International Students
The admission process for international students applying to CCU's College of Adult and Graduate Studies requires some additional steps and forms. The information below is designed to help ensure that your application will be processed as efficiently as possible.
Getting Started
It is important for students to understand that it can take up to two or three months to process the I-20. Please consider this time frame when choosing the anticipated start date for your academic program at CCU.
International Application and I-20:
- Fill out CCU's Application for Admission.
- Contact World Education Services (WES) for evaluation or your transcript(s).
- An official record of your TOEFL score which must be 550 or higher.
Upon acceptance to CCU, international students desiring to complete their coursework in the United States must provide the following documents to the International Student Coordinator in order to obtain an I-20 form. This form is necessary to secure a student Visa.
- Your completed application for admission.
- Confirmation of your home country street address and phone number.
- Copy of your passport.
- Copy of all valid Visas. (transfer students only)
- Confirmation of sufficient funds for payment of tuition and fees for one academic year. You must complete CCU's Verification of Funds form (PDF) for this purpose. You will be required to submit a bank statement showing adequate funds on deposit or provide a statement from an American citizen guaranteeing payment of expenses.
- The student is responsible for paying the SEVIS I-901 fee on the U.S. Immigration Web site. The government requires this fee (and a copy of the receipt) in order for the student to legally cross the border into the U.S. for study purposes.
Upon review of this material, the International Student Coordinator will issue and mail your I-20. Please note that this may take several months to process.
Student Status, SEVIS Reporting:
CCU is required to report to SEVIS each international student’s attendance and academic status for each semester.
Upon Arrival:
International students must report to the International Student Coordinator within 30 days of their program start date and submit the following documents:
- I-20
- I-94 card
- Passport
- Local address and phone number
How to Maintain F-1 Student Status:
International students must carry a full semester hour load to be considered full time status.
- CAGS undergraduate students: 12 credits per semester
- CAGS graduate students: six credits per semester
Reasons for F-1 Status Termination:
- Unauthorized drop below full time enrollment
- Unauthorized withdrawal
- Unauthorized employment
- Change of status denied
- Failure to enroll
- Suspension
Student Travel and Re-entry on Current F-1 Status:
- The International Student Coordinator must sign page three of the I-20 form for travel authorization.
- The student's absence from the U.S. must be for less than five months.
- The student's passport and Visa must be valid.
International Student Transfer Procedure
F-1 Transfer Out:
- If you have an I-20 from Colorado Christian University, you will be allowed to transfer out of CCU after completion of one academic semester.
- You will need to contact CCU's International Student Coordinator to release the SEVIS record to your new school, usually done via a Transfer Form. (You will need to provide the name of your new school and transfer release date.)
- On your transfer release date, the new school will have access to your record and can create and print a new I-20.
- Considerations:
- Students who have not maintained their immigration status will not be released in SEVIS for transfer.
- Students completing programs and students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) are eligible for transfer within the 60 day grace period.
- The new program must begin within five months of transferring out or end of OPT.
F-1 Transfer In:
- You must notify your current school of your intent to transfer into Colorado Christian University.
- Your current school must release your record on SEVIS.
- You will be responsible for notifying CCU’s International Student Coordinator of your intent to transfer into CCU.
- CCU will verify in SEVIS the transfer status and issue you a new I-20.
International Student Employment Options
On Campus Employment:
- Students are eligible to work up to 20 hours per week on campus only.
Off Campus Employment:
- Students may work off campus with special authorization as granted through Optional Practical Training (OPT) after one full academic year at the same institution.
- Students may apply for work authorization based on demonstrated economic hardship. Students must contact the International Student Coordinator to verify student eligibility and to submit the I-538 for USCIS consideration.
International Students Financial Aid Options
- International students are not eligible for U.S. Federal Student Loans.
- CCU scholarships are not available for international students.
