Welcome to Camden County College's International Student Information website.

International Students are welcome at Camden County College. There are almost five hundred F-1 visa students from seventy countries studying career and transfer programs in their choice of more than eighty majors. Our tuition is among the lowest for International Students in the region.

Camden County College is also one of the largest colleges in New Jersey, well over fourteen thousand students. We also have the region's largest English as a Second Language program. Each semester, hundreds of students study English and content area classes through our comprehensive ESL program.

Camden County College's main campus is located in Blackwood, New Jersey. We also have a campus in Camden, New Jersey, located a short distance from Philadelphia, and a new campus in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The main campus is about 20 minutes by car or one hour by public transportation from Philadelphia. Students are able to take advantage of that city's many cultural and educational institutions. In addition, New York is about two hours away to the north and Washington DC is two and a half hours' drive south. Atlantic City, a popular vacation and casino resort, is only one hour away.

What Prospective and Continuing Students Need to Know
About F-1 Status at Camden County College

Admissions information - New student: Who are you?

• Overseas applicant? [someone who is presently not in the USA, Canada, or Mexico and does not hold a valid F-1 visa or someone who is planning to leave the USA and acquire the F-1 visa] [International Overseas Application]

1. What you need and your family need to know to make an informed decision

• We strongly recommend that you have a contact in the USA to represent your interests and work with this office to facilitate your becoming a student at Camden County College.
• Please provide our office with a working e-mail address so that we can communicate with you reliably.
• PLEASE UNDERSTAND: The F-1 visa is a student visa, not a work visa. Your ability to work in the USA legally is extremely limited. (ref: Employment and Social Security)
• You will probably not be able to get a Social Security card; you won’t need one anyway for most important transactions.
• Before you apply, you must already have found a place to live. We will not issue I-20s to students who do not have a place to live within 20 miles from the Blackwood campus. We don’t have any dormitories, and we cannot assist students in making living arrangements in the United States.
• You will need a sponsor who is willing and capable of supporting you. Sponsors in your home country are generally preferable to those from the USA.
• Every applicant will need to make a tuition deposit if $3000 USD in order to be issued the Form I-20. If you are denied a visa and don’t wish to re-apply, your deposit will be refunded.

2. Making an appointment at the embassy

• Allow enough time to get the interview and plan your trip.
• No visa can be issued to a student more than 120 days before the program start date on the I-20.
• Likewise, no student who has been issued a student visa can arrive in the United States more than 30 days before the program start date in his or her I-20.

3. Clarifying your intent to the consular officer

• An F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa. As such, you are asking for permission to enter the United States temporarily for the specific purpose of study, claiming that you will return afterward.
• Applicants must convince the consular officer at the interview that they will return after completion of their studies and that their reasons for doing so are compelling.

4. Chances of being approved for the F-1 visa

• There are absolutely no guarantees that any applicant will be issued the visa, and you should expect the real possibility of denial – even if you feel you have been honest and have done everything correctly.
• Prospective students can apply up to three times in a calendar year. Many applicants get visas on the second and third attempt, but others do not.
• You must notify the Office of ESL / International Student Services in the event that you are denied or if you wish to make another attempt at an interview.
• Applicants who wish to make another attempt must have their SEVIS records deferred until the next available semester. Camden County College will retain the tuition deposit until a.) the student arrives here and begins studying – in which case the tuition deposit will be used to offset tuition and fees incurred by the student, or b.) the student expresses the desire not to pursue the F-1 visa. In that event, the I-20 is canceled, the SEVIS fee paid for that I-20 is forfeited, and the student or designate for that student receives the tuition deposit, less any fees incurred on behalf of the student, such as express mail fees.
• Applicants who no longer express their desire to pursue the student visa must notify this office before we can return the tuition deposit to the person who made the deposit on behalf of the student. (Please refer to “Tuition deposit” in this outline.)

5. Bringing appropriate documentation with you to the interview:

• I-20
• Acceptance letter from Camden County College Office of ESL / International Student Services
• Passport
• Affidavit of Support (notarized and fully completed)
• Recent bank statements from sponsor
• Proof of annual income of sponsor
• Other documents that support your argument that you will return home after your studies, such as deeds or ownership documents to property that you logically would not abandon. Also, if applicable, a letter from an employer granting you a leave of absence in order to study and become more valuable to the company. Alternatively, a promise of employment would also help convince the consular officer of your intention to return.
• Any other documents or fees specifically required by the American Embassy where you will be applying for your visa

6. If you get the visa,…

• …you must arrive in the USA NO MORE THAN 30 days before your program start date. Likewise, you cannot arrive after the program start date. You run the risk of being sent home when you arrive at the airport. Don’t come late without making arrangements before leaving your country, if they can be made at all.
• … must report the International Student Services Office at the Blackwood Campus and bring your passport and I-20 with you so we can put copies in your file. You will have to take the ESL test if English is not your ethnic language. You will also have to take a math test if your English level indicates that you are ready…
• …after that, you must register for classes and be prepared to begin your academic career.
• PLEASE NOTE: If you get the F-1 visa, travel to the USA but don’t report to Camden County College before the start date on your I-20, it is extremely likely that you will have to return home. Students must initially report to the institutions on their I-20. This is a serious violation of your status and not easily corrected if at all.
  

