Special Requirements for Canadians:

Canadian citizens do not require visas to study in the United States.

If you plan to study at Blue Ridge, when crossing the the border or entering the airport you will need proof of Canadian citizenship, the I-20 form issued by Blue Ridge and evidence of means of support.

As with all non-immigrant visitors to the United States, Canadian students must be able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) inspector at the time of entry that their stay in the United States is not permanent in nature, and that they intend to return to a residence outside of the United States upon completion of their education.

For entrance into Blue Ridge Community College the following items MUST ALL be completed and received before an I-20 form can be issued:

Required Documentation for the I-20:

1. Application Form
Complete Blue Ridge Community College's application for admission. An original paper application must be submitted. On-line applications cannot be accepted. You can print off a copy of our college application from our website, complete it personally, and then mail it in. But it cannot be accepted from the on-line submission.
PLEASE NOTE: Blue Ridge Community College CAN ONLY ISSUE 1-20's TO INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS WHO ARE ENROLLED IN EITHER THE ASSOCIATE IN ARTS DEGREE PROGRAM OR THE ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAM. All other degree, diploma, or certificate programs are not eligible programs for the international applicant to Blue Ridge.

2. Evidence of Financial Support
Submit a notarized Affidavit of Financial Support. It must also be accompanied by an original letter from the applicant's bank or financial institution verifying the availability of U.S. funds to support a full-time student and any accompanying dependents for each year of study. An I-20 form cannot be issued until all financial documentation is received and approved. Total estimated annual expenses (includes out-of-state tuition, books, and living expenses) for international students: $18,700.00 - $21,000.00. A deposit may be required. Inadequate financial support will result in failure to maintain F-1 student status and possible deportation from the U.S. Please be sure that your financial resources or those of your sponsor are readily available to meet your educational and living expenses throughout your studies.

3. Official Diploma/Transcripts
The student must provide complete, official academic records from secondary (equivalent to high school education in the U.S.) and post-secondary schools. Records should include courses taken, grades received, and degrees or certificates earned. Secondary school transcripts (equivalent to high school education in the U.S.) if not originally in English must be translated into English. Post-secondary school transcripts must not only be translated into English, but also must be evaluated for U.S. Credit. Translations and evaluations must be performed by one of the organizations approved by Blue Ridge. These organizations can be found on the NACES website: www.naces.org. The student will need to provide Blue Ridge with original transcripts that we can keep for the student’s file (not ones that need to be returned to the student), plus the translation/evaluation report sent from an NACES organization.

4. Evidence of English Competency
Potential students must demonstrate English competency by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). This test is published and administered in most countries by the Educational Testing Service. Their address in the United States is Educational Testing Service, PO Box 899, Princeton, NJ 08541 USA. Their website is http://www.ets.org/toefl/ The student will need to go on their website, find out when and where their tests are held, register for and take the test, and then arrange the official test-results sent to Blue Ridge. The student must have a TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based test, 213 on the computer-based version, or 80 on the Internet-based version in order for the I-20 Form from Blue Ridge to be issued.

5. Placement Testing
Students must complete the Pre-Enrollment Placement Test for BRCC. We normally use the ACCUPLACER TEST, but we will accept the ASSET test for 2 year colleges as well.
If the applicant took the SAT or the ACT within the last three years, and scored 500 or better on Critical Reading and/or Math on the SAT, and a 21 on ACT English and 20 on ACT Math, then those portions of placement testing can be waived.
Also, a potential student can take the ACCUPLACER or ASSET TESTING at another location and have those scores submitted to Blue Ridge. The ACCUPLACER Tests which are required are: Sentence Skills, Reading, Arithmetic and Elementary Algebra. The ASSET tests which are required are: Writing Skills, Reading Skills, Numerical Skills, and either the Elementary Algebra or the Intermediate Algebra test.

6. Adequate health and hospitalization
Students will need to provide documentation that they have adequate health and hospitalization insurance coverage for the time that they will be students at Blue Ridge Community College.

7. Interview
Before an I-20 Form is issued, an interview may be required.

Restrictions for Canadian Students studying at Blue Ridge:

• Students are required to be enrolled as a full-time (minimum 12 semester hours) degree seeking student at Blue Ridge. Out-of-state tuition is charged. Minimum tuition cost per semester is currently around $3780, which does not include books and supplies.
• Canadian students are not permitted to work for salary or wages for at least the first full year of study. The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services may authorize employment eligibility in extreme hardship cases due to changing economics after the first year of study. (PLEASE NOTE: this is very rarely approved.)
• Blue Ridge has no dormitories or residence halls. All students must arrange for housing away from the College. The community college system in North Carolina is established to meet the needs of commuting students. Thus, we are unable to provide transportation, housing, meals, or any support of that sort.
• Students need to document adequate health and hospitalization insurance.
• Blue Ridge is located in a small town setting with no major public transportation available. Students are responsible for meeting their own transportation needs.

WHEN ENTERING THE U.S., THE STUDENT WILL NEED TO PRESENT AT THE BORDER THE FOLLOWING:

• A valid Form I-20
• A receipt showing payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee
• Proof of financial ability to pay the amount shown on the Form I-20
• Evidence supporting the individual's nonimmigrant intent

For more information, refer to the Arriving at a U.S. POE -- What a Student Can Expect

The DOS Web site has additional information for Canadian students