New Mexico Junior College - International Students General Information

International Students General Information

All international students wishing to live in the US while attending college must be admitted as full-time international students and maintain a full-time course load to stay in compliance with F-1 Visa requirements. NMJC uses the Student and Exchange Visitors Information System (SEVIS) to track and issue I-20s to international students requesting F-1 visas.

After receiving the SEVIS I-20 form and F-1 Visa

You must report to the Registrar’s Office within 10 days of entering the US for the first time on your F-1 Visa.

You must report all changes to your address and phone number to the Registrar’s Office within ten (10) days.

You must report to the Registrar’s Office any changes in your schedule that causes you to be out of status, i.e., withdrawing from a class causing less than full-time attendance.

You must report to the Registrar’s Office and receive permission prior to registration if you wish to enroll for less than full-time status.

To extend your I-20 Form, you must report to the Registrar’s Office for an extension four (4) weeks prior to the expiration date. If the I-20 is not extended or renewed prior to the expiration date, it will be terminated and the student will not be allowed to continue to study after the expiration date. The student will have to leave the US and re-apply for a new I-20 and get a new F-1 Visa.

Contact the Registrar’s Office immediately if you plan to transfer to another college or university. Another school will not be able to issue an I-20 to you unless NMJC first releases your SEVIS record.

How Do I Get A SEVIS FORM I-20?

To apply for a SEVIS I-20 Form you must complete a New Mexico Junior College International Admissions Application Form, have a valid passport from your home country, submit official transcripts (translated into English) from all educational institutions which you have attended. Foreign transcripts will also require a recommendation from a credentials evaluation agency, such as the World Education Service. All transcripts must be mailed directly to NMJC from the issuing institution. Additionally, students wishing to reside (live) in the U.S. while attending school full-time must submit a completed Financial Responsibility Statement, to include a current bank statement, indicating sufficient funds to pay living expenses and cost of school.

The amount of financial solvency is subject to change. Please call or e-mail us to inquire on the current amount. The number to call is 575.392.5112 or e-mail jmcdonald@nmjc.edu.

Proof of proficiency in the English language is required for enrollment into academic programs. The following may be used as proof of proficiency:

Official transcripts reflecting graduation from a US high school.

Official transcripts from an accredited US college or university showing completion of 15 semester –credit hours with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Official report on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 500 (paper-based), or 173 (computerized), or 72 (Internet) with a minimum of 18 on each section on the International version.