7. If you are a Canadian Citizen

• Canadian citizens are not required to apply for an F-1 visa.
• They must, however, complete requirements for being issued the form I-20 and comply with all laws governing students in F-1 status.
• Please refer to the Office of ESL/ International Student Services for more details.
• If you are not a Canadian citizen and studying in Canada, you are considered a Canadian Landed Immigrant and you would need to

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• We assist many students each semester in changing their status from other non-immigrant categories to F-1 or student status. NOTE: This section refers to change of status applications, not visas – please refer to item (I) (a) (ii) (2) below.
  • Appointments with, and guidance from the Office of ESL / International Student Services are absolutely necessary as this process is complicated.
  • Many times, approvals or denials depend on the time that you initially arrived in the United States relative to the start date of the next available semester. There cannot be a gap of more than 30 days between the end of one non-immigrant status (example: B-1/B-2, J-1, etc.) and the beginning of your F-1 status. Appropriate timing of the submission of the documents is therefore critical to the success of any change of status application.
  • Applications must be completely filled out prior to meeting with an international student advisor.
  • Applicants must provide an address on the Form I-539 (ref: International Student Change of Status Application) that will not change, even if it’s not the address where they will be living.
  • There are absolutely no guarantees that a change of status application will be successful.
  • If applicants cannot communicate in English sufficiently to understand the complicated nature of a change of status application, they must bring a bi-lingual representative to assist them with the process.

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• Applicants must complete top section of the Transfer Eligibility form in the International Student Transfer Application and give that to their international student advisor at the college or university that they are attending prior to being issued the Form I-20 from Camden County College.
• The International Student Transfer Application must be completed in its entirety, and the student must provide requisite documents and tuition deposit before we can issue the Form I-20.
• Transfer applicants wishing to transfer their credits from their previous college must provide Camden County College with official transcript in a sealed envelope.
• Students are responsible for making sure that their SEVIS record has been transferred and…
• …that they acquire the new I-20 and register for classes in a timely fashion

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Reinstatement And Out-of-status Students? [students in terminated status because of a violation of USCIS’ rules and regulations] [Insert International StudentReinstatement Applications here]

• The International Student Reinstatement Application must be completed in its entirety, and the student must provide requisite documents before we can assist you in your reinstatement application.
• Depending on your specific situation (i.e. what you have done to become out of status and the length of time you have been out of status), reinstatement may not be your best alternative to restore your lawful F-1 status.
• Please consult Mr. Orlando in matters concerning any reinstatement application.
• Reinstatement applications for students who have been out of status for more than five months are less likely to be approved.

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Definitions and important information

• Difference between status and visa
  • Visa is permission to enter the United States
    • can only be acquired outside of the USA
    • length of the validity of visa at the discretion of the consulate of each country
    • no re-entry into USA without valid visa EXCEPT
    • travel to Canada, Mexico and islands contiguous to the United States
    • Students with valid F-1 visas are free to leave and re-enter the USA during semester breaks. Designated School Official in the International Student Office must sign I-20 before student departs USA.
    • Students should always seek advisement from International Student Services Office before travel and in all other doubtful situations.
  • Status is permission to remain in the United States
    • …for the stated purpose: in this case, study.
    • Limited travel outside of USA (see item above)
    • No travel outside of USA while change of status application is pending
• Status and Visa Types
  • M-1 is a vocational visa. These students cannot change their visa status in the United States.
  • J-I to F-1, H (all categories), L, R and other categories [Insert J-1 to F-1 Application here]
    • These persons need to contact the Office of ESL / International Student Services for an appointment to discuss any change of status application.
    • Student may begin studies before change of status has been approved.
    • Applicants must write a letter stating reasons why they want to change their status. They must also address intent issue. [Ref: keyword: intent] Students must complete the International Student J-1 to F-1 Application in its entirety, locate a suitable sponsor, provide all documentation. [Ref: keyword: sponsor]
    • All documents must be received by immigration before the expiration date on the student’s DS-2019. (This applies to J-1 only.)
    • Students whose visas indicate that they are subject to the two-year rule must apply for a waiver before submitting a change of status application. Please refer to the office of ESL / International Student Services if you have this notation on your visa.
  • B-1 / B-2 visitors to F-1 (student) [Insert B-1 / B-2 to F-1 Application here]
    • These persons need to contact the Office of ESL / International Student Services for an appointment to discuss any change of status application.
    • Applicants cannot begin studies until change of status application has been approved.
    • Classes must begin no later than 30 days after an adjudications officer reviews the application. The timing of the submission of the documents is therefore very critical.
    • There cannot be a gap of more than 30 days between the end of one non-immigrant status (example: B-1/B-2, J-1, etc.) and the beginning of your F-1 status. Appropriate timing of the submission of the documents is therefore critical to the success of any change of status application.
    • There are absolutely no guarantees that a change of status will be successful.
    • Applicants must write a letter stating reasons why they want to change their status. In that letter, applicants must explain the reasons why they return to their home countries after completion of studies. [Ref: keyword: intent]
    • Travel outside of the USA will terminate a student’s change of status application. All fees paid will be forfeited.
    • A video on changing one’s status is available for viewing at the Camden or Blackwood campuses.

