee.

After you are issued an I-20 from East Central College, you are required to pay a SEVIS I-901 fee. The fee must be paid by the student, and not by East Central College.

This fee can be paid online with a credit card. To access information about the SEVIS fee, please visit the SEVIS website. You can pay the I-901 fee online.

When the fee is paid, you will receive a receipt and that receipt is used as evidence of the    fee payment when making the visa application at a U.S. consulate, entering the U.S., or making an application to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Make an appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Here’s what to bring to your visa interview:

• Passport – your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the U.S.
• Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page.
• Application fee payment receipt.
• Form I-20 – ECC will send you an initial Form I-20 once we have entered your information into the SEVIS database. You and ECC’s designated school official (DSO) must sign the Form I-20.

Here is some additional documentation you may need for your visa interview:

• Transcripts, diplomas, or certificates from schools you attended.
• If you are a student athlete, your NJCAA Letter of Intent.
• Your intent to depart the U.S. upon completion of the course of study.
• How you will pay all educational, living, and travel costs.

Please review these tips and reminders for applying for a F-1 student visa.

Please review these tips on how to prepare for your F-1 student visa interview.  

Make housing arrangements.

Although East Central College does not have dormitories or student housing, we understand the importance of finding a comfortable living environment while you pursue your education. Please contact your coach for the most up-to-date information and recommendations for off-campus housing. You may also contact our Wellness Navigator, Ashley Ricks, who connects students with off-campus resources.

Make airline reservations and arrange transportation from the airport to East Central College.

Do not book your ticket until you have your I-20 and receive your F-1 Visa from the US Embassy Office in your home country. You can enter the U.S. no more than 30 days before your program of study begins. Please notify your designated school official (DSO) of your travel arrangements. If you are an international student athlete, please notify your coaches and the athletic director of your travel arrangements as well.

Meet with the international student advisor immediately upon arrival to East Central College.

Please bring the following documents when meeting with your international student advisor:

• Your Form I-20
• F-1 Visa
• Passport
• Proof of insurance (if you are not a student athlete and using the ECC’s insurance plan)

At this meeting, you will go over the final steps to becoming an official East Central College student. Here is what to expect:

• Complete health documentation – if you have not done so already, you will need to complete the tuberculosis test form.
• Complete placement testing in math, reading, and writing. This is used to determine a starting point in the math sequence and the reading/writing sequence. To help prepare for testing, please review our test prep materials.
• Register for classes!   

Welcome to ECC – now what?

You are now officially an East Central College student! While studying at ECC, it is important to maintain your visa status. Here are some important reminders:

Attend all your classes.

International students are expected to be on-campus for the duration of each semester, including finals week for the Fall semester and Spring semester. Any travel plans should be coordinated so that students do not miss any classes or exams.

If you stop logging in to an online course or attending class, you may be dropped from your course or receive a failing grade. Dropping below full-time can lead to a SEVIS violation and possible forfeiture of your I-20.

Please meet with your international student advisor, Haley Walter, before a situation arises.

If you are a student athlete, you must attend all class meetings and keep at least 12 credit hours for athletic eligibility. If you are dropped for non-attendance in a course by an instructor and you fall below 12 credit hours, you are ineligible for intercollegiate athletic competition at the NJCAA level.

Maintain a full course of study each term.

To maintain your status as an F-1 student, you must enroll in a full course of study. This means 12 or more credit hours. Dropping below full-time can lead to a SEVIS violation and possible forfeiture of your I-20.

Please speak with your DSO, Haley Walter, before dropping a class.

Under certain circumstances, F-1 students may talk to their DSO about enrolling in a reduced course load and still maintain their student status. If an F-1 student is having specified initial academic difficulties, a temporary illness or medical condition, or needs fewer courses than a full course load in their last term to complete the program of study, DSOs may authorize a reduced course load.

If you are in need of a reduced course load, please talk to your DSO, Haley Walter, as soon as possible. You cannot drop below a full course of study unless it is approved, and your student record is updated in SEVIS.

If you plan to travel outside of the country during your time at ECC.

 You will need to check in with your DSO, Haley Walter, with your passport, student visa, and Form I-20 to be tracked in the SEVIS system a minimum of one week before you are scheduled to leave. You will need what is known as the “travel signature” to travel outside of the U.S. – this confirms that you are maintaining student status and to authorize re-entry into the U.S. after traveling abroad. You should not leave until your finals are completed and return prior to the start of the next semester.

Talk to your DSO first.

Your DSO, Haley Walter, is here to help you be successful. She is your first point of contact regarding maintaining status and if any issues arise while attending ECC. You should speak to Haley if you are planning to do any of the following:

• Change your major, program, class schedule, or degree level.
• Transfer to a new school or take a leave of absence.
• Take a break from school.
• Travel outside the United States.
• Move to a new address.
• Request a program extension.

Avoiding F-1 Immigration Status Violations

Staying in status with your F-1 visa is incredibly important. We are here to help you, but it is your responsibility to stay in compliance with immigration and ECC regulations.

A violation of your F-1 visa will result in the termination of your SEVIS record. In most cases, the termination of your SEVIS record means that you must make plans to leave the U.S. immediately.

Here are some reasons for the termination of a SEVIS record:

• Failure to report your arrival to your DSO, Haley Walter.
• Unauthorized employment – employment without advanced authorization from your DSO or USCIS.
• Unauthorized withdrawal from classes – dropping all your classes without advance permission from your DSO.
• Unauthorized drop below full course of study – dropping below full-time enrollment (12 credit hours) without advance authorization from your DSO.
• Expulsion or suspension.
• Failure to enroll in classes.
• Enrollment in too many online classes.