If you are in another visa category and would like to enroll in college credit courses as an F-1 student, you may be eligible to apply for a change of status.
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has special instructions and rules for change of status students.
Please note, there may be certain academic programs that F-1 international students are not allowed to enroll in. View a list of those programs below.
An open-admissions institution, San Jacinto College offers a free online application through ApplyTexas.org
To apply, set up an account and make sure you choose San Jac in your application. Submit the application for your intended transfer in semester.
Since classes at San Jacinto College are taught in English, proficiency is required for students whose native language is not English. Test scores allow us to accurately advise students into classes that will offer the best opportunity for success.
For student residing in the area: Our college offers the Accuplacer ESL.
You may be admitted to an academic program with a minimum score of:
TOEFL |
525 (Paper-Based test) 70 (Internet-Based test) |
IELTS | Band 6 range |
Accuplacer ESL |
110- Reading 6- Writer Placer 109- Sentence Meaning 109- Language Use 93- Listening |
Native students from the following countries are exempt from proving English proficiency:
Australia, The Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, English speaking Canadian provinces, The Fiji Islands, Gambia, Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Malta, Nauru, Nigeria, New Zealand, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Tobago Trinidad, Uganda, United Kingdom, The Virgin Islands, the West Indies, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
We will need official transcripts from any colleges or universities you have attended either in the U.S. or abroad, including the one you are currently attending.
Proof of U.S. high school equivalency completion is required.
International transcripts must be evaluated by an approved agency. Contact any accepted evaluation companies from our list to request an evaluation of your international transcript(s).
We want to make sure your education won’t be interrupted by lack of finances, so we require proof that you have at least $31,977 U.S. dollars of financial support. This is the estimated educational and living expense for one year at San Jacinto College. If you’re bringing family, we will need proof of an additional $6,000 for your spouse and $3,500 for each dependent.
Sponsor Financial Information (maximum two sponsors per student)
Sponsor(s) should complete Affidavit of Support Form and submit one additional piece of documentation below:
All financial information must also include equivalencies in U.S. dollars.
Read carefully the F-1 Memorandum of Understanding. Download and complete the form.
Your dependent spouse and children (unmarried and under the age of 21), may apply for an F-2 visa to accompany you in the United States while you are in F-1 student status.
Required items:
Download and complete the I-20 Release Form.
Acceptance documents will be sent to the e-mail address placed on this form.
Your letter should be specific to your situation and include any additional information you believe is important to your request. This letter should be addressed to USCIS.
All international admission documents will be uploaded as attachments in PDF format under the Application for I-20 form.
Expect a response within 7-10 business days.
Once we receive all of your documents, the International Student Services department will process your file.
Allow 7-10 business days to process your application.
You will receive an official international student change of status acceptance letter, Initial Form -20, and further change of status guidance.
Important note: The issued Initial Form I-20 is only valid for 30 days. You must file for a change of status within this time.
Once you receive the I-797 Notice of Action with your approved change of status, please notify the International Student Services department as it is crucial to finalize enrollment as soon as you receive this notice. Our contact information is below.
Failure to notify our office and enroll will cause you to be out of status.
*International students are prohibited from enrolling in programs that are mainly offered online