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• Fees
  • Tuition deposit of $3,000.00 must be paid in full before an I-20 can be issued. (unused amount refundable upon denial of visa , transfer, or decision to return home) The tuition deposit is not a fee, but money held in reserve for the student to pay for his or her tuition and fees for most (but not all) of the first academic year. Students (or person making the tuition deposit for the student) wishing to transfer or return home before this money is exhausted can receive the balance of the unused money. Tuition refunds take at least two weeks to process.
  • SEVIS fee of $100 for new students only (students who don’t have I-20s) or for students who have been out of status for more than five months (non-refundable)
  • I-539 fee of $300 is only for change-of-status students and reinstatement applicants (non-refundable)
• Finding a Suitable Sponsor
  • Sponsors in the home country are preferred, but the sponsor could live anywhere.
  • Selection of sponsor should be logical. Why would this person sponsor you? Family member? Close family friend? Employer? Spouse?
  • Sponsors must meet the following criteria
    • Must have at least $15,000.00 in a savings or checking account. More is better.
    • If you are bringing dependents (spouse and/or children only) with you to Camden County College, your sponsor will have more savings – at least $3,000. more per dependent.
    • Must have an annual income of at least $50,000.00 per year
    • Must be able to provide documentation for both a. and b. above. For cash, we will accept a bank statement in spreadsheet form with the date, balance, and currency clearly indicated.
    • Sponsor must complete an Affidavit of Support and have that notarized. Please refer to appropriate type of International Student Application (Overseas, Transfer or Change of Status) as there are two types of Affidavits of Support.
• Completing the International Student Application Document in its Entirety
  • Incomplete applications will slow the issuance of the I-20.
  • You are responsible for spelling and for the accuracy of the information provided on the application. Please double-check it before sending it in.
  • Names should be consistent in all documents. Please make sure that the name you are using is the same name that appears on your passport. Consistency of information is extremely important in immigration matters.
  • Applicants or their designates are responsible for making sure that the International Student Services Office has received all the competed application documents and that they are in order. We have a small office staff, and it is not our responsibility to make sure that you have all your papers in order.
  • Applicants must have a valid high school diploma.
  • America is far from home and has a culture that is often extremely different from the world our students come from. We strongly recommend that no applicant be younger than 18 years old.
• Selecting a Program of Study (major)
  • Please refer to the College Catalog for a list of programs, program descriptions, course requirements, course descriptions, and electives. www.camdencc.edu/academics/catalog.htm
  • Students cannot select ESL or English as a program of study because Camden County College does not have USCIS’ approval for an intensive English language program. We do offer a comprehensive, five-level ESL program that many of our students take prior to or concurrent with major courses depending on initial placement scores on the ESL test. (Ref: III. Testing).
  • See also VI. Course Selection.
  • Students are generally urged to pursue those programs that transfer in their entirety. These program end in .AS. There are some. AAS or career programs that are also transferable. Please see an advisor to help you select a program that’s right for you.
  • Certificate programs are not degree programs, and student cannot consider or declare Certificate programs as their major field of study.
  • PLEASE NOTE: International student cannot enroll in any program that has a work or co-op / internship component that is incompatible with F-1 rules and regulations. For example, several Automotive programs have internships that require students to work more than the permissible amount of hours per week. (Ref: XIX. Employment).
  • Please keep this in mind when selecting a major.
  • Immigration law limits international students to one distance-learning course in each of the spring and fall semesters.
• Choosing a place to live
  • Because public transportation in the USA is less than ideal, international student applicants are recommended to look for accommodations as close as possible to the Blackwood, NJ campus.
  • Students who choose housing in excess of a 20-mile radius from the Blackwood, NJ campus may not be issued the Form I-20.
  • Many students want to be issued I-20s without first making local housing arrangements. PLEASE UNDERSTAND: We absolutely will not issue you the I-20 without confirmation of a local address. This is for your own protection and is not negotiable.
  • We do not have any dormitories and we cannot assist students in acquiring suitable housing. This is solely the responsibility of the student and his or her representative in the USA.
• Bringing Dependents with You
  • Dependents can only be your spouse and/or children
  • Dependents are in F-2 status and must adhere to special USCIS regulations that pertain just to them.
    • Dependents under 18 years old may study full time
    • Dependents over 18 years old must change their status to F-1 prior to being able to study full time in the USA.
    • Dependents cannot work and therefore cannot be issued Social Security cards.
• Reading and Understanding the Document Entitled “Understanding My Responsibilities as a Student in F-1 Status”
  • This document details the rules and regulations that international students must follow.
  • It also serves to protect both the student and avoid misunderstandings that may result in students falling out of status, and returning home involuntarily, while incurring significant expense.
  • The student is responsible for all information on that document and must sign it as a condition for being issued the Form I-20.
• Transportation to and from Camden County College
  • Camden County College is served by New Jersey Transit bus system. Please refer to their web site: www.njtransit.org for bus routes and schedules. There is also a train between Center City Philadelphia and nearby Lindenwold, NJ. The Lindenwold station is not in walking distance to the College, but bus transportation is / may be available. Please refer the www.njtransit.org for a schedule. See also www.drpa.org/patco/
  • Many students share rides with those who have cars, thus reducing commuting costs and time.

