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Welcome to the International Student Site

F-1 Students transferring to nOVA

Applying to NOVA | Admissions | Overseas Application Process | F-1 Transfer Students

If you wish to transfer from one school to another in the U.S, you must complete the F-1 transfer process. Your SEVIS (Student Exchange and Visitor Information Service) record can be assigned to only one school at a time.

REQUIRED FORMS
You will need to submit three forms. All of these forms can be downloaded from this website.

  1. Apply online at www.nvcc.edu. If you apply online, you will be issued a Student ID number.  It is important to include that ID Number on all your other forms. (If you prefer, you can download a NOVA Application Form

    • You will be asked if you wish to take classes for credit, non-credit or both. Please choose “both” for your answer.

    • You will be asked if you plan to pursue a degree. Please include the academic program you intend to pursue at NOVA. (Due to the restricted nature of some programs, such as Veterinary Technology and Dental Hygiene, these programs are currently not available to F-1 students.)

  2. I-20 Application Form 

  3. Financial Statement Form recently signed by your financial sponsor(s) (dated not more than 6 months before the start of the semester for which you are applying). Please provide all financial information in English and in U.S. Dollars. 

 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

  1. Evidence that you have completed the equivalent of a U.S. high school education. You will need to submit an official English translation of your secondary or high school diploma or certificate. Provide an official or certified copy of one of the following:

    • Your secondary school diploma or certificate equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma OR
    • Documentation of your attendance in a university-level program

      If this document is in English, you need to submit a copy which is certified as a true copy of the original.

    If you are applying to the college before you have completed your secondary education, please ask your high school to provide an official letter stating the date by which you will have received your diploma or certificate. Include that letter with your application. All academic documents must include official English translations.

    Participants in a J-1 Au Pair or Summer Work Travel program may demonstrate that they have meet this requirement by providing a copy of the DS 2019.

  2. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score. You TOEFL must not be more than 2 years old. If you do not have a TOEFL score, or if your TOEFL score is below the required score, you may still apply. The College will process your application for the intensive English program.

    • If you come from a country where English is the official language and it is your first language, the TOEFL is not required.
    • If you are applying for the Intensive English Language Program, the TOEFL is not required.
    • If you are in the United States and are able to visit the college, you can take the college English Placement Test and submit those scores in place of TOEFL scores.

    Note:     All incoming transfer students will take an English placement test at the college unless you have already completed a three-credit College English Composition course at another accredited U.S. college and have earned a grade of C or better. If that is the case, please bring an official (unopened) transcript to an International Student Counselor for evaluation and possible waiver of the placement testing requirement.

    Provide official TOEFL or IELTS scores less than 2 years old.

    Required TOEFL score:        
    Paper based         500
    Computer based   173
    iBT                       61

    Required IELTS score:           5.0

    Please use the TOEFL Institution code of 5515 to report your score.

    All incoming students will be required to take an English placement test prior to enrolling in classes at the college. The college has different tests for native and non-native English speakers.

    If you are applying for a academic degree program, request that your most recent TOEFL Score Report be mailed to NOVA (Visit the TOEFL website and scroll down to Spotlight: TOEFL Score Report Requests for more information). Use the institutional code number below for the NOVA campus you wish to attend.

    TOEFL Institution Codes
    5510    Alexandria Campus
    5515    Annandale Campus
    5774    Manassas Campus
    5775    Loudoun Campus
    5617    Woodbridge Campus

  3. Recent bank statement from your financial sponsor (dated not more than 6 months before the start of the semester for which you are applying). The bank statement must be officially translated into English and U.S. Dollars.

  4. Photocopy of your passport ID page and I-94.

  5. Write a brief statement explaining why you want to study at Northern Virginia Community College

  6. Copy of your current I-20.

  7. Official transcript from current school.

  8. F-1 Verification Form signed by the international student advisor from your current school. This form is available online or at the college. Do not request the release of your SEVIS record until your admission to NOVA is complete and you have made the decision to attend NOVA.

All forms and documents should be mailed or delivered directly to the Office of International Student Services no later than the deadlines given below. (Go to www.nvcc.edu/international for addresses.)

Students who qualify to enter the college for academic studies may begin in either the fall or spring semester. Students entering the college for the intensive English-language program may enter fall, spring or summer semesters.

Note: Your SEVIS record stays with the school you are currently attending. This means that the record will not be released to NOVA until the end of the semester. NOVA cannot issue you a new I-20 until that time. Students who will be traveling between semesters should discuss this with the International Student Advisor at your current school and at the NOVA campus you will be attending.

Application Deadlines for F1 Transfer Students
Fall Semester Deadline: July 1
Spring Semester Deadline: December 1
Summer Session Deadline: April 15

Checklist for Required Forms and Documents
Below you will find a summarized checklist of the items that you will need in order to study at NOVA. Make sure to visit Applying to NOVA for the complete set of instructions on the application process.

NOVA Application Form

I-20 Application Form 

Financial Statement Form

Evidence that you have completed the equivalent of a U.S. high school education.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score.

Recent bank statement from your financial sponsor showing that your sponsor has sufficient funds to meet the financial obligation to support you while you study and live in the U.S.

Photocopy of your passport ID page.

A brief statement explaining why you want to study at Northern Virginia Community College.

* Some may not need a TOEFL. See Applying to NOVA for Complete List of Requirements.