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International Students (F-1/M-1)

Services for International Students

Since its inception in 1961, DeKalb Technical College has been serving DeKalb, Rockdale, Newton and Morgan counties. DeKalb Tech became the largest technical college in the State of Georgia in 1986. Coupled with this growth is the fact that our Clarkston campus is located in DeKalb County, the most diverse county in the southeast United States.

We serve approximately 10,000 international students per year, both resident and non-resident, representing over 40 countries. Since the early 1980's, DeKalb Technical College has been issuing student visas. The major role of the I.S. Advisor is to work with international students seeking or holding an F-1/M-1 student visa. The I.S. advisor keeps students informed of the regulations required for maintaining status as an F-1 or M-1 visa holder. These requirements include full-time attendance, maintaining good classroom attendance, and making satisfactory progress. In addition, the I.S. advisor is the Designated School Official, and is required to notify INS should an I.S. student fail to comply with these regulations.
For additional information on International student admission, please contact Lisa Peters at 404-297-9522, ext. 1154 or petersl@dekalbtech.edu.

Admissions Requirements For Applicants Requesting A Student Visa

1. Submit Application to DeKalb Tech Admissions Office, Attn: International Student Advisor, with a $ 25.00 non-refundable application fee.
   ADMISSIONS APPLICATION - Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader
2. Present an original document certifying immigrant or non-immigrant status. (Passport, visa, permanent resident alien card, etc.)
3. Submit Financial Statements:
   1. Affidavit of Support showing that you have funds to finance your education.
   2. Certified statement from your bank, (sponsors bank), showing that the required funds are available. ($19,228.00 **) - see Suggested wording for letter
   3. Additional documents substantiating your ability to support yourself/student financially. Financial Documentation
4. Submit proof of proficiency in the English language.
5. Submit Official High School transcript.*
6. Submit Official College/University transcripts.*
7. Submit Satisfactory SAT, ACT, CPE, ASSET or COMPASS Test score.
8. Submit proof of current health insurance coverage.
9. Pay one quarter's tuition and fees totaling $2057.00** to DeKalb Technical College (12 credit hours).
10. Pay SEVIS Fee prior to interview with U.S. Consulate.
11. Submit Transfer Clearance Form* to your Advisor at your current school, if applicable.

*If transcripts are in a language other than English, an official translation is required. Foreign postsecondary educational credentials must have a course-by-course evaluation by an Independent Evaluation Service. Photocopies and faxes are not acceptable.

F-1/M-1 students must start their studies in the quarter for which the visa is granted and remain in College during the duration of the visa's awarded period. Otherwise, the College must notify ins immediately that the student is not in school and therefore "out of status." The student must consult with the ISA if a problem arises which prohibits the student's attendance at the College. Before withdrawing from a course, the F-1/M-1 student must have the approval of the ISA or the Dean of Students, since time parameters for program completion are part of the visa approval process. The ISA or the Dean of Students will notify INS officials if the student does not show quarterly academic progress or is placed on academic probation, exclusion, or suspension.

According to INS policies, the F-1/ M-1 student's visa and passport must remain updated while attending DeKalb Tech. It is the responsibility of the F-1/M-1 student to keep tract of the expiration dates of his/her documents. If the visa or passport is to expire before the completion of the students program, he/she must see the ISA in order to complete appropriate forms for an extension. The student must meet with the ISA no less than 60 days prior to the expiration date of the document(s) in order to have adequate time to have the document(s) in question renewed. Failure to do so could result in the INS denying the request for the student extension that would then result in the student having to leave the country prior to completion of his/her program.

Admission into a credit program is a selective process and international students must meet the requirements for admission. International applicants must have a complete file before being accepted into a credit program. Once official acceptance is granted, a letter is mailed to the applicant. The ISA will then request that an F-1/M-1 student visa be issued to the accepted applicant by the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Download an Application for Admission (PDF) (Pay by Check or Money Order)

**Note: Fees and tuition are subject to change.

Financial Requirements and Documentation

The following are the documents that DeKalb Tech will require/review in order to determine International student financial support. Tuition and fees are subject to change yearly.

Without a U.S. sponsor and after meeting all admission requirements:

• Student must pay $2,057 to DeKalb Tech for tuition and fees (1 quarter) prior to the I-20 being issued (this does not include books, housing, transportation, etc). These monies are refundable if the student does not obtain the F-1/M-1 visa. Estimated books and supplies are $250 per quarter and estimated living expenses can range from $800 to $1200 per month. The total amount that DeKalb Tech puts on the I-20 is $19,228 for total cost to attend school for 12 months or 4 quarters.
• Student and/or parents must show that funds are available to support the student while in the United States. This can be done by submitting the following:
  1. Bank statement or bank letter showing you have funds to finance student's education -see Suggested wording for letter
  2. Submitting other documents that prove that you could support the student
  3. Submitting a notarized letter from the bank indicating that you have sufficient means to cover educational and living expenses for the student.
• Student/sponsor/parents should write a letter that accompanies the above documents. Suggested wording is as follows:
  
  I, ____ (your name and relationship to student) ________, do agree
  to support _____(student's name)_________________       while
  they are a student at DeKalb Technical College.
  I have attached copies of verification for support of ___(student's name)___.
  If you need further information, you may contact me at __________________.
  Sincerely,
  (Your name)
  With a sponsor in the U.S. and after meeting all admission requirements:

• Student must pay $2,057 to DeKalb Tech for tuition and fees (1 quarter) prior to the I-20 being issued (this does not include books, housing, transportation, etc). These monies are refundable if the student does not obtain the F-1/M-1 visa. Estimated books and supplies are $250 per quarter and estimated living expenses can range from $800 to $1200 per month. The total amount that DeKalb Tech puts on the I-20 is $19,228 for total cost to attend school for 12 months or 4 quarters.
• Sponsor must show that they have funds available to support the student while in the U.S. The following are ways to show this:
• Submit your last 6 months bank statements or letter from bank - see Suggested wording for letter
• Submit a copy of your latest tax return
• Request your employer write a letter stating how long you have been working and your salary information.
• Submit your last pay statement/wage stub
• Sponsor should write a notarized letter that accompanies the above documents stating in what capacity you will be supporting the student. Use the format as seen on the above and word it according to how you will support the student, using terms such as "responsible for housing, food, transportation, etc."

Any information that can be used to convince DeKalb Tech and Consular Officials that you; the student, parent, and/or sponsor, have sufficient funds available to finance your education, should be submitted with the above requested information.

Housing & Cost of Living

Housing

DeKalb Tech is a commuter school and therefore does not have dormitories or on-campus living quarters. However, we are located in an area where a number of apartment complexes and extended stay hotels are right at our doorstep. DeKalb Tech accepts no personal liability for student's conduct, health or off-campus activities.

For your convenience, we have compiled a list of rental properties in the Clarkston area. The properties listed below are within walking distance of DeKalb Tech. MARTA, public transportation, is also available from these locations. Bus schedules may be obtained from MARTA at (404) 848-4711.

Monthly rentals average between $550.00-$650.00 monthly for a one bedroom apartment and $650.00-$850.00 for a two bedroom. You will be responsible for "one time charges", including deposits and application fees. Recurring monthly expenses may include; electricity, gas, water and telephone. Some properties offer six month leases, as well as one year leases. We recommend that you contact the leasing/resident manager regarding expenses for a particular property.
Estimated Cost of Living Expenses

DeKalb Tech is a commuter school and therefore does not have dormitories or on-campus living quarters. However, we are located in an area where a number of apartment complexes and extended stay hotels are right at our doorstep. DeKalb Tech accepts no personal liability for student's conduct, health or off-campus activities.

The figure below includes food/transportation/housing and is very conservative. It also takes into consideration that the student has at least one roommate. Living with more than one person could lower the cost and living alone could increase the cost.

Estimated Cost of Living* - $850.00

LIST OF RENTAL PROPERTIES

* Expenses will vary based on individual preferences.

Tuition & Fees

The F-1 and M-1 student must provide certification that funds are available to defray school expenses including tuition fees, school supplies, living costs, and related expenses. This money must be on deposit in an American bank or accompanied by a letter from a banking institution in your country that certifies the financial status of you and/or your family. Once a student has been accepted to DeKalb Technical College, tuition for 1 quarter MUST be paid in advance ($2057.00). The tuition is fully refundable if the student is not granted a student visa. Tuition and fees must be paid at the time of registration. Financial Aid is not available to international students.

All international students must take a full-time course load each academic quarter. A full-time course load at DeKalb Technical College is considered 12 credit hours or more. Fees are capped at the 15 credit hour mark meaning that any credit hours above 15 are free to students, except for Specialty Programs.

International Student fees for 12 credit hours or more are as follows:

Tuition	$1,920.00
Registration	$42.00
Activity Fee	$16.00
Instruction/Technology Fee	$35.00
Campus Access Fee	$40.00
Accident Insurance Fee	$4.00
Quarterly Total	$2,057.00*
Yearly Total	$8,228.00*

 

Note: Fees and tuition are subject to change.

*Books and supplies generally range in price from $300.00 to $550.00 per quarter and are not included in this amount.

Resources for International Students

DeKalb Technical College does not endorse or promote any organization offering personal or professional services. This web page is intended only to provide information and resources so that perspective or current students can make informed decisions on matters effecting their educational goals and non-immigrant status.

Government Web Sites

Ga. Dept. of Driver Services
http://www.dds.ga.gov

Social Security Online
http://www.ssa.gov

Internal Revenue Service
http://www.irs.gov

Tax Form 8843
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8843.pdf

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement -
http://www.ice.gov

U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services -
http://www.uscis.gov

U.S. Embasy -
http://usembassy.state.gov

ESL Programs
http://www.eslinstruction.com
http://www.kaplan.com
http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwiep/ - Contact #: 404-651-3650
http://www.esl.gatech.edu - Contact #: 404-894-2425
http://www2.mercer.edu/OIP/ELI - Contact #: 678-547-6375

Evaluation Services
http://www.wes.org
http://www.jsilny.org
http://www.Lisano-INTL.com

Insurance Options
http://www.mnui.com
http://www.compassstudenthealthinsurance.com
http://www.lewermark.com
http://www.911abroad.com
http://www.hginsurance.com
http://www.globalNsure.com
http://www.studentguard.com
http://www.twlord.com

Legal Services
Catholic Charities Atlanta
http://www.catholiccharitiesatlanta.org/services/immigration.htm
Robert Beer 770-955-1785
Myron Kramer 404-371-9031
Charles Kuck 404-816-8611 http://www.immigration.net

Testing Services
http://www.collegeboard.com
http://www.ets.org