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Conditions for maintaining valid F-1 status

• Full-time study
  • F-1 students are responsible for completing no less than twelve (12) credits in the fall and spring semesters of each academic year. They must satisfy attendance requirements of each course and make reasonable academic progress toward a degree. If they fail to do this -- for whatever reason they may become “out of status” and will need to apply to the USCIS for reinstatement. Reinstatement applications are often denied.
• All international students are responsible for understanding and adhering to the rules and regulations in this document (LINK TO UNDERSTANDING MY RESPON..)
• All F-1 students must provide current contact information in order to maintain their status. This can be done conveniently via the International Student Page of the College web site: http://www.camdencc.edu/intstudents/index.htm
• International Students are solely responsible for maintaining their status.
• Take your status seriously.
• Ask questions when in doubt from an international student advisor or with a qualified immigration attorney with experience in F-1 matters. Do not rely on advice of a well-meaning friend or family member.

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Consequences of Losing F-1 Status

Immediate and long-term loss of benefits

• Student cannot renew drivers license.
• Student cannot begin OPT or CPT for at least one year after being reinstated.
• Reinstatement applications submitted within five months of loss of status:
  • Immigration gets the opportunity to examine your academic record and makes that part of his/her decision.
  • Applications require a $200 non-refundable fee.
  • Students must write a letter and provide evidence that the reason for termination was beyond the control of the student.
  • Even if you are reinstated, it is likely that you will be detained at the airport for questioning upon your next arrival in the USA.
• Reinstatement applications submitted outside of five months of loss of status:
  • Refer to the entire section immediately above, AND
  • … the likelihood of approval is considerably less due to the extended time that the student was out of status.
• Should your application be denied:
  • You must leave the USA immediately or file a costly appeal with little chance of success.
  • You would be subject to arrest, imprisonment, and possible deportation should you not leave the USA in a timely fashion.
  • It is highly unlikely that you would be able to return to the USA for many years, if at all.
  • It is therefore imperative that you make every effort to maintain your status and communicate with this office as soon as possible if a problem or event interferes with your maintaining lawful F-1 status.

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Testing

• All new students will be tested for English and mathematics prior to registering for classes even if you have taken ESL classes before at other schools in the USA.
• Students presenting official transcripts from other colleges that indicate a passing grade above “C” in college-level composition may be exempt from taking ESL classes. Likewise, we will accept transfer credits in mathematics from other colleges and universities in the USA with official transcripts in sealed envelopes.
• If English is not your mother tongue or language spoken at home, you must take the ESL test. The test is administered by the Testing Center.
• Students must accept results of placement tests.
• Virtually all programs require that the student test at college level math. It is advisable that students take the math test early, so they will be able to register for a wider range of courses that have math prerequisites.

