International Students

Students from countries around the world have chosen to study at Atlantic Cape Community College (ACCC) for its outstanding curriculum and its proximity to U.S. cities on the eastern seaboard. ACCC offers an advisor who works closely with international students to help you become acclimated to both the college and the culture.

ACCC is a warm and welcoming place to study, with an outstanding curriculum.

Do You Speak English?

If you are from a country where English is not the native language, you must take an ESL Placement Test. Visit the ESL FAQ page for more information.

How to Apply

Contact the school’s Designated School Official (DSO) for information on applying to the college and obtaining an I-20. The DSO is your liaison between the school and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The DSO issues the I-20 and maintains your status records with USCIS. You can reach a DSO on the Mays Landing main campus at (609) 343-4916 or by e-mail at gleason@atlantic.edu.

You must apply for a degree program and maintain full-time status (minimum of 12 credits per semester). Since there is no financial aid available for international students, you must provide proof of sponsorship within the U.S. You will be charged out-of-country tuition and fees for the first year (or 24 credits). The college is able to reduce that fee to in-county rates during your second year in the program.

What you need to submit to apply.

Do You Want to Work?

Students on an F-1 visa are only authorized to work on campus. However, positions on-campus are limited. You should not depend on working on-campus for your tuition or support. For complete information on work authorization contact the school’s Designated School Official (DSO) by calling the Admissions Office DSO in Mays Landing at (609) 343-4916, or e-mail gleason@atlantic.edu.

Changes

Please alert your DSO immediately when you have a change of:

Address – An address change must be submitted to both the college and the government so that important papers can reach you.
Major – any change in major needs the approval of your advisor and DSO to see that you are enrolled in the right classes for your degree.
Enrollment – if you want to reduce to part-time, withdraw from classes, or the college, you must first contact your DSO. These changes could affect your visa status and must be reported to USCIS.

Transferring

ACCC has transfer agreements with four-year colleges, including Drexel University, Widener University and Florida International, for international students who wish to pursue a baccalaureate degree. A full list of transfer agreements is available from the Career and Academic Planning Center. You also can transfer to other colleges. Contact your DSO to ensure the necessary paperwork is filed before the transfer, and the ACCC Enrollment Services office to request copies of your transcript.

The American Culture

You may find the American culture very different from your home country. The process of learning about American behaviors and values, and coping with them, is part of cultural adjustment. Making this adjustment does not mean that you are giving up your cultural identity.

Find out more about Culture Shock.

Questions? Call the Mays Landing Admissions Office DSO, (609) 343-4916, (609) 886-7189, ext. 4916, or e-mail gleason@atlantic.edu.