International Student

Central Community College campuses are in the central area of the state.  Towns include: Grand Island, Hastings and Columbus Nebraska. 

The climate of the area consists of four distinct seasons. Summer days in July warm up to an average of 87° Fahrenheit (30.5 Celsius) while January brings colder temperatures, averaging 31° Fahrenheit (-.5 Celsius).

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

Grand Island, Nebraska:

• Population 52,335
• Grand Island offers one form of public transportation: https://www.crane-transit.com/o/gipwtd/page/hours-of-operation
• Grand Island Chamber of Commerce: https://www.gichamber.com/
• Grand Island Visitor’s Bureau: https://visitgrandisland.com/

Hastings, Nebraska

• Population 25,037
• Hastings offers one form of public transportation
• Hastings Chamber of Commerce: https://www.hastingschamber.com/
• Hastings Visitors Bureau; https://www.visithastingsnebraska.com/

Columbus, Nebraska

• Population 24,123
• Columbus offers one form of public transportation
• Columbus Chamber of Commerce: https://thecolumbuspage.com/
• Columbus Visitor’s Bureau: https://visitcolumbusne.com/

Kearney, Nebraska

• Population 34,362
• Kearney Chamber of Commerce: https://www.kearneycoc.org/
• Kearney Visitor's Bureau: ttps://visitkearney.org/

We recommend international applicants seeking a F-1/M-1 Visa from your consulate begin the application process six months prior to the deadline date 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 your SEVIS record.

• Apply to Central Community College
• In one email, submit the following documents to: [email protected]
  • International Student Supplementary Application
  • Financial Affidavit Form
  • Copy of Passport
  • Language scores from either: TOEFL (61), IELTS (6.0), Duolingo English Test (90) and/or appropriate ACT/SAT/NWEA MAP test scores
    
    • CCC’s codes are: TOEFL: 6584 (original TOEFL document required)
    • Students from the following countries do not need to submit scores: Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Common Wealth Caribbean, Ireland, New Zealand or United Kingdom.
• A copy of your Visa will be required after your I-20 is issued. 

• Apply to Central Community College
• In one email, submit the following documents to: [email protected]
  • International Student Supplementary Application
  • Financial Affidavit Form
  • Copy of Passport
  • Copy of Visa
  • Language scores from either: TOEFL (61), IELTS (6.0), Duolingo English Test (90) and/or appropriate ACT/SAT/NWEA MAP test scores (minimum scores listed)
    • CCC’s codes are: TOEFL: 6584 (original TOEFL document required)
    • Students from the following countries do not need to submit scores: Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Common Wealth Caribbean, Ireland, New Zealand or United Kingdom.
  • Copy of your I-94
  • Copy of your Social Security Card (if applicable)

• 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

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

• Apply to Central Community College
• In one email, submit the following documents to: [email protected]
  • 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.    

KEY:  C = Columbus
          GI = Grand Island
          H = Hastings
          K = Kearney
          O = Online
          All = All Locations

• Associate of Arts (AA)  - All
• Associate of Science (AS)  - All
• Advanced Manufacturing Design Technology - H, K
• Agricultural Sciences - C, H
• Auto Body Technology - H
• Automotive Technology - H
• Business Administration, Accounting & Logistics - All
• Construction Technology - H
• Criminal Justice - All
• Dental Hygiene - H
• Diesel Technology - H
• Drafting & Design Technology - GI, H
• Electrical Technology - H
• Heating, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration - H
• Heavy Equipment Operator Technician - H
• Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts - H
• Mechatronics - C, K
• Media Arts - H
• Nursing - Associate Degree - C, GI
• Occupational Therapy Assistant - GI
• Welding Technology - C, GI, H

Campus Housing

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

Off-Campus Housing

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

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.

Your DSO can assist you with information you may need to maintain your status.  However, it’s in 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 standards. 

• Academic Standing 
  • All students are required to maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA). At CCC, students are required to maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 to be 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 can be found 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 
  • During the course of your schooling, you may decide to change your major. Contact the Designated School Official to assist with this process.  
  • A change in major requires a SEVIS update and must be completed concurrently with (or before) the change in college records.  

Change of Major Application

I-20 Extension Application

On Campus Employment Authorization Letter

Post-Completion OPT USCIS E-Filing Guide

Reduced Course Load Application

Request for OPT

Travel Endorsement Request

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 the first day of class.
• International Students are required to pay out of state tuition. Click here for 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.

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 proving you are registered for classes from your DSO to verify you are a full-time student.  Ensure dates are correct on your Form I-20 before leaving the United States.

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.

• You do not have to pay a fee for a program extension.
• Only the DSO can extend your program end date in SEVIS.
• To be approved for a program extension, you must have maintained F-1 status and must have a compelling reason, such as academic or medical, which can be substantiated by documentation.
  • Examples can be a change of major or a documented illness.
• Delays in completing your program caused by academic probation or suspension are not acceptable reasons for program extension approval.

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

• Prepare a Form I-20 indicating your new completion date.
  • Be sure to keep the new I-20 and all previous I-20 forms you have been issued.
  • They must be submitted on request to an immigration officer when you travel outside the U.S.
• If you are past the program end date on your Form I-20, or you do not meet the eligibility requirements to apply for a program extension, you will need to file for reinstatement to F-1 status, for which the USCIS will charge a fee. Please note, CCC cannot support you in this process.
• Failure to request a program extension before your program end date is a violation of F-1 regulations; heavy penalties may occur.

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.

Documents to travel with when visiting home while enrolled:

• I-20 form with a signature from a Designated School Official (DSO) on page 1 and page 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.

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 page 1 and page 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 holding a position with them.

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

If you receive an "incomplete" for a course, it is very important you complete the coursework by the deadline both you and your professor agree to. If you do not complete your coursework, your incomplete will be turned into a failing grade.

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.

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.

To be eligible for a SEVIS transfer, you must

• have written confirmation of your acceptance to another school
• provide current DSO with 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 between the last day of the semester at CCC and 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 will begin 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 days 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 the receipt of your new Form I-20 with the new school.

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 job offer from on-campus supervisor for part-time employment and meet with DSO.  
2. DSO will prepare documentation allowing 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 become 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 student. The student is required to obtain permission before they can begin work and compete all required steps. You can find out more about OPT here.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) 

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

here

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

• Continue studies at CCC in another program. An updated I-20 must be issued to reflect these changes; speak to your DSO for details.
• Transfer to another college or university. You will need to provide a letter of acceptance and a SEVIS transfer form from the transfer college or university. These must be given to your DSO before your I-20 will be transferred.
• Apply for Optional Practical Training at least three months prior to completing your degree. Make an appointment to speak to your DSO.
• Return home (leave the U.S.) within 60 days of the program end date.