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Placement

• Most international students need some developmental ESL courses.
• We have a five-level ESL program.
• Your test results with place you either in or out of the ESL program.
• You may be able to take both ESL and some major courses concurrently depending on your English language proficiency.
• We do not use TOEFL for placement.
• Students must accept placement results from ESL testing.
• Each school has its own level system. Level II at another school will probably not equate to Level II at Camden County College.
• Students who place in ESL Levels I and II will be restricted to taking only ESL courses until they reach Level III.

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Academic Advisement

• New students must be advised by the International Student Services office in Blackwood, or by Ms. Diedre Gray in Camden.
• Students who have completed the ESL program or who test out of ESL are to be advised on academic issues by the Advisement Center in Blackwood, or by advisors in Camden or Cherry Hill.
• All visa-related matters should be referred to the International Student Services Office in Blackwood, or to Ms. Dee Gray in Camden.

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Course selection (See also Selecting a program of study

• Camden County College offers students a wide array of career and transfer courses. Please refer to the College catalog on web site: www.camdencc.edu/academics/catalog.htm
• Students are generally urged to pursue those programs that transfer in their entirety. These program end in .AS or .AA. There are some. AAS or career programs that are also transferable. Please see an advisor to help you select a program that’s right for you.
• Certificate programs are not degree programs, and student cannot consider or declare Certificate programs as their major field of study. This being said, it may be possible for you to earn a certificate on the way to an associate’s degree.
• PLEASE NOTE: International student cannot enroll in any program that has a work or co-op / internship that is incompatible with F-1 rules and regulations. For example, several Automotive programs have internships that require students to work more than the permissible amount of hours per week. (Ref: XXIV, Employment).
• Please keep this in mind when selecting a major.
• Immigration law limits international students to one distance-learning (online or Internet) course in each of the spring and fall semesters.

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Transcript evaluation: Accepting credits from previous learning experiences in transfer

• Most colleges or universities, including Camden County College, do not accept transcripts directly from a student or from a student’s former college or university abroad.
• These transcripts must be evaluated by an independent agency that can provide equivalent values of grades and credit hours based on their knowledge of another country’s educational system and expectations.
• Here is a list of approved transcript evaluation agencies
• We accept whatever one of the approved evaluation agencies determine to be the American equivalent of the courses taken and credits earned.
• Evaluated transcripts must be sent directly to Records and Registration, after which your advisor can create a degree audit to see how these credits will or will not apply to your program of study.
• Please keep in mind: Camden County College requires that all students take at least 30 credits at the College that apply to a student’s program in order to earn a diploma.

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Programs of study

• Please refer to the College Catalog for a list of programs, program descriptions, course requirements, course descriptions, and electives. www.camdencc.edu/academics/catalog.htm
• Please refer to item VI above.

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Tuition information

• Tuition for international students is presently $162 per credit. Students can expect a slight increase in this rate in the fall semester of each year.
• In addition, there is a $17 per credit fee that all students pay
• Also, many courses have lab fees ranging from $33 to $48
• International students taking the minimum required number of credits in the two required sessions (fall and spring) can expect to pay about $2,200 per semester or $4,400 per academic year.  Students who chose to take more than 12 credits per semester or those students who opt to take summer courses will pay more money, depending on the number of credits for which you are registering.
• Here is a simple rule for international students to follow: If you have an I-20 issued from Camden County College, you pay the international student rate.

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Registration

• Students should keep in mind the following registration information:
  • Register early. Students registering early get the best schedules for their situations
  • Use WebAdvisor and Degree Audit to plan ahead, save time, and avoid mistakes when registering for classes.
  • You will not be able to register if you have an outstanding balance from the previous semester.
  • Take advantage of the Priority Registration periods.
• International students who have tested out of ESL classes or no longer need ESL classes can be advised by staff of the Advisement Center at all three campuses.
• Students are strongly encouraged to make use of WebAdvisor to build their schedules.
• Students taking ESL classes must be advised by ESL advisors or by full-time ESL faculty during their office hours

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Adding / Dropping classes

• Classes must be added and/ or dropped according to the published guidelines of the College.
• Be mindful of the fees associated with making changes after certain deadlines.
• Please refer to the academic calendar on the CCC web site for important deadlines for refunds and credits when adding or dropping courses. This is your responsibility.
• Withdraws resulting in a student’s falling below 12 credits will affect your F-1 status. In all likelihood, it is preferable to earn an F in a class rather than to withdraw. Please consult an advisor if you are having difficulties and considering withdrawing from class(es).

