International Student Admission Information

Northeastern welcomes international students and recognizes the value they add to the learning environment. This policy applies to non-immigrant, international students seeking admission to the college on an F1 student visa or any other visa that allows study in the United States.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADMISSION POLICY

Fall semester applications and all supporting documents are requested to be on file at the college by July 15. Spring semester applications and supporting documents must be on file by December 15.

Admission of international students will be considered, and a Form I-20 will be issued when the following are received and evaluated as acceptable. Students must fulfill the following requirements and provide the following documents:

• Apply for admission to Northeastern at www.njc.edu. The application must indicate in which semester the student will begin.
• Provide additional and complete transcripts of all previous secondary and collegiate academic work with certified English translations (if needed).
• Provide evidence of proficiency in the English language.

Note: No documentation is required if the student’s native language is English or if the student graduated from an American high school (some restrictions apply). If the student’s native language is a language other than English, the student must provide one of the following:

For FULL ADMITTANCE:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): minimum score of 65,  International English Language Testing System (IELTS): minimum score of 6.5, or Duolingo English Test minimum score of 95.
• The student enrolls directly into a college degree program and carries a full-time credit load (12-15 credits) of credit bearing courses, including First-Year Seminar.

For CONDITIONAL ADMITTANCE:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): minimum score 52-64; or International English Language Testing System (IELTS): minimum score 5.5-6.4; or Duolingo English Test score of 80.
• The student is admitted into the SEVIS-certified English Pathway program, which allows for limited ESL assistance, including ESL 054 (five credits) and an additional 7-10 credits of college-level courses, including the First-Year Seminar.
• Statement of financial support for a two-year program for the student at Northeastern. Federal and state financial aid and tax-supported scholarships are unavailable for international students.
• Record of immunizations.
• Proof of medical insurance. All international students are required to have medical insurance in place while attending Northeastern.
• Full payment of outstanding tuition and fees on the day of registration. Failure to comply may result in the withdrawal of the student’s U.S. Immigration I-20.

• Other potential English proficiency assessments may be evaluated for admittance, including:

• Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency: minimum score of 75.
• Completion of Level 5 Advanced or Level 109 from an Intensive English Language Center.
• Completion of the STEP examination in Japan with a LEVEL II evaluation or above.
• Graduation from an American high school after attending for at least two years OR attending one year and meeting assessment test requirements.
• Special admission waiver approved by the president of the college.

The final steps for F1 Visa completion include:

1. The Designated School Officer (DSO) creates a file in SEVIS (or previous college transfers information in SEVIS) to print a Form I-20. Northeastern’s International Student Coordinator serves as the Designated School Officer.
2. The DSO signs and sends the student the original Form I-20.
3. Student pays the SEVIS I-901 fee at www.ice.gov/sevis.
4. Student makes an appointment with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to interview for an F1 visa.
5. Consular reviews application, confirms SEVIS fee payment, runs security check, interviews student, and potentially grants visa.
6. Student obtains the visa before departure to the U.S.

Definitions

F1 Visa

This legal document is issued to a non-immigrant student pursuing a full-time program of academic study to achieve a specific education or professional objective at an academic institution in the United States that has been designated by the Department of Homeland Security to offer courses to such students and has been enrolled in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.

International Students

This designation refers to non-Immigrant college students coming temporarily to the United States to attend school. The applicant must plan to pursue full-time academic study at an academic institution authorized by the USCIS to enroll international students.

Non-Immigrants

The Immigration and Nationality Act defines the citizen of another country (i.e., a non-U.S. Citizen) as an alien who resides in the United States on a temporary or a permanent basis.  Non-immigrants may be in this country legally with official documentation of legal authorization to reside in the U.S. or illegally (i.e., without official legal documentation of legal authorization for residency).