Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you may defer your admission. However, before enrollment we may require additional and updated documents from you. If you plan on deferring please contact [email protected]

Yes, International Student Orientation help students transition to the United States and to Schoolcraft College. You will receive an email notification with the time and date of orientation. This is mandatory. If for some reason you are unable to attend, you must notify an international advisor.

Immigration regulations prohibit students from entering the U.S. earlier than 30 days prior to the start date on the I-20. You should change your ticket to a later date.

Exception: if you are transferring your SEVIS record from another school in the U.S., such as a high school or community college, and received a “transfer pending” I-20, you can enter the U.S. anytime prior to the I-20 start date.

• Form I-20
• Passport
• Visa
• Financial Documents
• SEVIS Receipt

Please email [email protected] as soon as possible to notify us.

Schoolcraft College does not offer on campus housing options. However, there are apartments available for rent in the surrounding area.

Schoolcraft has a RAVE emergency messaging system which sends students a text, email or phone call if the college is closed due to weather conditions or there is another campus emergency. You should sign up for SC alerts.

Meet with an international advisor; do not drop any class until you discuss your options
with an international advisor.

• A reduced course load (RCL) is a permission from the international advisor to be below the minimum enrollment requirements for a given semester. Federal regulations provide limited circumstances when an F-1 student may be authorized for a RCL.
• Some circumstances in which you could be eligible for a RCL include: last semester of program, initial English language difficulty, and medical conditions.
• ALL RCL requests and authorizations must be approved by the international advisor before any action is taken to drop classes or enroll in new classes. Documentation is always required.
• A student is eligible for only one semester of RCL due to academic difficulties.
• For medical conditions the international advisor may authorize a reduced load (or if necessary no load) for the current semester If the condition continues, new documentation must be provided along with a new authorization for the next semester. Total time authorized at one program level cannot exceed 12 months.

A breakdown of estimated costs is available in the International Student Packet on the Admissions web page.

International students are not eligible for financial aid. Some scholarships are available through the athletic department. Other merit based scholarships are available to international students after their first semester at Schoolcraft College. Please note that funding is generally limited for international students and you should be prepared to pay for the majority of your education while in the United States.

For more information about paying for your tuition, visit Student Accounts.

Please refer to the F-1 admission packet for further details

Please refer to the F-1 admission packet for further details

Citizens or permanent residents of the following countries are exempt from the requirement:

• Anguilla
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Bermuda
• Botswana
• Canada
• Cayman Islands
• Christmas Islands
• Cook Islands
• Dominica
• Fiji
• Gambia
• Ghana
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• Kenya
• Liberia
• New Zealand
• Nigeria
• Puerto Rico
• Scotland
• Sierra Leone
• Singapore
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• St. Helen
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Lucia
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Swaziland
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Uganda
• United Kingdom
• Northern Island
• Virgin Islands
• Wales
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

An English Proficiency test score is required to issue you an I-20 for ESL coursework prior to studying program coursework.

F-1 international students who are maintaining status may work part-time (up to 20 hours) per week on campus at Schoolcraft College. You do not require authorization to do this.

Students, who have applied for a change of status to F-1, may not work until USCIS approves the change of status.

Please refer to the Student Employment page.

Per Schoolcraft employment regulations you can work on campus during your vacation semester if you take 3 credits in the Spring and 3 credits in the Summer. If your vacation semester is in the Fall or Winter you would need to take at least 6 credits to work on campus.

ALL off-campus employment requires special authorization from USCIS.

Working off-campus requires special authorization and is available in only special situations such as severe economic hardship, optional practical training (OPT), or curricular practical training (CPT).Approval for off-campus employment is obtained from USCIS by filling forms, extensive documentation and paying an application fee.

If you would like to learn more about these options and find out if you are eligible for them, please schedule an appointment with the international advisor.

As an F1 student you must maintain full time status. This means you must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits each semester except your vacation semester. You must take 9 of those credits in the classroom.

For most students, vacation semesters are in the Spring and Summer unless other arrangements are made known to the International Advisor. If you have questions regarding vacation semesters, feel free to schedule an appointment with us.

• Under new regulations, a student may apply to USCIS for reinstatement of status only if the violation resulted beyond their control.
• A student may not apply for reinstatement if they have been out of status for more than 5 months.
• A student is usually only granted reinstatement once in their academic career.

Plan ahead!

• Schedule an appointment with the international advisor and bring your documents
• Ensure that your I-20 has been signed within the last six months before you leave the country
• Ensure that your passport is valid beyond the date on which you plan to re-enter the U.S
• Ensure that your visa is valid for “multiple” entries into the U.S. and is valid beyond reentry date. Exceptions: short visits to Canada, Mexico, or Caribbean islands
• If you are visiting a country other than your home country you may need an additional visa

It is also a good idea to be aware of any current travel restrictions which may affect your re-entry into the U.S. If you are unsure about these requirements, do not hesitate to meet with an international advisor before you leave the country. Plan ahead! If you know you are taking a trip home soon do not wait until the last minute to check your documents.

An I-94 serves as a departure and arrival record for foreign visitors entering the United States. Your I-94 record is important as it confirms your legal presence in the United States. Your I-94 record is available either electronically or in paper form depending on how you initially entered the country. It is highly recommended that you carry a copy of your latest I-94 on you at all times. The international center also requires a copy.

View I-94 Record

• If you brought a dependent to the United States with you they are considered F-2 visa holders and are issued separate I-20’s in SEVIS
• F-2 dependents may not work

F-2 spouses and children may take classes for credit, however they are required to be less than full-time.

Exception: elementary or secondary school

Yes, our office will complete the required OSAP paperwork. Please submit the requested documents to the International Center.