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Attendance

• It is very important to remember that international students must maintain full-time student status as defined by the institution.
• Students who do not meet a professor’s minimum attendance requirement for a given course may receive a grade of NA (not attending). Grades of NA are considered as though you did not go to school and maintain your full-time status. If you receive a grade of NA in a course, and, by doing that, fall below 12 credits, you will lose your status for under enrollment and will require reinstatement. Please make sure that you don’t get one of these grades.
• Go to school; attend your classes; communicate with your international student advisor and classroom instructor when you have a problem that keeps you out of school. Don’t take your status lightly.

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Withdrawing from classes

• It is very important to remember that international students must maintain full-time student status as defined by the institution. CCC considers taking 12 credits in the fall and 12 credits in the spring to be full time. This being the case, if you want to withdraw from a course, and, by doing that, fall below 12 credits, you will lose your status for under enrollment and will require reinstatement. If you are taking 15 credits, and you want to withdraw from a three-credit course, you may do so without affecting your status.
• It is often preferable to stay in the course, get the “F” and maintain your student status. If you earn a grade of F, you have the option of re-taking the course. If you then get a “B,” your F will be replaced in your grade point average with the B, although the F will still appear on your transcript.
• Please refer to the academic calendar on the CCC web site for important deadlines for withdrawing from classes. This is your responsibility.
• There are special circumstances that permit an F-1 student to take less than 12 credits and still maintain his or her status. Please consult an advisor as soon as you experience difficulties in class or any situation that keeps you from attending your classes.
• Students should be aware of the last day to withdraw from a course each semester. This is posted on the academic calendar.
• There are no refunds for students who wish to drop or withdraw from courses after the drop date. Please refer to the academic calendar for these deadlines.

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Refund information and deadlines

• Please refer to the academic calendar on the CCC web site for important deadlines for refunds and credits. This is your responsibility.
• Students who wish to ask for special consideration for refunds must do so by completing and submitting the Tuition Review Appeal form and including documentation that supports their claim of special circumstances.
• Students who are denied a visa or who leave the College before their credit balance is exhausted may receive refunds with approval from the Office of ESL/International Services providing that their request is consistent with the published policy of the College for refunds [Ref: the College Handbook]

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Transferring to four-year colleges

• Grades
  • Grades are important indicators of a student’s progress. High grades will make it easier for a student to be accepted at other colleges and universities in the USA and around the world and will enable a student to qualify for scholarships or grants.
  • The GPA or grade point average is one measure of a student’s academic competence. The higher the GPA, the better the chances are of a student’s chances for advancement and for receiving scholarship money.
  • ESL and remedial math courses do not count for or against your GPA.
  • If you fail a course, you can retake that same course. Assuming you do better in that course, the higher grade will be reflected in the GPA even though the F will remain on your academic record.
• Transferable courses
  • Students are generally urged to pursue those programs that transfer in their entirety. These program end in .AS or.AA. There are some. AAS or career programs that are also transferable. Please see an advisor to help you select a program that’s right for you.
  • It is recommended that you keep your next school in mind as you take classes at CCC to prepare you for your four-year institution. Please confer with CCC’s Office of Transfer Services and with an advisor at the school you wish to attend in order to insure that the courses you are taking will be accepted at your next school.
  • It is wise to seek the assistance of an academic advisor in matters of student transfer.
• Transfer cancels OPT
  • PLEASE NOTE: Students taking advantage of the OPT benefit will terminate their OPT immediately when their SEVIS record (I-20) is transferred to another school. When you make your transfer plans, please keep this in mind

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Illness and pregnancy

• When a student misses more than two classes because of a health condition, it is highly recommdended that he or she provide the teacher and the international office with a doctor’s note as soon as possible after the event of missing classes. Most teachers provide students with contact information, such as email. Not communicating with your school will only make a bad situation worse. No one can blame you for becoming ill or experiencing a tragedy. However, if you fail to communicate this to the people who need to know, you may endanger both your grade for a course and your lawful F-1 status.
• There is no such thing as a “pregnancy vacation” for F-1 students. Students who become pregnant while in the USA must provide documentation from a qualified medical doctor. Please click on this link for a letter that you must give a doctor in order to be granted a reduced course load for a semester.

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Academic Progress

• All international students are required by law to make “normal academic progress” as defined by Camden County College in the 2007-2008 Student Handbook. (pg. 16) Failure of students to meet the acceptable published grade point average over several semesters may result in a student’s losing his or her F-1 status and requiring reinstatement or the student’s returning home.
• Students having academic difficulty are strongly urged to take advantage of the free tutoring that the College offers.
• Likewise, students having academic difficulties are expected to seek advisement from the International Student Services Office in Blackwood or Camden.

