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International Student

Welcome to Central Community College! Navigating the process of international study in the United States is a complex process. We are here to guide you through the progression.

An international Student is any student whose country of citizenship is outside the United States of America and who is present in the U.S. because he/she possesses a current F-1 or M-1 visa. Check out the international student lifecycle (PDF) to further your understanding of applying for a visa to study in the U.S.

Regional Information

Central Community College campuses are in Grand Island, Hastings and Columbus in central Nebraska. 

The area’s climate consists of four distinct seasons. Summer days in July average 87° Fahrenheit (30.5 Celsius), while January brings colder temperatures, averaging 31° Fahrenheit (-0.5 Celsius).

Central Nebraska’s major industries include agriculture, agriculture-related businesses, steel manufacturing, food processing and healthcare.

Grand Island, Nebraska

Hastings, Nebraska

Columbus, Nebraska

Kearney, Nebraska

Dates and Deadlines for F-1 /M-1 Students

We recommend that international applicants seeking an F-1/M-1 Visa from your consulate begin the application process six months prior to the deadline shown below.

The Admissions Office must receive all application materials by the following deadlines to allow time for processing and for you to complete paperwork needed to travel to the U.S.

Application Deadline

The final application must include all documentation.

  • Fall term (August through December): July 1
  • Spring term (January through May): December 1
  • Students must be on campus by the end of the first week of classes or risk termination of their SEVIS record.

Application Steps and How to Apply

Your Designated School Official will assist you in understanding and complying with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immigration regulations and required documentation. DHS requires the college to create and maintain your Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) immigration record.

U.S. regulations require you to keep us informed of any changes to your academic or immigration status so we can update your SEVIS record in a timely manner.

Contact a Designated School Official (DSO)

  • Send official college transcripts electronically to Central Community College. Once the transcript is received, CCC will evaluate the courses for possible use towards your program at CCC.
  • Transfer to CCC Form (PDF)

*Guest students are currently sponsored by another organization or business or an F1 student at another institution*

  • Apply to Central Community College
  • Email International Admissions (all in one email) and submit the following documents:
    • Copy of Passport
    • Copy of Visa
    • Copy of your I-20 / DS – 2019
      • If there is a notation on your I-20 / DS – 2019 that allows concurrent enrollment at a college, that will be all we will need.
      • If the notation is not included, you will need to secure a letter from your sponsoring organization that indicates you are allowed to take a course at Central Community College.

In order for you to enroll in classes, you must submit these documents 7 days prior to classes starting.

Before You Arrive

You Have Received Your Acceptance Letter and I-20, Now What?

  • Pay SEVIS Fee
    • Once you receive your I-20, you will need to pay your SEVIS I-901 fee and apply for your F-1 Visa.
  • Apply for a Visa and request an appointment
  • Prepare for your Visa appointment
  • Communicate with your DSO as soon as you receive your F-1 visa
  • Book your flight and notify your DSO of your arrival date. Please note that CCC does not offer transportation to and from the airport.

Campus Housing

  • On-Campus Housing is available only in Columbus and Hastings. These facilities often fill to capacity.

Apply for Housing

Off-Campus Housing

  • Students who wish to live off campus are responsible for finding their own housing.

Maintaining Your Status

Your DSO can assist you with information you may need to maintain your status.  However, it’s your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the following:

Code of Conduct 

Unfamiliarity, misunderstanding and legitimate cultural differences will not excuse an international student from adhering to CCC’s policies of student conduct. Be aware that standards are strict and can affect an international student’s immigration status.

To experience success at our college, familiarize yourself with the Student Code of Conduct 

Academic Integrity 

Central Community College students are expected to uphold academic standards while attending college. To experience success at CCC, familiarize yourself with our Academic Integrity (PDF) standards. 

Academic Standing

All students are required to maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA). At CCC, students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 to remain in good academic standing. If you fail to meet the required GPA, you could lose your academic standing, which will affect your immigration status. There are resources available on campus to help you achieve academic and personal success.

A complete list of resources is available under Student Services. 

Enrollment Requirements

As an international student in F-1 or M-1 student status, your priority is full-time study.

All students in F-1 or M-1 student status must be enrolled full-time (12 credit hours) and make sufficient progress in their degree program.

Students in F-1 or M-1 student status must be enrolled in at least 9 credit hours of in-person instruction. 

Change of Major

While You Are Here

Please be aware of the complex details you’ll need to know to continue studying in the United States while at Central Community College.

Please download the form you need, complete it to the fullest and give it to your campus Designated School Official (DSO). If you have any questions about the forms, please see your campus DSO.

In order to have your SEVIS record registered when you arrive on campus, you must report to the DSO for mandatory check-in. Students must report in person no later than the first week of classes.

Failure to do so could result in a termination of your SEVIS record and jeopardize your legal ability to remain in the U.S.

  • Tuition payment is due on the first day of class.
  • International Students are required to pay out-of-state tuition. View Tuition Costs.
  • Please contact Student Accounts at 402-562-1226 if you have further questions.

F-1 students are responsible for purchasing and maintaining healthcare insurance. Central Community College does not provide health insurance or offer a healthcare clinic for its students.

Students are liable for their own medical expenses.

