International Student Admission Process

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

Copy of valid passport must be submitted with your application materials.

International students who wish to attend RCTC with an F-1 Student Visa must prove English language proficiency. There are several ways to provide this:

• Attend and graduate from an accredited United States secondary or post secondary institution, such as a US high school, college or university.
• Satisfactorily complete college-level English coursework at an accredited US post-secondary institution.
• Complete a US ESL school program completion with level 8 or higher.
• Take and achieve a passing score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or equivalent evaluation.
  • The minimum score required for admission to RCTC on the written TOEFL is 450
  • Minimum CBT-based TOEFL score of 133
  • Minimum Web-based TOEFL score of 61, with no less than 15 subscores on Reading, Listening, Speaking, and  Writing
• RCTC’s school code for TOEFL is 6610. Your TOEFL results must be sent directly from the testing center to RCTC.  Get more information on exam costs and testing locations for the TOEFL.
• STEP English exam scores and IELTS score of 4.5-5.0 are considered with additional evaluations.

Transcripts must be submitted in the English language.

• Foreign college or university transcripts must be evaluated by an accredited evaluation service for transfer credit.
  • World Education Services
  • Educational Credential Evaluators: 
• The International Student F-1 Visa Transfer Authorization Form must be completed if transferring from another US college or university.
  • If you are approved for transfer, you will need to have the International Admissions Office at your initial school will “release” your SEVIS record from that institution. After being released by the initial institution, RCTC can create your new I-20.

• All required documents are to be sent to onestop@rctc.edu.
• Students must show proof of financial support for an entire academic year.
• The affidavit of financial support (page 1) must be completed by the student.
• If the student is using a sponsor (page 2) must be completed by the sponsor.
• Original bank statements in US Dollars (USD) on official bank letterhead and signed by a bank official are REQUIRED for support.
• Forms and Frequently Asked Questions:
  • Affidavit of Financial Support: Student and Sponsor Pages
  • Information on I-20 processing Fee for F-1 Students
  • Tuition Costs and Payment Deadlines

• Before you make travel plans, check your admission papers to be sure of the expected arrival date. The arrival date is the date that you will be expected to be on campus for orientation, so be sure to arrange travel plans which enable you to be at RCTC by the date noted on your I-20.
• Students may not arrive in the United States more than thirty (30) days before the start date listed on their I-20.
• Make certain your passport is valid and that you have obtained your F-1 visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate.

There is a $350 USD processing fee for the I-20 that all F-1 students must pay prior to making their visa appointment. This fee is paid directly to USCIS and should not be sent to RCTC.

For more information on this $350 processing fee, please see: www.fmjfee.com

• Health insurance is mandatory for all F-1 students. Separate from tuition and fees the insurance costs are listed below must be paid in full at the time of enrollment. A payment plan is not available for health insurance.
• The only means of waiving RCTC’s mandatory health insurance requirement is to demonstrate that you have current health insurance coverage through another sponsoring agency or government.
• Health Insurance costs for the 2022-2023 Academic Year are estimated at:
  • Student: $2,200.00 USD

RCTC’s insurance plan is underwritten by The Mega Life and Health Insurance Company. Phone Number: 1-800-767-0700.

• Once international students have arrived at RCTC, they should report to the International Student Office: SS134
• The International Student Office will need to electronically inform SEVIS of each student’s arrival. This must be done within 20 days of the student’s arrival or their student status could be affected.

• Academic Calendar
• Working on Campus
• Housing Information
  • RCTC is a commuter college and there is no dormitory housing on campus. There is an apartment complex on the college property that provides some housing for students. Many students find other apartment housing throughout the city. It is the student's responsibility to find housing.
• United States Customs and Immigrations Service (USCIS)
• Immigration Forms and Fee Information
• United States Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• Student and Exchange Visitor Information Service (SEVIS)
• Social Security Online
• Obtaining your MN Driver's License