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Degree Audit

• A degree audit is a computer-generated report that you or an advisor can create that correlates the courses you have taken or earned in transfer with the requirements of a given program.
• The degree audit is a valuable advising tool that assures the student and advisor that the student is taking the correct courses for his or her major.
• It also gives the student a clear picture of what lies ahead so that the student can make his or her academic plan with confidence and accuracy.
• Degree audits can be generated by the student using WebAdvisor, or by anyone in the International Student Services Office or Advising.

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Financial Aid

• Financial Aid is not available to students in F-1 status at Camden County College. However, our tuition rate is among the lowest in the region for international students.

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Scholarships

• Scholarships at Camden County College for F-1 students are competitive and based on academic performance, not need. In order to be able to apply for a scholarship, students must be able to demonstrate at least two consecutive semesters of excellent grades.
• Therefore, new students just entering CCC will therefore not qualify for scholarship money until they have established themselves academically over at least two semesters.
• Scholarships applications are accepted in January of each year. Please note deadlines for submission of application documents on web site.

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Travel

• Students leaving the US must have DSO signatures (from Jesse Orlando, Carol Strauch or Deidre Gray) on page three of their I-20s
• There are many travel warnings for international students. Don’t travel out of thecountry if …
  • …your visa has expired.
  • …you don’t have a visa for the country you want to visit and they require one …from citizens of your country.
  • …you are in the process of changing your status or
  • …you have changed your status (but don’t have a visa)
  • …your I-20 is in terminated or completed status
  • …you are in the process of reinstatement.
  • …page three of your I-20 is not signed by a Designated School Official.
  • …you are at or near the end of your program or OPT

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Social Security numbers

• As of October 13, 2004 no international student can be issued a Social Security card without the offer of lawful employment (Ref: XXIII below). Since new students can only work on campus, and since jobs are scarce, it is unlikely that any international student will be able to qualify for a SS card. The best chances for a student to find employment are at the library, bookstore or food service.
• International students do NOT need Social Security numbers to get a drivers license, to open a bank account or even to rent an apartment. We can assist you by providing you with the documentation you need to help you get what you want.
• Students applying for on-campus jobs for the purpose of acquiring Social Security cards and not reporting to work jeopardize the chances of other international students for gaining lawful employment on campus. They are misrepresenting themselves. For this reason, we will report these students to the Social Security office.

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Drivers licenses

• International students do NOT need Social Security numbers to get a drivers license, to open a bank account or even to rent an apartment. We can assist you by providing you with the documentation you need to help you get what you want.
• This is the process for getting your drivers license:
  • Register for classes.
  • Get two letters from Wilma (Blackwood International Student Services Office) or from Dee (Camden), one that you take to the Social Security Office and the other that proves you are registered for classes and are a full-time student.
  • Take the Social Security letter to the Social Security Office who will give you a form that you take to the local Division of Motor Vehicles (along with your passport, I-94 card, I-20 and letter of attendance from Wilma or Dee.
  • You will probably have to take a written and then a driving test in order to get your license.

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Employment / Work

The student visa is not a work visa, and the opportunities to work are very limited:

• On-Campus only, no more than 20 hours per week while school is in session
  • No special permission or USCIS authorization is required, but student must see the Office of ESL / International Student Services for advisment.
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
  • Can only be used after one year of uninterrupted F-1 status
  • Must be related to the student’s program of study as an internship
  • Student must pay for three credits, and the three credits count toward full-time status.
  • No more than 20 hours per week
  • Employment ends when the semester is over.
• Optional Practical Training (OPT)
  • Students completing their program can work for one year.
  • One year of OPT per academic level, i.e. associates, bachelors, masters, Ph.D. Students cannot take OPT if they have already taken it at a higher level, e.g. a student who earned a bachelors degree in the USA and transfers to CCC will not be able to
  • Students must apply within 90 days of graduation.
  • Students cannot study full time during OPT.
  • Student must have been in lawful status for at least one year prior to applying for OPT.
  • OPT is automatically canceled when a student transfers out to another school.
• Economic Hardship
  • Students in valid F-1 status are eligible to apply for Severe Economic Hardship if a.) they are in good standing and engaged in full-time study; b.) they can prove that due to unforeseen circumstances their sponsors have been unable to provide them with the support necessary to live and study; c.) that they have been in lawful F-1 status for at least one year; and d.) that employment will not interfere with a student’s making normal academic progress.
  • Employment, if approved, is limited to 20 hours per week when school is in session.
  • It is granted in one-year increments and must be extended each year.
• Employment can only begin after a student receives an EAD card. Working in the USA without proper authorization is a serious violation of a student’s lawful F-1 status.

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Behavior and Cultural Expectations

• Be respectful to everyone. This includes women and those people who, in your culture, might be considered lower in class than you. In the USA, and especially at Camden County College, we do not tolerate a lack of respect to any person, no matter what the economic or social standing, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation may be. You are entitled to respect; please show this same consideration to others.
• All students are responsible for adhering to all the policies in the Student Handbook published by the College. (http://www.camdencc.edu/college_pubs/05-06%20Student%20Handbook.pdf)
• Assume responsibility for your own affairs, and follow up on matters concerning your legal and financial status here at Camden County College. Don’t depend on others to look after your interests.
• Punctuality, or being on time, is very important in the USA. Don’t be late for appointments or for your classes. By being late, you are sending the message to your instructor or advisor that you are not taking your course or your appointment seriously and that it’s not important to you.
• Communicate with teachers and advisors. This is important because you don’t want them to think that you don’t care enough or respect them enough to make the effort to keep them informed. Don’t let anyone assume something about you that may be incorrect. With email and telephone service, almost everyone is easily reachable.
• Be truthful. Students who say anything to get what they want run the risk of losing their credibility in the future.
• Deadlines and schedules are very important, and if you don’t meet them, you may lose money or the opportunity to register for the course that you want and need. If you don’t pay close attention to expiration dates on your documents, you may well lose your lawful status in the USA.
• Bathe frequently. Most Americans take a shower every day, change and launder their clothes frequently, and use deodorant. This is important because we have to interact with others during the day, and you may be embarrassed if someone makes a negative comment to or about you.
• Plagiarism
  • …is the practice of one person using another’s answers, words or ideas and calling them his or her own. This is not tolerated at any institution of learning in the United States. Plagiarism is stealing and might well result in disciplinary action against you. Ask your instructor about how to use another’s ideas ethically and lawfully to complement your own.
• Cheating
  • Similar to Plagiarism, cheating is using another person’s effort and talent for your own personal gain – with or without that person’s permission, as if his or her answers belonged to you. Cheating is stealing and might well result in disciplinary action against you.

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Graduation requirements and issues

• Using a degree audit can help you track your progress toward graduation.
• Once you determine and confirm with an advisor that you have satisfied all of your program requirements, you proceed to the appropriate dean’s or coordinator’s office where you will be assisted with completing your graduation packet.
• Students wishing to take advantage of the OPT benefit must apply BEFORE graduation. Bring your international student advisor your copy of the signed grad pack so you can be advised on post-graduation benefits, such as Optional Practical Training (OPT).
• The actual graduation ceremony is in May of each year. Students who graduate in December can participate in the May ceremony.
• All graduates in lawful F-1 status for at least one year have the benefit of choosing Optional Practical Training after graduation. Students desiring OPT must apply for it 90 days before they graduate. (Ref: OPT)

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Responsibilities of the Office of ESL / International Student Services

• Mission Statement: The mission of the Office of ESL / International Student Services of Camden County College is to promote the academic and social integration of a culturally and linguistically diverse student population. In an advocacy role, this office assists all limited English proficient students in gaining access to college and community services.
•  
• Mailing Address for Documents
  Office of ESL / International Student Services

Camden County College
College Drive
P.O. Box 200
Blackwood, NJ 08012

• Hours of Operation
  • Blackwood campus: regular office hours are from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
  • Camden Campus: please see Ms. Deidre Gray (856-227-7200, extension 1311
  • Cherry Hill Campus: distance advising available for ESL students during Blackwood Office hours. Limited appointments available to see ESL advisors.
  • During the summer months, many departments of Camden County College and the Office of ESL / International Student Services have special hours. Monday through Thursdays, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Contact information
• Blackwood Campus (phone: 856-227-7200) (fax: 856-374-4918)
  • Wilma Anderson, Secretary (wanderson@camdencc.edu)
  • Carol Strauch, Advisor (cstrauch@camdencc.edu) (extension 4568)
  • Jesse Orlando, Director (jorlando@camdencc.edu) (extension 4539)
• Camden Campus
  • Deidre Gray, Advisor (dgray@camdencc.edu) (856-227-7200, X1311)

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Safeguard your documents!

• You are supposed to have your I-20 with you at all times, but you will experience significant hardship if your documents are lost or stolen.
• Make copies of your I-20, passport, visa and take the copies with you.
• Leave originals in a safe place.
• Have access to originals for important transactions or events–travel, banking, driver’s license applications, etc.
• The International Student Services Office is not your document repository. Take charge over safeguarding your important documents!

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Almost everyone owns a car. This can be a major expense; even if the car is not too expensive, New Jersey has very high auto insurance rates, and insurance is mandatory. Please consider this factor carefully when planning your budget.

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