Grades of Incomplete (I)

If you receive an “incomplete” for a course, you must complete the coursework by the deadline that both you and your professor agree to.

If you do not complete your coursework, your incomplete will be turned into a failing grade.

Failure (F)

If you receive a failing grade that results in your cumulative GPA dropping below 2.0, you may be academically suspended or dismissed for poor academic performance.

If this situation occurs, you would be considered out of status. You would need to visit your DSO to discuss options.

Travel from the United States and Leaving CCC

If you have plans to travel outside the United States, bring your Form I-20 to your DSO at least 7 days prior to traveling to see if an updated signature is required.

A new form may need to be issued. If you will be traveling and applying for a new visa, you will also want to request a letter from your DSO confirming your class registration to verify that you are a full-time student.

Ensure the dates on your Form I-20 are correct before leaving the United States.

While studying at CCC, you may want to visit home periodically. You must ensure you are prepared with all the information you need to have successful travels.

Travel While Enrolled

Documents to travel with when visiting home while enrolled:

  • I-20 form with a signature from a Designated School Official (DSO) on pages 1 and 3. The signature on page 3 must not be older than 1 year with respect to the date of reentry.
  • You also must carry all your previous I-20s.
  • A valid passport. While you are in the United States, your passport must always be valid for at least six months before it expires.
  • A valid U.S. visa (unless you are Canadian). The visa should not expire before your date of reentry to the U.S. If you plan to obtain a new visa in your home country, you need to carry your latest transcript in addition to the other items mentioned in this section.
  • I-94 form.
  • The latest version of the financial documents covering the expenses stated on your I-20.
  • A letter from the college stating you are in good standing will be required if you plan to renew your visa or if your country requires it.

Travel After Graduation or OPT

Documents to travel with when visiting home after graduation and/or during OPT:

  • I-20 form with a signature from a Designated School Official (DSO) on pages 1 and 3. The signature on page 3 must not be older than 1 year with respect to the date of reentry. You also must carry all of your previous I-
  • A valid passport. While you are in the United States, your passport must always be valid for at least six months before it expires.
  • A valid U.S. visa (unless you are Canadian). The visa should not expire before your date of reentry to the U.S. If you plan to obtain a new visa in your home country, you need to carry your latest transcript in addition to the other items mentioned in this section.
  • I-94 form.
  • A valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD card).
  • A letter from the employer stating that you are currently employed by them.

If you have any questions regarding visiting your home country, please contact your DSO.

If you are in F-1 or M-1 status and wish to transfer to another school within the United States, CCC will help facilitate the transfer of your SEVIS record to your new school.

SEVIS Transfer

To be eligible for a SEVIS transfer, you must:

  • Have written confirmation of your acceptance to another school
  • Provide the current DSO with the transferring school’s SEVIS ID number and DSO contact information.
  • Maintain your F-1 or M-1 status
  • Be in good academic standing through the transfer release date.

Once CCC releases your SEVIS record to another school, we cannot undo the transfer. Therefore, be fully decided about the school and release date before you submit any forms to our office.

Release Date

The release date will usually be a day after the last day of the semester at CCC and a day before the first day of classes at the new school.

The release date is your choice, but is subject to the following conditions:

  • It cannot be prior to the end of the current academic term for which the student is enrolled at CCC, unless the student’s new program start date begins prior to the end of CCC’s term.  Students in this situation should coordinate with the CCC Designated School Official (DSO) and the new institution’s DSO to choose an appropriate release date.
  • For F-1 students completing their program at CCC: The transfer release date must be within the 60-day grace period following completion. Also, the academic program at the new school must begin within five months of completion of your CCC program or end date of OPT.

Once the release date arrives, your record is transferred to the new school and you may no longer attend CCC. Once your SEVIS record has been transferred, you should coordinate with the new school to receive your new Form I-20.

Information About Employment or Training

If you choose to seek employment while in the United States, please familiarize yourself with the following details.

As an international student, you are only allowed to work on campus in part-time (less than 20 hours a week) non-work study jobs. Employment is not guaranteed.

Steps to attain on-campus employment:

  1. Receive a job offer from an on-campus supervisor for part-time employment and meet with DSO.
  2. DSO will prepare the documentation needed for the student to apply for a Social Security number.
  3. It is your responsibility to find transportation to the Social Security Office.
  4. Notify your DSO upon receipt of your Social Security Number.

It is against the law to work off campus while in F-1 status without authorization/permission from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

If a student uses their Social Security number to be employed by an unauthorized employer, their F-1 student Visa status is void.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

After the student has been in F-1 status for at least one academic year, they may qualify for an authorized paid training off-campus position.

The paid position MUST relate directly to their course of study. The student is required to obtain permission before beginning work and completing all required steps.

Learn More About OPT

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Central Community College does not support students seeking Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

Program Extension

Inform your DSO if you need to extend the Program End Date on your I-20 because you will not be graduating on the agreed-upon date. Requests for an extension may be submitted up to thirty (30) days before your Form I-20 expiration date. Once received, your DSO will provide the update to the federal government.

Once your program extension request is complete, your DSO will:

Completion of Studies at Central Community College

When you have finished your program of study at Central Community College, you will have 60 days until your I-20 is deactivated. You have the following options: